Owning a CJ can Be Fun

[BajaEdition]

I know that now days owning a Pristine CJ is a point of pride, even some of the beaters are really cool and you find them in all conditions.
Owning one is cool and something we all dreamed of till we had our own, weather we are fanatical about them or a fan, we appreciate a good CJ.
Buying and maintaining a CJ can be a challenge, they are basically antique vehicles and parts sometimes can be hard to source. It does take a good bit sometimes to find parts. Lucky for us there are places that specialize in these old vehicles and guys with a ton of knowledge about them. Retailers of new parts in the cookie box form like the fast food Auto Supply store on the corner may seem pained with your request for the correct distributor rotor for your jeep instead of the one the computer says, but there are places that know where to get the correct part. Also there are a few wrecking yards out west that specialize in parts for Cjs and you can get a lot of stuff from them. And it seems quite a few guys are always trying to clear out CJ parts from the back yard.
So parts are not an issue, if you have patience. But why are there so many horror stories involved in owning a CJ and finding out what the previous owner has done. Well that is simple. It seems Cjs have never been in the Primary vehicle category, they usually were bought as secondary vehicles and when money for parts or maintenance came around, they got the short end. A lot of just get it done was applied to them and they also got passed down to the “son” who had little money for Friday night gas and pizza, much less the money to get the correct sized bolts and new bearings when needed, so a attitude of just what will it take to get it on the road was often taken.
And then someone buys the Jeep and wants to turn it into the dream CJ they always wanted. Now the stories start to come out. And the stories can be legendary; I have seen stuff that honestly scares the out of me thinking, “I drove that?” not knowing it could have been a death trap.
Yea, Cjs can be fun. And those of us who love them can tell stories, I hope you enjoy yours and slowly get it right. It only takes one look under the dash looking at how many splices are in the wiring to realize if you are hooked on owning a CJ or wondering what you can get for the pile.
I like the challenge, I take pride in the things running and looking good. After all, how many of your friends own an American Icon that runs great and can take you down a trail to your dreams?

 

[Kane]

Nice write up. You know how I got my first CJ? (which I still own 20 years later). when I was 19 my father wouldn't co-sign a loan for a Toyota SR-5 so he gave me a scrap heap sitting in the back yard. I am glad he didn't. Jeep CJ's are in my blood. they are who I am and I can never imagine not owning at least one. I have owned up to three at one time and now have 2. I don't even wheel anymore but I still don't care. I love a clean well put together stockish looking CJ and would rather drive that than drive my new Toyota truck.

 

[robert1973]

Ditto, Well said Sir!

 

[CJim7]

Nice post Jim

My first Jeep was a 1965 CJ5 that the forest service owned for years. It was trailered into the hills and used during fire support. The body was absolutely beat to hell and back but it only had 2000 original miles. My father in law bought it from them and restored it to near perfection. He then sold it to me for $2500 back in '91 right after he finished the project.
At the time, I knew nothing at all about jeeps and this was my first taste. About a year later, I purchased a bone stock CJ7 which has since been transformed into the Frankenstein I now drive. 3 motors, 2 transmissions, 3 suspension systems, numerous other odds and ends....it never ends. But I can take pride in knowing every bolt on that jeep from personal experience.

 

[Sasquach]

Pics of that 65? :drool:

 

[CJim7]

Pics of that 65? :drool:

I really wish I had some I owned it all of 2 years and sold it
It was a beautiful sky blue, white spoke steel wheels, black interior...and immaculate.

 

[ken98k]

Nice post Jim

My first Jeep was a 1965 CJ5 that the forest service owned for years. It was trailered into the hills and used during fire support. The body was absolutely beat to hell and back but it only had 2000 original miles. My father in law bought it from them and restored it to near perfection. He then sold it to me for $2500 back in '91 right after he finished the project.

Please tell me you kept the 65!

 

[BajaEdition]

My First was a 65 Tux
I had it for over 20 years
would have it now if it had not committed suicide
That was a fun Jeep, took it over the Con 3 times
I bought it with a seized engine when I was in my young 20s
Learned to wheel in it, Watched it roll unmanned down a AMC 150 foot gully in Baja Mexico. I keep my parking break in great shape now.

