First jeep, opinions welcome

[motorhead]

I have decided recently to sell my hotrod and find a jeep to build for my girls when they get older. I have just been playing on craigslist and came across this 67 CJ5 for pretty cheap. Well I loaded up the trailer, drove 6 hours to have a look and it is pretty ugly but it has a chevy350, th350, np205, sanginaw steering box, and apparently dana 44's. I say apparently because I have no idea and neither does the seller he just said they look like axles from a scout. the interior was covered in garbage so I couldnt get a good look at the floor but I paid him $600 and drove away. The next day I cleaned it out and noticed the entire back half of the tub floor is diamond plate, the dash is diamond plate, and the windshield looks as if its either a newer one or a intermediate year. The original vin tag has been removed and a new Idaho identification tag has been installed so who knows what this actually is. Im going to pull more junk off tomorrow and see what exactly I have. Anyway the plan is since its going to my girls it will need updating and modernizing, like disk brakes, powersteering, fuel injection cause of the frozen winters here. I am looking for opinions however if this is going to be mostly paved roads and highway and occasionally wheeled (cause I wanna play) with such a tall vehicle with such a small wheel base be worth it or should I sell it for a healthy profit and buy something else?

 

[jzak]

I have decided recently to sell my hotrod and find a jeep to build for my girls when they get older. I have just been playing on craigslist and came across this 67 CJ5 for pretty cheap. Well I loaded up the trailer, drove 6 hours to have a look and it is pretty ugly but it has a chevy350, th350, np205, sanginaw steering box, and apparently dana 44's. I say apparently because I have no idea and neither does the seller he just said they look like axles from a scout. the interior was covered in garbage so I couldnt get a good look at the floor but I paid him $600 and drove away. The next day I cleaned it out and noticed the entire back half of the tub floor is diamond plate, the dash is diamond plate, and the windshield looks as if its either a newer one or a intermediate year. The original vin tag has been removed and a new Idaho identification tag has been installed so who knows what this actually is. Im going to pull more junk off tomorrow and see what exactly I have. Anyway the plan is since its going to my girls it will need updating and modernizing, like disk brakes, powersteering, fuel injection cause of the frozen winters here. I am looking for opinions however if this is going to be mostly paved roads and highway and occasionally wheeled (cause I wanna play) with such a tall vehicle with such a small wheel base be worth it or should I sell it for a healthy profit and buy something else?

Welcome to the club!

You didn't mention rust. Diamond plating is usually used to cover it up. I would get up underneath it, and see how bad it is. Most things can be replaced fairly cheaply, but if the frame is badly rusted, you maybe in trouble.

Windshield's on CJ's are usually the first thing to start rusting. Especially in a rainy climate. I personally had to replace two of them.

I would try to take as many pictures as you can of the CJ5 , and post them on the forum. It's difficult to offer an opinion without seeing what you've got.

 

[motorhead]

The frame looks solid and do does the tub. I tried to post pictures but it didn't like it I guess I need a photo bucket account.

 

[HackFabrication]

Welcome to the forum!

By the numbers:

came across this 67 CJ5 for pretty cheap.

Cheapest part of any CJ purchase is the initial purchase price.

it has a chevy350, th350, np205, sanginaw steering box, and apparently dana 44's. I say apparently because I have no idea and neither does the seller he just said they look like axles from a scout.

Really, really long drive train for a short,short vehicle. No CJ5 's ever came from the factory with an automatic Transmission . Even with the Dana 20 Transfer Case , an automatic would make for a very short rear driveshaft. Then you add in the problems of lifting the suspension, and the angle gets really ugly.

The NP205 Transfer Case is a beast. Total overkill for a CJ, unless you're going to 'Monster' it (Rockwells, 48"+ tires, etc.)

International Scout axles are okay. Original would have been Dana 27 front, Dana 44 rear. What is the brake setup?

the interior was covered in garbage so I couldnt get a good look at the floor but I paid him $600 and drove away.

If the 350 Chevy and TH350 can be saved, you didn't waste much money.

The next day I cleaned it out and noticed the entire back half of the tub floor is diamond plate, the dash is diamond plate, and the windshield looks as if its either a newer one or a intermediate year. The original vin tag has been removed and a new Idaho identification tag has been installed so who knows what this actually is.

Diamond plate is most often a band-aid over a cancer.

