Looking for a project Jeep Either the TJ, YJ, or CJ body. It needs to be something I can build up for a simple wheeler. The list of necessary working components is short. It needs to be on a good frame and the engine / drivetrain is working. It is going to be my backup driver for when I rip apart the XJ to mod it.
Suggestion… look for a YJ or TJ with a rotted frame. It will be MUCH cheaper and you can buy all the frame pieces to repair the frame itself… There is a place in Cranston (Auto Rust Technicians (autorust.com/safetcap.html) that sells all the frame pieces (Safe-T-Cap) This would be the route I took unless you come across a really good jeep for a cheap price.
Having just gone through (technically still going through) the “looking for project Jeep” exercise I fully concur with Glenn. Any Wrangler/CJ that is project worthy will be selling for about $5k minimum. I even found people asking $5k for Wranglers with severely rusted frames. Ultimately I went the piece-part route . . . $250 frame, $500 tub, $700 engine/transmission, $250 axle, . . .