Rust issues on potential project

[truk820]

Newbie here searching for a project to work on. I located a barn-find with everything I'm looking for but I'm concerned about how bad it's rusted. I've attached photos; I'm not much of a welder and in the scheme of things I'm not sure how bad this rust actually is (ie would I need a new tub and frame). What do you think, is this manageable for a newbie like me? Or would I be getting in over my head? I really don't want to have to buy a new tub or frame...

Thanks!

 

[Vvajk]

I'm a newbie too when it comes to body work, but that looks pretty bad to me. If I was planning restoring that Jeep, I'd be planning on a new tub and frame. But it might depend on how good of a job you want to do. Do you want something that is just going to hold together, or do you want to do a quality restore?

 

[tjmons]

It looks like it could be a lot of work. Need to get rid of all of the rust , which could end up creating holes. I would look for a cj with less rust. Unless you plan on patching areas. Use a screwdiver to see how thin the metal is.

 

[truk820]

I'll be learning to weld over the next few weeks so I'm fine / moderately motivated to do some patching. Time-wise I have 2.5 months to devote to this so even if it turns into a lot of work...well...I guess I'd be ok with it. Here are a few more of the exterior. It runs and there is a $1500 ask - what do you think?

 

[tjmons]

Are they asking 1500.00 ? That seems to be a fair pirice. Just remember
JEEP stands for Just Empty Every Pocket.

 

[truk820]

Yep, they're asking $1500. It's probably another discussion for another day but I'm giving myself a $6000 budget for this (by the way, agree on JEEP...I own a boat and it's pretty much the same thing), so I'm not sure if I should spend $3-4k on something in better shape and use the remaining $2k to tweak from there. Ultimately I want to do a good job, learn something, and have a reliable daily driver for the summer time.

 

[mtnwhlr]

, so I'm not sure if I should spend $3-4k on something in better shape and use the remaining $2k to tweak from there.

This is what I think you should do I would't give $1500 for that Jeep.

 

[tjmons]

Thats a pretty good price if it runs good. At least you will be able to restore it the way you would like it. If you bought a cj in better shape you would change things anyway for you. I bought mine last fall and I am still changing and buying stuff for it. I have owned a boat also , CJ's are a much better investment. You will own a piece history. I have seen the values go up and some selling for 20,000 or more. Just a warning , you will get hooked. :driving:

 

[STEVE1103]

My 61 is rusty, but its running now and I think I will fix it enough to have fun with it, and use the plow in the winter.

 

[PaRenegade]

You didn't mention any details on which Jeep it is but that seems like a lot of money for something in that shape. I have an 82 that I've had since 82 and it looks like it was in better shape than that one. And I had to replace the frame and I've repaired the tub, which has taken me a year (3 spools of wire & 4 tanks of argon) of pretty steady weekends and a couple nights through the weekdays and I'm just now ready to putty and prime. So 2.5 months to repair that would be a full time job for a do it yourself'er.

 

[truk820]

Thanks for all the feedback! I opted to pass on this one...I decided to draw a line on how much rust I'm willing to take on especially given how much more I'm likely to find than I originally expect. Will keep you posted on my purchase when it finally comes through...