Replace or straighten the frame??

cjgolfer7

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2010
Location
SC
Im looking at a decent priced 2000 tj with front end damage. Frame is bent, the gentleman said he had it looked at and could be straighened. I obviously wouldnt want to swap everything over if I didnt have to. The idea is to build a majority wheeler out of it. Maybe see a little road time. Nothing cross country or anything. Plus it was never turned in so still has a clear title hah. Just seeing what others thought.
 
I bought mine as an insurance totaled 99 TJ. It was rolled by some chick texting and driving. It was hard to tell by looking at it but once I got it home and started unbolting things it ended being very bent. Which is the reason its about 80% tube chassis right now. Buying wrecked is s headache because you may never get everything right on it.
 
Yeah this guy was doing the same thing, texting. I havent put my eyes on it. The gentleman said it was off a couple inches, and he wouldn't have bought it if it couldnt be straightened. But idk. Thanks for the input. Ive never bought anything this wrecked. Just seems like a good way to get into a reasonably priced tj thats buikt the way id like it.
 
The tricky part is, the illusion of 1" off with it in one piece can turn into 6" off once the tub is unbolted from the frame, cage unbolted from the tub, since they all deform differently. Metal memory is different between a frame, tub, cage, etc.

Good example is mine was noticeably off by maybe 1/4". It leaned slightly to the passenger side. I looked closely at it and figured it might be just a body mount that got bent. When everything got unbolted, the last two bolts holding the tub had so much load on them that I had to thread each one out and when it finally released the tub flew up off the frame about a foot and nearly took my hand off. Scared the heck out of me.
 
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Run, don't walk, away. If it could be fixed as easily as he claims; he would fix it before he sells it.
 
strange1 said:
Run, don't walk, away. If it could be fixed as easily as he claims; he would fix it before he sells it.
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Copy that hah.. I really think the guy got in over his head and has no clue. Hell hes got a complete tub, fenders, hood grill ect he paid 4x to much for. I really feel he doesnt know what hes doing with jeeps. But not to say hes not trying to play me.
 
So, are you saying that there is also a complete body to go along with the wreck above?
 
If i really wanted it yes. But the gentleman paid wayyy more than id ever pay for it. So i wasnt interested in the package. I figured id run highline fenders, have already sourced a hood and grill. I guess the passenger side crowl will need to be pulled out a tad but thats really it.
 
Walk away quickly. That sucker is twisted, especially the tub. No way you'll ever get it straight.
Look at the lines created by the bottom of the windshield vs the top of the tailgate. Not parallel. It's twisted upwards on the driver side.
This thing would only be good for a hacked up tube chassis
 
Ten four ill be passing on it and just save my pennies for the right deal. Thanks for everyones input.
 
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