Misc. CJ-5 Right Hand Drive in Japan

[Yamada CJ]

Hello members, I've just join this cool Jeep community. I'm a Japanese. I found a nice CJ5 for sale in the used car market in Japan. The CJ5 was privately imported to Japan and registered in 1981,
4.2l engine and right hand drive, I guess it was imported from UK or Australia. I'd like to buy it but I'm worried about parts availability and supply because
it's a right hand drive Jeep. Some Jeep experts in Japan said me that I should not buy it. I guess it would be very difficult to maintain, because need to get unique parts for RHD Jeep (since LHD Jeep is majority).
I'm a complete beginner to Jeep, never driven and never owned. But I really like this CJ5...I'd very much appreciate if someone has experience
to own the RHD CJ5 and give me advice about how to get parts, and maintain.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Really nothing unique other than it's on the opposite side. In fact here in the US they were called DJ 5 and used for the mail service. I will do some digging but I'm fairly certain all the parts are available although I can't say about shipping. but most aftermarket parts these days come out of China or Taiwan. Rock Auto would be a good source of parts and they have a listing for the DJ 5.

But welcome to the community.

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[Yamada CJ]

Dear Manic Mechanic, Thank you so much for your quick response and kind advices. That's very helpful since you are a very experienced vintage Jeep owner.
I'll check the Rock Auto! Thank you again for your help!!!

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Your welcome I'm sure others will chime in as well. There are lots of experienced Jeep owners here with a ton of knowledge

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[CJ]

Hello members, I've just join this cool Jeep community. I'm a Japanese. I found a nice CJ5 for sale in the used car market in Japan. The CJ5 was privately imported to Japan and registered in 1981,
4.2l engine and right hand drive, I guess it was imported from UK or Australia. I'd like to buy it but I'm worried about parts availability and supply because
it's a right hand drive Jeep. Some Jeep experts in Japan said me that I should not buy it. I guess it would be very difficult to maintain, because need to get unique parts for RHD Jeep (since LHD Jeep is majority).
I'm a complete beginner to Jeep, never driven and never owned. But I really like this CJ5...I'd very much appreciate if someone has experience
to own the RHD CJ5 and give me advice about how to get parts, and maintain.

Since it's an 81 and it has an inline 6 cylinder engine it cannot be a DJ (6 cylinder was only offered on a DJ from 1970 - 1978), it has to be a rare export CJ. Also, DJ's were never 4 wheel drive.
Almost every part is interchangable between RHD and LHD except for a few steering parts.
Whate parts do you need?
Can you post the VIN?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Since it's an 81 and it has an inline 6 cylinder engine it cannot be a DJ (6 cylinder was only offered on a DJ from 1970 - 1978), it has to be a rare export CJ. Also, DJ's were never 4 wheel drive.
Almost every part is interchangable between RHD and LHD except for a few steering parts.
Whate parts do you need?
Can you post the VIN?

He never said it was an 81 just registered in 81. Also the DJ 5 was offered with the 232 inline 6 and was built up until 1984 but I think your right at some point they switched to the iron duke 4 banger.

But yes DJs were two wheel drive but easily converted to 4wd. Most likely it's an export but the rh drive parts from the DJ will be the same (i.e body, brakes, lines, etc)

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[CJ]

He never said it was an 81 just registered in 81. Also the DJ 5 was offered with the 232 inline 6 and was built up until 1984

But yes DJs were two wheel drive but easily converted to 4wd. Most likely it's an export but the rh drive parts from the DJ will be the same (i.e body, brakes, lines, etc)

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

Your right about the registered vs made 81. Let's hope we get a VIN.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Your right about the registered vs made 81. Let's hope we get a VIN.

Ya. Made some edits while you were quoting me. Also any pics? That would help as well.

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[CJ]

Ya. Made some edits while you were quoting me. Also any pics? That would help as well.

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

Inquiring minds want to know...
Also, another big tell is the front floor pan, gauge layout and what the frame type is.

 

[Belizean]

One of the few things that might be a little different that I have heard much about, and this is the postal Jeeps ( Scramblers) which are right handed if I remember correctly is maybe the heater box and brake master cylinder. I would go for it, and buy it. Those are all rebuild able.

 

[Yamada CJ]

Wow!! This Jeep-CJ community is amazing!!! I can't believe I've got such a great support from Jeep experts immediately!! Thank you for all of you!!! As CJ kindly asked me, I'll find out the VIN number. In the meantime, I put the photos of the CJ5 as Manic Mechanic suggested, please have a look at them. I really appreciate feedbacks from you guys.

