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Frame Off Estimates

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by adams77, Aug 19, 2019.

  1. Aug 19, 2019
    adams77

    adams77 Member

    Statham, GA
    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2009
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    92
    Who here has done a frame off restoration or close to it?

    I am toying with the idea of rehabing my 56 but I have no idea on what I can expect to spend.

    I am not talking about a nuts and bolts rotisserie back to factory specs, I want to have a clean undercarriage and a nice tub with all the parts in working order.

    Anyone with experience please elaborate with a ballpark, so I will know how much plasma I have to sell.
     
  2. Aug 19, 2019
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Impossible to say without details on what the starting conditions are for frame, body & drivetrain.

    Can you do your own welding?

    Your own mechanical work?

    Your on painting?​

    The only thing we can say for sure is expect to spend a lot :(
     
    Thean, juffer and rejeep like this.
  3. Aug 19, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Look at the different builds in the forum. There is a huge difference in what you describe and a "restoration".
    Mine is somewhere in between. Scott's '66 Make It Driveable Build. Lots of work, lots of money.

    Folks often suggest driving it for a year, fixing things a little at at time. Then dive in if your still want to.
     
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  4. Aug 19, 2019
    adams77

    adams77 Member

    Statham, GA
    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2009
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    Pretty solid foundation

    I can build motors and transmissions and have access to a full machine shop.

    I have a welder and am not afraid to use it.

    Just looking for a rough estimate of what others have paid, not a quote for work on mine.
     
  5. Aug 19, 2019
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
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    Jun 17, 2008
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    Exactly.

    I would say if you rebuild everything - 10k min and that's doing assembly and body work yourself. If you need to replace a substantial portion of sheet metal it would cost a fortune to have someone do it.

    Another option to consider, sometimes you can find a second parts vehicle or someones abandoned project that has rebuilt components and new goodies cheaper than having yours rebuilt. Keep what you need and sell off the rest. I didn't have tons of money when I did the frame off on my A1 did and I saved quite a bit finding a vehicle with good drive train and axles. I found an engine for 200 that I refreshed. I have about 5K into mine with no machine shop time and doing evertying myself except sand blasting the frame. I also have an extra frame and tub and extra parts left over.

    Update: Sand blasting the frame - 200. And I payed to have my frame straightened - 200 and I delivered the frame to them.
     
    Last edited: Aug 19, 2019
  6. Aug 19, 2019
    adams77

    adams77 Member

    Statham, GA
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    Jul 21, 2009
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    That is what I was looking for, thanks.
     
  7. Aug 19, 2019
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's fairly easy to spend $7,000 on one.
     
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  8. Aug 19, 2019
    53A1

    53A1 Member

    Kern Co. Ca.
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  9. Aug 19, 2019
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Just my thoughts, You need to look your Jeep over real good first. Figure out what is Ok for now, and what needs to be replaced first. Then go to Classified section and place adds for what you need, the members here are real willing to help you out. A lot of us have or know someone that has what you might need. Then buy what you need, a transmission, a transfer case, axels, and so on. Make it drivable and safe first, then start picking away it the things you want to look better, don't get in a hurry, just enjoy the fun of your Jeep. Keep a list of what you want or need and wait, you will find it. You may change your mind, about what you final goal is as you use your Jeep, or change directions along the way. I would keep and eye out for a donor Jeep, that way you will have two of everything, and once your Jeep is finished you will have extra stuff to help out someone else with your unwanted parts and pieces and get some of your money back. Jeeps are fun toys, and won't brake the bank. Keep in mind a new four wheeler in as much as a small car today. I hope all this makes sense, and Good Luck
     
    47v6 likes this.
  10. Aug 19, 2019
    58 willys

    58 willys Sponsor

    Millsboro, Delaware
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    I've got about $12,000 in mine about 1/3 of that is just paint & body supplies
     
  11. Aug 19, 2019
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Whatever you think it will cost, double it.

    I spent over 8k on my cj5, and it sat in a million pieces for 10 years before I got it going.

