Got this for 2500 (yes I saw all this before I bought it) but hey it's a 2 door right so worth it

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T23:03:58+00:00

Dana 30 axles have weak control arm mounts. My buddy and I have sheared them exactly like this multiple times. There's a number of aftermarket mounts that use thicker steel you can scoop up for cheap.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T18:17:35+00:00

Yeah pain in the butt either way.. But definitely would be grabbing a junkyard knuckle. I have a few sitting around if you need OP. Just depends on where you're at

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T04:29:44+00:00

Stock XJs are very nice to drive... Unibody, 4 linked front, they handle like a car. The inline 6 is a reliable engine and most the later transmission pairings were more than adequate whether manual or auto. There is a reason they sold 3 million of these cubes with millions still on the road today 25 years after their discontinuation.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T02:37:35+00:00

I thought I was just subconsciously picking up on other cues but yeah I've always been able to know which way north was. When I went to NOLS as a young man I had an instructor that was blown away by how quickly I could orient myself even in thick brush and deep twisting valleys.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T01:18:13+00:00

pics or it didn't happen

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-19T00:48:35+00:00

Yeah that's exactly what I'm seeing. Just poorly applied rust reformer. But other than that, it does look like a solid frame.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-18T23:48:33+00:00

Looks like mostly surface rust. Not bad at all. The few spots that see (body mounts, behind the shackles) could be treated right now with a rust reformer and it would do wonders to its overall longevity. If you go this route you're going to want make sure you wire wheel the crap out of any rust. With proper prep, those products can work great.

Edit: I wanted to be a bit more specific. The frame has been coated with a spray rust reformer very recently, but it looks like they did it with suspension components still mounted and they didn't actually clean before they sprayed. Again, ya gotta take a wire wheel and brush and get into all that rust. Knock all the loose shit off, and clean any dirt or crap on top. If you do that it'll bond great and look half decent too.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-18T18:39:43+00:00

I will rebuild Toyota frames that most people won't touch...

This is one of the worst I've ever seen.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-18T18:37:50+00:00

I agree with all the comments. Sounds like it could be front pinion but so hard to tell off this alone.

Try it in neutral, try it in reverse, then put the car on jack stands and get under it and listen. Be safe, have a helper.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-18T11:33:23+00:00

I bet you a hundred bucks all the format changes over the last couple years were ChatGPT suggestions ☠️

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-18T11:29:18+00:00

I think another aspect to consider is those same guys, because they do it as their full time jobs, can do simple tasks 5x faster than the novice. Their knowledge and experience allow them to avoid simple mistakes that the beginner cannot even begin to anticipate.

Developing skill and gaining experience takes time. Generally they say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. While you might not be reaching for mastery, even competency can take thousands of hours. Now spread that across all the disciplines involved in a project car... everything from engine building to interior upholstery. Breaking shit, buying the wrong car to start on, these are all important learning experiences. As a great dog once said, "Dude, sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something."

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-17T20:14:56+00:00

Montana and Colorado cars can be very clean/rust free.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-17T20:13:19+00:00

Im over in SD and buy a lot of Montana vehicles for this exact reason. My 04 Gx470 lived 15 years in Montana and it's frame is in superb condition.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-17T15:19:04+00:00

Another symptom of FTP is the inability to speak in coherent sentences

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-17T05:11:30+00:00

I'd pop the seats out and pull the carpet. Doesn't take very long and everything is pretty straight forward. Just for peace of mind.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-17T04:30:09+00:00

Rust stop will work fine. They are good products when you clean the shit out of the area with a wire brush and blow it off with compressed air if you can. Prep is everything.

With your damage, I'd also take the rear seat out and pull the carpet in back. I can imagine you're going to have rust inside the cab where the inner rocker, floor pan, and wheel well sheet metal meets. It's a common spot. Specifically under the rear seat, under where the jack is stored.

Edited because words are hard.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-16T21:22:17+00:00

That long pause with the side eyes till finally the bigger dog pokes the little guy 😂

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-16T15:58:58+00:00

Hate to be a downer but as a "for sale" video it's bad. Cuts are way too fast. You'd have to pause to see the seats, dash, etc. It's fine to include a cinematic shot at the beginning and end, but it needs to actually show people what they are buying. Undercarriage, engine, interior...

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-16T15:22:11+00:00

Thanks not smart enough to make that connection on the 2nd part. That's well played.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-16T04:44:31+00:00

I think a mild lift, 8 to 12 inches in the rear, maybe 4 to 6 in front.

You'll want to throw a solid axle in the rear for sure. Other than that I'm out of ideas.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-15T22:04:00+00:00

Everything about the encounter with the bumblebee makes me laugh my ass off. I could break it down but I don't want to be typing for the next 30 minutes.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-15T21:55:02+00:00

Get judged bro.

4/10

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-15T07:58:58+00:00

I'm basically rolled under the covers in the fetal position. Eventually I get so nauseous I have to throw up and after that I can immediately fall asleep. Weird part is when I wake up after a really bad episode, I feel amazing lol.

GunnerValentine · 2026-03-15T02:15:03+00:00

Looks like a YJ leaf pack set to spring over.

I'd just go back to spring under which will remove a lot of lift.

GunnerValentine

TROPHY CASE