78 Cj-7 / 85 Cj-7 Pete tries to buy a Jeep.

[Petescj]

Well Im happy to report that the dog is just fine. The Cj hunt took another painful twist today. Awhile back I was contacted about a pretty solid looking Renegade that was above my price range. Now hes in my ballpark before the Vet bill. Hes a dog lover as well by the looks of the Sheperds but I dont think its gonna do me any good.

 

[Petescj]

This one has me thinking about coming back into the CJ5 ranks. Darn I wish I had a couple more bucks. Vicki hates when I look at these manual Cjs.

1979 CJ5 258/T18 Dana 44 Lockers - 4x4 and Off-Road Forum : Pirate4x4.Com

 

[IOPort51]

tell me again why Vicki does not drive a stick?

 

[tarry99]

Well unless Vicki finds a Cj with an automatic and good body within the week looks like my next Cj is a 78 Cj-7. The stats are 304 engine backed by a T-18a with a dana 300 t-case. Other than a herculined paint job , the t case, the wheel and tire combo and the bumpers the Cj looks pretty stock.

The trans has a bad synchro for 2nd gear. Other than that it seems pretty sound. Im thinking some new 2 1/2 in springs along with some 33s and 1 piece axles will make me pretty happy for now.

Easy fix on the syncro..........A lot of 77-78 CJ's with front disc's had the 6 bolt Warn premium hubs and the Large GM caliper & 1.200 vented rotors..............Called the "Big Brake" package back in the day. These were also referred to a 6 bolt caliper mount. If you look under there and see a caliper that seems to large to be there that is the package. They are a 3.10" single piston....Some early 79's also had this option.

If they have Jeep marked or Warn non Premium locking hubs normally the hub is a weak 5 bolt hub version so if you were wanting to upgrade to HD locking hubs new wheel hubs would be needed. With the 5 bolt hub the Big Brake package was not an option.

 

[Petescj]

Im just trying to resist buying junk right now. Im getting antsy!! Not having anything here is the worst part. The dog chewed up a little more of my cash but we're all the way through that now thankfully.

It isnt easy finding something decent for $3000 around here. Right now Im trying to get this guy to seperate the plow from this Cj with an automatic. Then I'll have to be careful going over the frame. From what he said about the tub its not rough to me but it needs some front floor and rocker work. I still have my Yj tub and would boatside it and get it ready over the winter.

Thoughts? Its only about 20 minutes from here and it'll really come down to giving it a good once ( probably twice ) over to see what shape its in.

 

[Old Dog]

EEEasy there big guy, take a deep breath and think it through good.

 

[Petescj]

Just some frustration setting in. That and the fear of what I do have saved somehow being "borrowed" for Xmas shopping.

EEEasy there big guy, take a deep breath and think it through good.

 

[norville]

I am a dog lover Pete... most of the time..

I strongly suggest you come and look at my jeep, If nothing else to at least take it off your list or give you something to work at.. A down payment would get you to the new year. And I'd pull my ads, I gave you my best offer.. I know once spring hits, it'll sell quick or I'll keep it.. My daughter already offered to buy it off me..

I apologize, for butting in here but I've only recently joined and read though a lot of Pete's post. He seems like a stand up guy so I'm putting this out for everyone to see.. And although I'm new here I've been on a few other forums for quite some time...

Here's my other money pit..



bob

 

[Petescj]

Ok no doggie discount. Theres no need to apologize at all and your not "butting in" what so ever. Your Cj is definately the cleanest one that I considered.

With 3 teenage kids in the house Xmas is already a hot topic around here. The condition of the Cj and the fact that its an automatic really appeal to my financial secretary (Vicki) though.

Shes going to crunch some numbers over the weekend. We may try to come up and look at it Sunday if thats ok. Pm me your number and I'll give you a call tomorrow after work.

And thanks for putting this out for everyone to see. Its a pleasure to take a break from the ultimate frustration they call Craigslist.

I am a dog lover Pete... most of the time..

I strongly suggest you come and look at my jeep, If nothing else to at least take it off your list or give you something to work at.. A down payment would get you to the new year. And I'd pull my ads, I gave you my best offer.. I know once spring hits, it'll sell quick or I'll keep it.. My daughter already offered to buy it off me..

I apologize, for butting in here but I've only recently joined and read though a lot of Pete's post. He seems like a stand up guy so I'm putting this out for everyone to see.. And although I'm new here I've been on a few other forums for quite some time...

Here's my other money pit..



bob

 

[Petescj]

Went up to Bobs today to check out the 85 CJ7 . This is a pretty clean looking Jeep. Vicki said on the way home "Im not used to you looking at ones that nice". Im not sure if that was a compliment or what.

Got a good look at the frame repair and was satisfied. Other than the Yj tub , tires and seats its completely stock. Ever see a stock clock work? Me either till today. The first pics didnt do it justice and I think it will clean up rather nice. Heres a couple quick pics I took.

 

[Petescj]

So Vicki was really happy with it. It looked great and was automatic. It also comes with 4 more 31in Bfgs. I will have to use my own hardtop but thats no big deal. It started up and idled pretty good even with the stock carb.

There were a couple of faults with it but nothing major. The door paint doesnt match perfectly but their only for winter use anyway. The stock springs are pretty flat and dont allow much room for the 31s. New springs are definately needed.

If we can afford to grab it we will. Its too clean to pass up. I figure some 2 1/2 in springs with the 31s and we'll call this one Vickis Jeep. After researching the auto I figured Id need a 4 to 1 kit for the Dana 300 and 4.88s to give me a crawl ratio Id like with 33s. Thats alot of work ( and cash )for a Cj I wouldnt want to bash in the rocks anyway.

I'll repair the the Yj tub I have downstairs with the boatsides and look for a rust bucket with a drivetrain more like the 78 I began this thread with. According to Vicki Im good at finding those.

 

[Old Dog]

So Vicki was really happy with it.

^^Thats all that matters ^^

I see a new jeep in your future.

 

[Petescj]

Well she does the bills so her liking it like she did is a definate plus. Im hoping we can drum up the extra $1000 we need. We'll take a few days looking over the financials and hopefully we can swing it. I cant recall having a Cj that was rust free since my CJ5 and that was 14 or so years ago.

^^Thats all that matters ^^

I see a new jeep in your future.

 

[Petescj]

Oh and I think Vicki may be on to something. I am good at finding Cjs like these :

 

[Petescj]

Im a bit gunshy on grabbing the 85 at this time of year and owing out money. Bob was a great guy and its a solid Cj. I just dont have all the cash up front and thats the way Id prefer to do business.