I have a chance at a 68 CJ5

[mrshaunyd]

I have a chance to purchase a 1968 CJ5 project for 700.00 clean title and solid frame. Dauntless Buick 225 V6 engine is seized but I do have a 5.3 vortec I could put in using the Novak knowledge base.

I do have some questions though. Looking at the pictures is it worth it? also do the make roll bars and or tops and doors for this year? I do not know much about the older CJs so any advice would be helpful. Also the title is clean

 

[Posi]

At some point it was used as a plow truck, it has the original Ross steering so I would check the frame for cracks.
It had a hard top at some point as well.
Make sure it has a vin tag, from what I can see it looks like it is missing from the driver's side firewall.
Check the passenger side quarter panel, it was either done right with metal or it's filled with plastic.
Originally it had 4 holes for the spare tire mount which is now sitting on the wheel well.
Most rot there first because the brace behind the mount has wood in it.
If the body is solid and good frame $500 isn't too much for it IMO.

 

[Posi]

To answer your other questions.
Yes, there is aftermarket support for a new softtop and doors.
Rollbar, you would have to find it used, or there is a guy on eBay that sells a replica rollbar in pieces that you would weld together.

 

[mrshaunyd]

Yea I asked him about the vins, he says tub was replaced and painted but says he used a tar looking undercoat? That seems weird to me

 

[Arc 21]

I'd see if the owner will take any less but $700.00 is not a bad price for what is there. Plan on spending some money if you're going to restore it but what project vehicle doesn't eat up funds!

The red flag that comes up for me is the "used for plowing" part. Frames on plow trucks take a hell of a beating and that also can mean a lot of exposure to road salt. An early CJ frame is pretty frail to start with. I would crawl under with a flash light and go over that frame with a fine tooth comb before I handed over any money.

Lastly I have a 67 that is all stock except for the 283 small block that's in it. It's a great little Jeep that is a lot of fun to own and drive. I spent $3,000.00 on mine but it is rust free and the only thing I had to do was rebuild the steering box. There are a fair amount of early CJ's out there in good condition in the $2,000.00 - $3,000.00 range for sale. Sometimes it worth spending a little bit more up front but then end up saving $ in the long run.

 

[mrshaunyd]

Yea I think I might pass and keep looking I am trying to find A cj in the 2k price range to start. The more I think about this 68 it’s leaving me thinking it could be a complete money pit.

 

[Posi]

I agree with Arc 21 post except for the early CJ5 being frail part.
2 years ago I bought a rust free 68 for $2500
Completely stock with the optional 225 and warn Overdrive .
Dumped the fluids, tuneup, and swapped out the points distributor.
Then took it straight to the San Juan Mts for a week of wheeling with the CJ forum group.
Pretty sure I would have made it up the wall if my draw bar hadn’t dug into the ground because of the stock height. Frail, not in my book.

 

[Posi]

Correction, it was a 69

And this 71 225 Warn Overdrive for $3200 last year. Same deal, just a tuneup, timing cover seal, and upgraded distributor is all it needed.

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[Posi]

And you can buy the newer CJ as well without overspending.

77 dealer installed mopar FI, 4” lift, Warn 9k winch, full cage, and T-18 for $2700.

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