Going to look at a 78 CJ-7

[NEPACJ7]

Hello everyone, I am new to this forum but I am not new to CJ's. My first vehicle was an 84 CJ7 with a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , T-4 manual, 2.5 inch rancho suspension lift and 32's. Since having that I have owned and run various 4x4's and am ready to go back to a CJ. While joining this forum I listed a 78 CJ7 as my vehicle however I do not have it yet. I am going this weekend to look at it as I have only had it described to me by the person who is trading it for my Land Rover I currently drive.

I am going back to a CJ because I am sick and tired of driving something that is computerized and has overpriced parts even though it is 13 years old. I want to go back to doing 90-100% of the mechanical work myself so I can have more pride in what I drive. I will have all of the information on the Jeep by the end of the weekend as well as images. The only problems I have been told are the following:

1.Brakes need to be bled, brakes are brand new, just not bled yet. (no worries I have done this on every vehicle I have ever owned.)

2. Transmission filler tube needs an o ring as it leaks (once again nothing major and easy fix)

3. Holley 2 barrel carb needs to be adjusted and possibly rebuilt, was told that it will start and run but sometimes that it stalls/cuts out. I will have more info on this over the weekend.

4. Possible valley pan gasket replacement.

It's lifted with new tires ( I believe 36's) has a soft top and full roll cage, wrangler tub and one piece CJ tilt front end. it does have quadra-trac and an automatic Transmission . The Transmission is not the original one. The original one went out and another one put in, but not sure if it is the same kind, assuming it is because of the quadra-trac. I will be going this weekend and will post an update on everything. One thing I am curious about is I do not believe it has cats on it as it is dual exhaust with headers and glasspacks, however I do not have to worry about emissions testing but I have not been able to find a straight answer on whether a 78 with a AMC 304 came with them or not. I found info on the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l in the 70's not having them.

 

[Petescj]

Im in NE Pa and you should only need the emissions equiptment your Cj came with. It doesnt even have to work just so its there. The shop I took my 78 CJ5 to said I needed cats for the dual exhaust. I added in two small racing ones from Summit and was good to go. That was quite a few years ago though.

 

[NEPACJ7]

Thank you for letting me know! I am going today to look at the Jeep. The only issue is that it has a wrangler tub on it so eventually I will put a CJ tub back on it. I plan on buying and stock piling parts to put it back to oem, except for exhaust and also run 32's or 33's

 

[Petescj]

The Yj tub can be made to accept the Cj tailgate and widshield frame. If the tub is in good shape Id modify it a bit before trying to find a good Cj tub. That is no easy task in this area.

Thank you for letting me know! I am going today to look at the Jeep. The only issue is that it has a wrangler tub on it so eventually I will put a CJ tub back on it. I plan on buying and stock piling parts to put it back to oem, except for exhaust and also run 32's or 33's

 

[NEPACJ7]

I'm going to put back money and in a couple of years buy a steel tub new.
My plans are to stockpile every nut,bolt,and part and then do a rotisserie restoration. I can get a used GM Turbo 400 and also find a used AMC 304 and rebuild them over time so then when I am ready I can just swap out. I figured that five years is a good time frame for me to finish everything.