Can I get your opinion on this CJ?

[dasfzero]

Im still pretty new to the CJs and learning the ins and outs of them. Im looking for a good entry CJ that I can one day do a full restoration on but until then drive it and learn more working on them. I came across this one and the price has me very interested. I have a big concern about one of the things the owner said in an email (see below). I put the parts I am concerned about in bold.

How big of an issue is this and what kind of cost would i be looking at to have it fixed? Should I just move on and look for a different CJ?

Any other input you have on this CJ would be highly appreciated as well as any questions you could suggest that I ask the owner would be very helpful.

Heres the email:
"Jeep tub is in good shape. Very little rust. I have owned it for 1 1/2 years.

The only modifications would be: 1) after market tow hooks on bumper. 2) stock back axle(AMC20 widetrack) with stock 2 piece axle shafts, one shaft broke so a new(used) axle with upgraded 1 piece shafts replaced it.
Not really modifications in my book...


The bad(even though you didn't ask)-
1)Doesn't blow hot air, not sure why as it worked last fall.
2) new rear axle has a different gear ratio than the front. Front is 3.42 I think and rear is 4.11 w/locker.
3)clutch pedal rattles a little(needs new return spring(few bucks at parts store).


I know a shop named Crane high clearance that can fix the gears to match and much cheaper and do a great job than somewhere like 4wheel parts wholesalers. They do all sorts of custom jeep work. Just don't have time to do it myself.


Right now the only time we drive the jeep is a very little in the summer with the top off and don't use the 4x4 in town so it's never been an issue.


The engine runs very well and other than a little steering wander(it is 30 years old) I wouldn't be afraid to take it anywhere in the state. The engine is very clean, the body is in great condition compared to what I have seen. It is way better mechanically and body than my old 79 CJ7 was. Coolant looks brand new. New brake master cylinder and the rear axle is all I have put into it. "

 

[dasfzero]

Here is the rest of the pictures he provided

 

[SlowPocono]

I don't know much, but I do know that the miss-matched axle ratio needs to be addressed.

Are you really in Ohio, and is the Jeep in Colorado?

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

I like it. From the pics looks like a good clean cj. The axle issue is a little weird but fixable. Heater core probably just needs to be replaced.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Ok, sellers sounds honest to me. Gears are easily but sort of costly. Personally, I would rather buy gears for the front . The rear has already been fixed with 1 piece and locker. The 411 gears will serve you better too!

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[rufus1138]

everything on a jeep can be sorted out in time, the biggest thing with projects like this is when it wont move under its own power, thats the big emotional hill that will break alot of ppl and alot of projects, its running and driving and not a rust bucket as well as the price being good....id go for it, like i said everything can be sorted out, get in the game and learn your rig and take it one step at a time.

 

[dasfzero]

Are you really in Ohio, and is the Jeep in Colorado?

That is correct. I am looking nationwide for a jeep. Primarily been looking in the south west to avoid the rust issue but this one just looked so nice and surprisingly clean.

Does anyone notice anything modified on the jeep that I should ask about or that you could point out? I would really like one that is as close to stock as possible and from what I can tell this one looks pretty close. (when I get to the point of restoration I am going the route of fresh off the factory floor.)

Im thinking about going ahead and finding someone to go take a look at the jeep for me before I go out there. Ill find a local jeep mechanic i can pay to take a look at it OR is there anyone on here near evergreen colorado who would want to go take a look at it for fun and let me know what you think? Just please dont buy it out from under me! lol

 

[Petescj]

I would really like one that is as close to stock as possible and from what I can tell this one looks pretty close. (when I get to the point of restoration I am going the route of fresh off the factory floor.)

If I was looking for one to restore Id look for a clean Laredo model. This one has a Laredo seat but nothing else I see makes it a Laredo . No tach , clock , grill cover , wheels , chrome bumper etc etc. Condition wise the one your looking at looks pretty good.

 

[SlowPocono]

That is correct. I am looking nationwide for a jeep. ...

That's interesting to me because although I'm looking for something older than you are, most of the attractive stuff seems to be in Colorado, California, Oregon and a few other south western states.

I'm considering a cross country buying adventure.

Good luck on your quest!

 

[dasfzero]

Its easy for me to look nationwide because i have flight benefits on delta and from cincy to cali round trip is only about $AMC 150 so it makes it very affordable to get place. and before I fly ill find someone to take a look at the jeep for me.

