They have the same attraction as an old Land Rover. If you are aiming to repair to sell clearly it is important to keep costs low but if it is a keeper, investing in it is still very likely to cheaper than buying and maintaining a new vehicle with all the complicated electronics that are very expensive to repair. I am sure that investing in it will mean spending more than it's worth but it is a different way of looking at the total cost of running a vehicle. I would really love to watch how you progress with this
I learned so much about cars as a high school kid working on a ‘66 Opel Kadet changing clutches, brakes etc. It only had a 1060cc engine but I could get it to scoot. My parents wife’s family has a ‘97 Jeep Wrangler soft top and a ‘70 Landcruiser on their ranch. They are so much fun to drive and taught both our girls how to drive a stick. Keep it for a project and take us along.
Hope you have better luck than my buddy. It is a nightmare. If only a head gasket and the transmission is not too expensive, could be a decent vehicle on the farm, I would be doubtful you can get out for your estimate. Good luck could make good content.
The value of these TJs seems to be going up. Now, you do have a less desirable one because of the 4 banger and auto. I would probably fix it. Because of frame rot marketplace is full of jeeps being parted out. I would search around and see if I could find a good used engine and transmission then spend a weekend dropping them in.
I think you like Jeeps so I say do what you want and do it right because you will appreciate the most Do it smart $$ but we’ll Look foward to see it’s progress 👍
If you fix it post vids. Any older vehicle is pretty much a black hole…but guys gotta have their toys or life gets dull. What cha gonna do? (My black hole was a 2001 chevy 1500 long bed.)
Sir, we have somethings is common ( I Love Jeep TOO !!!! ) Very Nice Pictures !!! Moskitos sprayers lol ; ) Nice looking Gentleman on the Very Nice Toyota Land Criuser !!! ; ) How about putting a manual transmission ? I agree with you about the head gasket !!! Yes I Would Like To See Your Improvement on Your Jeep !!! Be Well Ed Cheers !!!
Thank you, David! I wouldn’t mind putting a manual transmission in. Of course you have to add all the other components as well. Something to think about!
That’s a great deal! She must have wanted it to go to a good home. Otherwise she could have sold the hardtop for more than she sold it to you for. Or the doors. Or the tires and wheels. How much more should you spend on it ? Well, Ed, Just Empty Every Pocket. JEEP!
Hello Ed. I understand your passion for a vehicle that maybe you shouldn't buy. I love vw vans, have owned two. For me they are so much fun to drive. But they are quite under powered, and I would probably not survive a front end collision. I think if you really love it , go for it. See you tonight, Ben
It’s not about the work you put into it your time is priceless, I just completed one I got it cheap total so far I have 6k into mine but it’s done looks great handles like a new 97 tj and I’m proud of the work God let me do and I have to do projects like this to keep me sharp, I say go for it and have fun with the whole process. I will say this get the adjustable control arms when you cross that road, and adjustable track bars .
Love our Jeeps. I bought a new 97 Sport when they came out. Drove it for many trouble free miles . My wife has a 2012 JK and my son a 2021 JL. I still have a 99 grand Cherokee limited that my kids used through school. It currently has 268k on the 4.0 and I daily drive it and love it!
As far as your time Ed, if it's something you enjoy then you really can't count your time on the project. I would rather be doing something I enjoy with my time then working an hourly job now that I I'm older and can afford to spend those hours doing things I enjoy.
I bought a CJ5 as my 3rd vehicle, then a CJ7 then a Scrambler. I currently have 2 M151s Miliary jeeps, both 1962/3 and hope to put them back on the road after time and money. I love the AMC Jeeps.
More clutter for the garage..... LOL. That being said, if you do it right, you could have a fresh engine and transmission which should easily get you another 100k miles if that is what you want. I might would put that into an old CJ, but a wrangler? Maybe if I had a place to use it offroad as a 4WD. For reference, I too had an older CJ that I put over 200k miles on while I was in college. My dad had a '49 Willys Panel Wagon, and an old Army Jeep when I was a kid. That started my fascination with Jeeps.
Great find, Ed. It sounds like a fun project and some excellent content for your channel. In my opinio, if you can stay under $5000 all in on the Jeep, you did good. It should be a fun journey.
Transmissions really aren't that hard to rebuild been there done that dodge pickup and front wheel drive car. Head gasket I have no idea never done one , you should be able to find a RU-vid video on tear down 😀 Does look like will make some great content for channel.