The VIN situation is either good or bad depending on your home state's title/registration procedure. What does the title say? Assembled vehicle?

Anyway the plan is since its going to my girls it will need updating and modernizing, like disk brakes, powersteering, fuel injection cause of the frozen winters here.

Not what I'd want my teenager (boy or girl) driving. Especially in the winter. But that's your decision.

I am looking for opinions ...this is going to be mostly paved roads and highway and occasionally wheeled (cause I wanna play) with such a tall vehicle with such a small wheel base be worth it or should I sell it for a healthy profit and buy something else?

If you're looking for a ready made, up to date, dependable vehicle, that can 'go anywhere': Sell the 60's CJ5 and find yourself a clean, unmolested Jeep TJ Rubicon. If you can find the Unlimited (longer wheelbase, more interior room) that would be great. There is HUGE aftermarket support for the TJ's, as opposed to the CJ's, which has dwindled. 15 years ago, there were new CJ products coming to market daily. Now it's the TJ that rules as far as older Jeep support goes.

Just my $.02. I've got way too much $$,$$$ into my 76 CJ5 to send someone else down the same sucker hole....

 

[motorhead]

Welcome to the forum!

By the numbers:


Cheapest part of any CJ purchase is the initial purchase price.


Really, really long drive train for a short,short vehicle. No CJ5 's ever came from the factory with an automatic Transmission . Even with the Dana 20 Transfer Case , an automatic would make for a very short rear driveshaft. Then you add in the problems of lifting the suspension, and the angle gets really ugly.

The NP205 Transfer Case is a beast. Total overkill for a CJ, unless you're going to 'Monster' it (Rockwells, 48"+ tires, etc.)

International Scout axles are okay. Original would have been Dana 27 front, Dana 44 rear. What is the brake setup?


If the 350 Chevy and TH350 can be saved, you didn't waste much money.


Diamond plate is most often a band-aid over a cancer.

The VIN situation is either good or bad depending on your home state's title/registration procedure. What does the title say? Assembled vehicle?


Not what I'd want my teenager (boy or girl) driving. Especially in the winter. But that's your decision.


If you're looking for a ready made, up to date, dependable vehicle, that can 'go anywhere': Sell the 60's CJ5 and find yourself a clean, unmolested Jeep TJ Rubicon. If you can find the Unlimited (longer wheelbase, more interior room) that would be great. There is HUGE aftermarket support for the TJ's, as opposed to the CJ's, which has dwindled. 15 years ago, there were new CJ products coming to market daily. Now it's the TJ that rules as far as older Jeep support goes.

Just my $.02. I've got way too much $$,$$$ into my 76 CJ5 to send someone else down the same sucker hole....

Thanks for the info Im going to dive deeper into it next weekend, I did crawl under and the floor under the diamond plate does appear to be solid
I'm going to open the top end of the motor and see if its worth digging into or just sell the project. Also just checked the DS it is 11in long, I was looking to do a yj swap and put 33's on it. Does anyone know if that will lift it too much or what the max safe DS angle would be?

 

[motorhead]

Figured it out. Also the Hotrod which is for sale just cause every thread needs a good picture of a finished project.

 

[JimsCJ5]

Not a good vehicle for teenage girls. Especially with a V8 and an auto. If you want the older jeep style look for a CJ7 with the six holer and manual and a stockish stance. An older CJ5 with tall tires and that engine is asking for trouble IMHO.
I like the truck.
Alpine, CA?

 

[mtnwhlr]

Not a good vehicle for teenage girls. Especially with a V8 and an auto. If you want the older jeep style look for a CJ7 with the six holer and manual and a stockish stance. An older CJ5 with tall tires and that engine is asking for trouble IMHO.
I like the truck.
Alpine, CA?

I would never put a new driver in that, find a CJ7 with widetrac axles if your set on a CJ for them. I have raised 3 girls I know what I'm talking about.

 

[jzak]

Not a good vehicle for teenage girls. Especially with a V8 and an auto. If you want the older jeep style look for a CJ7 with the six holer and manual and a stockish stance. An older CJ5 with tall tires and that engine is asking for trouble IMHO.
I like the truck.
Alpine, CA?

Not sure I totally agree! First, trying to get a teenage girl to learn manual Transmission , is like bleeding water from a stone.

