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.

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.

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.

Re: Should I get it?
 

There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
headlights?

"Aaron Meck" <armeck@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
> 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?
 

There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
headlights?

"Aaron Meck" <armeck@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
> 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?
 

There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
headlights?

"Aaron Meck" <armeck@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
> 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?
 

There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
headlights?

"Aaron Meck" <armeck@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
> 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?
 

I noticed that after I made my post as I was looking up the jeep
online. It has square lights so I'm thinking it is at newest, a 1995.

I appreciate the input so far guys. I am going to take some pics of
it this weekend and post them up so ya'll can tell me if you think it
is a complete POS or a good fixer upper.

As for reinforcing it for offroading - I just plan to use it as a
"fun" vehicle to zip around town in or some very light dirt road
travel out to the hunting lodge. No serious rock or trail action.

Thanks again!

On Jun 8, 5:13 pm, "Matt Macchiarolo" <m...@nospamplease.com> wrote:
> There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
> the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
> headlights?
>
> "Aaron Meck" <arm...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> > 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?
 

I noticed that after I made my post as I was looking up the jeep
online. It has square lights so I'm thinking it is at newest, a 1995.

I appreciate the input so far guys. I am going to take some pics of
it this weekend and post them up so ya'll can tell me if you think it
is a complete POS or a good fixer upper.

As for reinforcing it for offroading - I just plan to use it as a
"fun" vehicle to zip around town in or some very light dirt road
travel out to the hunting lodge. No serious rock or trail action.

Thanks again!

On Jun 8, 5:13 pm, "Matt Macchiarolo" <m...@nospamplease.com> wrote:
> There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
> the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
> headlights?
>
> "Aaron Meck" <arm...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> > 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?
 

I noticed that after I made my post as I was looking up the jeep
online. It has square lights so I'm thinking it is at newest, a 1995.

I appreciate the input so far guys. I am going to take some pics of
it this weekend and post them up so ya'll can tell me if you think it
is a complete POS or a good fixer upper.

As for reinforcing it for offroading - I just plan to use it as a
"fun" vehicle to zip around town in or some very light dirt road
travel out to the hunting lodge. No serious rock or trail action.

Thanks again!

On Jun 8, 5:13 pm, "Matt Macchiarolo" <m...@nospamplease.com> wrote:
> There was no Wrangler with a model year of '96. The last YJ's were '95 and
> the TJ's were intro'd in mid-96 as a '97. Does it have round or rectangular
> headlights?
>
> "Aaron Meck" <arm...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1181309375.559911.45040@h2g2000hsg.googlegrou ps.com...
>
> > 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