what should I look for?

[AKTJ01]

I'm currently looking for a CJ-5/CJ-7 to build up and such. What should I look for on the body or in the interior before agreeing on a pick? Any years I should avoid?

Thanks,
Amy

[GW-N]

I'm no expert but...

What kind of wheeling you going to be doing?

I just bought my first CJ-7. I looked at the 5s but i didn't fit in thouse to well being 6'4 and all.



Adam

[AKTJ01]

I plan on doing some mudding mostly. Umm..I'd like 33's stuffed under some sort of lift. The "mud" I'll be playing around in is a silt, river sediment mix. That has to mean something in terms of wear and tear. I have a TJ for a daily driver, I want a project Jeep pretty much.

Amy

[GW-N]

MY CJ has 33/12.50 with no lift. Although it does need a slight lift and 12.5 is a little wide for my likeing.


I like the 7s over the 5s for size reasons. The less rust the better for sure. Also in 81 or 82 i can't remember they came out with the wide track which made the jeep appx 4 inches wider. Wider is always better. Not sure what river beds and silt will do to a jeep...around here we just have plain ol dirty mud.

Sorry i'm not to much help but atlest i try...

Adam

[longboy]

as adam said, look for widetrack and the least amount of rust you can find. widetrack models were from 82-86. rust is very common on CJs, as the factory did not galvanize the tub (YJs are galvanized). i don't know if they salt the roads in alaska, but that definitely takes it's toll on CJ tubs. the closer the CJ is to stock, the better IMO. you have less to worry about being abused and such. the ideal one is the one that an elderly couple towed behind their RV, and drove to town to get milk:D

as far as rust goes, check the frame for rust and rot. the floorboards in CJs are typically swiss cheese, so pull back the carpet and floormats (if so equipped) and check that out (if nothing else, it's a bargaining device to get the price lower).

with engines, you have the 304 (V8, came in CJs up to 1981 or so), the 258 (inline 6, the torquey older 4.0 litre that is in XJs and TJs now), or a 4 cylinder (i think it's an Iron Duke--made by GM?-not sure).

i like the 258 that mine has just fine. it has plenty of torque for the hills, and does OK on the highway.

i guess that's all i can think of for now. good luck on your search! take pics and post them here if you have any questions!

[JeffsCJ5]

The one Jeep in that era that you will definitely want to stay away from is the 1980 CJ5 or 7 with the SR4 transmission. The easiest way to notice this transmission is that the reverse is on the left side. These transmissions break very easily and are basically the junkiest of all the Jeep transmission IMO ever. I have had the T-176 the T-4 as well as the T-5 and they are all much better. The other thing is get a 1978 or newer as they are disc, which is a definite advantage.

[GW-N]

Jeff is right about the disc breaks. My 76 has all drum. I'm looking to convert to disc soon though. I have the T-18 transmission in my CJ and ive been told its very strong. Also if you can get one with a dana 300 transfer case even better.

Adam

[JeffsCJ5]

I personally like the 1980 Jeep CJ's for a few reasons. They already have the Dana 300 with the short output shaft, as well as also having the six bolt locking hubs on the Dana 30 which is a strength factor on a pretty weak front end.