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Newbie Advice On Purchase

B

brox

Legacy Registered User
City
Allentown
State
NJ
Hey Guys,

I've been monitoring the site for a while and reading what I can. I've never worked on vehicles before so I'm woefully iggnorant. So, I'm checking out 2 original Scramblers this weekend and need some advice.

Besides cosmetic rust and rust on the frame, a straight body, etc...what do you guys look for when checking out an old CJ8? I know it's a loaded question, but I'm thinking you guys might know about some key aspect to look at that regular guys DON'T know about.

I plan on doing basics to it as I go along: Engine, lift it, 33's, interior, paint, etc...I'm not looking to be an off road dynamo, just use it on the weekends and run around looking awesome :smokin:

Anyway, I'll take some pics and report back what I find. If I get one, that means there's one more left! They (I believe) are both in NJ and I know one is going for $4500.
 
Look for something someone dumped a whole lot of money into and then didn't quite finish it.
 
Thanks for the reply, not what I was looking for, but thanks anyway. I'm looking for the points to look for when assessing an original Scrambler. That could be an endless answer so if it's too much, I was thinking about taking it to a trusted shop and have them look it over.
 
Take a flashlight and a creeper to lay on and get under the vehicle, If you do not have a creaper a blanket to lay on so you can spend some time looking at the frame and under side of the body. Surface rust is fine and probably expected, but you want to look for frame rot, metal falling apart, or cracks. Especially around the spring mounts/hangers. That is where they have the most problem.

If you have a compression gauge I would check the compression on each cylinder, assuming you do not want to replace the engine, another old trick was speed up a little in 3rd gear and then let off the gas and see if you feel the engine really slows the vehicle down. If it has low compression you will not feel like the brakes were applied. Also while under it look for oil leaks, or look for where it is all dirty except one part where they cleaned the leaking oil, but not the whole engine.

Pull the dipstick, check the oil, get some oil between your fingers and then spread apart. It should not stretch or be string between your fingers. That will indicate oil additives to try and hide low compression, oil leaks, or blowing smoke.

Hope that helps.
 
That's freakin awesome man. That's what I needed and I appreciate the time. Either way, I'll take a look and post what I find in case anyone is interested. Thanks again!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I agree with cjgoode...that advice fits any old used car review. If you are asking questions in regards to originality then check out some of the posts here about the original engines, color, trim options, wheels,etc, etc an see how the ones you're looking at compare. If you can post specifics, pics or other info on what you are considering buying then more assistance can be provided. Hope this helps some.
Sincerely,
 
Here are the 3 pics the owner sent and here's what he said...kinda brief.

"The truck is solid for a CJ, there are some spots that are bubbling up but nothing major. It will need floors in the front, or at least some patching; the floors from the seats back are good. It runs good, has a T-176 4spd and Dana 300 transfer case. The transfer case is out of it but I will put it back in ASAP. Currently it has a full length hardtop, but it is not mine. The truck comes with a good half top like are common"

You can see some rust on the drivers rear corner and the front looks like the bumper was removed. Paint looks original.

I'm not concerned with keeping it original, just reliable and fun. Not looking for a daily driver or an offroader, just something on the weekends.
 

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Wait, so the top isn't his? Ask why it has a top that's he doesn't own. You need pics of the top it's coming with and that half top requires the steel bulkhead too, you want to be certain it's included.

Between the pics and the description, I'd say that body is at the "tipping point". It's got original paint and stripes, which is awesome, but rust has a hold of it and will quickly take over if not dealt with ASAP. Once you can see bubbling in stock paint, you've got a pretty good issue under there that you won't see until you strip the paint.

Frame looks pretty good from what I see. Ask for specific details on the engine, tranny and any major issues it has now (anything you find that he didn't mention is leverage) and any work he's had done on it.

I don't know what he's asking for it, and it's fine if it's close, but unless it's cheap, I'd wait to check it out until he gets the tcase back in (that makes me suspicious, ask why it was out in the first place).
 
Good points. He said he "borrowed" the cap from his buddy to keep it dry, which tells me it doesn't stay in a garage. I believe it's the same guy who wants to sell his CJ8 as well so I may have 2 to look at this weekend.

He's asking $4500 for the one in the pics. Not sure what his buddy wants for his. I'll make a list of questions to take with me and I'll snap plenty of pics to send you guys.
 
brox, in addition you will want to check out the bed as a whole and particularly around the roll bar mounts. My Jeep was in "great" looking shape in regards to the body but I had a little "bubbling" starting to show in just a few places. As bigwalton stated, there was more extensive damage under that bubbling after I started working on it. Turns out I had small holes under the driver door, in the windshield frame, on the bed (especially around the mounts), and my bulkhead under the half top was rotted on the bottom. Most CJ's I see around here either look pretty good, or you can put your arm through the body...sometimes a matter of a few years is all it takes to begin "rot out" once it takes hold on a "decent" looking body. Good luck!
 
Hey Guys,

Saw the CJ8 on Saturday. A little more rust than I thought but the frame looked straight. The owner (Dan) is looking to sell it for $3500. I didn't get a chance to drive it, the transfer case wasn't in and I didnt' want to waste his time. Way out of my league. His email address is jeeplife@aol.com
 
What's out of your league - the price or putting in a transfer case? That price isn't that unreasonable - heck it'd sell for double that in Texas ;) I'd consider it a better start than mine and I paid more than $3500.

A weekend warrior is also a good place to start for fixing things up - don't rule a transfer case installation out if that's what you meant, either. At least if you did it you'd know the quality of your work.
 
Looks pretty good to me for that price, but that is just based on the picture, cannot see the floors etc. I have a hard time remembering that top does not come with it, I think thinking I would jump on that with that hard top, but that does not come with it.
 
The amount of steel that needs to be cut out and repaired is too much for me. It really needs a new tub. Through out the bed, there's big holes and all around the front seats. The bulkhead for the top looks like someone took a sledge to it (unless its part of the full hard top) and the rot goes up the side walls. Either way, I don't have the time or extra coin to work on it. Last thing I want is the jeep sitting for 6 months and not running it.
 
That doesn't surprise me, I had a feeling there was a lot that wasn't shown in the pics.

It may hurt to let one pass, but it's good to see that you know your limitations and made the call. Always pains me to see someone get in too deep, it can turn ugly fast and turn them off to Jeeps forever.

The right one will come along, you're certainly in the right place to find it :D
 
Mint condition tubs are a dime a dozen and are constantly coming up for sale on places like eBay and Craigslist....not.

That one would need thousands of dollars of work and parts to make it complete. It could be fun, or it could be painful, depending on what you like to do with your spare time and how you like to spend your money.
 
bigwalton said:
That doesn't surprise me, I had a feeling there was a lot that wasn't shown in the pics.

It may hurt to let one pass, but it's good to see that you know your limitations and made the call. Always pains me to see someone get in too deep, it can turn ugly fast and turn them off to Jeeps forever.

The right one will come along, you're certainly in the right place to find it :D
Click to expand...

Ditto - if you don't feel it's for you, then passing on it is understandable.

Jeeps are like women - you find a great one and you think it's the only one in the world out there for you. Then it leaves you penniless and exhausted thinking you never want anything to do with one again and there's not another one out there you could deal with. But there are plenty out there that have what you're looking for, and it's worth your time and money to be patient. :thumbsup:
 
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