Thoughts on kids jeep....

Infamous1

Infamous1

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Location
Pittsboro
OK guys let me know your thoughts. My daughter is going on 14 and is having a fit for a jeep. I like the idea of fixing a CJ up together, she likes the new 392 Hemi Wrangler. So possible compromise I found a wrecked 4 cylinder TJ on 33. I have not seen it yet, my buddy bought some farm equipment from a guy and it was in the barn. Wrecked about a year ago. Hit a culvert with right front tire. Very slight body damage to fender, front axle housing broken, transfer case busted, body lift shifted and both airbags popped, back glass on hardtop busted. Nothing that scares me in any of that as long as the frame survived. What is everyones thoughts? I think I can get it 2k or so. No idea about the title status. What do I need to look for specifically to a TJ? Frame rust, cracking? Motor was replaced before the wreck so should be tight. Mainly looking for some insight and opinions on the whole deal.
 
Man, I would be very surprised if the frame isn't bent based on your description.
 
I was kinda hoping the 3" body lift shifting took some of the frame damage. I am going to try and go look at it this weekend, if I can get an appointment, you know how a teens schedule is..
 
I think a TJ would be a great kid's first vehicle. That being said I don’t think I'd buy a wrecked 4 cyl for $2k. You know you're going to need a front axle, tcase, front suspension, go ahead and replace the rear d35, and the time involved. I feel like you'd be well on your way to a non wrecked 4.0.

Now if the kid is interested in fixing it up and its something you could do together, my stance would change.

I joke about my daughter will be driving mine to school. She's currently 6...
 
I had a TJ just like you're describing for a while. It was a 4.0, but similar damage. Frame was fine.

TJ would be my pick, or maybe JK. 4cyl is good, too. Less power for a kid. Edit: but agreed on the price. That's high. A bought a running/driving/perfectly fine 4 cylinder for about $2800.

Check the TJ frame just behind the door where the lower link mount attaches. There are some holes in the frame where you can inspect inside for rust.
 
I bought a TJ for a kids first vehicle and fixed it up for/with him.
But he never drove it,...well h did but it was sold before he drove it full time.

That said, with today's world there is ZERO chance a CJ anything would be a first vehicle...
 
shawn said:
A bought a running/driving/perfectly fine 4 cylinder for about $2800.
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What year did you buy it? Now that is probably a $6k jeep.
 
CLRracer said:
Am I the only one wondering how a four cylinder TJ is a compromise between a CJ and a Hemi JL :confused: lol

Duane
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Worst of both worlds? No cool factor of a CJ, and no power. Plus no new vehicle reliability. Winning! I had the same thought.
 
Infamous1 said:
She would def be fixing it with me. It is a manual also which learning to drive is a prerequisite (sp) for her to get her license (per her mom and I) which would be a bonus. Thanks for all the input!!
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I made both mine learn to drive a manual but refused to let either daily a manual as their first.
Too many other things to learn for a new driver without adding that worry to it.

And yes I learned on a manual and drove one starting out as well. Key differences - 1) lot less cars on the road then 2) newer cars stop faster now versus then which changes the closing dynamics...

as with all things parenting YMMV
 
jeepinmatt said:
No cool factor of a CJ, and no power.
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The 4-cyl makes more power than a 258, so there's that. Rides better, too.

98 4-cyl:

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Ron said:
I made both mine learn to drive a manual but refused to let either daily a manual as their first.
Too many other things to learn for a new driver without adding that worry to it.

And yes I learned on a manual and drove one starting out as well. Key differences - 1) lot less cars on the road then 2) newer cars stop faster now versus then which changes the closing dynamics...

as with all things parenting YMMV
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3) its much more difficult to text and drive with a manual. Just ask their dad :p
 
I wheeled one just like that for a while, the 4 Cylinder isn't that bad, but the AX5 transmission and Dana 35 rear are weak points, probably not terrible for the street though. Frame rust is the biggest thing to watch out for, as Shawn described, check around the rear lower arm mounts carefully.

I think the top I'd pay for it in that condition is probably $1k, The frame is different from the 4.0, so upgrades to the motor are pretty limited without a lot of work.
 
Well ended up getting by there a little while ago. $1500 was the price. It has new 31x10.5s on it. No frame rust that I could find and no buckles or cracks in the frame. Oil pan crushed against crank, bell housing busted, shifter broken off in trans, hood would not latch and a few other odds and ends. I think its too far gone for us.
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Good call on that one!
 
Ouch!, Whacked that culvert hard! Yeah, I'd pass on that for anything but a parts jeep.... On the other hand there is good money to be made parting it out, The frame's can bring $1500 by themselves up here!
 
I think the frame is bent upwards judging by the fit between the fenders and the tub
 
I don’t know if you would be interested but Vickers auto parts in Chesnee SC, has a TJ, not sure on the year haven’t stopped to look at it yet. It is a hard top, looks good from the road and they are asking $3,800 obo, I can give you the phone number if interested
 
Looks like a good ls one ton candidate. I know someone that would be interested in the top if it was closer...
Infamous1 said:
Well ended up getting by there a little while ago. $1500 was the price. It has new 31x10.5s on it. No frame rust that I could find and no buckles or cracks in the frame. Oil pan crushed against crank, bell housing busted, shifter broken off in trans, hood would not latch and a few other odds and ends. I think its too far gone for us.
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JNO said:
I don’t know if you would be interested but Vickers auto parts in Chesnee SC, has a TJ, not sure on the year haven’t stopped to look at it yet. It is a hard top, looks good from the road and they are asking $3,800 obo, I can give you the phone number if interested
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Thank you but I think we will wait a little while before we buy her something. I was not really looking but thought this might be a good deal. She really liked this one but realized it was a little to gone for what we wanted.
 
For what it's worth my son is 14 and will be daily driving the old cj when he gets his license. He's been wrenching and building things with me for the last 10 years including the latest little one ton swap project on the cj. But, we live out in the swamp, there's no highways, and very little traffic. Highest speed limit near me is 55. Had we lived in suburbia around people in crazy amounts (12 or more) the old cj wouldn't make the cut. And it will be fully caged with 5 point harnesses by time he's motoring around. Even with modern-er brakes, steering, fuel injection, and the stability of the full width 1-tons it's possible I'll "share" the cj with him and put him in something safer... TBD. But for now:

Weekday mode:
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Trail day mode:
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