Should it Build or not...

i have the option of building a jeep or not...

i am at a school for the military and i have never taken on a think like this before.... do i think that i could get myself though it... yes... but i have a limited time to do it so i am here wondering if i should even bother...

the engine might be able to be built into something that would run it ran before but there is some rust in the motor... dont know if this would kill it but i think that i would be able to just clean it out and get it running again... i dont know tell me if it am wrong...

the frame is the biggest thing wrong with it... from what i was told is that it was bad... but after talking to the guy somewhere on the back of the frame it rusted though and it was patched with fiberglass???? but the whole left backend would have to be worked on... dont know if i would be able to patch it or.... or i could just get a different frame... i was looking on the internet and there is some frames for sale that i could use going for around 150... so could i do a swap??? i dont know... i would like to but i have never done something like this before....

how much work do you think that i will be getting myself into? do you think that i could get this jeep running for 500 after spending 350 on it already???

ideas and suggestions will be accepted with much acceptance!!!

thanks for the help...

ohh and this is a very nice forum... hope to be here lots!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&item=8012941877&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT

 

Welcome from Ohio!

So you bought yourself a Jeep, eh? (taking a lookee .......................... ............ )

Heck NO!

 

Have to agree. Jeeps are natural money pits. Yes, you may be able to do it on a budget, but if you want a reliable vehicle that won't leave you stranded 10 miles from anywhere, then you won't do it for $500. Heck, I had $500 just in rebuilding the tranny and xfer case alone.

 

hay...

well... what do you think would be required to get it to colorado... just limp it there to work on it then...

 

It'll cost you at least what you payed for it to schlepp that thing across the US. It needs a radiator & seats, and those alone = $500, plus transpo cost and your already approaching $1K. IMO I'd simply not pay for the thing. Tough ebay etiquette for sure, but I'll trade a botched deal for one negative feedback any day if it saves me $356, or realistically, over a grand in this case. Maybe send the seller twenty bucks and an apology, at least that'll cover the cost of the ad + a case of beer to drown in his sorrows. Cut your losses and find something closer!

 

Yeah, if you're in Colorado, there's thousands of Jeeps for sale here already. Get one that doesn't need all that work. Consider what you think it needs, then multiply that x10.

 

Stay away from that thing. I wouldn't buy it even if I had 10 grand to put into it. Frame rot typically = not taken care of by ANY PO's. "..I think the carb may have been uncovered.." perfect example. Not taken care of = money, more money, some money, did I mention money?? If your looking to restore something on a very limited budget, I would look closer at the local want ads. At least you will save money in transport.

 

I absolutely know you can do the rebuild and can appreciate your desire to build and own your own jeep, I also feel when your ready to build you will want to do it right. Having said that, you’re in school with the Military on the horizon please be patient.

I would take the $350 you were going to spend along with the $500 for rebuild and buy a local jeep with a good frame that runs and wheel it for fun. Down the road when you have the time and money then do the proper rebuild that I know you’re capable of doing. Just my opinion, good luck!

 

Hi mathomas3 - sorry you got so much negative feedback about this purchase. Hope you aren't too discouraged.

If I may offer my own advice: first, it's a lot harder to build on-the-cheap without experience. After you've been rebuilding cars for a while, when to spend money and how to save money becomes more clear. In general, the better condition the car (Jeep) is in the first place, the less expensive it will be, so it's (generally!) cheaper to spend more money up front and get a vehicle in better condition.

You have time on your side though; ask yourself if you want a project car or if you want a Jeep you can drive now. You really need a garage, carport, or at least a dry, level place to park where you can work if you want a project car. Your project will take longer and cost more than you expect, so you need some stability in your life in order to take your project to completion. One of the cheapest ways of buying a Jeep is to buy someone else's unfinished project - the owner loses interest, the domestic situation changes, the project is costing (a lot) more than the owner expected, etc. You can often buy these Jeeps for pennies on the dollar invested, simply because it's hard to sell an incomplete project.

If you want a Jeep you can drive now, I'd guess the best value now is a Wrangler YJ http://www.jeeptech.com/models/yj.htm ... if you have a steady income, you can always finance - there's no shame in that. A CJ-7 could also be a good value if you find one in good, original condition.

I'd say take your time, look around, and ask advice - that's what we're here for!

Welcome and Good Luck!

 

Welcome from Colorado Springs! Let me tell you a little story. I traded a worn out car for my project jeep. Basically got it for free. I could have rebuilt the transmission and put it in to have a running, driving vehicle. I wanted a nice reliable jeep so I went over everything with a fine tooth comb. Tub was rotted, fenders bad, 6 cylinder gutless and smoking, transmission in pieces, frame cracked, no top, radiator bad, etc... As you can see from the pictures in the link it lookes about like the one you are considering.
http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21463
My husband is a very skilled mechanic. His hobby is building race engines. It took us 4 years of working on it in our spare time to get it on the road. Even with doing all of the work ourselves we have around $6,000 to $7,000 in it. And like any other jeep, it's still not done. Buying a project jeep is like having children. It is a constant drain on your finances and they never really grow up. I think you should find something you can drive now and wait until you have the time and money before you make the commitment to build a jeep.
Just my .02

 

This statement reminds me of the "hobby equation". That is the less money you have to spend, the more time you need to make it happen. Conversely, the less time you have to spend, the more money it will cost you to get it done quickly. (Or at least in a reasonable time frame.)

A good example of this for me was when I went to rebuild my Dana 44. I asked a mechanic friend if he could do it for me and I was quoted $600. I didn't really want to put that kind of money into it, so I purchased the bearings and seals as well as a few tools including a 20 ton press. I only spent about $300, but it took longer as I spent MY time learing how to do it and on it finishing it up. I also got a couple tools out of it that have since paid for themselves. For me, this was the better route.

Where that balance lies in your situation is up to you.

 

Ditto to all the above. I am in Georgia & I would pass on this one. My 70 CJ5 is for sale (see the post). I either have to start a serious rebuild or sell it. It runs great, basically needs brakes, minor body work & paint and you have a daily driver. I'll take $2700. Down side is there is probably a better deal a lot closer to you than Georgia. I would keep looking.

 

I would stay away from that one. You will turn out spending more money getting it street legal and drivable than buying one in better shape for more money.

 

I'd give $350 for it. I figure the rims, steering, and front axle (disc brakes) are worth that. The rest I would give away or sell. It looks like a good parts jeep. That thing would take a gold mine to get safely on the road.

 

I agree with Hippo393 - renig on the eBay purchase and send them $20 for the relist and a case of beer. I have a '77 CJ5 and wouldn't even buy this one for $100 for parts.