need 79 cj7 advice

[GuardSoldierMP]

i've looked for a similar thread before i posted and didn't find one, so look over me if i just missed it.
here are my jeep details to my knowledge. i'm not a mechanic so bare with me.

79 CJ7 Renegade (orange)
AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6
3 spd
AMC20 rear axle

the frame is solid except for the rear body mounts on top of the frame around the rear shocks. the body has some rust, but it doesn't look like it's going to fall apart or anything. it's in decent shape for the age more or less. it's got a small oil leak somewhere. hard top, and full steel doors. anything important i missed just ask me.
so here is the dilemma. i bought it to go off roading, then after i got to driving it a few times, i thought about restoring it. i've got a lot of mechanics in my family, and most of them seem to think it's just going to be a money pit. i've got 3,000 cash. should i put it in the cj, or just sell it and put it toward one that already has a lot of work done to it, or a newer model like a 95 or something.
i don't have a garage myself, or a lot of time to work on it, and i just don't know. i just know i've wanted an old jeep my entire life, and finally got one, but have no idea what to do. i guess it's going to be my daily driver/off roading sometimes. the body doesn't have to look perfect right now, i just want something dependable. i know this probably seems complicated, i just don't know, lol. thanks for your time. =)

 

[fishinfool98]

Have a few questions

Is this your daily driver?
If so tearing into it is going to be hard to do

What all would you want to do to it?
more than likely 3000 wont even touch what you are going to want to do
now on the other hand it would be built the way you wanted it. Not the way someone else would if you were to buy one already built

 

[mylittlecj5]

I spent $5k on my jeep when I bought it as a semi-finished project (running and driving, just needed the details sorted out.)
I wish I would have spent a lot less initially and built it the way i wanted from the ground up. Would have had a lot less problems with it now. But that takes time and cash and, yes, knowledge. I had some of each but not a lot at the time. So do what YOU want to do with it, don't listen to them...until you have the nicest ride in town and all they can do is drool over it. Then take the compliments in stride!


BTW, ALL JEEPs are money pits...only difference is where you spend your money first...

 

[73CJ]

Might be better off with something a little newer.

J(ust) E(mpty) E(very) P(ocket)

 

[BusaDave9]

Yes, Jeeps can be a money pit. I hate to say it but something a little newer may be easier on the wallet. Maybe a YJ.

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Honestly, if its your daily driver, and from what info your offered, sell the Cj and buy a Tj, with a 4.0. The 79 will keep you busy and broke. They are great fun if you got the time, will, $, tools and place to work on it. If you need to drive it, Id skip over the Yj, and get into a Tj.

 

[GuardSoldierMP]

if i just put money into the CJ, the main things i would want to fix first would be the motor, and the drivetrain. and it's most likely going to be my daily driver. i'm not to be doing any rock crawling or anything, just four wheeling from time to time. if i got a newer model, which one should i go for? a friend of mine said if i get a new one, to get a 98 or newer because the suspensions are a lot better, but i dunno if the bank account could go that new.

 

[mylittlecj5]

I'd do some checking in your area. I'd bet you could pay the same amount for a '97 and newer TJ as an older whatever...I've seen them as low as about $4000.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Heres my current build.. total investment including the original pile of parts is about 2500.. with the Axle swap it will end up about 3k. Now keep in mind Ive done every peice of work on this thing myself so I have paid no labor for any of it. So if you have the time will and space to take on a project like this then for 3k its not impossable. If you were to beable to find a 4k TJ it will more then likely be a 4cyl, beat to hell or completely stock... then you will end up dropping 3k into it to make it the way you want.

http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/jimbos-1-2-build-thread-9967/

 

[OldC7]

I would keep it drivable and maybe do a weekend repair to the mounts.
You can always shop around for a daily driver and use the Jeep when you feel like it.

 

[GuardSoldierMP]

gonna have to buy a Transmission for my wife's car now, so i'm just going to go ahead and sell it bad as i hate to. i'm gonna make a listing in the classifieds for it. it's got 2k on the website, but i'd take 1500 for it. i appreciate the help guys.