Brute Build wrecked or not wrecked Question

[Bugalowjeep]

A little bit about myself and the Jeep. Been Trail running for about 6 years. My current Jeep is a 2004 TJ Sport 4.0 5 speed with a Rubicon front axle with WJ components for high steer. Flat fender it. Onboard Air (York system). 4" Teraflex Flexarm with 35s.
Ok, Here is the Question.
I know you talk alot about not using wrecked Jeeps, but I have a 2001 Tj (stock)that i wrecked last year. I bought it back from the Ins.Company. It has front end damage and below both doors it is bent and rear damage to the tub.The hood, grill, radiator and fenders will all need to be replaced it has a 4cyl auto. The frame is straight , had it checked. I would love to put a V8 in it and turn it in to a Brute Truck. Here is the Q do i use this jeep or use my 2004 that is already built up. I could go in more directions with the 01, and let the Wife have the 04. Most of the frame stretching and other fab work would be remove all the damage parts that i have , well most of it. which is good. I would need better axles. On the other hand the 04 has the lift, tires and a better motor. I would run a 5.3 Chevy it's trans and a clocked 300 tranfer, in the 01, all this i have. I feel like the 01 would be a better build with V8 and would have to put some better axles under it.
The K9 Crawler is the look i would like to go, I dont have dogs but do alot of camping and hiking. I like the storage part, I know that this is kind of a, how much work do i what to do project , but any input would be great. Thanks Bugalowjeep

[Cannonball]

I built mine on a wrecked 2004 Rubicon. I did a complete tear down to the frame. took the frame and rolling chassis to a local frame shop first to make sure I started with a straight frame.... glad I did there were 3 different tweks in it. So when I got it back I had a frame that was closer in spec than a factory one, it was within 3mm +/- factory spec was 7mm +/-.

Tub was okay with no damage and much of what was damaged was cut off. I had to replace a front axle cause it was bent ok so what its straight now.

I think starting with a wrecked donor vehicle makes sense as long as you know what you have to start with. Engine, trans, t case and axles are always a variable that can be rebuilt at time of conversion or after. Going thru things like hoses etc can be done when you are building. I think by pulling mine down to bare frame made it easier to make any mods I wanted to do from the ground up. I planned for them and worked them into the project as it progressed.

If you had no clue what you had to work with even a non wreck could have issues a bent frame or who knows what else.

Because yours appears to have frame damage I definately would pull it down to bare frame and make sure it is straight before doing anything else. Sure its a lot of extra work but in the long run you will be able to paint the entire frame and make it last. Cutting corners on a project like this is only acceptable if you are planning on pounding the snot out of it and or selling it in a few years.

if you have any other questions please feel free to ask I have tons of pictures. I have been driving it two years now and love it!

BTW mine was a light roll hood, fenders windshield frame, rear of tub and top all were damaged as well as the bent front axle and bent frame.

CB