I am torn about my CJ5

[Kane]

I am torn. I have owed my CJ5 for 20 years in March and I don't know what to do. I love my Jeep more than any vehicle I have ever owned and I love the curved door, short stance stalky appearance to it, just everything about the 5 is so pleasing for me to look at.......but.......I have a kid now, and I want to take her wheeling along with the lady, plus tools, lunch, kid toys, you name it. around town it wouldn't be an issue since I would only need a back seat but wheeling makes it a whole new world and the 5 doesn't have the room for it all. The only other CJ Jeep I would consider is an 8. I just don't want a 7 and have all the dumbasses coming up to me and asking what year is my wrangler. Buying two Jeeps is not an option since I also have a second expensive hobby in riding sportbikes at the race track. It has to be one Jeep only.

So what do I do? If I sell my 5 I take a massive financial hit, then start over. I could buy an 8 and then put all my good parts on it and then slap the 8 parts on the 5 an sell it. Right now that is what I am thinking. I have 5 grand into my motor alone so it has to be swapped. The only thing that would hurt me for doing this is my 5 body is perfect and the frame is spotless. Not a single spot of rust anywhere on the frame.

What would you do?

 

[IOPort51]

I would start thinking seriously about what I had to take to keep the family happy and find a place to put it. roof rack. spare tire basket? and work on the gear itself. Things you can find in boating and back packing equipment stores. Even with an 8 you won't be taking a 94 Qt. ice chest and a tent large enough for a circus.
If your not careful you'll spend the time you should have spent with the family building another jeep so you can spend time with your family.
Get creative, it's something you do well.

 

[Thorwon]

I am torn. I have owed my CJ5 for 20 years in March and I don't know what to do. I love my Jeep more than any vehicle I have ever owned and I love the curved door, short stance stalky appearance to it, just everything about the 5 is so pleasing for me to look at.......but.......I have a kid now, and I want to take her wheeling along with the lady, plus tools, lunch, kid toys, you name it. around town it wouldn't be an issue since I would only need a back seat but wheeling makes it a whole new world and the 5 doesn't have the room for it all. The only other CJ Jeep I would consider is an 8. I just don't want a 7 and have all the dumbasses coming up to me and asking what year is my wrangler. Buying two Jeeps is not an option since I also have a second expensive hobby in riding sportbikes at the race track. It has to be one Jeep only.

So what do I do? If I sell my 5 I take a massive financial hit, then start over. I could buy an 8 and then put all my good parts on it and then slap the 8 parts on the 5 an sell it. Right now that is what I am thinking. I have 5 grand into my motor alone so it has to be swapped. The only thing that would hurt me for doing this is my 5 body is perfect and the frame is spotless. Not a single spot of rust anywhere on the frame.

What would you do?

My wife and I both agree that there is only one remedy to this issue. Women are highly expensive to maintain. Therefore get rid of the wife and you can have 2 Jeeps. LOL

On a more serious note, you could do what we did. We simply built a trailor to pull our extras with. We actually used a beat up CJ7 tub. I am in the process of completing this project. We have actually been using it the past few weeks for moving. You can find my build info at http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f72/trailer-project-2691/

Good luck with your dilemna but personally, I would not take apart nor sell that CJ5 . It is gorgeous.

 

[elwood blues]

If I where in your shoes Kane, this is what I would do. Keep the 5, it's your pride and joy and you will kick yourself in the arse for years and years if you get rid of it. There are going to be people that aren't going to agree with me on this, but Scramblers are horribly overrated and ridiculously overpriced. And unless you plan on travelling 250 or more miles out of the state of CT to find one, you are going to be taking on a project. If it were me, I would keep the 5 and look for a good low milage 2005 or 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, 6 speed with a hardtop (I've been trying to talk to wife into letting me trade the XJ on one for months now ). IMHO that would fit the bill exactly, you get a vehicle that you could DD and take to the trails for some family wheeling. But again, that's just my 2¢

 

[Petescj]

I bought a CJ8 for the fact Id have three little heathens with me at times. I'll be making it into the family wheeler this summer. If your really torn and since you only have one youngin theres another way out. Make your own or:

Off Road Trailers

 

[Petescj]

You sir would seriously be on my list if you werent somewhat correct. Scramblers are not overrated though. The rest, well cant argue.

There are going to be people that aren't going to agree with me on this, but Scramblers are horribly overrated and ridiculously overpriced. And unless you plan on travelling 250 or more miles out of the state of CT to find one, you are going to be taking on a project.

 

[elwood blues]

You sir would seriously be on my list if you werent somewhat correct. Scramblers are not overrated though. The rest, well cant argue.