    Get it going, do disk brake upgrade, or something. Repair the body while it's on the frame, just so you can still drive it. Too many people tear them apart and then walk away
     
  12. Aug 19, 2019
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    Nov 5, 2014
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    My restoration/modernization took a fair bit of my time as my family and I did 99% of the work. The cost was spread out over those years so not too bad. I’m guessing in the 8-10K range. Problem is now I see things I could have done better and 30 years later still at it. Is a project ever really done? As was stated before, fix the things to make it safe on the road and enjoy it.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  13. Aug 19, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Tracking down all the parts that were missing on my Tux, and doing tires, suspension, seating, top, dash, speedo and more, I have invested 8K. I still need to do the body work. The Jeep was solid when I bought it, it was a daily driver.
     
  14. Aug 19, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    to start 2500 for jeep . after owning mine for almost 38 years now . engine rebuild - 86K on it now . trans rebuild few times and replaced just as many times
    transfer case rebuilt a few times . axles only needed bearing . steering upgrade . did a body off a few years ago . floors . hat channel ( well I used rectangular tubing ) some filler pieces in tub . new fenders . new windshield frame . home garage paint job . estimated cost . way more than what I bought it for . I have no idea on what money that was spent . most expensive thing is having seats redone . well maybe the 4 speed . but my time was free . but I also drove it as a daily driver for 20 years and it really didn't look any better than your jeep . even had that alabama red clay look underneath just like your picture . once upon a time . as others have said . don't rip it apart and get overwhelm . sorry I couldn't give you a price
     
  15. Aug 19, 2019
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    It can get out of hand real quick. So it's a matter of do you have the time/joy/experience (or willing to work thru getting the experience) or do you have money to throw at it. It really can vary but I can tell you it gets out quickly.
     
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  16. Aug 19, 2019
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Does it drive now? I'd recommend driving it around for awhile first. It's way to easy to jump down a rabbit hole, and next thing you know, you have a motor that you bought in 2012 still sitting on a stand while the jeep rots in the driveway.

    But as far as costs, it all depends on your time, budget, and needs. I'm currently working on mine with a zero budget. I acquired lots of parts over the years and while I want to spend the following, I'm not going to:
    Clutch: $100-200
    Transmission rebuild: $100-200
    Transfer case rebuild: $200-$400 (worth it to get novak's or to upgrade to AA's tapered intermediate shaft)
    Engine rebuild: $2500
    Tires
    Brakes: $400?
    Bodywork: $100-$4000
    Paint:$100-5000
    Etc, etc

    What are your goals for the jeep? Stockish, or upgrades. Saginaw steering, yj leaf springs, fuel injection, and disk brakes cost money, but a lot of people do the upgrades.

    Others just like the no frills, work all day every day tractor-like reliability of the jeep. They want the classic controls.

    Good luck with your project whatever you choose, it looks like you have a good start.
     
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  17. Aug 20, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You can expect to spend more than you expect to spend.
     
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  18. Aug 20, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Just a few thoughts here -

    Maybe you are going about this backwards? Rather than "how much will it cost?" you should be asking "how much can I spend?" If I wanted to do a frame-off like you suggest, I would make a list of what I wanted to accomplish, in order of importance, and then decide how much I could spend. Likely you will end up doing less than you want to, as you add up the expenses, first in planning, and then again as progress is made.

    Also, your labor will be effectively free, so you'll need to determine how much you'll need to pay to get things done that you can't do yourself. Mechanical stuff is easy. Body and paint seem to be the most costly and least amenable to owner labor. Engine machining is another area where you pretty much have to pay a shop to do the work. Go through the FSM, section by section, and make a list of what you'd like to do.

    Decide what tools you need, whether you need training to use them, and where you will site/store and use them once you have them. Make a schedule, track costs, plan for exits if things don't go as you plan. Life happens. This kind of work can be physically demanding, so take your physical condition, age, and health into account. Unfinished projects sell for much less than the parts value, so don't start if you can't afford to take a bath on the whole project.
     
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  19. Aug 20, 2019
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    its like trying to ask how much is a house...
    all depends and you cant even list all the factors or variables that come into play..

    Ive spend between $100 and $30K on a "frame off" (another loosely defined term)
     
  20. Aug 20, 2019
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I recently had my engine done by a rebuilder and it ran $1800 here in Texas. Less if you do it yourself, have the time space and experience. For me, I rebuilt my Pontiac 'race' motor a number of time when I was a teenager/early 20's so I felt comfortable doing a jeep engine, but didn't have the time so spent the money. That time vs money is a major part of the decision as others have mentioned.
     
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