The New Chick Has Questions!

[4x4Sugar]

Okay so here goes the annoying chick with her questions

I am 26. I want to get a CJ around my age, which would be one of the "newer" editions. The hubs doesn't want me to get a CJ at all. He wants me to get a newer Wrangler. Says parts will be too much yada yada.

So, how hard are parts to find? How expensive are they as opposed to say an early 90's Wrangler parts?

 

[gone2hatteras]

You know this is a loaded question you've put before us.
The truth is that any CJ you buy will bring with it a list of variables all depending on who did what to what and how well the repairs were done. The newest is CJ is 23 years old and even when new they were known to be a combination of parts from everyone GM, Ford and Chrysler. If you do buy a CJ you will have to educate yourself in all the working systems and what will interchange with what, be willing to but up with drivability issues and lack of quality parts availability. You will also have to enjoy working on the Jeep as well as driving it, just check out the forum. If you want to have a vehicle that you only have to do basic maintenance to, look for a later model or new Jeep. Owning a CJ is an experience that can be enjoyable but it can make the best regret (temporarily) the day they purchased it.
Most CJ owners love to make changes or repairs to their Jeeps. We are a strange lot and as proof just go though the forum. I for one have 30 years as an automotive mechanic and have had some very nice cars over the years. I learned to drive in a Jeep and have had many 4X4s. This CJ has been my favorite of all as I can get lost in a project for hours that will seem (most of the time) like only minutes. Yet, I know if I needed to I could throw a tool bag in the back with a box with a few parts (CJs need extra parts from time to time) and drive to California.
Bottom line is, if you like a challenge and enjoy working on your own vehicle, go for it. If the husband is going to do the work and from what you post he isn’t going to want to deal with the issues, get a newer vehicle. If you do go with a CJ also know there are a lot of us out here to help you when you need it. Good luck with whatever is your decision.

 

[coldwater]

And...A few thoughts from the other side. gone2 is absolutely right about everything he said. However,, If you take the time to make a CJ whole again, instead of fixin and patchin, they can be a wonderfully dependable vehicle. I did my frame off 12 years ago, and decided to put it back to a mostly stock configuration, meaning no heavy mods to the drivetrain of appearance. Every part was made new, or bought new and replaced. The day I finished it, I closed the hood, and aside from doing maintainence, like the odd waterpump or brake job, It has never needed a single repair or broken down once. Oddly enough, at this point is has been more reliable than the brand new cars and trucks I have bought since. Make no mistake that the newest one you will buy is still going to be an antique vehicle, and old stuff is eventually going to need work. The good thing is that they are SIMPLE! Generally, a hand full of tools and you can do most any work on one. The cool factor can't be measured against a newer YJ or TJ model, and parts will be readily available from a number of vendors across the country, and be less expensive as a rule. I will add that a CJ Jeep is more fun that you should be allowed to have, but as a daily driver can wear on you. You'll have to own one and live it to understand....And in my personal opinion, should be kept as a "pet" A toy to take out as the mood hits for sunny days and camping or fishing trips. Mine is like a cheap therapist. A jeep cruise allways makes life better.

 

[CJ]

Hello 4x4Sugar and welcome to our site!

You received two very great answers!

I'll be short and sweet (Miss Sugar).... Owning a CJ is a life changing experience... Some regret it but most are better off... It takes us back to a better time!

 

[BrockGrimes]

You after the look or just like the CJ's better?
If it's the look and not so much the equipment, grab a '94 YJ
and swap the front grill, and dash. Then it'll look like a CJ
but be newer with more modern engine and fuel delivery.
Turn Your YJ Into A CJ - Jp Magazine
http://jeep.off-road.com/jeep/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=261302

 

[Old Dog]

I see you own a dodge 1500 that you drive now. So the jeep would not be a DD. IMO cj's are toys and not good DD. If you or your hubby knows how to work on older vehicles than go for it. We all love our cj's.
If you want a good DD and more modern jeep than go TJ.

 

[gone2hatteras]

Coldwater is right about taking the time to do repair or rebuild right. It's when you cut corners that you'll have issues. Do the job right once and be done. This is with anything you do in life but some never learn.
CJ statement "Owning a CJ is a life changing experience... Some regret it but most are better off... It takes us back to a better time!" is 100% correct. Well for us older owners anyway. LOL (Sorry CJ, we’re the same age.)

