is a cj5 as easy to add parts to as a cj7?

[kennisondan]

I would like to add a hard top; a soft top; maybe a short cab hard top.
I would like to upgrade to more capable parts when I need or get to change parts out..
I may want to put an air conditioner in one one day .. but not sure of that.

I am looking at CJ7 's but have seen a CJ5 locallly that looks pretty cool to me..

If I get a CJ5 am I Limited to the after market parts available for upgrading it ?

I am not a collector, I am one of those people that would just thrill at driving my own jeep on the road, off the road, all over.. I will not be trailering it; and I will eventually have a jeep as my only daily driver;
I hope to start with a dependable jeep and am ok with no frills performance of a stock jeep for now.
I would buy one in georgia, florida, texas, oklahoma, any place I could drive it home over a few days would be fine with me..
I need it to be dependable enough that if I want to drive it a few hours one way, I can do that with confidence.
If what I need to do is to start off with some other model, please let me know
thanks.
I look forward to the fun and education that awaits.. I know it may be kind of corny, but I really would love just the act of driving my jeep.. I will get around to modifying it if it does not change the reliability of it.
dk

 

[Kane]

these jeep are only as reliable as the person maintaining them. The newest CJ5 is 29 years old so that is alot of wear and alot of owners neglect. You can make it very reliable but you must put the time and effort into making sure every parts has been inspected and fixed properly. If you are a decent mechanic then go for it but this being a sole vehicle may not be the best choice unless you really went through everything.

 

[IOPort51]

Reliable can be a very relative term.

buying a Jeep (30 something year old vehicle) in another state and driving it home?? That could be a real adventure.

this would be where I rented a U- Haul car trailer, but that's just me.

 

[kennisondan]

Thank you for the responses; I realize I am asking a bit much perhaps of a 30 year old jeep.
I will re think my position on buying a CJ5 and look more to a CJ7 in the cj line. I need it to be not too expensive to get reliable.

Maybe I should also check into some cj's that are refurbished ?
If it has to be road worthy where do I begin ? guidelines in general : I would not mind keeping it to 50mph but have to be able to travel an hour at least;

I guess I was lucky to buy an 86 rover and put a couple thousand into it and drive it to texas hunting and drive it to north carolina rock climbing.

If I need reliability and do not mind paying for some upgrades and fixes, but do not want to double the cost of the vehicle; and do not want to wait for it to be ready to roll for my uses.. am I starting at the wrong take off point.??
dk

 

[Petescj]

A CJ5 will be harder to find a full hardtop for. Not impossible but it could take awhile. Parts availability are about the same for both models '76 and up. Intermediate Cj-5s seem to be the hardest to get parts for. Here are a few threads that may help you in your choice.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj-buyers-guide-13328/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj5-1976-1983-a-12124/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj5-1972-1975-a-12408/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj-7-a-12003/

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/what-do-after-getting-cj-home-3563/

I would like to add a hard top; a soft top; maybe a short cab hard top.
I would like to upgrade to more capable parts when I need or get to change parts out..
I may want to put an air conditioner in one one day .. but not sure of that.

I am looking at CJ7 's but have seen a CJ5 locallly that looks pretty cool to me..

If I get a CJ5 am I Limited to the after market parts available for upgrading it ?

I am not a collector, I am one of those people that would just thrill at driving my own jeep on the road, off the road, all over.. I will not be trailering it; and I will eventually have a jeep as my only daily driver;
I hope to start with a dependable jeep and am ok with no frills performance of a stock jeep for now.
I would buy one in georgia, florida, texas, oklahoma, any place I could drive it home over a few days would be fine with me..
I need it to be dependable enough that if I want to drive it a few hours one way, I can do that with confidence.
If what I need to do is to start off with some other model, please let me know
thanks.
I look forward to the fun and education that awaits.. I know it may be kind of corny, but I really would love just the act of driving my jeep.. I will get around to modifying it if it does not change the reliability of it.
dk