Ed I rebuild jeeps an turn them to people that want to get into them with out massive payments. Here in the Hoosier State jeeps dont sell with out the 4.0 I would entertain a Jasper rebuild 4.0 swap.
What it's worth is what is ot worth to you. Some are only interested in what can I sell it for others are in it for the fun and the desire. You have to decide. Me I'd put the work into it. If you want to go all out you can put a compsite body on it and even change the frame. Bring us along could be fun.
It’s always up to you. If it is a point of no return,get rid of it,if you want to keep it go for it. Your choice according to your bank account. That’s just my openion. Thanks
Based on your professed affinity for "Jeeps" ..it sounds like you'll get enjoyment from working on it and tinkering with it. That's part of the journey. I'm that way with my hobbies..if it brings me pleasure, it's money well spent.
They are awesome vehicles. In 1982 I bought a 78 jeep CJ 5 from my brother n law. 258 inline six cylinder. Probably the smoothest running vehicle I ever owned. ❤
I had a 83 CJ-7, loved it! I put a glass body on it and used it for everything. I'd buy another one if I could afford an extra vehicle in the yard. Half the fun is the building it. Enjoy! 🔧🛠️
I think you did fine. I agree the head gasket is compromised. I'd have a machine shop check it out to verify it's not cracked and to resurface it. That's worth the $200 or so it will cost. Even with a transmission you'll be fine. That Jeep running good would bring 6k in the midwest, I can't imagine it's much less out east.
Hello Ed, You are in it really cheap. You can afford to spend some time and money making it a driver. Seems like you really like the Jeep so it doesn't matter what others say about them. Some like Chevys (poor misguided souls) and some like Fords (all my life). Personally I think we may be short timing gas engine vehicles. Now may be your last chance at repairing that Jeep. PLEASE add your repair to the content of your channel.
Go for it! And we’ll all help you from our recliners! I had a ‘54 Willy’s with a factory overdrive transmission in it. I’ve still got bruises on my backside from kicking myself for selling it. The water pump comment sounds accurate. Good place to start. Love the content. Keep up the great work!
Love it Ed, and I'd of course love to follow along with your progress! In my inexpert opinion, I'd say everything you've listed still keeps you right side up financially on this project, and it's hard to put a value on the fun-factor once it's on the road. Also, I don't see the value of Jeeps falling very much. My vote: tear into it! 👍👍
That would be an excellent content addition to your channel. Like you said there are things to fix on the homestead. And your great at explaining things in your videos. Looking forward to it.
Absolutely content for the channel! Yes! I’d have NO reservations for putting 3000 into that Jeep! You clean up the rust, oil the frame, bring her up to speed and you could farm that out for 7 grand! No doubt! I hear guys say “my time is money”. If you’re doing something for someone else, I fully agree! But investing in your own project Ed…what else does a retired guy have to?!?🤷🏻♂️ Making content about it will also generate revenue…call that, labor fee”! Do it Ed! You know you want to, you know you can and NOW, you know you WILL!😎😁 Changing a head gasket is kinda universal so anyone would watch it. Just do it…pretty truck!
Great story Ed. Grew up with Jeeps all my life as my Dad always had Jeeps. My first vehicle was a '73 CJ5. Had to quit driving it as it rusted out so bad. Have had several on and off all my life and currently have a '01 TJ.
Ed, the Jeep TJ is one of the easiest to work on and you will have a great time making those repairs yourself. New and used parts are plentiful especially in your part of the US. RU-vid is a great resource for your new DIY project. But be warned, the wife will probably want to drive once she drives it😂. Good luck, great choice and bring us along with you😊
I'm on board for the Jeep repair. Since you and Ann purchased the farm your channel has become more diversified. I just wish you would put more out there. Great purchase.
It all depends on what you are passionate about. Personally i do not like Jeeps. They have never had any appeal for me. Now old muscle cars are my passion . Working on them is like cheep therapy for me. I lose track of time when messing around with them. It sounds like you have that same passion for Jeeps. So any amount of time you spend on this Jeep could be time well spent.
Insure and then make disappear..LOL. I figure $5000 tops for a 13 year old road ready Jeep. Your going to lose your shirt on that sucker when you start looking at all the other consumable parts for a vehicle of that age. Sell it, and get your $600 back.
