What would you do? Start over or just try to fix and drive?

Last spring we purchased a Jeep we won on an online auction. From the sound of it the Jeep was a jaw dropping show rig. Tons of new parts. Well not really, yes many new parts not a show rig, and as you can see in some of my previous threads it needs some TLC. TLC you ask with all those new parts? Well this is the situation, I have a lot of new parts that are missing screws, bushings in the suspension, five holes for each try to get the seats in, different fluid leaks, misalignment of parts and so on. I basically have alot of new parts that need to be redone.

This brings me to my question for you? Would you do a ground up restore and start over or just try to fix and drive?

 

Fix it and drive it. It's a Jeep, it's supposed to have leaks.R)
Is the main goal of having your Jeep to have a restored, off the show room floor looking vehicle or to have a vehicle to drive around and go wheeling with?
The answer lies within your true desires grasshopper.

 

:iagree:
It all depends on what you truly want.
If it was mine, I'd fix what needs to be fixed and drive it.

 

I drive my Jeep, and I love that it drives. Sure it needs some "TLC" in some areas... But I will get around to it when I get around to it. I'm not neglecting it, I am just trying to have fun with it. And it's so much fun! I would suggest that you have fun in yours and attend to it as it needs the attention.

 

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree: I tore mine down right away for a restoration, and I've regretted it ever since. I'd highly recommend fixing and driving it, to just enjoy it. Meanwhile, stash away new parts, gasket sets, goodies & money, and get your tooling and shop all ready, and do the restoration later on. I'm finding out that a full-on restoration is a big hole to get out of once you're in all the way to the bottom. I'll get there though.

 

If it was mine, I would fix it and drive it. However, somewhere in the process of fixing it and all the "while I am doing this, I might as well do this too" situations, I would end up stripping it down to the frame and it would end up being another one of my unfinished projects because I would come across another deal on a Jeep that I couldn't pass up and have to put this one to the side. The sickness never ends.

Do yourself a favor and fix what you can and enjoy it while it is still together.

Also, I agree that Jeeps are supposed to have fluid leaks, it's how they mark their territory.

 

Drive it. fix what you can, when you can and enjoy it while you can.

 

Fix the bushings and then drive it. (Make sure it's safe, and don't sweat the rest.) The fluids will just help out with corrosion control. Who really cares if you've got a couple extra holes for the seats? I mean, I hope this doesn't sound rude, but let's put things in perspective here - the thing is meant to be driven with no top, doors, or windshield! For me personally I've found that a good way to build a grudge against a project is to constantly throw money at it and never get anything in return (i.e. The project just sits there collecting parts bills and never gets to be driven). If you're just having buyer's remorse because the Ebay pics looked better than what was delivered, well, just have a and join the club.