Avoid buying due to rust issue?

[Gia]

Hi guys, I’m still searching for a decent TJ and I’ve come by something that ticks a lot of boxes. However im concerned on the rust and coating Im seeing but I’m no expert to judge if this is a complete red flag, would appreciate your take on this. I would take the jeep for a pre buy check as well.

1997
manual transmission
200k km
has a skyjacker lift on it so that would need to go asap. Up the tires to 32” and hopefully no other major initial cost is needed.

It’s really hard to come by TJs in decent shape in UAE especially manual pre 2005 making it quite rare.

Undercarriage (I believe the liquid is due to the AC running)

Edit: I’ve found a flake inside the right rail and I’ve tried poking the rails with a key and they seemed solid (wish I had a screw driver).

Right rail

Left rail

Also a lot of other components were coated apart the rails, see above pictures. should that be a concern?

Thanks

 

[Westtown Willy]

Looks like someone painted over a fair amount of rust around the front control arm mount, there's a whole lot of bubbly looking stuff elsewhere, and the frame rail at the tc skid looks rather rusty.

I wouldn't exactly call it a rust bucket, but, many probably would. If you're considering it I'd get deep inside that thing and see how bad it looks in there, my guess is it's pretty bad

 

[Obi-Wan]

First off, bravo for supplying good quality photos.

Second, the undercoating I see looks T H I C K. Thick enough to hide poor welds and additional rust. I'd be suspicious.

 

[Allstar424]

I would also be suspicious. I would want to crawl under it again if you can and then weight the price vs the risk. I thought I did my due diligence when I purchased my TJ and I found a lot of things later I should have caught initially.

 

[P man]

These jeeps are always a pass for me. It is too time consuming and expensive to buy a jeep like this and spend the next few years worrying about rust and finding the hidden rust. Keep looking is my opinion

 

[mudmaster]

Looks to have had a Krylon repair at some point to me.

 

[wigsajumper]

Definitely get a scope so you can see inside those frames. I am wary of that area on the frame right behind the front lower control arms. Water loves to sit there. Here in the NorthEast of US that is where we see rust hide. My frame looked perfect on the outside but failed when it rested on a Jackstand.

 

[Granite]

You are wise to be concerned but as a New Englander that Jeep wouldn’t scare me away necessarily; especially if TJs are rare near you. Just keep investigating that one and if you’re willing to deal with the rust (and the PO’s poor choice of mods) adjust the price you’re willing to pay accordingly.
You can see my threads for what I’m dealing with. I consider mine rusty but with “solid bones” and worth investing in. I just do rust mitigation as I add new parts. Many guys here would pass on my Jeep and I totally understand. I think I paid a fair price for what it is, personally.

Stick a finger inside the frame holes and see if it comes out rusty, or if the metal is soft, or if you can feel big rust flakes piled up inside. Check out the stuff in the engine bay for rust. Check the shock mounts for rust. Get under it and look above the skid plate. Ask if you can peel back an inner fender liner and look in there; especially the rear ones behind the tire. Also lift up the floor board rug to check under there.
Those are common areas and will give you a better sense for how bad it might be under the paint.

 

[Gia]

Price vs risk is quite high for me… will keep looking. Your feedbacks helped a lot, thank you all for sharing.

 

[SkylinesSuck]

I would check the inside then ask them if you could take a wire brush to the outside of the frame. Tell them if it's in good shape, you'll take it and repaint it yourself. If it has been covered up, you'll discover it---or more likely they will tell you no anyways because they know what you'll find underneath.

 

[LONGJP2]

In the very first picture, I'm not sure that's even a factory frame hole.

 

[Rcroane]

In the very first picture, I'm not sure that's even a factory frame hole.

It's definitely not!

 

[chili_pepper]

get a scope so you can see inside those frames.

This, it's worth the money. Think mine was under $100 on Amz, and being able to verify conditions inside the frame goes a long way for peace of mind.