CJ 5 or 7

[thistle3585]

I want to start a ground up build to have a car for my son when he turns 16. He is thirteen now. I have found two rolling chassis, a CJ5 and a CJ7 , in good shape for around $400. I have no real allegiance to either one, so I am wondering which would be the better build and why. It seems to me that there are more 7s around than 5s.

 

[PaRenegade]

I like them both but if one had an edge of safety over the other it would be the 7, simply due to the longer wheelbase. And hardtops are more readily available for them too.

 

[alpha6]

CJ7 ...I have had both and like the extra space on the 7.

 

[MoparJoel]

I got a 5 now I owned it when I was a teen and the "hump" in the door scratching my butt everytime I got in, it was a big turn off as a kid and didnt go down very well getting girls in the jeep either... 7's probabily the btter choice unless he's hardcore...

 

[Jimbos76cj]

7.. If its going to be a rebuild project they are easier to find parts from. try looking for a non rotted out CJ5 tub. Atleast a 7 you can find a YJ tub and family style roll bar for em.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I'd agree with above... the 7 is better saftey wise (wheel base / roll over) and has more room... I went with a 5 for the shorter wheelbase for off-roading and because i didn't want to have to smog check my jeep... and unless its a "special" CJ7 , it will be past the 1976 cut off for smog exempt here in CA...

I also agree about the door opening on my CJ5 ! Man I've lost a few jacket pockets to the dang door latch pin on mine (when i have the top and doors on...)


~ Jr

 

[mtnwhlr]

I wouldn't put a young driver in a CJ5 . My vote is a CJ7 or Wrangler.

 

[Old Dog]

just for safety sake I'd look for a 83-86 CJ7 for the wide trak axles along with the 7's longer wheel base.

 

[thistle3585]

I wouldn't put a young driver in a CJ5 . My vote is a CJ7 or Wrangler.

I had a CJ5 in high school, and now that I think about it, you are right. A CJ7 would be much safer. BTW, we don't use the "W" word in our house. That's almost as bad as rooting for an expansion team in the NHL.

 

[PaRenegade]

 

[Saddle Tramp]

From the been there done that file, DO NOT put a teen driver (or any other inexperienced driver for that matter) into a CJ5 and probably not a CJ7 either; as much as it hurts me to say, step up to a YJ and put a CJ nose on it if it’s for your kid. The problem with the CJ is how close together the frame rails are at the front axle; that’s why a Dana 44 can’t be installed up front without out boarding the spring hangers. The extra length of the CJ7 helps some I’m sure but the frame is the same width at the front axle between the two CJs. I don’t have the exact width between the CJ and YJ handy at the moment but the YJ frame is about 6” wider than the CJ giving it more stability in a turn. My 16 year old daughter, even after talking about the rollover issue of CJs with her, swerved to miss a dog on a country road and rolled my 1980 CJ5 . I was fortunate as my daughter lived to drive another day; the jeep however spent several months on life support in the garage. $2,500 in parts and a trip to the frame shop later the jeep came out of its coma and made a full recovery. A couple of months after the jeep was back on the road though, as my daughter was rounding a corner the Jeep managed to find a power pole to huge as it went by. Again my daughter lived and the Jeep was critical but that was the last time any of my kids ever drove a CJ; only Wranglers from then on. I’m happy to say that with the Wranglers the next two kids below the crashing daughter have manage to keep all four tires on the ground and they both still drive one (TJs) today. Don’t get me wrong, I love a CJ but the driver needs to know what they are doing. (Just ask Ralph Nader, ha ha, and I officially apologize to the Forum for using the “W” word)

 

[Don X]

Even though I have an affinity for CJ5s, I have to agree with most of the other comments. The short wheel base could get a new driver into trouble.

 

[007]

In addition to agreeing wth all that's been said - I'll say this...

If I knew "then" what I know now about all this... There have been days I've wished I would have bought a YJ myself and put a CJ nose, tailgate and spare carrier on it. I'm actually suprised it's not done more often...but that's another thread...

 

[mtnwhlr]

In addition to agreeing wth all that's been said - I'll say this...

If I knew "then" what I know now about all this... There have been days I've wished I would have bought a YJ myself and put a CJ nose, tailgate and spare carrier on it. I'm actually suprised it's not done more often...but that's another thread...

I think if you get a 80s CJ7 with the wide trac axles they drive as well as a YJ. IMO

 

[johnlaw484]

I understand where ya'll are coming from but there are just some things even I won't do. Running a 7 is my limit, but crossing the 7 or 5 with the W word. That would be like me voting for a Democrat/liberal.

 

[PaRenegade]

I understand where ya'll are coming from but there are just some things even I won't do. Running a 7 is my limit, but crossing the 7 or 5 with the W word. That would be like me voting for a Democrat/liberal.

 

[diddy2003]

I would got with the 7 also. Definitely a 82-86 version, with the wider axles. But, the real issue I have with the 5 is that I have a hard time fitting in it. I am 6'3'' and it is hard for me to get in one. My buddy has a '76 and I avoid getting in it all the time. It is just too small for me.

 

[johnnyreb]

I agree on giving a teen a 5. Friend of a friend boght there 16 year old daughter a CJ5 hard top. Told the wife i'll give them 200.00 whenshe rolls it.

 

[JR74CJ5]

The thing to remember too is only you know your kid... If he/she is responsible, not easily manipulated or peer-pressured into things etc, and you've exposed him/her to jeeps, the perks and dangers of them, and they've figured out "off-road" the handling characteristics, you can instill in them the importance of not tailgating in a 70's vehicle with drum brakes and high roll over potential. You can teach them that slowing down easily before a turn and not driving it like a sports car.

There are "some" teenagers out there like this, though I would admit I would not have been one of them. I could have been taught all of "that" and more, and still would have drove it like a sports car... But you know your kid. Just be sure you KNOW and not wish / hope!

You also know your area good. Here in Sacramento, CA the drivers (for the most part) SUCK. Your skills and habits are not the only factor... You can be doing everything right and leaving plenty of "comfort zone" in front of you ans some jack will cut you off and slam on their brakes... to make a turn and next thing you know your rolling your jeep to avoid the wreck... Only experience keeps you from panic. And experience only comes from... well experiencing it...



~ Jr

 

[johnnyreb]

good judgement comes from experience. experience comes from bad judgement. -Dave Ramsey