Future CJ owner?

[spasmonaut]

Well, this has been a long time (for me) coming, but I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge and become a Jeep owner. I drooled over the TJ's when they first came out in '97 when I was just starting high school, and knew I wanted to own a Jeep someday. At this time, though, while the JK is pretty and would be a dream to own, having been more and more hands-on in repairing some of the things with my vehicles in the past several years, I'm beginning to appreciate the simpler things in life. I'm fond of the idea of less electronics and computerized parts that randomly go *poof* and leave you hundreds of dollars shorter to ultimately make the air a little fresher, etc. There's something more romantic and organic about a utilitarian-era Jeep that I am beginning to really lust after, and thus I believe I've settled on the idea of picking up a CJ, or two.

I'll begin by stating this is going to be a work-in-progress, and I'm totally cool with that. I don't expect to buy one that will drive off under its own power and guidance as I'm on a very tight budget. Ultimately, my plan is to buy one, ideally two, CJ's and work them from the ground up over the next several years as side projects when I have the extra time and money, as a means of teaching myself the grittier side of being my own mechanic. I have no trouble learning and teaching myself much of what I would likely need to know, and it'd just be a matter of having access to space and tools which could be worked out in one fashion or another. Money will just come when I can find a means but I'm in no rush. I want to learn from this and become as self-sufficient as possible, and know the work is done right, and make these my own creations.

With that said, I had been eyeballing some older CJ-5s on eBay and it got me thinking that might be around the era of what I'm looking for, and in the target budget I have. I realize there will be plenty of bodywork and other repairs needed, but to be honest, I'm essentially just looking for a frame that's in good shape and likewise perhaps with the axles and shafts, tranny, xfer case, and perhaps the engine. The bodywork, suspension, electrical, exhaust, tops, interior, etc. I plan to replace anyway as I strip it down to the frame and have everything repainted and finished, etc. as I work through the build. At minimum I plan to do lifts on both, 4" on one if not both, and put on some quality aftermarket bumpers and rocker guards, good aftermarket exhaust, good tire/wheel combo, underbody protection, traction-aiding diff in the rear at least, and likely a winch on at least one along with auxiliary lighting.

My questions begin with considerations regarding going with CJ-5s as a platform to build from, and if there are years to avoid (had been finding some that were from the late 50's or early 60's that looked like they'd be good starters for my projects). I was looking for thoughts on the original engines, tranny, axles, xfer case, etc. and warnings that may go along with that. Any tips or suggestions that seem to be accepted around the community regarding what I'm looking at, such as must-haves or must-do swaps or upgrades, etc.? Just wondering how realistic it would be to use the original F-Head in these with the 3-speed even if I re-geared the diffs for more grunt and slightly less speed for an around-town vehicle or weekend cruiser on the streets. I'm obviously new to these, so please feel free to respond with questions to me or any advise you might. Sorry to dump such a broad topic on you folks, but this looked like a solid place to get started and learn from some experienced CJ fanatics. I plan on hanging around here for a while. Thanks in advance!

 

[CJ]

Welcome spasmonaut to our site! I'd offer ya a but after such an articulate and well written first post I feel that a toast of a good Pinot Noir would be most appropriate!

There are so many ways to answer your questions so, I'll just say that if you really want CJ5 , the years after 76 are the best - parts are more readily accessible and cheaper. If you really want a cheaper CJ, I recommend a CJ7 after 76... 77 and up CJ7 's are much easier to find parts for and there are may YJ items that will work on them also!

Feel free to ask as many questions as you feel are appropriate and I'm positive your going to get a lot of opinions on this topic...

 

[IOPort51]

CJ is right, opinions are like ex wives, everybody seems to have at least one. The 77 and 78 have a couple of issues are unique to these years with ignition and the fuel tank. Nothing that can't be overcome. If it is important to you 77 was the last year with out a catalytic converter. There was no factory hard top for the CJ5 , The CJ7 rides a bit smother because it is 10 inches longer, I am a big fan of the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l L l6 and I have lots of good reasons why but there are those poor confused souls that swear by the V8's. I think if you are into mud that the three speed is the best choice and rock crawling will be better served by a T-18 with a granny gear. CJ5 's don't have automatic transmissions and at their best the ride is kind of like saddling a buffalo.

