Buying my first jeep. What questions to ask?

[DrugCoder]

So I'm finally getting the chance to buy my first jeep. I should get to go look at one this weekend.

Right now all I know about it is it's a 79 CJ7 with the Inline 6.

What important questions do I need to ask the seller?
What are the most important things to look for when checking it out?

Thanks for your help! I can't wait to get started on this journey!

 

[tjmons]

Check out the frame for rust,cracks, or bent areas. Check the floors for rust and holes. Key area are around the roll bar and driver and passenger areas. Use a magnet to check for repairs to the body. Also leaks underneath. I would ask for any mods that might have been done. It depends on the asking price as far as repairs it may need. I know that you can find a good deal if you are willing to look and be patient. I found a deal of a lifetime. They are out there.

 

[DrugCoder]

Cool. Thanks! I wouldn't have thought about using a magnet for body repairs. That's the kind of tips/tricks I was looking for.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Check out the frame for rust,cracks, or bent areas. Check the floors for rust and holes. Key area are around the roll bar and driver and passenger areas. Use a magnet to check for repairs to the body. Also leaks underneath. I would ask for any mods that might have been done. It depends on the asking price as far as repairs it may need. I know that you can find a good deal if you are willing to look and be patient. I found a deal of a lifetime. They are out there.

as far as asking questions I find most sellers tend to lie alot telling you what you want to hear to make the sale. So be your own judge and what I would add to this is take it out and drive it you can tell alot about a Jeep by how it runs and drives down the road.

 

[Rollie]

First of all, the frame is the most important. If the frame is cracked or rusted through, you are pretty much done. Next it depends on whether you want a project, or if you want something to drive. I'm retired and was looking for something to keep me occupied in my spare time, so much of the mechanical problems were a plus rather than a negative, and I have other vehicles to drive if the jeep is all tore up. So it all depends I guess on what you want to do. First of all a jeep that old is bound to have some issues unless someone did a frame up on it recently. If you are looking for a project, sometimes a leak here or there, is nothing to worry about. If you aren't inclined to taking it apart to fix stuff, look at the ground underneath where it is parked for fluid leaks, especially under the bell housing which is where a main seal might be leaking. Look around the shafts that come out of the Transfer Case for leaks. Look at the bottoms of the differentials. Do not just drive it around the block and assume that everything is OK. Take it out on the highway and get it up to speed to see if it wanders all over the road or if it tracks straight. If it is a manual shift let up on the throttle in each gear and see if it pops out of gear. Those are just a few things that might help.

 

[Rollie]

as far as asking questions I find most sellers tend to lie alot telling you what you want to hear to make the sale. So be your own judge and what I would add to this is take it out and drive it you can tell alot about a Jeep by how it runs and drives down the road.

When I was searching for a jeep I found that most of the sellers didn't have any idea what they really had. Or maybe they did.

 

[alpha6]

Ask if it is stolen. . Seriously, make sure it has a clean title and that the vin number on the title matches the vin on the jeep.

 

[DJ1980CJ5]

Ask if it is stolen. . Seriously, make sure it has a clean title and that the vin number on the title matches the vin on the jeep.

Agreed! Title issues can be a nightmare. The DMV is such a joy to deal with.

If you have to pass emissions, ask for the last certificate.

As stated above, a magnet is a great tool. Refrigerator magnets are great for checking for body filler and they won't damage paint.

 

[0822]

Agreed! Title issues can be a nightmare. The DMV is such a joy to deal with.

If you have to pass emissions, ask for the last certificate.

As stated above, a magnet is a great tool. Refrigerator magnets are great for checking for body filler and they won't damage paint.

All very good points.

 

[1986cj7]

And read though this:http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj-buyers-guide-13328/?highlight=cj+buyers+guide A lot of good tips here.

 

[76cj7chick]

And read though this:http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj-buyers-guide-13328/?highlight=cj+buyers+guide A lot of good tips here.

I wish I studied more about CJ7 before buying my first one... (I've owned 2 tj's and one jk) but never a CJ7 and didn't know how much I had to invest (time and money) into the one I currently have until, I learned how much it was missing... The po mainly used the cj for off road so he riped out the radiator fluid reservoir, washer fluid canister, changed the ignition switch to the dash -the one in the column was busted, took out the clutch fan because they installed a 3 row radiator, many of the gauges didn't work, and many other issues... Thanks for sharing.