I've been thinking about this project for awhile. I just cant wrap my head aound the RUST. It's killing me, the drivetrain is solid as a rock, Low miles and I've already put $400 into a full tune-up, fluids, gaskets and uni- stiffeners. I was thinking I'd fix the rockers with boat slides, cut the lower door skin off and replace it with diamond plate. Then just repair the other rusty areas with the usual sand, prep, fill, prime and bed-line the exterior. BUT...that's a lot of work and TIME on a $500 beater rig. My plans are pretty hazy, but I've got a decent amount of cash to work with and I really don't want to throw a couple grand into something thats going to rust out in a year or two. Think it's time to find a better starting point or go with the flow?

 

If you want to build it and use it. Just leave the body and lift it and beat it up. I mean you can do a little bit of prep/paint but it depends on your over all goal.

 

I think, if you cared what it looked like, you wouldnt have bought that one.
Go for it, if you trust the Jeep, why not make it the way you want?

 

I probably shouldn't have said beater. I don't care what it looks like as long as it's one or two tone and not a rust bucket. I was primarily looking for a good drive train when I got this. Maybe I'll try to find a happy medium...fix the rust, and just rattle can it so it doesn't decay anymore.

 

deff work on the body first, you can always get new doors at a jy :P

 

as long as the rust hasnt eaten through I would keep it and build it. If you are going for a trail rig that would be perfect(no worries about beating it up). What I would do is fix the rust and like you said rattle can it. My dad had a '79 f-100 That was beat up and full of rust but it was just a tow/hunting truck so it didn't matter. It's all about what you want. If you want a good looking daily driver AND a toy find good body with a shot motor/trans or something like that and just tansfer the good parts. I think as a toy or a trail truck something you got would be my #1 choice good drivetrain so-so body. Thats just what I think about it.

 

If the doors are that rusted, what does the underside look like? I think that's where it really counts. Doors can be replaced cheaper and easier than trying to sand and patch them and what not. Local junk yards have them selling for around 35 a piece (well thats what I paid at my local jy). I believe that if the underside, and driveline look good, then go for a build. If there is any doubt about it, maybe search for another rig. There's nothing wrong with having more than one XJ

 

IF the rails underneath are solid, then rough finish the visible and ride it.