new to jeeps (almost)

[turbodog]

i went to go look at a 1979 CJ7 today (I6, 4spd). it looks very nice in pictures but once i was able to get under it, it was a whole other story. the exterior looked nice (newer paint and Golden Eagle decals) but...

first, a lot of repair work has been done to the body and frame. the frame work looks good and nicely painted (i don't think the paint is hiding anything). looks like bad was cut out and new welded in.

second, it looks like a lot of the original floorpan had been removed and some kind of fiberglass or tin tub/pan bolted/screwed on top of it. am i guessing right about being able to bolt/screw onto whats left of the old floorpan? the work done looks fine/passable and was painted nicely top (interior) and bottom (undercarriage).

now to the motor, the jeep runs strong, shifts and 4wd works. but it leaks from the engine, Transmission (that may be just the drain plug) and the Transfer Case . it wasn't dripping on the ground where the owner drove it so i could test drive (hour+). but there was fluid i could easily wipe off and it was new. the oil could be from the valve cover but how much should i worry about the Transfer Case ?

the only other problem was the gas gauge, is the factory one fixable? even the aftermarket one the previous owner tried to install doesn't work.

last is this rig worth 6500? i know nothing about jeeps. it does have a yj family rollbar installed. 83k on the odo. comes w/ soft top and softside doors (condition of both unknown).

thanks for anyone's time

 

[ken98k]

Yup, sounds like a 32 year old jeep to me!

 

[Old Dog]

$6500 sounds like alot to me, I might pay half that. But the local market tends to dictate the price.

 

[ftwflh]

Around this area a CJ in that shape would be $3500-$4500 if tires and fronted end were good

Welcome to the forum tons of help on here.Also hope you have a good stash of cash Jeeps like that

 

[Ruckus45]

Ya, that price seems a bit high around here too. More like $4500-5k. Youll see prices for Jeeps are all over the place. Some people get sentimental on their jeep and price it higher than its really worth-which I understand totally. If it were me Id just keep looking till I found 100% of what I wanted at the price I wanted for one.

 

[turbodog]

thank you guys for the replies. maybe i'm selling this jeep short or trying to justify the price.

the exterior is in excellent shape. and i think the patch work was done well. it's just that there was A LOT of patch work on the frame and floorpan.

the drivetrain i'm not too worried about. the suspension is tight and the brakes work.

there is nothing available around here that isn't dipped in gold or half rust.

thanks again, and i'd still like anyone's advise.

 

[JR74CJ5]

I jumped on my 74 because of price... After really looking, found a lot that is needing to be done before i can do what i want to with it...

That being said, I paid 1500.00 for mine... Everything i want to do I can't count high enough to tell you a figure... :drool:

I took the newly found stuff with a grain of salt though since there is nothing on these things that can't be fixed and / or replaced... and i started with a lower initial buying price...

You're kind-of on the opposite end though as your looking over the jeep finer in the beginning and paying more...

I do agree with most who posted though, the price seems a little steeper than a lot of them I've seen while i was looking to buy around here... There were some really nice and equipped heavily jeeps around my area on craigs list and few other places for around that price...

So i guess what you really should ask yourself is: "Is this going to be my Jeep?"


~ JR

 

[turbodog]

yeah, i haven't pulled the trigger yet. it's an hour away so it makes it hard for a time to meet and finalize.

i do like the condition of the jeep. i just dislike all the body work. it's like they cut out all the rust and then bolted a new body on top. why not just take all of the old sheet metal out completely?

then again, i've been looking for 6+ months this is the best i've found in the rust belt. might just take my licks on this one. gut is telling me one thing but my desire to have one is another. decisions.

 

[cjattic]

Sounds a little pricy to me. I just picked up a 1980 CJ7 for $2000, but mine is in primer and needs paint and assembly. But if in overall good condition it might be worth it if you do not have to paint and reassemble like I have to.

 

[JR74CJ5]

yeah, i haven't pulled the trigger yet. it's an hour away so it makes it hard for a time to meet and finalize.

i do like the condition of the jeep. i just dislike all the body work. it's like they cut out all the rust and then bolted a new body on top. why not just take all of the old sheet metal out completely?

then again, i've been looking for 6+ months this is the best i've found in the rust belt. might just take my licks on this one. gut is telling me one thing but my desire to have one is another. decisions.

Hey Turbodog, Just while you're waiting, I would look up the price for new frame and body... Then i would bring that with me when going for final check out and possible purchase, or with a phone call and tell the seller: "look, I'm going to have to sink $X into this thing right away because i'm not too happy with These ____ (insert issues) so can we come down on price by X amount (which is slightly less than the cost of parts you want...) and barter a little... Feel seller out to see how much he wants to sell, and how willing to deal a ways he'd be.

Most of the time i am selling something, i already have a lower number in my head that i'd be willing to barter to, and i would think most do that... price high with room to go down...

Worth a shot...

 

[turbodog]

a picture is worth a thousand words. sorry for not posting these earlier. no shots of the frame/body work.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Well now... That is a very nice looking jeep...

 

[turbodog]

Re: new to jeeps

well, i don't know if anyone is going to check but...

the owner sold it local before it got back to pick it up. my gain because i got a rust free Arizona jeep instead for less. 1984 CJ7 , 63000 miles, stock w/ winch.

 

[giantsfan]

nice i was just thinking as i was reading some of the posts, why doesnt he look out west? lol the jeeps out there r in such better shape(body wise anyway). good luck w ur new jeep and enjoy. personally i like the renegades better anyway.

 

[turbodog]

nice i was just thinking as i was reading some of the posts, why doesnt he look out west? lol the jeeps out there r in such better shape(body wise anyway). good luck w ur new jeep and enjoy. personally i like the renegades better anyway.

well, who doesn't want a rust free jeep lol, but buying sight unseen and shipping are both big unknowns for me. i'm still will be in for less w/ shipping but what a hassle. hopefully the quality of the jeep will make it all worth while.

 

[woooter61]

Looks like everything worked out for the better. Sounds like the Jeep you wound up with was a good deal to boot.

 

[turbodog]

Looks like everything worked out for the better. Sounds like the Jeep you wound up with was a good deal to boot.

Fingers crossed it should show up Saturday. Then I'll see for myself how good of a deal i got.