Glad to hear that I won't be on your list Pete

 

[BajaEdition]

I have tried every option in the world, own a CJ6 for the 20 extra inches, roof racks, tailgate racks,Wife owns a JK 4 door, and you know, nothing answers the needs of needing more space.
So here is whatr I did.............. I made a dedicated trailer for the thing. And that is so easy. I took the frame from a short popup camper and put a plywood box, 6 1/2 x 4 x 2 and divided it into 4 compartments. 1 runs full length of the trailer by 2 feet and the other 3 are the other side of the trailer divided into equal portions. on top is 3 doors, the one in front hinges on the front and covers the front the first department and equal portion of the long department, the other 2 doors are from side hinges and cover the rest of the trailer fron side to side. I then painted it and put on lights and hardware.
Now I have my CJ5 and CJ6 whenever I want them, and have a trailer to pull when I need more.
I carry a tent, a 12x12 easy up, full kitchen, propane, water, housekeeping supplies such as blamkets, sleeping bags and enough cleaning supplies to keep us sanitary, eating stuff and still have plenty of room if I want for firewood and such. It was a great creation and I have hauled it over hells half acre. This way IO get to keep my beloved CJs, and still go out camping with the family whenever I desire.
It is rough looking and totally functional.
You can also buy a cheap trailer kit online to use as a base for a 4 foot by 4 foot version of these, whatever you decide to do, I would give this a lot of investigation becasue no mater what you own, you will want more space and this will supply it nomater what you own.

 

[Kane]

All good ideas. I remember back in the early 90's when I would go to Moab there was this guy who always showed up with a little Samuri on 36 inch tires and a matching trailor on the same 36 inch tires that had a spare matching axle underneath it. He wheeled all the trails with the trailor and he was a 4+ rated driver. Nothing stopped him. He actually had a few features in magazines for his rig. I do fabricate so this would be an easy project plus I could use my spare tire for the trailor. Get one of those 360 degree rotating hitches and it should go everywhere.

On a side note I just found a complete set of Scout Dana 44 's for sale within driving distance of my house. I have been searching for these for awhile now.

Thanks for E-slapping me. I may be back on track now.

 

[BajaEdition]

All good ideas. I remember back in the early 90's when I would go to Moab there was this guy who always showed up with a little Samuri on 36 inch tires and a matching trailor on the same 36 inch tires that had a spare matching axle underneath it. He wheeled all the trails with the trailor and he was a 4+ rated driver. Nothing stopped him. He actually had a few features in magazines for his rig. I do fabricate so this would be an easy project plus I could use my spare tire for the trailor. Get one of those 360 degree rotating hitches and it should go everywhere.

On a side note I just found a complete set of Scout Dana 44 's for sale within driving distance of my house. I have been searching for these for awhile now.

Thanks for E-slapping me. I may be back on track now.

the hitch is called a pintle hook, hope I spelled that correct, killer axle.
And we enjoy E slapping anyone who thinks of getting rid of a CJ, any CJ, after all we have the best CJ forum on the web here. WE ARE CJ FANATICS

 

[IOPort51]

As far as the b**ch, I mean, E slapping goes. Were here for you bro, we all have these moments of indecision from time to time.
I can't wait to see what your trailer looks like.
We would like to see a shot or two of Baja's as well.

 

[Petescj]

This x2

I can't wait to see what your trailer looks like.
We would like to see a shot or two of Baja's as well.

 

[coldwater]

I would get a 7 If It fit my lifestyle, and not be too concerned about someone thinking it may be a wrangler.

 

[Kane]

I would get a 7 If It fit my lifestyle, and not be too concerned about someone thinking it may be a wrangler.

I owned a 7 before, well it was my exwifes, but I did like it alot. I just really like the odd ball vehicles a little more.

 

[elwood blues]

This guy has 3 of the M416 trailers listed on craigslist, this one is the best looking one of the bunch, and they're in North Kingstown RI.

military jeep trailer M416

 

[IOPort51]

I think I mite look for something a bit less weight. Where would you go about finding spindles with a 5 on 5.5 lug bolt pattern?

This guy has 3 of the M416 trailers listed on craigslist, this one is the best looking one of the bunch, and they're in North Kingstown RI.

military jeep trailer M416

 

[elwood blues]

I think I mite look for something a bit less weight. Where would you go about finding spindles with a 5 on 5.5 lug bolt pattern?

Swap in a model 20, that way you've got spare axle shafts in it...

 

[coldwater]

I owned a 7 before, well it was my exwifes, but I did like it alot. I just really like the odd ball vehicles a little more.

I understand wanting something "diferent" But to be honest, CJ's are getting so freaking oddball as a whole, especially here where we live, that anything with the CJ plate on it is now an oddity in itself. I never had someone think any of my 7's were wranglers (thank God) Still...Even with a 7, do you think it will actually give you the extra needed room you need? Maybe a little trailer would be your best bet for extended run use, and you get to keep your old buddy in the family.

 

[BrockGrimes]

As a side note, with the wee one the rear seat puts them right on the tail gate.
I was going to yank my rear seat and install a single center mounted bucket seat moved forward away from the tail gate. This gives you a little extra storage on each side of and behind the rear seat. Also a removeable family cage built and setup with a through the body mount to the frame.

Also the m416 1/4 ton trailer can be another fun project, which gets my vote.
Info on the M416:
http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m416.php3

A better trailer IMO and a bit easier to find and cheaper is the canadian M101.
It's also a 1/4 ton.
http://www.jeepexpeditions.org/equipment_reviews_canadian_m101_m416_trailers.php
There's a brief mention here with the US M101 3/4 ton trailer.
Don't get the US and canadian ones confused as the 3/4 is a heavy sucker.
http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m101_trailer.php

 

[Kane]

The trailor is a good move to me. I like the idea of a partial CJ body on a half frame with matching rims and tires. That way I can have partial spare running gear if I need it. Of course I like these also. I remember when they came out. I followed the rep through some trails and it did not slow him down at all.

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