What do I look for when buying a CJ7 to rebuild

[makatkplt]

Hey All,

Looking to build or restore a CJ7 with my son. We don't even have it yet but want a 7, not a 5 or a Bronco or Landcruiser.

I would like it to be drivable at the very least. We also want it for a daily driver but a V8 or a lift on it would be fine. We are not wanting to beat the heck out of it on the weekends but drive it to the beach or school.

I'm not looking to spend any more money than I have to but the point here is to have some father and son time while making progress on our CJ and not spending his college fund doing it.

I/we have slightly above average mech skills and tools. I really dont want to do electrical or carb work so that would be out sourced.

so here we go;

1. How much should we spend? I will pay for what I get as long as what I get is what I pay for.
2. Is there a better year for CJ7s than another?
3 What other questions should be asking?

So any advice on where to start would be great. I will post pics as we go.

 

[Posi]

2. Is there a better year for CJ7s than another?

IMO, 1978 or 79. 79 was the last year they installed the optional 1 ton tranny. 78/79 where the first years for standard front disc brakes as well.

 

[jeepboy45]

IMO, 1978 or 79. 79 was the last year they installed the optional 1 ton tranny. 78/79 where the first years for standard front disc brakes as well.

I have a 79... love it, but sometimes wish I had one with the wider axles that came later.

You can find "project" jeeps for $1500 occasionally, but if you want something that is decent to start with, probably about $3000 to $4000..

I like what you wrote about the father/son thing... I am doing the same thing right now with my two sons. Having them involved is something that neither they nor I will ever forget..

I wish you the best.

 

[jeepboy45]

If I had a choice, I'd get one without a lift or anything done to it.. You never know what the previous owner did WHILE putting on a lift or modification that could have been done WRONG...

Check for abnormal tire wear in front end for obvious steering issues. Steering seems to be an issue with a lot of Jeeps, so pay attention to that... i.e. wandering, odd tracking, lots of play in wheel, wheels returning to center after cornering, etc.

Noises in rear end.

RUST RUST and more RUST...

Look under dash and look for butchered wiring harness.

Oil pressure is a good thing to look at.

Obvious tranny/Transfer Case /engine/rear/front end leaks...

Tranny shifts firmly but smoothly (auto tranny)

 

[Old Dog]

I agree with jeepboy the closer to stock the better, people tend to do bad things to jeeps.

 

[bobt]

I agree with jeepboy and old dog. The more stock the better. I bought a lifted CJ5 that someone used pretty heavily in the woods and mud. The body looked good until I pulled it off and found unwanted costs due to rust. Body mounts, floor supports and floor panels were rusted pretty bad. Pay close attention to the underside for rust and all the other things everyone above me posted.

Good luck, have fun. You won't regret it.

 

[IOPort51]

to change the subject just a bit, are you building this with your son or for your son and, if for, how old is he? If he is 35 and this is a chance to spend some time together I say have at it. if this is going to be a first automobile, I ask you stop and think about it a bit more.

 

[ken98k]

AVOID RUST!
Unless you like doing bodywork.

 

[makatkplt]

All this is good info and really appreciate it. I did get a responce about if my son is young about setting him up with a Jeep. I can only assume it is because of the Jeep's handling characteristics and the possiblity for him to beat the out of what we just built. LOL If so let me know details.

I would like to find one with the wider axles.

I really dont care about rust because I will replace the body for phase II of my project so wanting mech sound as possible.

It would be nice to get a '06 Rubi but that is way too much $$$ for us.

Thanks for all the input and will keep ya'll posted.

Mike

 

[IOPort51]

I can only assume it is because of the Jeep's handling characteristics

you assume right, as much as I love the CJ I love my child more and it would be a very poor choice, IMHO, for a first vehicle. not forgiving of mistakes and it also gets really lousy fuel mileage.

ordinarily I try not to be the voice of reason but I do feel a certain responsibility as a father to see that those who have not had the time or experience to fully develop their brain get every opportunity to do so.
​

 

[jeepboy45]

I am going out on a limb and say it had to do with the danger factor of putting a newer driver in a crappy handling Jeep... Even good handling ones need to have someone behind the wheel with experience.. Too much steering imput and it could all be over with.

I bought my 79 in 1986. It was the first vehicle I owned after I graduated. The funny thing is, my parents were super overprotective... But while my dad was away at sea, my mom co-signed for me to get this deathtrap..!! If she had only known how freaky they can be on the road, she'd prob never assisted me in getting it. One night I had 7 total people packed into it (with the hardtop and doors on it..) Hit a curve a bit fast and swear that I had it on two wheels... scared the heck out of me...

I can only say that the LORD was watching out for me for several years as I was learning its handling issues!!

All this is good info and really appreciate it. I did get a responce about if my son is young about setting him up with a Jeep. I can only assume it is because of the Jeep's handling characteristics and the possiblity for him to beat the out of what we just built. LOL If so let me know details.

I would like to find one with the wider axles.

I really dont care about rust because I will replace the body for phase II of my project so wanting mech sound as possible.

It would be nice to get a '06 Rubi but that is way too much $$$ for us.

Thanks for all the input and will keep ya'll posted.

Mike

 

[RubberDuck]

For me it all starts with the frame. They always seem to rot in the rears. Check the body mounts and spring hangers. If the frame has serious issues you are probably going to have to disassemble the jeep to fix it right. That may or may not be an issue for you. I also don't like a repaired frame.

Wiring also sucks. Tracing phantom electrical issues an drive you nuts, so check to make sure it still has an in tact harness that you can trace by wire color and dest have a bunch of ghetto looking hacks and splices.