Newb looking for buying info on a 80 CJ-5

[phrogs]

Hello,

A little about me im a long time DIY on my Cars and trucks including body and paint work.

I have never owned a Jeep before.
purpose of this is for my winter vehicle.

Now I am looking at a Jeep tomorrow and Im wondering about a sort of buyers guide on things I should look for Jeep specific things you think would help me out.


Jeep
1980 CJ5 , 2.5 4 banger manual Transmission , with soft doors and top, 85K on the od not that it matters who knows if thats original or not.
price is under $1,000 runs drives and stops.

It appears pretty much stock as far as I can see, not original but stock.

There is some rust on the body not sure how bad but the rear quarters are showing in the pics.

The floor is described as having some holes not sure if its the whole floor or some randem.

One of the rear shock mounts is rusting and about to brake according to the seller ( I have looked on line and did not find any rear shock mounts only fronts so im wondering about this)

Now this makes me wondering about the frame as a whole but I will see.

not sure if the top and doors are worth a damn.

probably needs new tires.

thanks

johnny!

 

[BajaEdition]

we are working on an article about that
untill then here are some great suggestions
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f49/what-look-5788/

 

[kickitandholdit]

the way "i" look at it is there are 4 parts to a jeep. frame, drive train, tub/body, top/doors.

everything on a jeep can be replaced if you need to. if it comes down to it you can buy a new tub and weld up and repair the frame. any jeep is worth putting $ in if your up for the challenge. but i always think of the worst case scenario. these are the steps i would take
wild guess but say you spend 1,000 getting the frame welded up and coated and fixed and what not. then you spend 3,000 on a new tub and install it yourself and paint it yourself. you now have 5,000 bucks in a jeep with a good frame and body. so now start looking for jeeps around the $5,000 range and see if you can find something better than what you would have if you got that brown one your looking at.

not a fan of 4 cylinders at all. alot of people dont even think the 6cylinders are strong enough and end up doing a big engine swap. if you ever plan on putting good size tires or anything of that sort on it your gonna want more power than that 4cylinder. so search and think about that.

jeeps arnt hard to find they are everywhere.. good deals and bad. i bought a jeep a year or so ago for 1,000 bucks and it had a fiberglass tub hard top and hard doors and a 6 cylinder and a T-18 Transmission with a granny gear. ran great

but if your really interested in getting it i would tell the guy that there are 4 parts to a jeep.. and tell him there is the top, tub, frame, and drive train. and tell him the tub is rusted out, the frame is rusted, and its got a little 4 cylinder drive train. and remind him there are 4 parts to the jeep and the 3 major ones are bad. then offer him like $400 cash haha and see if he goes for it.

 

[Petescj]

Id steer clear of this one. Kickitandholdit stated it all pretty well. Judging by your other vehicles you'll be pulling your hair out within a week dealing with the little 4 cyl. There are way too many more solid/better drivetrain Jeeps out there for you to settle on that one.

 

[CJKrawler]

Not to steer you away from a Jeep, but if you have never driven a short wheelbase in the snow, they are very different. Even in 4 wheel drive, soemthing as short as a 4 wheel drive will come around quick on you. If is just a winter vehicle, look for a 7 with the QuadraTrac t case. The case is a full time 4 wheel drive case, so it would be good for the snow, just not heavy offroading. You could also look for a Jeep J10 or Honcho with the same in it. There are some Chevy's out there that also have the full time t case that will work as well.

Again, I'm not trying to steer you away from it, but just be aware. The longer the wheel base, the better the four wheel drive works in the snow.

I am sure there will be more opinions on this, good luck in your search, we will be here to help out if you need it.

 

[phrogs]

well throwing in a 350 is something I thought about, im not real keen on the 4 banger but this jeep is an option.

 

[Old Dog]

Not to steer you away from a Jeep, but if you have never driven a short wheelbase in the snow, they are very different. Even in 4 wheel drive, soemthing as short as a 4 wheel drive will come around quick on you. If is just a winter vehicle, look for a 7 with the QuadraTrac t case. The case is a full time 4 wheel drive case, so it would be good for the snow, just not heavy offroading. You could also look for a Jeep J10 or Honcho with the same in it. There are some Chevy's out there that also have the full time t case that will work as well.

Again, I'm not trying to steer you away from it, but just be aware. The longer the wheel base, the better the four wheel drive works in the snow.

I am sure there will be more opinions on this, good luck in your search, we will be here to help out if you need it.

X2 on the short wheel base in the snow and ice. My cj stays in the garage when it snows, I drive my truck than, it handles much better in the slick stuff.

 

[Petescj]

Ive always had a Cj as my winter vehicle and its had some interesting moments over the years. Add in a locker and you can really be in for something special. The little guys sure do wanna swap ends in the slick stuff. That said last year we had one of the worse winters snowfall wise weve had in awhile and the added wheelbase of the Scrambler made it very capable. Definately the best Jeep Ive had for a winter vehicle. Too bad the salt would kill it. Wont be using it this year.

 

[phrogs]

well I hate digital pictures.

I could see the rust on the rear quarter but if you look at the windshield in the pics its hard to tell but it has like 10 bullet holes through it, the windshield frame is rusted through and the tub is shot.

So I stoped the inspection and left.

im looking for a beater so the search continues.

I will avoid the CJ5s for the winter as I have learned and over all a CJ7 wouldn't be bad but Im also looking at blazers and older chevy and fords so we will see.

thanks for the help

 

[CJKrawler]

We are here to help. Another Vehicle aside fromt he CJ is the TJ. The newer ones with the 231 t case there are no need to lock the hubs, and you can hit 4 hi up to 55 mph. And it wouldn't matter if it is the 4cyl or the 6. Actually, for just a snow vehicle, the 4 cyl would be a better option, as there would be less power to toss the little Jeep around.