So welcome to the site, see what is available to you and let us know what you find. We will be more than happy to muddy the water and confuse the decision to the best of our ability.
:grinjeep:

 

[CJ]

~~~there are those poor confused souls that swear by the V8's.~~~

LMAO! OUCH! Guess where I land...

I think we need a good debate thread on this one!

Here we go!

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f2/i6-v8-why-2519/#post20332

 

[certifiablejeep]

What, doesn't everyone have at least one of each?

cb

 

[spasmonaut]

Haha, good replies gentlemen. That's precisely the sort of feedback I was looking for. It helps to get a solid foundation set. At least I know what to begin looking for. As you said CJ, part of my decision will lie with parts availability and the cost of those parts, etc. so it sounds like the CJ7 of latter production years will be my best bet. I have to say I've already begun to notice how much more readily available the parts are for those models. I am not at all fond of going with a YJ, so a pair of CJ7s settles it. Oh and by the way, my latest favorite brewery is Flying Dog, and I favor their Imperial Porter or Barley Wine.

Thanks as well to IOPort51...appreciate the feedback on the powertrains and the I6 would be my choice just on the number of cylinders alone with two less to eat up the go-juice. Looking forward to getting disillusioned with everyone's personal opinions on each decision I'm faced with making. This ought to be fun. Here's to hoping for a fat tax return and to invest it in some Jeep goodness!

 

[coldwater]

Hi Spasmo, glad you could join us. I'll toss my hat in as well. I would also suggest the 1976 to 1986 years of CJ's for a rebuild. Nearly every part is interchangable during that 10 year period, and as such, pretty available at reasonable cost. Though many of us tend to forget, CJ jeeps really were an engineering marvel, and were designed to be a tough little dog right off the line. The reality is, very little has to be done to one other than to just rebuild it to the way it was born. Sure, over the years there have been some really good upgrades that I would recommend, but in the end, not that many. I would find as good a jeep as you can comfortably afford, and just start learning the ropes. Try not to fall into the crazy world of those that feel the need to go broke buy buying every single upgraded part and over build the living hell out of something you don't need. Stockers are easy to build, fun to drive, cheap to maintain, and very dependable when done right. Plus, you'll have a great time building and learning, and have something to be pretty proud of when you're done.

 

[LongHorn]

That's the great thing about CJ's. They are easy to build & modify into a vehicle that suits you individual personality.

 

[elwood blues]

I think LongHorn and colwater summed it up nicely. 76-86 CJ7 's are by far the easiest CJ's to find aftermarket or good used parts support for. And they are easily modified to whatever you want to do with them. Daily driver, weekend wheeler all the way up to rock crawling trailer queen.

 

[Petescj]

I can point you in the right direction around here for where to look. Im in Slatington.

Haha, good replies gentlemen. That's precisely the sort of feedback I was looking for. It helps to get a solid foundation set. At least I know what to begin looking for. As you said CJ, part of my decision will lie with parts availability and the cost of those parts, etc. so it sounds like the CJ7 of latter production years will be my best bet. I have to say I've already begun to notice how much more readily available the parts are for those models. I am not at all fond of going with a YJ, so a pair of CJ7s settles it. Oh and by the way, my latest favorite brewery is Flying Dog, and I favor their Imperial Porter or Barley Wine.

Thanks as well to IOPort51...appreciate the feedback on the powertrains and the I6 would be my choice just on the number of cylinders alone with two less to eat up the go-juice. Looking forward to getting disillusioned with everyone's personal opinions on each decision I'm faced with making. This ought to be fun. Here's to hoping for a fat tax return and to invest it in some Jeep goodness!