what year is my cj

[jhall]

OK SO I BOUGHT A 77 CJ5 AMC 304 v8 well the day after the cam gear striped out well as i ordered parts for a 77 nothin matched up every thing for the motor was 73 parts then went to replace front wheel bearings and the ones i bought were for a 77 but they did not fit to big? the jeep does have drum breaks up front which i thought they quit using in 76?? the tag on the dash and firewall looks like it has been replaced. someone mentioned the numbers on tail lights would give you the year is this true? i also ordered a 4 in lift for a 77 and now wonderinf if its older will it fit?? any ideas??

 

[IOPort51]

check your VIN and block number ??

OK SO I BOUGHT A 77 CJ5 AMC 304 v8 well the day after the cam gear striped out well as i ordered parts for a 77 nothin matched up every thing for the motor was 73 parts then went to replace front wheel bearings and the ones i bought were for a 77 but they did not fit to big? the jeep does have drum breaks up front which i thought they quit using in 76?? the tag on the dash and firewall looks like it has been replaced. someone mentioned the numbers on tail lights would give you the year is this true? i also ordered a 4 in lift for a 77 and now wonderinf if its older will it fit?? any ideas??

 

[billyocup]

I'm surprised with your problems with the engine. I was under the impression that the AMC 304 was pretty much the same for every year from 72 to 81. I know that the frame and suspension changed in 76. The frame changed shape some and I believe the springs got wider. I think the shock mounts were also in a different location after 75. I'm certainly no expert though, so maybe some one with a little more knowledge will chime in.

Good Luck

 

[jhall]

the vin matches the title tryed to search vin but come up with nothing the casting numbers on block near the mount only says AMC 304 found casting numbers on the head and when i research those i find several diff years that match that number from 70 to 81

 

[jhall]

I'm surprised with your problems with the engine. I was under the impression that the AMC 304 was pretty much the same for every year from 72 to 81. I know that the frame and suspension changed in 76. The frame changed shape some and I believe the springs got wider. I think the shock mounts were also in a different location after 75. I'm certainly no expert though, so maybe some one with a little more knowledge will chime in.

Good Luck

i belive your prob right for the most part as the timing chain kit was for all those years as was gears but when it came down to replacing coil,cap,button,points and voltage reg. the 77 parts didnot match up had to get for a 73

 

[73CJ]

Pre 76 had straight frame rails. 76 up flared in the rear.

Pre 76 springs were 1-3/4" wide.

Put some pics on and we can see rather than guess. A pic of the VIN plate would also help.

 

[1986cj7]

Try this site to decode your vin number,Decoding Jeep CJ VIN Numbers 1971-1986 Jeep CJ-5 CJ-7 CJ-8 | jeepfan.com I found this in another post (amc code is confusing me). I don't know if it will help but its worth a shot.

 

[Incommando]

With how often Jeeps got modified I am shocked that many CJ's still have anything original left on them

 

[ken98k]

Pre 76 had straight frame rails. 76 up flared in the rear.

Pre 76 springs were 1-3/4" wide.

Put some pics on and we can see rather than guess. A pic of the VIN plate would also help.

Wasn't 76 when they boxed the frame also?