My Jeep J10 is in great shape, body wise, if you consider how old it is. It’s got a little rust hole in the hood, a little rust on the back of the cab, a little hole here and there in the door jambs, a little bit on the floorboards, and a little in the bed, but it’s otherwise clean. Here in California, though, it’s apparently untouchable, because the standards are completely different than much of the rest of the country.
When I initially bought my 1985 Jeep J10 from Yadkinvilla, North Carolina in 2015, I was thrilled. The thing was 100% stock, it ran, it drove, it had very few miles, and the body was quite decent. I bought it for $3,500, which — especially for me back then — was a mountain of cash.
I not only got the truck, but also a Gallon of moonshine that the seller told me had been brewed by Junior Johnson himself, and I also got a hand-drawn map to the local mud-run that was happening that day. My friends and I attended, and it was epic.
The Jeep sat for a while until I used it for therapy during the pandemic, getting it on the road and driving it from Michigan to North Carolina to Fayetteville, AR to Dallas, TX, back up to Michigan. The truck was flawless, and I was in love.
It checks all the “ultimate pickup truck” boxes, including:
- Regular cab
- Long bed
- 4×4
- Manual
- Bench seat
- stamped tailgate
- manual locking hubs
- gun rack
It is the truckiest of the trucks, and luckily for me, it wasn’t a Michigan machine, or else it would be a rustbucket.
To be sure, it wasn’t perfect, as this young nerd points out here:
Here are a few photos of the minor rust:
Overall, it’s a really nice machine — by Michigan standards. By California standards, it’s apparently such a heap that someone just sent me this:
In case you can’t see that image for whatever reason, here’s the message:
Long shot here but I was wondering since it’s been a while if you are selling parts off your truck. I’m looking for a windshield and the front bumper if so please lmk
Either this person is pulling my leg or I’m out of touch, or maybe both, because is this person really suggesting I part out an 82,000 mile truck? Especially one that’s this complete? Come on; look at this thing — it’s not that bad!
Look at the underside; it’s clean!:
A few weeks ago I wrote “Bringing My Michigan Cars To California Was A Mistake,” an article about how my friend Fred had warned me that, given the amazing selection of vehicles out west, a vehicle from the rust belt pretty much has no value here in California. I don’t think I fully realized just how little value a truck that in another state is worth easily $7000 is basically worth, well, parts!
It’s a combination of the minor rust (which Californias would consider major) and the emissions status (it is missing its original emissions equipment, which is why it runs so well) that has basically relegated my J10 to the lowest tier in the California car hierarchy. It is a true shame.
Luckily, my internal sell-or-don’t-sell pendulum for the J10 is swinging back towards “keep forever,” so this doesn’t bother me in the least, but it’s something I find remarkable. In California, any rust = rustbucket. In Michigan, no holes = rust-free. What a difference.
“Holes! I need HOLES!”
-Slippery Pete
It’s amazing how different parts of the country consider the same car as mint or scrap (with little in-between.)
Instead of saying it has light rust, it should say lightened by rust. I love old FSJ’s, owned, and proudly driven much worse. Unfortunately, the fact that it’s holes, instead of surface rust, make a proper repair, in metal, out of the question. I would love to own that truck, but I think the price is just too steep for what is actually sitting there.
“Look at the underside; it’s clean!”
Are you kidding? An exhaust system that, while not excessively corroded, ends before the rear axle. Minus emissions controls, and the not terribly intact exterior, must stink and be somewhat toxic at a stoplight.
If I were a cop, I’d be tempted to cite you for child abuse if you had Delmar (NHRN) strapped in a car seat in the cab.
You are an adult with an apparently very patient wife and now a young child.
My mother was similarly patient with my father in my early childhood. One day, my father brought home an early 60s Autocar diesel tractor.
He wasn’t working as a trucker and only kept it for a few months. He was a firefighter and maybe it was fun for him to have a diesel truck for his days off, but driving a tractor like that bobtail (without trailer[s]) is sketchy at best. I will say my brother and I did love going for rides in “the Jolly Green Giant.” It was painted forest green.
Anyway, it’s time to elevate your game and your collection, man.
It’s an old photo; the exhaust is fully intact, and there’s a catalytic converter. It’s fine.
Thank goodness. And bless you David, and your family. I love your writing!
It’s on a journey to being rust free, it’s got speed holes, when they join together and there’s nothing left to rust, it’ll be completely “rust free”
I think it doesn’t have much to do with the rust. This is a guy that needs some parts that he can’t find. So he asked if you’d given up trying to get $8500 for it yet. As he stated, it’s a long shot.
