Help with build decision!

[CarolinaRaven]

I have found another potential cj that I need the experts help with. I still have available a nice 84 CJ7 base model with 4cyl blown, T-4 , hard top doors, original, fair shape and good price. I have now talked to and found an 86 CJ7 Laredo all original. In decent shape with original paint and stripes that is faded and worn. The good is it already had a rebuilt AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , power steering, tilt, A/C, possibly Dana 44 instead of AMC20 . Still has all Laredo accessories in decent shape and is in overall good condition. The prices are the same and the 84 may have a slight advantage in condition. I am doing a frame off and the 86 has many extras I would have to find for the 84. I am not doing a restore and will be blasting and painting all the chrome Laredo accessories to the dismay of Laredo purist. It will be a weekend cruiser and a street queen. So if you had to pick one which way would you go? 84, put AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l or AMC 304 , do all mods that are required to go from 4 to 6 or 8cyl, add p/s, etc. or 86 and just rebuild all components as is and not have to change anything? Thanks

 

[Hedgehog]

Hmmm a jeep with a blown engine and Transmission or a jeep that runs and drives in good condition for the same price ........ is this really a question? Seems like a no brainer to me. There must be something about the one with a blown engine that I'm missing.

 

[Belizean]

Hmmm a jeep with a blown engine and Transmission or a jeep that runs and drives in good condition for the same price ........ is this really a question? Seems like a no brainer to me. There must be something about the one with a blown engine that I'm missing.

HH it's right in front of you. V8 power !

 

[mtnwhlr]

The '86 sounds like the best buy. And a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l would be just fine for a street queen.

 

[CarolinaRaven]

Thanks for the replies. I should have specified a little more that the 86 will require a tad more body work. Not a lot more but being totally original there is no hiding or covering up of spots. Which I like as well because there are no big surprises when you start sanding and blasting. Belizean is correct, if I went with the 84 it would get the AMC 304 and if I get the 86 I will keep the straight 6 and pep it up a bit during the rebuild.

 

[Hedgehog]

HH it's right in front of you. V8 power !

Not really, there are a lot of "ifs" in there. If he wants a V8 no matter what, the first one makes sense. If he wants a driver the other one makes more sense. Making a hot rod out of a CJ isn't an easy proposition though. Sure any of us can pour in a bunch of power, getting a CJ to handle well at speed is another story all together.

 

[Petescj]

I would ask if you do get the Laredo sell off the package parts you don't want. You'll save someone else's Laredo , have cash to buy replacement parts with more cash to sink into your Cj as well. I can put you in touch with some guys if you'd like.

 

[CarolinaRaven]

Good idea Pete, I had thought about holding on to bumper, grill, rocker strips etc in case one day I wanted to swap back to original. I'm going to use the interior Laredo acc. Leather on steering and grab bar is in excellent shape. Laredo badge is on dash and I'll put it back after sanding and painting. I'll also be using clock and tach. The hard top is in good shape with the bronze Laredo tint, I'm not a huge fan of it but would not think of altering it. The po is trying to locate the original chrome rims(tons of junk in barns and different places). I won't be using but may save them. If I do decide to sell it all I'll pm you and post in here.

 

[hole]

86 in a hot minute

 

[Hedgehog]

Sounds like the decision has been made. The Laredo it is. Sounds like a good choice.

 

[CarolinaRaven]

Well I drove 5 1/2 hours each way Saturday to pick up the 86. All was as advertised with few exceptions. Paid $3,800 so read on and tell me where I stand on the "got screwed" scale. The good; the original window sticker(edges wrinkled off), original owners manual and helpful tips manual, dash panel could literally be polished and be brand new. Pinstripes(Laredo option on window sticker) and all of dash are immaculate. Original back seat is spotless and console. Floors are great except a spot or 2 in pans. Hardtop is in great shape and has not been removed since 2003 when current owner purchased. Dana 44 , 3.31 optional axle ratio. The T-5 , Dana 300 and AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l all working and solid. Actually impressed with acceleration. Original carpet, Laredo steps, rocker moldings, extra capacity tank, tach, clock and all gauges working and will be reused. Wipers, sprayer, lights and all accessories working. Power steering is great. Leather wrapped wheel and grab bar will be cleaned to be almost perfect.
The bad(not really bad but not as good as rest. The grill has hit something and pushed in to touching radiator on one side. Either the hood or drivers fender is warped(alignment is off quite a bit) rear quarter panel will need replaced. Idler pulley that goes with a/c compressor is gone. Drivers door will need a new interior shell due to crease. Both doors will need locking and opening hardware replaced. Original wheels replaced with some butt ugly 16" rust buckets. Tires are as well but they will do fine to support the frame and roll around on till I get done. Original spare is there if anyone needs a single Laredo rim. Jack and accessories are missing.
I'm doing title work and organizing my garage for the adventure so as soon as I start tearing down I will start my build thread. PO has about 30 receipts including the Jasper rebuilt he put in 19,000 miles ago for $2,750 installed. Also the manuals and invoice for the besttop high back seats. Original sticker price was $14,380 and was sold in Wilson NC about 100 miles from where I bought it.Cross Country Motors.

 

[Belizean]

Sure sounds like you did well to me ! The original price was pretty good new. My buddy got his 84 new at about 15K

 

[mtnwhlr]

Sounds like you did good now the fun starts
J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

 

[Hedgehog]

If you are doing a rebuild any way you done good! If yours needs replacing, Jeep used the same grill for ever, so stock grills in good shape are easy to find. Save the stock fenders if it is at all possible, the fit and finish are better than you can get today.