Like you said all of the good ones seem to be out west.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Its easy for me to look nationwide because i have flight benefits on delta and from cincy to cali round trip is only about $AMC 150 so it makes it very affordable to get place. and before I fly ill find someone to take a look at the jeep for me.

Like you said all of the good ones seem to be out west.

I understand how flight passes work, but are there restrictions on shipping jeeps? I have family that gets so many passes yearly but have never ask about vechicles.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Avoid buy'n any Jeep located in the 'rust-belt'.
LG

 

[mtnwhlr]

I did not see a price without knowing what he is asking for it it would be hard for me to say if you should go for it or not. I'm going to look at CL to see if I see it there.

 

[dasfzero]

I understand how flight passes work, but are there restrictions on shipping jeeps? I have family that gets so many passes yearly but have never ask about vechicles.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Obviously I wouldnt be shipping a jeep. I would fly out to the jeep and drive it back taking my time to enjoy it.

the asking price was $2800

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

Right, we flew to New Jersey and drove my wife's 4runner home to Ga. Drove to Ohio for my daughters suv. I was only curious about flight passes and cars? Maybe from abroad, pipe dream anyways. If I had to fly to buy a jeep, I might rent a trailer and truck. I drove our 7 about 3 hrs when we purchased it. I just don't like sitting on the interstate or worse

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[SlowPocono]

... If I had to fly to buy a jeep, I might rent a trailer and truck. ...

That's a plan I've been considering too. It could add as much as $3,000 to the procurement but if I view it as an "adventure vacation" it might be a lot of fun.
I'd rather buy something closer to home, but the selection, condition, cost ratios seem to be much more attractive in the west.

I wonder how difficult it would be to find a qualified, trustworthy Jeeper to do a preliminary exam before jumping on an airplane.

 

[PaRenegade]

You never said what year it is. The underdash computer indicates it's an 83 or newer, or 82 Cali model. The carb shows a sol-vac, which I thought was changed to a stepper motor when it went to a computer. I could be wrong on that.

Can't really see the end of the axle on the rear but if it has a nut on it it's not a 1 pc. axle. If it is a 1 pc. that's a good thing. The gears will need to match before it's ever put into 4wd. If the front is a 3.31 or 3.54 gears (3.42 isn't correct) it will also require a new carrier (differential) to go with 4.11 gears.

The heater issue, assuming he meant it blows air but it just doesn't get hot, could be a broken or missing control cable or a plugged up heater core. Neither are major problems or costly but labor to replace the core will be more.

Looks like a T-176 tranny which is a good thing. How many miles are on it?

 

[red79]

Looks to be a pretty solid Jeep. I, too, think it's a T-176 Transmission , which is a good Transmission for anything up to extreme rock crawling (even then, some people still manage with the 176). The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is a great engine and it's an easy first pick for me in a CJ7 .

This is definitely a bit of a project, though, as you'd want to get 4.11s up front immediately (at least prior to using 4x4). You're looking at a comfortable top speed of 50-55 mph with the 4.11/T-176 combination. CJ steering isn't conducive to much more than that anyway.

As long as you're comfortable wrenching on it right away (which most Jeepers are not only comfortable with, but enjoy), I think this is a good buy. Definitely not a steal, but a good price.

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

I think you should proceed myself. The jeeps in my area for that price are lacking. The seller may come off the price even more if they know you're willing to travel.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[ThisGuyUKnow]

Obviously I wouldnt be shipping a jeep. I would fly out to the jeep and drive it back taking my time to enjoy it.

the asking price was $2800

Id definitely buy this jeep if the asking price is 2800 and its a 82 or higher. Most likely he will let you walk away with it for 2500 but may be able to be talked down lower. Id offer 2k and work up to 2500

That's a plan I've been considering too. It could add as much as $3,000 to the procurement but if I view it as an "adventure vacation" it might be a lot of fun.
I'd rather buy something closer to home, but the selection, condition, cost ratios seem to be much more attractive in the west.

I wonder how difficult it would be to find a qualified, trustworthy Jeeper to do a preliminary exam before jumping on an airplane.

3k?! I shipped my jeep from Mobile, AL to my door Harleysville, PA for a little under 900 bucks. Check out Uship and post a want add on there shippers will bid for your business.