Spare 1984 CJ-7 Frame and Tub; do I sell it or build it??

[Mad Mudder]

I have a 1984 CJ7 Frame and Tub (with title) and I am having a hard time deciding what the heck to do with it. The frame is nearly perfect, the tub has spot rust on it and needs new paint but otherwise is in pretty good shape. I already have a 84 CJ7 (nearly stock in great shape) but I think I want to build one from the ground up. This is going to spawn 3 questions; 1. If I did sell the spare frame and tub what are they worth? 2. With two little kids, and a full time job is the ground up build realistic to do within 2-3 years? 3. How much does a ground up Road/trail CJ cost?

 

[Petescj]

Well this is a tough question but I'll take a crack at it. A good tub here in the East will get you between $500 and $800. A nice solid frame is $300-$400.

2-3 years is a good time frame. Sacrifice a little sleep here and there instead of missing time with the kids. I have 2 girls myself and when they get to be older like mine are they dont want to hang out with Dad nearly as much.

Cost is easily the hardest part to figure out. You didnt say what you were building the Jeep for. Obviously the more new aftermarket pieces you buy raises the price. The more things ,like welding for example you can do yourself saves you money. You can also look for someones rusted out beater and get alot of the parts you'll need. Starting out with a solid frame and tub is nice , but theres a whole lot of little parts that can nickel and dime you to death.

 

[CJ007]

Pete is right, that is a tough, open ended question.

I say you won't make more that $600 on the parts.

But the real question is; what type of build and why? If you are looking to make money, probably not a good idea. If personal use, what will this be used for and what do see the final project looking like. Hunting? serious mud-HP? rocks-torque? Daily driver, street enough to get to trails or trailer queen?

 

[Mad Mudder]

I know better than to think I am going to build this thing to make money. It is that desire to do it yourself instead of buying someone elses handy work. My options in the area tend to be Mud and trails. I have my daily driver.

My thoughts on selling the extra stuff is to put into my other Jeep.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[73CJ]

If you can find a rust out with a bad frame and/ or tub, it's an easy swap out. To try and find all the individual parts it's going to be way expensive.

There are $400 rust outs out there. Just keep looking.

Good luck.

 

[Niedhogg]

I have a 1984 CJ7 Frame and Tub (with title) and I am having a hard time deciding what the heck to do with it. The frame is nearly perfect, the tub has spot rust on it and needs new paint but otherwise is in pretty good shape. I already have a 84 CJ7 (nearly stock in great shape) but I think I want to build one from the ground up. This is going to spawn 3 questions; 1. If I did sell the spare frame and tub what are they worth? 2. With two little kids, and a full time job is the ground up build realistic to do within 2-3 years? 3. How much does a ground up Road/trail CJ cost?

It really all depends on how close you live to me.... if you're close enough you really should just let it go, and I can take it off your hands, and then you can spend time with your kids, and not have to worry about how much it costs, and on and on and on... I could be your savior, so to speak..

 

[Petescj]

If I already had a nice stock 84 Id probably leave that one alone. Id be looking for a rust bucket to strip. You could get something that has some of the aftermarket things youd like on it already or grab something close to stock with a good drivetrain to get you started.

 

[LEG]

Where are you located and what price range are you thinking for the tub & frame. I have a decent 79, but it wouldn't take much to make me interested in an 84. I bought a new black 84...still miss it.