Shopping for a CJ-7. Need some advice.

[Halfmoon]

Hey guys, I'm new here. I've recently had the itch to get another Jeep. I had an '83 CJ7 about 10 years back that was loads of fun. But it had more issues than I thought so I learned some lessons for sure. This time I'm going to be more careful what i buy.

I'm looking for something to fix up a bit, drive it for a year or so, and then re-sale it and at least break even. My end goal is roughly 3-4" lift (prob SOA YJ springs), 33-35" tires, mechanically sound, decent paint with fresh seats, etc. Basically something fun I can drive on the weekends--not concerned with major off roading at this point.

A few questions:

Are there certain years I should gravitate to or stay away from?
Same question for motors/Transmission ?
Are narrow tracks as desirable as wide tracks and do they drive different?

I've got my eye on a few Craigslist ads now. Trying to decide if I want to stay in the $2-4K range and do more work or spend around $6K for one in better shape. Again, I'm keeping resale in mind because I'll probably have it for less than 2 years.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Petescj]

If you read through this section it should help with the questions you asked. Im on my way out the door but heres a link


- Jeep CJ Comprehensive Database at Jeep-CJ.com

 

[BusaDave9]

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

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Hey guys, I'm new here. I've recently had the itch to get another Jeep. I had an '83 CJ7 about 10 years back that was loads of fun. But it had more issues than I thought so I learned some lessons for sure. This time I'm going to be more careful what i buy.

I'm looking for something to fix up a bit, drive it for a year or so, and then re-sale it and at least break even. My end goal is roughly 3-4" lift (prob SOA YJ springs), Study up on bump steer. IF your gonna pick up a SOA jeep be very critical about the steering. Most time a shady z bar is made for em, thats a big failure point. If they have hight steer look to see if is a drop pitman arm welded to the knuckle.. Sounds dumb but I have seen it many of times. It takes about $1000 to fix the steering on a improperly set up SOA axles.
33-35" If its on 33's or bigger make sure the rear axle is on peice
tires, mechanically sound, decent paint with fresh seats, etc. Basically something fun I can drive on the weekends--not concerned with major off roading at this point.

A few questions:

Are there certain years I should gravitate to or stay away from?
Same question for motors/Transmission ? 6 or 8 cyl manual Transmission
Are narrow tracks as desirable as wide tracks and do they drive different?
Dont drive differently but are a little bit more stable in turns

I've got my eye on a few Craigslist ads now. Trying to decide if I want to stay in the $2-4K range and do more work or spend around $6K for one in better shape. Again, I'm keeping resale in mind because I'll probably have it for less than 2 years.
Heres my basic rules when it comes to dumping money into a Jeep. you only get about 1/2 of what you put into em back.. so if you buy a 6k jeep and dump 3 grand into it then you can expect to get 7-$7500 back if oyur lucky.
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

If it were me Id spend the money on a solid frame, and body.. motor and Transmission can be replaced or fixed easily. If you want a lifted jeep buy a lifted jeep.. let some one else loose 50% of thier investment. Id stay with 33's max. Find something you can drive daily. The only thing I would look into upgrading would be the rear axle to one peice shafts and lower gears if they are not already changed..

If your going to look at one bring a creeper and crawl around under it.. look every thing over.. oil pans wet, talk em down. Radiator looks wet.. talk em down. Frame has rust or rot, talk em down or walk away. If they have diamond plate on the outside look to the inside for rust coming through under the plating. check the windsheild frame for rot. or better yet ask to tilt it forward. make sure all the gauges work. Drive it, park it and let it idle then drive it again. look listen feel and smeel around the engine compartment. Ask them if you can take it to a mechanic. Most people who have done shade tree work wont want a mechanic to look at it.

then post your results here and we will pick it apart for you.. remeber jeeps are money pits. Unless you buy POS broke down jeeps and fix them up you will probably not make any money trying to flip one.

 

[PistolDave]

There is also a common misconception that SOA lifts are cheap and easy. Done properly, a SOA is neither cheap nor easy unless you cobble stuff together or can live with axle wrap and compromised steering geometry. CV drivelines, high steer knuckles and links, longer shocks and mounts, longer brake lines, upgraded brakes to deal with larger tires, low gears, lockers, ladder bars, etc. add up real quick, and that doesnt even adress the fact that the stock axle arent real stout for big tires in the first place.