Have a question for all of you Jeep gurus...how much would it cost to fully restore a 91 YJ base model? I know there are a TON of variables, but what would a ballpark range be? For some context, the frame is in decent shape (as far as I am aware without tearing it apart) but would obviously want it restored too. I also don't need to replace the engine either as it is still in good shape. The body needs work, but not so much that I need to replace it.

My goal is to restore it to the point that it is close to what it was driving it off the lot in 91. I know it would be cheaper to just by a new one in better shape but it has been in the family since it was purchased, so I am not too worried about the cost. Another unfortunate part though is that I do not have a garage as I live in an apartment, so I would have to take it to a shop. But it does need a lot of work (all the wiring, clutch/tranny, suspension, soft top, windshield, seals, the things listed in the first paragraph, etc etc).
Any and all input would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

more than the jeep will ever be worth

Except to you if it's been in the family for a while...

Time, elbow grease and patience will restore a lot of the pieces. how much it will cost is relative to how perfect you want it and how much work you farm out and how much you do yourself.

Ultimately it is really how much do you want to spend.

Ballpark... depending on condition.... and who is doing the work....

Between $20,000 and $100,000

I would think $15k to 20k. Good paint alone could be $7k if you want it done correctly.




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The Cowboy is talking about a frame off restoration. It sounds like he plans on farming out almost all the work.
He could drop $20K on just the body & paint work. Without a whole lot of good pics it's impossible to give any sort of accurate guess. Without seeing the Jeep, I'd guess closer to $100K than $20K.
When I painted my Jeep, the materials cost me very close to $1000.00. That was for top quality single stage urethane enamel. Five years later it still looks like new.

Before I retired I had a customer pay $13K to paint a Porsche that wasn't worth more than $8K even after the paint job. The Porsche was in real good condition. It's just that the paint was shot and he wanted to look like new. Even at $13K, it wasn't a big money maker for us because of all the labor and a lot of expensive materials. Parts were minimal, just a bunch of molding clips and a few new seals. He had the Porsche since it was new and was retired after a very successful career. The money wasn't as important as the car was (to him).

Once OP has a few estimates I wonder what he'll do. Keep us posted on how it goes Cowboy.

Good Luck, L.M.

And is it completely stock or modified in anyway? During the resto are you wanting any modifications and what are they?

It is completely stock.

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it. Based off of what you guys are telling me, I can now see it being around the $20k-$40k range. Like I said, it is not in horrible condition (ok it might be on it's way lol) as it is still my daily driver but to get it to where I wan't it has a looonnnggg way to go. I don't plan on doing any mods to it, I will eventually just get another Jeep for being a mod monster. I just want to get this one back in mint condition so that I can keep it in the family for many more years. This definitely is what I needed to know though so I can begin to save up.

That right there tells me the jeep is not worth it and it's too far gone. You would be much better off buying one of the mint condition barn find YJ's that pop up for sale from time to time with 10K miles for $20K.

Sounds like he already understands that part...

I got a 95 in pretty rough shape.


Frame, engine mount work, body and paint, interior, this and that.


All in all it ended up being between 30 and 40k.


Doesn't look like it drove off the lot, but looks like maybe it's only 5 years old instead of 25.


My only remaining issue is that if I drive it for a bit, turn it off, then try to start it however, much longer later, it is dead, no power, won't turn over. It's not the battery. wait 5 minutes, and it suddenly turns over.

I had the local dealer go over all the electrical, and nuthin.


I suspect some type of ignition connection in the column, but not sure. I'm not ready to spend the money on that mystery yet.

I put around 14 grand in mine, plus the $3000.00 I bought it for. V8 engine and transmission, Ford rear end, and on and on.
$40000.00 should produce a brand new JEEP.

first - who says you have to do it all at once? do it a little at a time, and enjoy the results.
second - it will never really be "done"

Ya, tell me about it....

Yes probably around 30-40K to make it look like this one:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1994-jeep-wrangler-5/

I'm restoring a 95 now and I'm about 5K into it without paint. Seats are done. Still need carpet, shocks, wheels refinished, 2 fenders and some frame paint. Good luck. You will be proud when you are done!

Ken

That's the best way in all honesty. But if you buy a jeep that nice you dont drive it every day and park it outside to rust. OP sounds like he needs to do a hillbilly "good enough" restore like i did this past winter on a friends YJ.

Not a yj but I've been working on a 97 tj w 75,000 miles....
I bought it from the original owner last summer after watching it sit in her driveway unmoved for over 10 years

...

Gottagofast let’s see some more of that home paint job. Looks pretty good

It's not completely done yet... my painter friend is busy w other stuff for a few weeks.... we have to block out a few runs in the clearcoat and finish wet sanding and buffing.... also need to strip and paint the hardtop

Here are a couple shots in the sun from right after we sprayed it and I installed the new flares tho... the big 16" tires were temporary... I have 235 75 15's on it now... plus a shot of the new hella e code h4's installed

That paint job looks good for being sprayed outdoors. I just bought another Toyota Tacoma that got in a fender bender and I'm thinking about trying to hang a new bedside on it. I have never sprayed automotive paint but i am thinking about giving it a whirl since it would only improve the trucks looks what kind of paint did you use?

I know it was base clear mixed at napa to my original paint code but beyond that my buddy handled the details...

The worst thing about painting outside is the bugs.... when the clear starts going on they come from all surrounding counties... so while still spraying we're tweezing the biggest ones and then hitting w a little more clear.... of course that's where most of the runs come from that have to be shaved and blocked.... then you're bound to end up going too far on one or two and have to paint a little more....

If you sold off a couple of your spare projects (Toys) you might have room to tarp off a paint room in your Morton building... Just sayin. LMAO. Quite the lineup you got goin on in Pic 4

Some time ago (early 2018) there was a poster here that built a spray booth out of 1X2s and plastic sheeting. He might have built it around the Jeep and entered through a flap that he taped shut. I kinda-sorta remember he used a couple cheap furnace filters and a household fan.
If I were going to do anything like that, I'd have everything ready the night before and spray the vehicle as soon as it was light enough and warm enough to spray. There's usually much less wind early in the A/M.

Modern paint is extremely hazardous to your health. The catalyzers in the paint use moisture to kick. That's the same moisture that's in your lungs.
Use a quality respirator (not a 3M dust mask) that has filters on it that are designed for the type of paint you're using. It should have lenses that cover your eyed, kinda like a gas mask. The isocyanates (catalyzers) can get in your eyes too.

Good Luck, L.M.

I considered having him paint it in my shop but this was done in a couple hours every weekend ot two and I couldn't have my shop tied up and plastic wrapped for two months....

One day I'll build another bigger shop and the current one will become parking for complete vehicles and be set up for an occasional paint booth....

Bring a trailer and stack of cash.... we'll work out the details when you get here...

For starters I'll load ya up w 2 motorcycles, a couple big boats, 2 or 3 jeeps, and a dozen or so axles... lol

I'd take you up on that, but I'm a little tight on space... Maybe could squeeze one more bike in somewhere...