What to do with a rusty rhino?

[will]

Hi guys, a few years ago I bought a lifted sj with the intention of having some fun in it but then life got in the way.

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It's sat under a tarp until the other day when I thought I'd better have a look at it again.
Well, time hasn't been kind and the tin worm has struck with a vengeance.
The front and back arches have disappeared, the sills are shot and the rear floor has big holes in it.

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rear arch.jpg (144.03 KiB) Viewed 8160 times

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My welding skills are only good for big stuff, never done body work before and to be honest I don't have the time.

The rest of the car is ok, chassis is solid and engine, gearboxs etc are all it excellent condition.
The wheels and tyres are like new.

SO, what to do.
I think its way too good to scrap, I just don't have the time or inclination to do/get the work done.

Anyone out there interested in a project????

Will

[SlimGrim]

I like the wheels! What kind of lift has it had may I ask?

[ScottieJ]

Long time no see! Haven't seen that truck since billing a few years ago!

Looks like it's all the usual rust you get on Sj's.

TBH it's either weld it or break it to make any decent money back out of it I would think.

Wouldn't be hard to do box section sills and and a virtual lift to save the body.

Tin tops are getting rarer so someone might buy it to restore but you would be best selling all the mods, wheels and tyres seperatly.

[SlimGrim]

Judging by those arches (non rusty parts) the bodywork apart from the bad rusty areas looks really tidy, so provided it's just some really nasty areas and a whole lot of good, should be an easy resto jobbie

[ScottieJ]

Unfortunately I can guarantee it'll be a bit worse than it looks once you dig into it.

The outer body mounts at the front of the rear arches will probably need doing unless you are very lucky

[will]

Hi Scotty, yes it's been a while.
How much time and more importantly money do you think it would take to get it back to reasonable?

Slimgrim, it's got a 8" calmini lift, 2"body lift and 35/12.5/15s

[Anton]

I really like that machine, I hope it can be saved!!!

[Rabid Rhino]

Northampton to Chipenham, less than 100 miles.
I've seen Scotty repair worse and this certainly looks well worth saving.
It seems like a prime candidate for one of his virtual lifts.
Maybe sell the body lift to help fund some of the resto.