Also, if that Jeep's been lifted, it hasn't been by much. If it had a 4 inch lift, with swamper tires, it could be hazardous, but it doesn't. I've owned two lifted CJ5 's, and I've never gotten close to flipping over! If the worst did happened, and it flipped, you do have a roll cage. How many Honda Accords have a Roll Cage?

Stick in a six point seat belt harness, and a full roll cage welded to the frame, and let those girls go at it!

Just my single, childless opinion!

 

[SteveJr]

My last CJ5 had a 3 inch susp lift and 33s, not overly tall but very stable.. I let my 16year old daughter take it to the county fair and she dozed off on the way home and cartwheeled it 3 or 4 times..luckily it had a very stout 6pt cage and even though she got tossed out she only got beat up a little bit..but was very lucky... And it had 5 PT harnesses it but "dad they are a pain to hook up".... Just my experience with teenagers and jeeps...


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[jzak]

My last CJ5 had a 3 inch susp lift and 33s, not overly tall but very stable.. I let my 16year old daughter take it to the county fair and she dozed off on the way home and cartwheeled it 3 or 4 times..luckily it had a very stout 6pt cage and even though she got tossed out she only got beat up a little bit..but was very lucky... And it had 5 PT harnesses it but "dad they are a pain to hook up".... Just my experience with teenagers and jeeps...


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You do have a point, but there are limits. Half of the people in my high school had lifted trucks, and some of them where CJ's. A few of my friends got into really bad accidents, but nobody got killed. Kids drive crazy, but you can't stick them in a bubble protecting them from the world.

We live in this ultra safety focused culture. When I was growing up, I did dozens of things that could of gotten me in the Hospital or Morgue. That's part of growing up.

I ask you this question! Would anybody be asking this question about CJ5 safety, if we were living in 1978?? I don't think so!

The hole point of being a teenager is to be reckless. It builds character. If you have nothing to regret from your high school days, then you never really lived! Yes, some teenagers are going to get into accidents, and yes some of those accidents are going to have fatalities. That is the world that we live in, but that doesn't mean you should stick all teenagers in Volvos, and have them drive not more then 25 mph!

Get 'em out there! Break some mail boxes, throw M80's out the window, drag race your buddy at the intersection. That is what America is all about!

Just my opinion!

 

[motorhead]

Awesome guys thanks for the opinions, my oldest is only 3 right now and I have no worries about her when she starts driving, but my one year old on the other hand is a bit reckless. When she gets older I'm going to be in trouble. We'll see what happens I might just clean it up do a tune up and pass it along for something better. I know if I had the cars I have now in high school I would probably be dead.

FWIW I doubt they will be doing much four wheeling, the plan is for the smallest lift possible to stuff 33's under it and sway bars front and rear. maybe I'll get it running good and take it out back to see how dangerous it feels.

Again thanks for the honest opinions. and I'm in Alpine WY right in the middle of the Tetons so trails are pretty much endless.

 

[HackFabrication]

...I ask you this question! Would anybody be asking this question about CJ5 safety, if we were living in 1978?? I don't think so!

Get 'em out there! Break some mail boxes, throw M80's out the window, drag race your buddy at the intersection. That is what America is all about!

Just my opinion!

Actually there was a lot of talk about unsafe vehicles back in the 70's. (In 1978 was 28 years old.) And the CJ5 didn't survive past 1983 because of it. And a few other reasons.

I did a whole lot of things back in the 60's when I was a teenager. But it was an entirely different America back then.

 

[pierrednepr]

Well, I ended up with a "Tom Boy" for a daughter... in her teen's she:

-race mountain bike X-country and in dual slalom competition

-then she race her mountain bike downhill and ended up racing at the semi-pro level for a while.

- did soccer

-did martial art competitively (Karate, jujitsu and MMA)

-did jumps on her inline skates including grinds on rails and park benches

-try her hand at a cage fight as an MMA fighter at the Calgary casino (I'm glad she dropped that)

for hobbies, she surf, snowboard, does dirt jumping competition on her other bike, shoot long guns, and she likes back country camping and skiing

She has had a few concussions and broken bones and I had a few sleepless nights. On the good side she stayed out of trouble in high school because she was too busy doing sports and I didn't have to buy any Barbie dolls.

Now she's 34 and just muffed up her knee in a MTB ride on the North Shore trail in Vancouver -- it'll never end!

