Howdy from Northern CA

[goldcountryca]

Hello,

I’m currently in the market for a 1975 or earlier Jeep (CA smog laws) that I’d like to transform into something that can be driven daily and a used as mild trail rig.

Looking to do a bit of research before buying to know what to look for (ie common rust locations, frame stress points, etc)

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Belizean]

Just make sure you do a very good inspection. You should be able to see if that unicorn is beautiful or just a rust bucket. Bring a magnet along also to find bondo and any other filler used.

 

[TSB8C]

Common rust points: floor boards, fender wells, top of rear wheel wells where roll bar mounts, frame points just before and after arched part over rear axle and spring mounting points, body mount locations. Of course a few other areas could be issues (check this red Jeep). And like Belizean said, watch for body filler and/or diamond plate body panels used to cover rusted areas (rear corners and lower areas beneath door openings).

 

[Belizean]

Ole grandpa use to call the red one a fixer upper. NOT !

 

[goldcountryca]

I’m a smidge over 6’ tall and 220 lbs. Am I too big to be comfortable for a CJ5 ? I’m not rickety or out of shape. I’m not concerned about shoe horning myself into the vehicle. More concerned with my knees hitting the dash once I’m in…

 

[CJ]

I’m a smidge over 6’ tall and 220 lbs. Am I too big to be comfortable for a CJ5 ? I’m not rickety or out of shape. I’m not concerned about shoe horning myself into the vehicle. More concerned with my knees hitting the dash once I’m in…

Our member @IOPort51 wrote a fantastic article on addressing just this issue. See here -->>

https://jeep-cj.com/community/threads/notch-in-fender-for-more-leg-belly-room.22005/​

And btw, I'm 6' or 6'1" (depending on which convenience store I walk out of) and I have a '72 CJ5 .

 

[Belizean]

I would need the lift and shoe horned in thing. Just why I have a 7.

 

[goldcountryca]

I would need the lift and shoe horned in thing. Just why I have a 7.

A CJ7 would be great, but since they didn’t start till 76, I would be subject to smog the vehicle. Here, that means 100% original and functioning under the hood.

I also like CJ-6s, but don’t come across them often. A Commando would be an option as well. I’m going to look at a 5 this weekend and see how it feels.

 

[Belizean]

Just glad I don’t have to deal with that

 

[Belizean]

From what I have heard you can get a Howell EFI and smog the 7s. Look into that

 

[goldcountryca]

From what I have heard you can get a Howell EFI and smog the 7s. Look into that

I looked at it, it seems iffy. It would be up to the whims of the BAR Referee. It says, “Many original emission controls are eliminated, which simplifies underhood area.” Some referees won’t pass it unless all of the antiquated emissions components based on their diagrams are hooked up and functioning. To me, it doesn’t make sense. If the vehicle has less stuff coming out of the tailpipe than when new, it should be good to go. Not so much here. They’d prefer you weren’t able to register it and you took the bus or bought a Prius instead.

I’ve been down that road before with items that have a CARB EO number. It was such a PITA that I ended up registering that particular vehicle to my property in Idaho.

More and more I’m liking the idea of a Commando or finding a CJ6 .

 

[Patrick]

I hear you on this issue. I am sure the technicality behind this issue is there somewhere. You just have to know it and present it to the employee. Been there done that. Getting them to work with you is the problem.