 

[CJ]

Wow!! This Jeep-CJ community is amazing!!! I can't believe I've got such a great support from Jeep experts immediately!! Thank you for all of you!!! As CJ kindly asked me, I'll find out the VIN number. In the meantime, I put the photos of the CJ5 as Manic Mechanic suggested, please have a look at them. I really appreciate feedbacks from you guys.

Holy ! That is one fantastic stock looking, unmodified late model Jeep. That is one of the cleanest stock Jeeps I have ever seen! I'm 99.99% sure that is not a DJ converted to a CJ.
The body is not a modified (DJ entry rail widths are wider) and the fuel filler is in the back.
It definitely is produced after 1975 because of the windshield wiper motor location (inside the frame.)
The wiring looks stock and mostly unmodified. The head lamp dimmer switch wireing being inside the tub as well as the mounting from inside is different but looks stock but on LHD the wiring is outside.
It has an updated aluminum valve cover so some one has kept great care of it.
The break lines look unmodified and for a RHD as well as the clutch / brake pedal assembly.
The shift boot is for a RHD and is one piece (DJs did not have 4wd) as well as the dash and other items.
The speedometer is in KPH.

This Jeep has been pampered...
You definitely have a gem there.

Can you get a shot of the steering gear box mounting and a front shot of the overall steering setup?

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Definitely a stock 5 for the export market. that thing is clean and low mileage only has about 48k miles on it which is why it's so clean.

Pretty much all parts for a regular CJ works on that even the brakes are stock CJ parts. mechanically speaking it's the same as the American market just has a few things moved. I did notice it has the AMC20 rear. That thing is a real gem

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[Belizean]

Really nice looking Jeep ! Great find.

 

[Manic Mechanic]

A few things I just noticed and could be mistaken but the valve cover looks like a YJ 4.2 with the air cleaner setup and I think I see a hydraulic clutch reservoir next to the brake booster which would also be a YJ thing.

Now for the big question how much?



Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[Manic Mechanic]

As I think about it a hydraulic clutch would make sense considering the clutch linkage is all on the left side and starter is on the right. If that's the case it makes it even better considering hydraulic clutch is better than the mechanical linkage in our Jeeps

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[Yamada CJ]

Dear Manic Mechanic, Dear CJ, Dear Belizean,

Thank you very much for your professional feedback! and confirmed it's a CJ5 looks in a good condition.
The evaluation from you guys is a significant help for me in deciding whether to purchase this 5 or not.

According to the used car shop personnel, the actual mileage of this 5 is unknown, Perhaps the odometer has been replaced.

I'll arrange a test drive... when test-driving the CJ5, what specific points are crucial to check, especially?

I'll get the VIN number and try to take the pics that CJ asked me!
Thank you again!

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Your welcome we love sharing knowledge here. The biggest thing I would look for is making sure it doesn't smoke leak knock or make funny engine noise. Other than that put it 4wd and make sure it works. Biggest issue here in the states (yours doesn't look like it's been messed with) is people put larger wheels and tires on it and then regear the rear axle for driveability and not do the front to save money as they don't ever plan to use 4wd

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk

 

[CJ]

Dear Manic Mechanic, Dear CJ, Dear Belizean,

Thank you very much for your professional feedback! and confirmed it's a CJ5 looks in a good condition.
The evaluation from you guys is a significant help for me in deciding whether to purchase this 5 or not.

According to the used car shop personnel, the actual mileage of this 5 is unknown, Perhaps the odometer has been replaced.

I'll arrange a test drive... when test-driving the CJ5, what specific points are crucial to check, especially?

I'll get the VIN number and try to take the pics that CJ asked me!
Thank you again!

We are all glad to help. Follow what @Manic Mechanic said as well as look through this thread. While not specifically about before you buy it does cover what to do after so it all applies.

what to do after getting that CJ home

First things first A lot of guys buy an old CJ and ask me what they should do to if first. I usually tell them to inspect everything. However I thought I would write a list of things that need to be done no matter how great it looks on the outside. Remember you do not know how each...

jeep-cj.com

 

[Manic Mechanic]

Not sure what they want for that thing but here in the US it could easily go for 20k or more (2,902,330.00 yen)

Sent from my E7110 using Tapatalk