 

[rr41mag]

This is my first Jeep cj. I owned three landcruisers and have done several restorations on other vehicles. (presently doing my second chevy truck) The jeep is a very easy restoration. I have enjoyed ever minute of the work. I just can't wait to get it on the road and reap the benefits.

 

[CJ007]

My First was a 65 Tux
I had it for over 20 years
Watched it roll unmanned down a AMC 150 foot gully in Baja Mexico. I keep my parking break in great shape now.

Ouch!!! I hate those kind of lessons.

 

[al2ride]

I'll be honest when I say I don't know what it is, but I enjoy driving/maintaining my CJ more than any other vehicle. It really pays off when I get thumbs up cruising down the road or every time I get the "Jeep Wave".

The "Jeep Wave" reminds me of what I used to call the "Low Hand Salute" back in my biker days. You know, every time you passed another biker, you extend your left arm down low.

Now, every time I'm on the road I have to watch for other Jeeps because odds are that they will wave and I'd hate to miss one and not wave back.

 

[1986cj7]

This is my first jeep but the best thing is I can lift the hood and see a motor a battery a distributor, spark plugs, and work on it. Not lift the hood and see nothing but plastic covers. I had to jump a lady at work last winter and we had to get the manule out to find that the battery was under the back seat go figure. But I've worked on practicaly ever part of this jeep and love it. OH and the jeep wave is cool to!!!

 

[coldair]

I'll be honest when I say I don't know what it is, but I enjoy driving/maintaining my CJ more than any other vehicle.

I know what it is the JEEP BUG we all have it.

 

[hutchman]

I think owning a Jeep is much more than fun...... We all have seen the statement that, "It's a Jeep thing." I believe that, but I believe that the "Jeep thing" runs much deeper than most believe - and I'll tell you why.

In the beginning there was a need for a military vehicle to haul stuff and GIs. The jeep filled the need and was one of three items the Eisenhower stated that we could not have won the war without.

Following the war, returning GIs remembered how capable the Jeep was and wanted them for civilian use. Willys, Kaiser, AMC, and Chrysler filled this need/want for Jeeps for the GIs and civilians who had the itch for one. Demand for CJs grew and remained strong up through the present day. These companies expanded the line to include over the years, pickups, SUVs, station wagons, etc. But for me the heart and soul of the product line has always been the Jeep Jeep as it is called at our house. These vehicles have history......

I went to high school in the late 60s and a couple of my friends had Flatties. In the winter we would take them out in the snow and pull sleds, try to get stuck, and just generally have fun. I wanted one then but didn't get one. As I got older the urge was always there, but I did not get my first until I bought a rusted non-running 83 CJ for $800 back in 96. I rebuilt the engine and had my first Jeep.

It was a mess with rust in the top of the windshield frame, holes in the floorboards, and a defroster that just did not move enough air to defrost anything. But it was a Jeep and would go anywhere I wanted to go.......I loved that rusted piece of ! Sadly, I was out of work and it had to go.

Following that one, I had two more CJs, one YJ, and three TJs. Today I have an 86 CJ7 and every time I get in I feel the history of this great American icon. There is nothing like a Jeep........and I believe that. I live it. I am not happy when I don't have a Jeep.

As I have stated above, several different companies have owned the name Jeep and have used different combinations of engines, transmissions, rear ends, etc to build them. But each of these companies have managed to capture the essence of the original WWII jeep while improving the vehicle and meeting government regulations.

Because of this varied ownership, I have seen it stated the there is nothing to a Jeep......it is just a collection of parts built by different companies. They say that many other 4wd vehicles can do what a Jeep can do and I say BS to this........they miss the point. The Jeep was first, it was the best, and every other 4wd vehicle built since is nothing but a wannabe.

All Jeeps, no matter which company built them, have soul. They speak to you and if you don't hear what they say, well.........., I guess you just don't understand.

 

[al2ride]

When I restored my 66 Mustang, it spoke to me all of the way to the point where it was 100% done, then it didn't want to be driven because it was too pretty. So, I sold it. Now, my CJ speaks to me, but it doesn't want to be restored, it just want to be driven...well, every once in a while it tells me it has an upset stomach and a little diarrhea, and I have to cure it.

Oh, and this speaking thing is between ya'll and me...don't let the wife know...pleeez :shooter: