Looking for some opinions

Hi Everyone Jeepminded

I have located a very local to me a late 1940's CJ2A project which I have known the fellow for a couple of years now. He bought 1 Willys and then many other parts, lastly he bought a brandy new Kaiser Willys tub with fenders too, a second/spare flat head engine, windshields, tailgates, hoods also come with. Currently tub is off chassis, oh yeah chassis is all redone in like new condition, the best part is it also has a Warn overdrive. he is asking $5000.00 for it.....not sure I wanna do another stock one as the last one was not a fun vehicle at all.....my life wife says buy and assemble it and then sell off all the extra parts to help off set initial costs. I have never done this...usually I am the guy spending all the $$$ and then selling for a loss in the end...also I have been told even with a Warn Overdrive we wont get much above 50 mph.....

I was hoping to find a V6 4 speed flatfender but this just popped up on my radar...

Any insight / opinions are welcome....

MikeC

 

Usually if it's not running and driving, it should sell for a SUBSTANTIAL discount. If it's in pieces, even worse.

A disassembled Jeep is just a pile of parts. Rule of thumb - used is half new. Add up the value at new prices for all the major parts and divide that in half. Discount from there.

If it's something you really want to do, and you can stick with it, and your home situation is stable enough to allow you to carry it through, then I'd say go ahead. One of the major risks of buying someone else's project is that you will need to buy more parts to finish it, and buying individual pieces is always way costlier than buying a complete vehicle.

 

A used Warn overdrive is anywhere from $400-$600.
Do you want to pay $4500 for the rest of the Jeep?
You could find a running/driving Jeep for that amount of $$$.
I say pass.

 

Hi everyone...

The thing what got me going was a the brandy new Kaiser Willys tub, new front fenders, new windshield frame, the Warn Overdrive was really getting me to thinking about it....shoot the darn pile of parts is in the same town as I live in...most of the stuff I have been finding is shipping costs in the $1000.00 and up range...

Those Jeep tubs are like $3500.00 to over $4000.00 aren't they???

still scratching my chin on this one...

MikeC

 

Yes... http://www.kaiserwillys.com/product/1362/willys-jeep-body-replacement-body-tubs-parts-accessories $2450.

However, that does not change that you can buy a complete Jeep for a lot less money than needed to put one together from new parts. At $5000, you are certainly in the market for one that runs and drives.

I suspect that most people that buy new tubs already have a Jeep that they are emotionally attached to and want to build/restore. Thus they compare the cost and difficulty of all the metal work and replacement panels with a complete body, and choose that. You don't have that problem.

Watch eWillys for a while, and I'm sure you'll see some Jeeps that you like near your price range that currently run and drive. Case in point - http://www.ewillys.com/2015/04/27/1943-gpw-carmichael-ca-5000/ - first one I came to today, and just happens to be selling for $5000.

 

5 grand is too much. 2500 is the appropriate price and even that is high and only remotely reasonable because of the new body. You also made no mention of drivetrain. tranny/engine/differentials/driveshafts/springs.. wiring.. this stuff will kill you at that price point.

 

Do you really want to build Jeeps from parts, it takes time.

What I see concerning the price of CJ5 in USA is that you can get a good one and use it when the weather is nice.

It takes time alos to sell parts, and more when you want to be paid.

 

Hi 47v6

All the drivetrain is bone stock 1947-48 ish era stuff excepting the Warn Overdrive...everything is rebuilt or new...tub is not mounted....chassis is a complete ready to roll chassis...the wiring is a big question mark for sure...

I think my life wife was thinking (she is a big EBAY seller) we could assemble everything and then pedal all the extra sheetmetal and mechanical parts too...maybe getting to recoup some of that initial $5000.00....Yeah I am thinking $5000.00 might be too high also.....

You guys are awesome on here...you make me really think about stuff in a more practical way....

MikeC

 

it's only worth what someone is willing to pay
regardless of his expense and what he wants for it
yes there is value in the new body
but even a brand new car loses value as soon as it's over the curb

 

Sounds like you are trying to justify a purchase not on the basis of the vehicle that is right for you, but on the basis of defraying costs and a few (hopefully) desirable parts.

I doubt your prospects for success and happiness will be any better than they were on your last jeep. You're already bogging yourself down in endless debate as to what a pile of parts is worth. That should be a big warning sign right there.


But ignoring warning signs is an integral part of this hobby...