Should I get it?
 

Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.

I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.

Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?

Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
appreciated.

Thanks,

Aaron

Re: Should I get it?
 

Naw it would be a POS yuppie Jeep, a wanna be you wouldn't enjoy driving
at all...

Ok, where is it located and how do I contact who owns it now?

;-)

Man, you can't even buy Jeep tires for 300, that is an insane deal for
an 11 year old Jeep, YJ or not.

Back seats are around, lots take them out so used is an option. A seat
from an 88 up to the 96 will fit so even the wreckers are an option.

I find them a 'great' grocery getter Top and doors off, nice sunny day,
hmmm, I need to go to the grocery store for coffee today so if I take
the long way around passing 'near' the mud pits, well... maybe be back
with the coffee by breakfast. :-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Aaron Meck wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron
>

Re: Should I get it?
 

Naw it would be a POS yuppie Jeep, a wanna be you wouldn't enjoy driving
at all...

Ok, where is it located and how do I contact who owns it now?

;-)

Man, you can't even buy Jeep tires for 300, that is an insane deal for
an 11 year old Jeep, YJ or not.

Back seats are around, lots take them out so used is an option. A seat
from an 88 up to the 96 will fit so even the wreckers are an option.

I find them a 'great' grocery getter Top and doors off, nice sunny day,
hmmm, I need to go to the grocery store for coffee today so if I take
the long way around passing 'near' the mud pits, well... maybe be back
with the coffee by breakfast. :-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Aaron Meck wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron
>

Re: Should I get it?
 

Naw it would be a POS yuppie Jeep, a wanna be you wouldn't enjoy driving
at all...

Ok, where is it located and how do I contact who owns it now?

;-)

Man, you can't even buy Jeep tires for 300, that is an insane deal for
an 11 year old Jeep, YJ or not.

Back seats are around, lots take them out so used is an option. A seat
from an 88 up to the 96 will fit so even the wreckers are an option.

I find them a 'great' grocery getter Top and doors off, nice sunny day,
hmmm, I need to go to the grocery store for coffee today so if I take
the long way around passing 'near' the mud pits, well... maybe be back
with the coffee by breakfast. :-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Aaron Meck wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron
>

Re: Should I get it?
 

Naw it would be a POS yuppie Jeep, a wanna be you wouldn't enjoy driving
at all...

Ok, where is it located and how do I contact who owns it now?

;-)

Man, you can't even buy Jeep tires for 300, that is an insane deal for
an 11 year old Jeep, YJ or not.

Back seats are around, lots take them out so used is an option. A seat
from an 88 up to the 96 will fit so even the wreckers are an option.

I find them a 'great' grocery getter Top and doors off, nice sunny day,
hmmm, I need to go to the grocery store for coffee today so if I take
the long way around passing 'near' the mud pits, well... maybe be back
with the coffee by breakfast. :-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Aaron Meck wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron
>

Re: Should I get it?
 

On Jun 8, 8:29 am, Aaron Meck <arm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron

Sounds like a good deal, for $300 it is hard to go wrong, you could
get it all back parting it out if it doesn't work out. I have a '95
YJ and it is great. For serious off roading though it does need
modifications like a stronger rear axle, slip yoke eliminator to
improve the transfer case, lift and larger tires. This will be true
also for the newer TJs from 97 to 2006, except for the 2003-2006
Rubicon models that come with Dana 44 axles (sort of) and a better
transfer case (these would cost a lot more though).

Re: Should I get it?
 

On Jun 8, 8:29 am, Aaron Meck <arm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron

Sounds like a good deal, for $300 it is hard to go wrong, you could
get it all back parting it out if it doesn't work out. I have a '95
YJ and it is great. For serious off roading though it does need
modifications like a stronger rear axle, slip yoke eliminator to
improve the transfer case, lift and larger tires. This will be true
also for the newer TJs from 97 to 2006, except for the 2003-2006
Rubicon models that come with Dana 44 axles (sort of) and a better
transfer case (these would cost a lot more though).

Re: Should I get it?
 

On Jun 8, 8:29 am, Aaron Meck <arm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron

Sounds like a good deal, for $300 it is hard to go wrong, you could
get it all back parting it out if it doesn't work out. I have a '95
YJ and it is great. For serious off roading though it does need
modifications like a stronger rear axle, slip yoke eliminator to
improve the transfer case, lift and larger tires. This will be true
also for the newer TJs from 97 to 2006, except for the 2003-2006
Rubicon models that come with Dana 44 axles (sort of) and a better
transfer case (these would cost a lot more though).

Re: Should I get it?
 

On Jun 8, 8:29 am, Aaron Meck <arm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?
>
> Sorry, if my questions are hard to answer (can be subjective, I know)
> but any advice, experience, etc., you can offer would be much
> appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Aaron

Sounds like a good deal, for $300 it is hard to go wrong, you could
get it all back parting it out if it doesn't work out. I have a '95
YJ and it is great. For serious off roading though it does need
modifications like a stronger rear axle, slip yoke eliminator to
improve the transfer case, lift and larger tires. This will be true
also for the newer TJs from 97 to 2006, except for the 2003-2006
Rubicon models that come with Dana 44 axles (sort of) and a better
transfer case (these would cost a lot more though).

Re: Should I get it?
 

On Fri, 8 Jun 2007, Aaron Meck wrote:

> Ok, I know right away that the "best" answer is "depends", but if you
> guys could expand a little on this topic I'd appreciate it.
>
> I have the opportunity to get a 1996 (80K) wrangler for only $300. I
> am not sure the model, but it is a 4 cyl, has pencil thin tires, no
> back seat, and needs some TLC to get it "road ready". Most likely
> only about $300 more to get it running well, but hardly a comfortable
> daily grocery grabber. My brother (who has had more time to look over
> the vehicle) guesses the TLC costs to be about $1500. While I am no
> mechanic, I am fairly handy given a good manual and tools so I suppose
> I could fix a lot myself, and am not turned off by that idea.
>
> Sound like a good project, or should I hold out for a better model?
> How hard/expensive is it to install a back seat aftermarket (my 6 year
> old will no doubt want to go for a ride)?

The back seat is easy. Check to see if there are issues that may (or
might not, depending) be beyond your abilities, like frame rot at the
frame rail ends. Be aware that a "fixer-upper" can rapidly turn into a
boat (that is, a boat is hole that you constantly throw money into). It
might be so cheap because there's some thing dire wrong with it, or that
the owner _thinks_ is dire but it isn't really, or he simply got tired of
it and wants it out of the yard quickly.

If nothing else, it could be fun toy. I say look carefully and then go
for it.

Let us know what you decide.




--
"We began to realize, as we plowed on with the destruction of New Jersey,
that the extent of our American lunatic fringe had been underestimated."
Orson Wells on the reaction to the _War Of The Worlds_ broadcast.