first time cj purchase

[Jack Tupp]

I'm looking into getting a pre 75 CJ5 . What should like look for, a must have. What are some things to avoid. I don't have a lot of time for a project so I'm looking at cj's with bells and whistles. Just getting into the jeep thing so any info is helpful. Thx.

 

[Sasquach]

Bells and whistles on a CJ?
Well anyway for me number one priority is no or minimal rust, next for me is closer to original and the more unmolested the better.
Did I hear you say not alot of time for a project? ALL CJ's are a project to some degree, follow the above and you will have less of a project.

 

[3QuarterTon CJ]

Any particular reason for a pre 75 CJ?

The only bells and whistles in a CJ are the ones you hang off the rearview.

I would look for a rust free frame, preferably one that the PO didn't try to "patch" with paint stir sticks and bondo. Pretty much what Sasquatch said, I would shy away from any heavily modified Jeeps, God only knows what they've been through, or who had their unqualified drunken hands where they didn't belong.

Good luck with the search.

 

[CJ007]

Besides what they mentioned, I would be most interested in which engine/tranny combo based on what you plan on doing with it. Yes you could swap out but then you might as well get a full blown project. Wikipedia is not always accurate but has some good info Jeep CJ - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Also, I would consider a hard top and hard doors. They are cheaper without but if you came across a good one with some nice parts for a decent price. it might be worth it.

 

[Jack Tupp]

Bells and whistles on a CJ?
Well anyway for me number one priority is no or minimal rust, next for me is closer to original and the more unmolested the better.
Did I hear you say not alot of time for a project? ALL CJ's are a project to some degree, follow the above and you will have less of a project.

Thanks for the info. I'm obviously new to this jeep thing. So I don't really know all the lingo. Bells and whistles are upgrades. Suspension? front and rear ends? Winches? Gearings? Whatever you'd put on above stock.
I can fix stuff and know autos so I'll be able to keep it going. I don't want a "project". Tear it down redo repair rebuild. I want to buy use and fix.
Looking for an all around vehical. Around town with the top down in the summer, hit the sierras, do some adventuring, maybe slip down into the rubicon.
Is their a motor I want or should stay away from? Manual vs Auto? Is their a lemon year that had tons of electrical issues? Stuff like that.
Thanks for the advise.

 

[Jack Tupp]

Any particular reason for a pre 75 CJ?

The only bells and whistles in a CJ are the ones you hang off the rearview.

I would look for a rust free frame, preferably one that the PO didn't try to "patch" with paint stir sticks and bondo. Pretty much what Sasquatch said, I would shy away from any heavily modified Jeeps, God only knows what they've been through, or who had their unqualified drunken hands where they didn't belong.

Good luck with the search.

1975 and pre avoids California smog requirments.

 

[BusaDave9]

Pre '75 CJ will not have a boxed frame. The engines were smaller. When AMC bought the Jeep company they made the hood and engine compartment bigger. That's when AMC started puting V8s and strait sixes into the CJ5 .

I would prefer a late model CJ5 rather than an early.

Now I do agree it is more cost effective to buy a jeep already modified the way you want but they are hard to find. Everyone has a different idea of the best mods. If you have the time look around for something modified the way you want. As I said the early CJ5s had a shorter hood so you almost always had a 4 cylinder engine. One exception to that was the Dauntless Buick 225 V6 V6. It's an excellent engine but even that was only 225 cubic inches.

Bigger tires are nice for off roading but you want to make sure the gearing matches the tires. If you have to regear the axles then big tires are just not worth it. It sounds like you don't have money to throw away. Check out this chart to make sure the tires match the gearing. Shoot for something in the green. The numbers in the middle of the chart show the RPM at 65 mph.

 

[BusaDave9]

Manual vs Auto?

What's an Auto?

The years you are talking about only had manual transmissions. The first automatic to go into a CJ was the GM Turbo 400 . It's an excellent Transmission but it first appeared in 1976.

 

[BusaDave9]

Looking for an all around vehicle. Around town with the top down in the summer, hit the sierras, do some adventuring, maybe slip down into the rubicon.

Early CJ5s are cool but you are talking about a daily driver and modifications. Anyone buying an early CJ5 I would recommend keeping it close to stock and not driving it too much. Ask yourself if that's really what you want. You might be better off with a later CJ5 .

 

[BusaDave9]

If I have convinced you to get a late CJ5 then I would say look for a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l strait 6. I love the AMC 304 V8 in my '79 CJ5 but they suck more gas. Avoid the T-4 , T-5 and SR4 manual transmissions. If you find something in the '80s look for a T-176 four speed. Or in the '70s you might find a T-18 Transmission in a CJ. The T-18 was the best Transmission to go into a CJ. They have a granny low first and are great off-road for that reason.

 

[BusaDave9]

Late model CJ5s have better brakes.
Early CJ5s are more likely to have manual brakes and worse yet, manual steering. If you do much off-roading you will want PS.

Look for a Dana 44 rear axle. If you go for a late model CJ5 it is much more likely you will end up with an AMC20 rear end. This is a weak axle that is very common in late CJ5s. The best way to improve it is with one piece axles. Look the the rear hub. If there is a big nut on the end of the axle shaft then its the OEM 2 piece axle shaft. You really should upgrade the axle with one piece axle shafts.

 

[Jack Tupp]

Early CJ5s are cool but you are talking about a daily driver and modifications. Anyone buying an early CJ5 I would recommend keeping it close to stock and not driving it too much. Ask yourself if that's really what you want. You might be better off with a later CJ5 .

Ya, I'm not for sure what I want. My buddy who's a car junky is telling me not to mess with having to deal with smog. So that's 75 and earlyer here in cali. I have been looking at later models even CJ7 's. Thanks again for all the great info.