 

[BajaEdition]

CJs are a labor of love. you really have to love the things.
In the plus side you have to admit, TJs and JKs do not even get the blood pumping like a CJ, and YJs? Well what can you say about a Jeep with square headlights? I am not even going there.
With CJs you are going to get a lot of previous owner modifications, a lot less than with a newer jeep. Plus with a 20 some plus or older vehicle you are going to have to be a amateur mechanic or be married to one.
Here is why, At first you have to make it run in a reliable fashion. Then you will notice it may need a few things and you mod.
I will tell you the statement that you will regret the day you bought it. Yep you will and the next day you will not sell it for all the money in the world.
I am in the middle of a 1 day project, changing it over to modern brakes, I am in the 3rd weekend of it, 4 tools later and waiting for a specialty tool to be delivered now, But All I need to do is about 5 minutes work on either side and weld on a new bracket and I have front disc and 11 inch drums on the rear. All this on a 67 CJ5 .
Parts are another factor, you will find you have a lot of specialty websites book marked. As well as places that specialize in working of these old things.
A newer CJ from 83 (26 right) will not have as many of the difficulties mentioned, but you will fall in love with the beast and soon it will be 42 and you will be in the same shoes as a lot of us.
What ever you decide, good luck as CJs are the most fun on 4 wheels you can get.

 

[KenB]

And in my personal opinion, should be kept as a "pet" A toy to take out as the mood hits for sunny days and camping or fishing trips. Mine is like a cheap therapist. A jeep cruise allways makes life better.

And that's what I like about my CJ! Whether it's a day on a back road or a beer run to the local store with the top off.

Even if these old bones won't let me get under it, there's plenty of tinkering on the top side to satisfy.

 

[4x4Sugar]

WoW! I can't believe all the awesome responses I have gotten. Where do I start with what I want.... I want a toy. This would be my "spare" vehicle and mainly for riding around in the hills and the likes, for when I go hunting in those "tight spots".

Hubby has a 1997 Dodge 4x4 just an old single cab that he calls his "huntin' truck". He doesn't understand my reasoning in getting a CJ and he doesn't care to try to understand. All he knows is get a 4x4 lift it, get new rims and mudders, add headers, K & N intake etc. Jump in and go.

Why do I want a CJ? Multiple reasons actually. I love how they look, the history that goes with them, my grandfather's best friend had one when I was a kid and we used to go off riding for hours upon hours and I truly loved riding in the CJ he had. It brings fond memories, I like the way it looks and I love a good challenge. The one thing I don't have, is a great amount of money to spend. I assumed this would be a good, time consuming project so it doesn't come as a shock or anything. I would be doing most of the work myself. The hubby isn't ever home since he travels for work, so he can't really do it.

I can understand where he is coming from. I have four kids and a ton of "Mama jobs" plus the typical woman stuff, bills etc and he is afraid this will be one of those projects where I buy something, say I'm going to fix it up, and then let it sit, which is really wrong because I think this could be my "me time" project. What is the difference in me sitting in front of the TV or being outside working on a vehicle? He will tell you it just isn't "normal" but then obviously I am not your "normal" woman.

I guess if you guys don't mind, I'll just kinda hang around the forum here and socialize with you all. See what kind of things I can expect to run into and how I would go about dealing with them. In all honestly I probably don't NEED to get a CJ, but that is something I would love to have, whether it be now or a few years down the road when the kids are older. I love the outdoors and I love trucks.

I suppose I have a lot of thinking to do and comparisons as well, because when it all boils down it is probably going to be more of a "can I afford this or not" dilemma.

Thanks so much for having me here and helping me out already. You guys seems like a bunch of softies! Don't tell me I am the only chick here?

 

[LongHorn]

Wow, some great post on this thread! I have to agree with ColdWater. I've done total rebuilds on a MB,2- CJ2a 's & my 83' Scrambler. Granted I'm not known for being able to leave any thing stock.( but I didn't start out that way). I also bought several brand new Jeeps. Like (CW) said the home rebuilt have always been the most reliable and easiest to maintain. As with most vehicular hobbies it a "Labor of Love". I've always owned a Jeep. Most of the time as a daily driver. I've had commutes of up to 600 miles(Oil Fields)and happily driven it "Topless" and without worry of breaking down or being stuck on a bad road. The great thing about working on Jeeps is you have room to work(more than today's vehicles)and you don't need a computer for diagnostics. I know "Thin or Flush, I'll always have at least one old CJ!"

