Jump to content

Brother wants a project


89 MJ
 Share

Recommended Posts

My 13 year old brother really wants a Jeep J-Truck. He has about $1200 to spend. He wants a project with minimal rust. 

The closer to Wisconsin the better, but we also have contacts in Phoenix AZ and Oregon that could help us arrange transportation. 

 

Lets see see what you all have got!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, 89 MJ said:

My 13 year old brother really wants a Jeep J-Truck. He has about $1200 to spend. He wants a project with minimal rust. 

The closer to Wisconsin the better, but we also have contacts in Phoenix AZ and Oregon that could help us arrange transportation. 

 

Lets see see what you all have got!

 

It's going to be easier to find a real unicorn. He might be lucky to find a CJ, doubtful a J series. Classic jeeps under 2k with minimal rust are not around often unless they are just a body. Even then still not often. 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Smokeyyank said:

 

It's going to be easier to find a real unicorn. He might be lucky to find a CJ, doubtful a J series. Classic jeeps under 2k with minimal rust are not around often unless they are just a body. Even then still not often. 

 

 

Ok. Thank you. I knew they were rare up in WI, but I want sure about other places. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No offense meant here, but $1200 might get him a fairly rust free Geo Metro or similar. Maybe a Dodge Neon. Nothing close to what you are asking for.

 

I would give him the following advice. Its the route I took when I was younger and its the route I would advise everyone go:

--Wait and save your money for the next three years. No point in having a vehicle before you can drive. Then, find a beater. Something ugly and not popular. However, make sure it gets decent fuel economy and has low repair rates and cheap parts. Something like a 90s Ford Ranger 2wd. Or a 90s-00's Toyota 2wd. Maybe a 90's-00's Honda Accord. If you can find it with a manual transmission all the better. Then spend the next 10 years driving the hell out of it and saving your money for later when you have a real job, a garage, tooling, and have built up your skill set. This way, when (not if - when-) you wreck your first vehicle you don't cry. People dive in too deep at the start. Don't be like the sheeple. Be smart, think ahead.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, JustEmptyEveryPocket said:

No offense meant here, but $1200 might get him a fairly rust free Geo Metro or similar. Maybe a Dodge Neon. Nothing close to what you are asking for.

 

I would give him the following advice. Its the route I took when I was younger and its the route I would advise everyone go:

--Wait and save your money for the next three years. No point in having a vehicle before you can drive. Then, find a beater. Something ugly and not popular. However, make sure it gets decent fuel economy and has low repair rates and cheap parts. Something like a 90s Ford Ranger 2wd. Or a 90s-00's Toyota 2wd. Maybe a 90's-00's Honda Accord. If you can find it with a manual transmission all the better. Then spend the next 10 years driving the hell out of it and saving your money for later when you have a real job, a garage, tooling, and have built up your skill set. This way, when (not if - when-) you wreck your first vehicle you don't cry. People dive in too deep at the start. Don't be like the sheeple. Be smart, think ahead.

 

All good advice, I would add any late 80’s through 1999 Honda or Toyota sedan or Ford, Chevy or Toyota mini trucks. Again with a stick, he can beat on it without remorse and hone his driving skills.

They are also easy enough to work on with decent parts availability.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, JustEmptyEveryPocket said:

No offense meant here, but $1200 might get him a fairly rust free Geo Metro or similar. Maybe a Dodge Neon. Nothing close to what you are asking for.

 

I would give him the following advice. Its the route I took when I was younger and its the route I would advise everyone go:

--Wait and save your money for the next three years. No point in having a vehicle before you can drive. Then, find a beater. Something ugly and not popular. However, make sure it gets decent fuel economy and has low repair rates and cheap parts. Something like a 90s Ford Ranger 2wd. Or a 90s-00's Toyota 2wd. Maybe a 90's-00's Honda Accord. If you can find it with a manual transmission all the better. Then spend the next 10 years driving the hell out of it and saving your money for later when you have a real job, a garage, tooling, and have built up your skill set. This way, when (not if - when-) you wreck your first vehicle you don't cry. People dive in too deep at the start. Don't be like the sheeple. Be smart, think ahead.

Thanks. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, WHY does he want a J-Truck? Lots of other large trucks out there of the same size and much better aftermarket support. Now finding a $1,200 rust free Truck from any of the Big 3 that is 25-35 years old, that is a good possibility, especially if you have the ability to source from other salt free climates.

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

58 minutes ago, 500 MJ said:

Also, WHY does he want a J-Truck? Lots of other large trucks out there of the same size and much better aftermarket support. Now finding a $1,200 rust free Truck from any of the Big 3 that is 25-35 years old, that is a good possibility, especially if you have the ability to source from other salt free climates.

 

 

Because he is stubborn and has his head set on a Jeep pickup, but doesn’t want to be like me and get an MJ. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

See. I love that he wants an older car. Most kids in our generation don't appreciate and understand the simplicities automobiles had back then without all the computers and fuel injection. Granted our Renix trucks are computers but really easy to work with. Hell most kids today see an old car and wonder why anyone would want it because it doesn't have a Starbucks coffee warmer. 

 

That being said he should go the route of cheap and fuel efficient right now and save up to aquire his dream J-truck. Granted I had no idea what I was getting into when I got my MJ after I wrecked my Accord but I knew I wanted a truck and I knew my grandfather had a small pick up and thus I ended up with an MJ and an addiction. Plus I also don't like driving much so I still save some money on gas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Eagle said:

Reality check: I think it's admirable that he wants to get a J truck, but he is NOT going to find one that's running and rust-free for anything close to his budget.

 

Noted. He is ok woth a non running one. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, eaglescout526 said:

when I got my MJ after I wrecked my Accord

You went the perfect route and order on vehicles. And this helps my main point:

 

When you are just starting out, get something functional, cheap, efficient, reliable. Then WHEN you wreck it you won't cry. Speaking in general (I know there are outliers to this idea, but again in general) no 16 year old will be able to buy a fixerupper, make it into anything worth having without screwing up something major, have the funds to actually drive it, AND not wreck it within one year of putting it on the roads. Just doesn't happen.

 

So why waste time and money at this point in his life? Save up now, focus on the important things (school for instance), then spend it later. Don't let him be dumb with his money.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, JustEmptyEveryPocket said:

Then WHEN you wreck it you won't cry.

Actually its funny you say that because I did cry when I lost the accord to a ford Taurus. And the only reason why I did is because it was in the family since new and I remember riding a lot in that car. But as time went on the more I realized I would've had to rebuild the engine so I am glad it is gone. Lol. 

 

But that's not against the point, it just had sentimental value.

 

But I agree, let the dream auto come later. More and more of these tucked away Jeeps and other cars are coming out, he just might stumble upon that one where the owner sees it as an old farm truck. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I say keep looking and keep saving. You never know what's it there until you've looked for a while. I thinks it's awesome he wants a J -truck. He has good taste! Your dad also owns a shop also if I remember correctly. I'm guessing this will be the learning project like your Comanche was? Good luck hunting!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, JMO413 said:

I say keep looking and keep saving. You never know what's it there until you've looked for a while. I thinks it's awesome he wants a J -truck. He has good taste! Your dad also owns a shop also if I remember correctly. I'm guessing this will be the learning project like your Comanche was? Good luck hunting!!

Thank you! You are correct with the above stated. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...