# should I abandon my rotted xj build? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [November 19, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340 "2009-11-19T16:18:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/1 "2009-11-19T16:18:11Z")
Well after finding so much rust and rot, and just general lack of suitable body, I’m curious to if its even worth finishing. I have about 1800$ tied up into the project, 1000$ of it is almost a lost cause. Between buying the jeeps, and other parts. 1000$ after I scrap both shells and pocket that money. I wanted a wrangler before I bought the xjs and after cutting into that rotted mess, and wasting like 60 hrs of my life. I really cant stand unibody junk. Work left to be done is alot of grinding, painting and welding in of complete new floors, then tons of other misc things. Its comp cut, I dont think I’ll ever be able to sell it if I wanted to after it was done. Just thinking out loud here, opinions? Link to build for pics, go to pages 3,4 [http://nyspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74430](http://nyspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74430) ---
**Author:** ![Jon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3bc359/32.png) [@Jon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jon)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 4:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/2 "2009-11-19T16:37:15Z")
Yes,for everyday use a XJ shouldn’t have to be “built” . Get a southern one for $1500 - $2000.Maybe a lift and some tires and call it a day? ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/3 "2009-11-19T17:03:33Z")
ha, I think that every time I work on the s10… might get a new cab though. unfortunately you arent that lucky… rust is the suck ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/4 "2009-11-19T17:04:17Z")
half of the built stuff was for wheeling, not because it was rotted. ot have you ever bought a vehicle from down south? its not cheap to truck and trailer something. I mean I can finish this, sure but I’m unsure if throwing more labor, and money at something that isnt exactly what I wanted to begin with is worth while. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/5 "2009-11-19T17:21:22Z")
I think its 6-800 to ship any ‘normal’ sized vehicle anywhere in the US. if its not what you want why do it? ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/6 "2009-11-19T17:26:43Z")
Yes finish this damn thing!!! Weld in the metal and make this a budget build. Drive it / wheel it for 1-2 years and it will be worth the money right there. Don’t be newman man. ---
**Author:** ![Motocrossx23](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/motocrossx23/32/5120_2.png) [@Motocrossx23](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Motocrossx23)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/7 "2009-11-19T17:29:35Z")
ZING! ---
**Author:** ![XJ\_Knight](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xj_knight/32/5419_2.png) [@XJ\_Knight](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XJ_Knight)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/8 "2009-11-19T17:36:29Z")
I sit today knowing that to get my XJ to where I eventually want it to be I will spend close to 15k or maybe even a little more. If I could go back to the day I bought it I would have went with the a TJ Rubicon and called it a day. Perhaps a 2in boost. They come all nice and stock with everything I will put into my 2k1 XJ and I’d have to do no labor or perhaps better put in my case pay someone to do the labor for the installs. I say since it’s that rusty start over again with another XJ or cut your losses now and I guess if you make enough bones go get the RUBI. Just my .02… Sorry that you have invested so much in a project that is looking to be on the FAIL path ---
**Author:** ![Sansone](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sansone/32/4970_2.png) [@Sansone](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sansone)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 5:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/9 "2009-11-19T17:55:46Z")
I had a car shipped from florida for $680 ---
**Author:** ![vt1992s10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vt1992s10](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vt1992s10)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 7:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/10 "2009-11-19T19:35:52Z")
I would have called it quits a long time ago, but that just me. With the amount of time and money that you have already put into it and what you still have to put into it you could have had a pretty decent XJ. With that amount of metal cut away on a unibody I wouldn’t be surprised if the doors will not close and it will probably be pretty unsafe when finished (not anything against you), I was worried with just the front floors cut out. I would try to part them and scrap the rest. Then get something that is cleaner to work on for a DD/Toy and something you actually want. ---
**Author:** ![klug](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/klug/32/5222_2.png) [@klug](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/klug)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/11 "2009-11-19T19:41:26Z")
> [@vt1992s10](#): > > I would have called it quits a long time ago, but that just me. With the amount of time and money that you have already put into it and what you still have to put into it you could have had a pretty decent XJ. > > With that amount of metal cut away on a unibody I wouldn’t be surprised if the doors will not close and it will probably be pretty unsafe when finished (not anything against you), I was worried with just the front floors cut out. > > I would try to part them and scrap the rest. Then get something that is cleaner to work on for a DD/Toy and something you actually want. this ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 7:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/12 "2009-11-19T19:43:52Z")
The u channel is all the structural support along with a few points where the roof mounts, I left them together, everything that has been cut was pure rot. the doors still shut fine. I have decided that if I can sell the lift, and some of the other parts that I wont need on my YJ, that I’ll be keeping the powertrains and scrapping the rest. ---
**Author:** ![ImportMuscle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/importmuscle/32/7615_2.png) [@ImportMuscle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ImportMuscle)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 7:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/13 "2009-11-19T19:51:50Z")
Do it For fucks sake, weld in a huge sheet to cover the floor, reinforce with some angle iron and pound on it like a strung out hooker. If it breaks, who gives a fuck. Rename it “Project Roadhouse” ---
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/14 "2009-11-19T20:27:37Z")
i have a full fabrication shop at my disposal and i wouldnt bother fixing that much rot. in fact, ive repeatedly passed on people offering me $ for rust repair. the only reason im doing rust repair on the 240 project is because i still have rockers and can therefor mount the car up on pinchweld clamps to keep it straight while the frame is gone, and the frame i will have in the end will be many times stronger then the original ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 8:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/should-i-abandon-my-rotted-xj-build/76340/15 "2009-11-20T08:46:00Z")
Karter just weld in some sheet metal and beat the truck. Drive it for 1 year and buy something you want. Sell off the extra parts, then sell off this in 1 year and you will be ahead of the game.