$400 Jeep wrangler for farm use yes or no?

motownbrowne · Sep 9, 2015

A friend of mine offered me his '87 wrangler for $400. I'd really love a 4wd UTV with a cab, but even used, that'd cost me about 15-20 times the amount of the wrangler.

I'm looking for something to pull a hay wagon, a 2 wheel firewood trailer, and be used for general cruising around the 50 acres that I generally move around on. Also, it'd great if it was decent on a packed snow trail for getting set up for the maple syrup season.

I don't know what condition the tires are in (I'd plan on budgeting for a used set of swampers in the future), but the jeep starts, runs, and stops. I'd probably never drive it on the road, other than a few miles out here in the country. It's a 4 cylinder with manual everything. Any thoughts would be much welcomed.

Thanks as always.

Mousefield · Sep 9, 2015

At $400 you really don't have much to loose. In a few years when it dies sell it for parts and get your money back.

sseelhoff · Sep 9, 2015

motownbrowne said:
A friend of mine offered me his '87 wrangler for $400. I'd really love a 4wd UTV with a cab, but even used, that'd cost me about 15-20 times the amount of the wrangler.

I'm looking for something to pull a hay wagon, a 2 wheel firewood trailer, and be used for general cruising around the 50 acres that I generally move around on. Also, it'd great if it was decent on a packed snow trail for getting set up for the maple syrup season.

I don't know what condition the tires are in (I'd plan on budgeting for a used set of swampers in the future), but the jeep starts, runs, and stops. I'd probably never drive it on the road, other than a few miles out here in the country. It's a 4 cylinder with manual everything. Any thoughts would be much welcomed.

Thanks as always.

I would do that deal in a heartbeat.

95XL883 · Sep 9, 2015

I hope it works well for you. I've heard of several others doing a similar thing. I'm going a similar route but the vehicle is a '97 Geo Tracker with a/c, heat and auto. I won't be pulling anything heavy with it so that isn't an issue. My FIL sold it to me for $600. With only 89,000 miles on it I can put a few dollars in repairs (exhaust, top, trailer hitch and tuneup) and still be able to sell it for close to what I'll have in it. If it works well, it makes a lot more sense to me than spending $8,000 or more for an open cab vehicle that might disappear when I'm not there. Good luck with yours.

dusty3030 · Sep 9, 2015

400 for a jeep that runs you can't loose. It is worth that much or more at the scrap yard. Go for it!

Jstpssng · Sep 9, 2015

There was another similar discussion recently-
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/341922-jeep-wrangler-instead-side-side.html

Having said that, I agree that for the price you can't go wrong.

mjarrels · Sep 9, 2015

Be thankful for any car/truck that survived the cash for clunker diaster!

mark

Sprinklerman · Sep 9, 2015

For 400 bucks , I would have fun for the weekend jumping it over hills , climbing hills and running the crap out of it .

Pepsiboy · Sep 9, 2015

If you don't take it, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know where it is. I'll GLADLY come get it for that amount.:cool2:

Dave

mark02tj · Sep 9, 2015

I agree with the others - $400 for a running Jeep is a deal! But...

I see you're in WI. Do you guys use salt on your roads like we do in OH? If so, check the frame for rust. Those old Wrangler frames are pretty susceptible to rust and I've seen several that have patches welded into the them. That's OK if the weldor knew what they were doing but could be a bad patch job otherwise.

You mention "planning on budgeting for a set of swampers" in the future. Check your gear ratio's. Most of the 4 cylinder manual Wranglers had 4.10 gears in the differentials. That's fine for on and off road use with the factory sized tires. I'm thinking that the Wrangler came from the factory with 28" tires. If you put a 33" tire on it, you're going to lose power if you don't regear your differentials. You would probably be OK for just tooling around your 50 acres, but I doubt you'd have the power to pull the hay wagon or a firewood trailer with that gear/tire/engine combination. You might be able to do it in 4-LO, but you're not going to be moving very fast. 33" tires are pretty common on the Jeeps that you'll see cruising around.

'87 was the first year for that model of Wrangler. It's the one with the square headlights and referred to as a "YJ" within Jeep circles. I have an '02 (aka "TJ") which is the next generation so I'm not completely familiar with any of the YJ specific issues. You might want to hop on JeepForum.com and ask in the YJ section if there is anything in particular that the '87's are prone to. Of course, you're only paying $400 and not $4000 so it's not much of a gamble!! :thumbsup:

Post pics when you get it. Sounds like a pretty swingin' deal!!