Want to fix up and sell my YJ

"MuchWagon" (muchwagon) 07/09/2015 at 13:40 • Filed to: flippitydooda

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In my garage lives a stock, rusty, carpetless, hardtop 93 Jeep YJ Sport with some faulty gauge sending units (fuel and oil pressure), dead battery, and an odometer reading shy of 150k miles. I want to sell it and move on.

This little truck was a lot of fun, especially when the softtop was still in one piece and in the down position, but mostly because of the rust and the previous brake failure and the sense of impending doom while travelling over 35mph I decided that it would not successfully baby. That was about four years ago.

Its been eating up space in my garage for a time when my sons are old enough to help me fix it up, but by then it will be reduced to two axles with bare steel wheels and a pile of reddish dust, with a fiberglass hardtop just kind of sitting there off-kilter.

I’ve been reading the Art of the Flip and I’m inspired. While its not technically a flip, I want to fix it up, sell it, and move onto a running TJ or some other project.

So my question, dear people, is what are my most effective investments to make this thing pull in some funds? Replace rusty body panels and clean up the tub? New/used frame if POR won’t fix up the old one? 31+ inch tires? Shiny glitter paint? A snorkel? It ran when parked, the recharged AC blew cold (yeah it had that option) and the automatic (I know I KNOW!) shifted fine after a rebuild. The engine (4.0 I6) pulled well and made a lovely noise through a replacement catback and cat.

My experience wrenching is minimal but I was always testing myself on something I actually needed to drive so I was never as adventurous as I’d have liked to be. Investments in tools I wouldn’t count against the project budget since I will reuse them, and its all in the names of fun and utility. I have replaced the exhaust, a seat belt, speakers and radio, charged the AC, distributor cap rotor plugs and wires, fluids, and with some help removing the old piece I’ve replaced the 4WD actuator on the front axle.

I’d love some bang for the buck ideas, and when I get into it I’ll post pictures and self deprecating stories, or stories with self deprecating pictures, for your enjoyment.

DrScientist > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 13:47

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one of the things you have to determine is how much each individual repair will cost, and what value that provides to the eventual buyer.

for example, overhauling an AC system might cost $2000, but for an older jeep where the top goes down, that rarely goes faster than 45mph, a functioning AC system is probably only a $200 item.

one thing i would not skimp on is the brake system. if you are concerned about them, you should have them redone. at least this should be a relatively low cost DIY that can be done [almost] completely with the tools you already own.

Party-vi > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 13:50

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Sounds like you’ve done the normal YJ stuff (Posilock for the front axle, rebuilt 999 trans). I would take a grinder and POR to the frame and tub where it’s rusting and then use some shiny diamond plate to cover the corners and rockers on the tub (after you get rid of the rust of course). 31” tires would be nice, but I’m not sure $700 in rubber will get you that much more in resale. Look on CL for how much similar YJs are going for and price accordingly.

Clean the interior, wash and wax and just generally get it neat looking. YJs are pretty cool.

coelacanthist > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 13:53

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Sell as-is. Jeep people aren’t afraid of a project.

MuchWagon > DrScientist 07/09/2015 at 14:10

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The lines were fully replaced after the failure, so that is one item I think is in OK shape. I was never made aware of any issues with any of the other components. Not that the car ever seemed to want to stop.

Also this is EXACTLY what I don’t have a good view of. I do need to spend some time on ebay/CL and see what things go for and figure out which features and repairs pay off.

MuchWagon > Party-vi 07/09/2015 at 14:11

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I almost forgot about diamond plate!

Party-vi > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 14:13

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The thing about diamond plate is that it’s great for covering repaired rust spots, but it’s shitty when people just rivet it over rust.

MuchWagon > coelacanthist 07/09/2015 at 14:14

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I want to see if I an add some value as in [money+time=1.5(money)+learnings].

MuchWagon > Party-vi 07/09/2015 at 14:20

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Anything else out there that does diamond plate’s job but isn’t diamond plate? Doesn’t seem like the vehicle for carbon, fake or otherwise.

Maybe wood?!? Something tough with a marine grade waterlox finish.

Steve in Manhattan > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 14:27

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There is something to be said for just moving on. Without seeing it, I can’t be sure, but if you put a few hundred bucks into it, will you get it back? And that’s to say nothing of the 30/40 (?) hours you’ll put into it. This might call for “as is, where is.”

Party-vi > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 14:28

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lol please don’t use wood. You can pick up diamond plate at Lowes or Home Depot that you can cut and rivet to the body easy enough. I know 4WD.com and Quadratec have diamond plate overlays for rockers as well.

XJDano > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 14:42

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My opinion is jeeps either hold their value or they go to shit. Sounds like yours is on the way to the shitter.

I have never owned a yj but late 80s-mid 90s electric. Should be fairly easy to fix the gauges, but chances are you are going to get lowball offers that guys are looking to drivetrain swap it with a V8 & D60s.

Good luck with the sale but make sure you don’t dump too much into it that you won’t be able it get back out of it.

coelacanthist > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 14:53

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Understandable, and admirable sir. A lot of good learning to be had on a Jeep. I just find that Jeep people know exactly what they want. I think this is a big reason that Chrysler used to sell YJs and TJs on those little steel rims and pizza cutter street tires. Why pay for wheels and tires when the consumer is going to take them off immediately? Seems like they have moved more into the factory built rigs... used to have to get a Rubicon if you didn't want to get your hands dirty.

MuchWagon > Party-vi 07/09/2015 at 15:10

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What if I used a LOT of wood?!?

MuchWagon > coelacanthist 07/09/2015 at 15:15

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That’s a really really sharp point! So the idea is kind of to make a canvas for the end user, something done with strength and solidity but also economically and maybe even advertise it that way:

Well loved Square Headlights Jeep (the kind with the bulletproof leaf spring suspension) has been efficiently restored and is ready for either fun in sun/sand/snow/deep water/rocks/dirt/mud or the addition of big wheels, equipment racks, winch(es), light kits... whatever! Access the ginormous aftermarket and mod up this solidly refurbished example of Toledo’s finest.

Party-vi > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 15:33

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I mean now it sounds like you’re building a boat.

Wacko > MuchWagon 07/09/2015 at 15:41

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as a fellow jeep owner, you will never make back the money you put in to it. At the end of the day it’s still a 93 YJ. I wouldn’t modify for someone else without knowing what they want.

just make sure it works, change the battery, clean it up. and stick a for sale sign on it.