That’s not minor rust by anywhere but Michigan standards. It’s not even minor rust by typical FSJ standards and most of those spots don’t look particularly easy to fix. That being said, it’s not too far gone to only be a parts truck, it’s just going to take finding the right buyer (or in other words be patient and expect them to come from far from California).
if you glance on the interior photo very quickly, even the seats and door card looks rusty
Given the missing emissions equipment and how they are unobtanium, I’m thinking if you want to get that old J10 on the road in California, it will require these steps:
Converting an old non-compliant vehicle to a BEV seems like a valid way to get a vehicle emissions compliant in California:
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/frequently-asked-questions?page=3
“Can I convert my car to be an electric vehicle?
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Any vehicle registered in California may be converted to a 100% electric drive, as long as all power is supplied by on-board batteries. All combustion and fuel system components must be removed prior to inspection by a California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station. The vehicle must arrive at the inspection site under its own power, and the referee will also visually inspect to ensure that the vehicle has adequate battery storage capacity for 100% electric operation. Once the inspection is complete, the referee will sign a DMV “statement of Facts” form so that the vehicle can be registered as an EV and removed from the periodic smog inspection program. The statement of fact form is returned to the California department of motor vehicles. To schedule an appointment with California Bureau of Automotive Repairs Referee station, please call (800) 622-7733.
NoteIndividually converted vehicles do not qualify for any incentive programs for Certified Zero Emissions Vehicles, including HOV stickers.
At this time, conversion to 100% electric power does not replace requirements for Direct Import or non-USA vehicle compliance laboratory testing. These requirements apply to vehicles originally sold outside the United States and the required modification and testing typically exceeds the value of the vehicle to complete.”
or get Montana plates
I think I read somewhere that California is cracking down on that. Or if you do that, it severely limits how much you’re allowed to drive it… or something like that.
This is the way.
Arizonan here – I’m calling it a rust bucket for sure. There is a shocking amount of rust that I haven’t seen on any car in at least a few years. I might give you $1500 for it if I had the time and space to part it out.
I’m in the PNW. It’s not just California. That is too far gone, IMHO. And I love anything with any AMC cred. My worst vehicle idea ever was to try and restore an East Coast Westy. Spent a fortune on metal and paint, and the rust came right back.
Yeah it’s rusty for the Southeast too. I don’t think any vehicle with a hole cause by rust falls into the category of ‘not bad’.
Yeah, I live in Indiana and even I wouldn’t want something with holes in it, and that’s common here. Out yonder west, it’s even more glaring.
It’s definitely a cool truck but it is pretty rusty.I used to love when a someone would want me to repair a “little rust” on their car and then see the look on their face when given the estimate.Pull it apart or tap it with a hammer and it’s always worse than it looks.
In Minnesota, like Michigan I think this would be considered a truck that you could drive while you tinker with not a parts truck, but if the ad said rust free and I showed up to that I would be pissed! In California, this is a rusty vehicle that can’t pass smog, best course of action is probably take it on a road trip to Mercedes or Jason, get the clicks and then sell it there. Neglecting something you love isn’t love.
Mercedes just drove a brand new luxury truck. She’s not gonna be able to ride in this thing now 🙂
Hahaha. That made me LMAO!
David’s never ending saga of bad* decisions with rusty Jeeps is comment gold that can be mined over and over again.
.* Are they really bad if they provide stories that get lots of interaction? Sorry but I don’t believe David is nearly as clueless as the character he plays here. It is done for the clicks and to drive interaction with the site. Nothing wrong with that – it is part of Autopian’s charm.
David is the James May character in this circus they call The Autopian. He probably has the best grasp of mechanics and engineering. But some of his possession choices are questionable.
I also drive like a grandpa.
Well, you’re only a husband and now father, so you don’t have to drive like a grandfather. At least while you are alone. But it’s great to drive conservatively and not risk the wellbeing of people in your care.
My son and I drove around to and hiked around the parks in Utah, oh goodness, seven years ago! I didn’t have a Jeep. We just walked around.
That will make some amazing memories for him. He may eventually get into the engineering head and fascination you have. He may go his own way.
But enjoy the early days and the development.
My kid is now 31 and fully successfully launched, and someday, you will get that feeling. He didn’t go down either path I did in the two halves of my career, but it’s been fun to watch.
Blessings to you and yours, David!