Salvage Yard Knowledge

Rahneld · Aug 25, 2019

On my bucket list involves buying two damaged (to save $) JLU non-painted (i.e. black, but not painted black) hard tops, ideally just the larger back portion of the top (i.e. Freedom Panels not needed).

Each top will need to be damaged in a different place.

This is for purposes of attempting this modularization of the top (i.e. breaking it into sections that bolt back together).

https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/converting-a-factory-jk-jku-hardtop-to-modular.160775/

Pretty freakin' awesome right?

So, can someone teach me how to search salvage (i.e. junk) yards for one? Do some yards have internet searches/websites? Is there is website that consolidates the inventory of multiple yards?

I've posted here and check Craigslist too. Any other ideas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Chocolate Thunder · Aug 25, 2019

Go to your nearest decent sized salvage yard and ask. They likely won’t have one, but most of them can search online through a network of other salvage yards to find it for you. It won’t be that cheap unless it’s trashed.

Good luck with the project.

spurly · Aug 25, 2019

Check LKQ. That's probably your best bet. But honestly, any wrangler doesn't last long in a salvage yard.

D60 · Aug 25, 2019

car-part.com

Jorik · Oct 18, 2020

You must have a lot of free time, pal

. I am also passionate about this sort of things and I wish I had more time to spend with my hobbies but unfortunately I can't randomly go to a scrap yard like https://www.scrapi.com/scrap-my-car-near-me buy a crashed car from them and spend my weekends repairing and customizing it to my liking. Actually, when I come to think of it I don't even have enough money for this type of things. Being an adult and not a rich one sucks

. By each day I realize that what I wanted to do differs more and more from what I really do.

Hound Dog · Oct 19, 2020

Do you have many yards in your area? You might have a hard time finding a damaged part with an online search. Most dont list broken stuff. That would be like listing "F150 front bumper. Been in front end collision. You pull. $100." Who would buy it?

You just have to do it the old fashioned way. Call them, walk the yard.

Neanderthalman · Oct 19, 2020

Hound Dog said:
Do you have many yards in your area? You might have a hard time finding a damaged part with an online search. Most dont list broken stuff. That would be like listing "F150 front bumper. Been in front end collision. You pull. $100." Who would buy it?

You just have to do it the old fashioned way. Call them, walk the yard.

You'd be surprised when it comes to body panels. I needed a fender for our minivan, and was able to search car-part not only for the exact part, in the exact colour, but also by the condition. I could've saved a few bucks getting a panel with a dent or crease, but not enough to make it worth it - but if you've got a body shop maybe those dents and dings are nothing to you.

A quick search on car-part found fifteen hard tops, three with damage. One is only $600.

Not that it matters since this is a resurrected thread from 2019 from a member that's now banned. How did we get here?