Possibly buying my first CJ, a 72 CJ5, need advice

[4x4Dad]

Hi folks,

This is my first post to this forum, but I'm not new to Jeeps or Jeep forums. I've been a longtime poster over at IFSJA, and I've built up an 88 Grand Waggy for wheeling over the last few years. But I am new to CJs and need some of this group's collective expertise.

I'm wanting a small Jeep that is pre-smog in CA (getting my Waggy smogged was an on-and-off nightmare for years), which is why I'm going with a CJ5 and not a 7. It'll be used in conjunction with the 88 for mild to moderate trail riding in SoCal with the family (no rock crawling for me or the wee ones).

But I'm on a Limited budget to start, and I don't mind doing work; in fact, I want a project, just not one that is DOA. I'm interested in getting into welding, too, should that become necessary.

Here's the owner's description of the one I'm looking at now:
"not aware of frame damage, it does have a salvage title, the body has a crack on the passenger side and poor body work done a long time ago. The hood has dents from flying up against the windshield frame at some point in its life. there is some small rust bubbles on the back corners but no rust holes all the way through?"

He wants $2500 (the top of my price range to start), but I'll likely get a few hundred shaved off that. It comes with a top and a winch and winch bumper, Alcan springs, 31" BFG's, etc. I'm sure he wheeled it a bit.

He will be sending me some pics later, which I'll post when I get them.

Unfortunately, it's 100 miles away, so I'll have to wait to look for cracks in the frame. I'm going to ask for pics of the front and rear spring hangers and the frame itself, as well as the body crack and rust bubbles he mentioned.

What should I be looking for as I eye the pics and then go see it? Any advice that would help me see/hear what I need to when I check it out?

Thanks,

Tucker

 

[jdarg]

Without pics, I'd be ~ $1200 on my first offer and probably wouldn't go too much higher.

I'll bet you $20 you can put a screwdriver through the "rust bubbles" without trying too hard. Add-ons (winch, bumpers, etc.) are arguably worth next to nothing on resale price so forget they are there. Alcan springs are supposed to be top of the food chain...but can he prove they are Alcan's?

Other than that all the typical stuff...how many sources of leaks under it, do all the gauges work, hvac controls, wipers, lights, engine noise, steering > 45 mph, smooth Transmission , no stumbling/hesitation/stalling, does the windshield drop or is it frozen, if it does drop how swiss-cheesed is it, receipts, etc.

Bigger folks and small folks with beer bellys don't fit in CJ5 's too well. The 72-75 are even worse in this regard unless you plan on swapping the steering to a GM tilt column.

72-75 CJ's have some parts made of unobtainium too, so if you are a "purist" you will go nuts finding this stuff if its missing or pay a lot more than your 76-86 brothers/sisters would for equivalent parts - heater control bezel/cables, rear view mirror, cigarette lighter, actual correct tail/parking/backup lights, steering columns and lower bearings, hazard switch, "green" labeled indicators above the controls, heater box, battery tray, anything to do with the seats, and a few more things I can't think of right now. Some of these things are "close enough" on a 76+, other's aren't.

 

[73CJ]

I like the Dana 44 in the rear. One tough axle.

My original frame cracked at 3 of the spring mounts.

$2500 seems pretty steep

Probally varies across the country. Around here anywhere from $500 to $3000. Depending on rust. . .

75-72 are very similar. 75 had CDI. Prior
Had points

 

[BusaDave9]

Check out this link: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f102/cj-buyers-guide-13328/

 

[4x4Dad]

Thanks so much, folks. Great input,especially about the specifics of the early 70s CJs.

He's been slow to get back to me with the pics I need/requested, which makes me suspicious, or at least hesitant.

Once again, thanks. I appreciate the guidance.

Tucker