 

[CJ]

A 'stock' CJ will go places you never dreamed they could... Be surprised!

 

[BrockGrimes]

Check out craigslist:
craigslist: oklahoma classifieds for jobs, apartments, personals, for sale, services, community, and events

If you don't mind a ride (alb, new mexico) this would be an awsome jeep:
1985 JEEP CJ7

 

[coldwater]

WoW! I can't believe all the awesome responses I have gotten. Where do I start with what I want.... I want a toy. This would be my "spare" vehicle and mainly for riding around in the hills and the likes, for when I go hunting in those "tight spots".

Hubby has a 1997 Dodge 4x4 just an old single cab that he calls his "huntin' truck". He doesn't understand my reasoning in getting a CJ and he doesn't care to try to understand. All he knows is get a 4x4 lift it, get new rims and mudders, add headers, K & N intake etc. Jump in and go.

Why do I want a CJ? Multiple reasons actually. I love how they look, the history that goes with them, my grandfather's best friend had one when I was a kid and we used to go off riding for hours upon hours and I truly loved riding in the CJ he had. It brings fond memories, I like the way it looks and I love a good challenge. The one thing I don't have, is a great amount of money to spend. I assumed this would be a good, time consuming project so it doesn't come as a shock or anything. I would be doing most of the work myself. The hubby isn't ever home since he travels for work, so he can't really do it.

I can understand where he is coming from. I have four kids and a ton of "Mama jobs" plus the typical woman stuff, bills etc and he is afraid this will be one of those projects where I buy something, say I'm going to fix it up, and then let it sit, which is really wrong because I think this could be my "me time" project. What is the difference in me sitting in front of the TV or being outside working on a vehicle? He will tell you it just isn't "normal" but then obviously I am not your "normal" woman.

I guess if you guys don't mind, I'll just kinda hang around the forum here and socialize with you all. See what kind of things I can expect to run into and how I would go about dealing with them. In all honestly I probably don't NEED to get a CJ, but that is something I would love to have, whether it be now or a few years down the road when the kids are older. I love the outdoors and I love trucks.

I suppose I have a lot of thinking to do and comparisons as well, because when it all boils down it is probably going to be more of a "can I afford this or not" dilemma.

Thanks so much for having me here and helping me out already. You guys seems like a bunch of softies! Don't tell me I am the only chick here?

That's a great post right there. I love it when someone like you comes along. Chances are, the jeep you end up with will be older than you, And finding someone that "gets it" is fantastic. I encourage you to be an active member, and ask as many questions as you can come up with. You, and those like you, are the reason this site exists.

 

[elwood blues]

~ Chances are, the jeep you end up with will be older than you ~

That's one of the things I love about my CJ, she's older than I am

x2 on what coldwater said though, hang out, ask as many questions as you want.

I helped a friend/coworker jswatson0917 search through countless craigslists, ebay and gawd only knows wherelse he found some of these things, but we finally found him a keeper about a month ago. It just takes time to find "your" CJ, but you'll find one.

 

[certifiablejeep]

We have a couple CJ's around our age, and once they were done up the right way, they have served us well, again and again.

Owning a CJ is something that words can't describe... once you have one, you will know what I mean. I have had a ton, driven Wranglers and Rubicons, but nothing compares to the V8 in the CJ5 ... nothing I have been in comes close (except a Lambo... but totally different )

So, get a good one, no rust, not beaten on, drive it stock and then beef it up the way you want it until it is exactly what you want... I have done it for myself and for others and I haven't heard a complaint yet!

cb

 

[Petescj]

This pretty much sums it up.There are plenty of good candidates out there waiting to be found. Check Craigslist and search for local Jeep clubs in your area. They often have message boards where you can find Cjs for sale.

Owning a CJ is something that words can't describe... but nothing compares to the V8 in the CJ5 ...
So, get a good one, no rust, not beaten on, drive it stock and then beef it up the way you want it until it is exactly what you want.
cb

 

[wellsnmj]

[. It just takes time to find "your" CJ, but you'll find one.[/quote]

Absolutely 100% right on the mark I made the mistake of buying a $1500 CJ because it looked like a good deal but by the end it'll end up about a $7000 cj. There are a ton of decent CJ's with low miles stock configuration on craigslist right now. The current economic factor can be your best friend. Take your time set a budget and watch and wait eventually you will find the one for you.

Good luck on your hunt!