All I'm saying is that its really hard to stop the kids.

 

[HackFabrication]

...Now she's 34 and just muffed up her knee in a MTB ride on the North Shore trail in Vancouver -- it'll never end!

One day she'll be in her 50's and she'll discover that getting hurt, means staying hurt:



Broken collarbone (age 56), after a sand dunes mishap, on my son's Honda Quad.

Unlike the five days (at age 52) I spent in an Atlanta area hospital because some nimrod hit me on my Harley, that one finally slowed me down.

 

[duffer]

After reading through this thread and looking at the pics, I'm still curious about the drivetrain and how that NP 205 beast fit under there and that there is actually a rear driveshaft. It doesn't appear to be stretched in any way.

To get 33's under it, you need a bit more than 3" of lift/body lift or some sheet metal trimming on the rear wheel openings at the back. Also, if those are Scout axles they are early Scout and the front would still likely be a D27. The Scout II's would have the wheels out about 3" farther unless someone went to all the work to narrow them. A photo of the knuckles would help with the axle ID.

As far as safety goes, most of it depends on the driver. I've been running some relatively healthy sbc's in 80/81" wheelbase CJ's for 42 years now and have never had a problem. Good brakes and good steering will be a big factor and if those have not yet been adequately addressed, they should be on the top of the "to do" list. At a minimum, 11" drums but 4 wheel discs would be better and if the Ross box is still there, throw it away.

 

[JEEPROOKIE]

I did the same thing, paid $100, took 3 1/2 years to drive it, it was awesome, still work to go to road ready. I kept it stock, and I agree, that big engine and girls could be a bad mix.

 

[motorhead]

After reading through this thread and looking at the pics, I'm still curious about the drivetrain and how that NP 205 beast fit under there and that there is actually a rear driveshaft. It doesn't appear to be stretched in any way.

To get 33's under it, you need a bit more than 3" of lift/body lift or some sheet metal trimming on the rear wheel openings at the back. Also, if those are Scout axles they are early Scout and the front would still likely be a D27. The Scout II's would have the wheels out about 3" farther unless someone went to all the work to narrow them. A photo of the knuckles would help with the axle ID.

As far as safety goes, most of it depends on the driver. I've been running some relatively healthy sbc's in 80/81" wheelbase CJ's for 42 years now and have never had a problem. Good brakes and good steering will be a big factor and if those have not yet been adequately addressed, they should be on the top of the "to do" list. At a minimum, 11" drums but 4 wheel discs would be better and if the Ross box is still there, throw it away.

Well I have long time to get this built right but I'm considering selling the motor, Transmission , and tc and switching to a smaller, lighter, more modern motor with a 5 speed. The suspension will be converted to yj with sway bars front and rear and disc brakes all around. Right now I've just been tearing out the stuff I don't want and starting the body work cause it's the cheapest fix right now. It also has a saginaw box already so I'll probably convert to power steering. My oldest is only 3 so I have plenty of time to do this right, and I have plenty of toys to keep me from getting anxious rushing it. On the axles all I know is what the guy told me but he was a drunken idiot so who knows what was real.

 

[Shifter]

Well I have long time to get this built right...

My oldest is only 3 so I have plenty of time to do this right,.

By the time she is 16... Gas will be about $38 gallon, and nobody will be able to afford it..

 

[Suz]

You do have a point, but there are limits. Half of the people in my high school had lifted trucks, and some of them where CJ's. A few of my friends got into really bad accidents, but nobody got killed. Kids drive crazy, but you can't stick them in a bubble protecting them from the world.

We live in this ultra safety focused culture. When I was growing up, I did dozens of things that could of gotten me in the Hospital or Morgue. That's part of growing up.

I ask you this question! Would anybody be asking this question about CJ5 safety, if we were living in 1978?? I don't think so!

The hole point of being a teenager is to be reckless. It builds character. If you have nothing to regret from your high school days, then you never really lived! Yes, some teenagers are going to get into accidents, and yes some of those accidents are going to have fatalities. That is the world that we live in, but that doesn't mean you should stick all teenagers in Volvos, and have them drive not more then 25 mph!

Get 'em out there! Break some mail boxes, throw M80's out the window, drag race your buddy at the intersection. That is what America is all about!

Just my opinion!

What a rebel. I like this guy!

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