I am in the beginning stages of planning a Jeep JK build.  Only one problem…I don’t have a Jeep JKU!  So the hunt begins.  The plan is to LS swap it, tons, lockers, cage and bead locked 42’s.  I am gonna go with custom 4 link front and back and either coilovers or ORIs.  And maybe to delete the rear doors and make a poor man’s gladiator with a stretched rear.

So with all the running gear not needed, it would be ideal to find a good roller body with a blown engine and trans.  I would go the insurance auction route, but I have had really bad experiences with that in the past.  Anyone have any other suggestions for finding mechanical basket cases, with straight bodies?  I am guessing dumb luck will be my best bet.

Just have to be on the lookout for something with a ton of miles on it.

I’d suggest searching on copart.com.

Davies jeeps usually has stuff, but wrecked jeeps are hard to find since parts are always in demand.
https://daveysjeeps.com/repairables/

I would look for a 2007-2008 JKU, preferably a Rubicon. You get the Tcase (4/1) and can sell off the axles.

I am doing tons and 40s in my 15 JKU. I am waiting on axles and wheels. Supposed to be picking up the tires this afternoon.

I've been looking for the same thing, when you find a good source let me know

Prices are too crazy and I’m not going to buy from an insurance auction like copart again.  I think I will keep my ear to the ground for a good chassis/tub and I’m just gonna build a tube buggy to keep me busy.  I have reached out to a few mechanics who will pass my name and contact info to anyone who brings in a Jeep and can’t justify the repair.  I also met a wholesaler who says he’ll keep on the lookout for one.  We’ll see what happens.

What kind of price are you looking for?

This is obviously not a WTB add, but $5000-$10000 depending on what the Jeep had on it that I could resell.  I have a line on a flood Jeep now, but I think it is too repairable(expensive) for what I am looking for.

I came across this ad on Facebook the other day 7500 with 1 ton axles included doesn’t seem horrible

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/498370548694766/

Check your local Jeep groups.  Of course, if your is anything like mine, you will see some stupid high prices floating around for old JKs.

Thanks!  I’ll look into it.

That’s a good call!  Most of the groups I’ve come across have 126,000 mile blinged out mall crawlers with paint-matched accents as have become popular with the urban crowd.

But I’m sure there are a few with some potential!

Neighbor just bought a pretty clean 2007 JKU Sahara with 100k miles for $8500.

A couple of years ago there was a 2008 JKU Rubicon with a broken transfer case for $5500.