Brian Rippelmeyer
Well-known member
I would like to pick your brains on this one, Ive never had one,think I need one,what to look for etc. Any help would be appreciated,Thanks Brian
Thought about buying a Jeep Cj?
- Thread starter Brian Rippelmeyer
- Start date
MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Give us a bit more info. Need for what? Towing? If towing is a priority, the CJ's (Wrangler?) I'm thinking of have an awfully short wheel base for any serious towing. I'd also be careful of the designation "All Wheel Drive," and be sure to research what that means for any vehicle with that designation that I was intending to put to use on say- an icy ramp.
Bill Burruss
Well-known member
Brian,
I used to own a '79 CJ5 with a 304 V8 and 3-speed, and have spent a little time behind the wheel of a CJ7 w/straight 6 and 4 speed, a 1960 something CJ5, as well as some of the old 4-cylinder flat fender jeeps. They are all fun for offroad use. I think the "newer" CJ's (72 and newer, I believe) have better suspension and are more stable at highway speeds. However, I recommend you drive one at highway speeds before buying as they feel a lot different than a truck or SUV. I also think the newer ones with electronic ignition are more reliable than the older points models, and prefer something with power steering, dual master cylinder, power and disk brakes. Keep in mind no matter what CJ you buy you will have an older vehicle with the typical maintenance/reliability problems.
Enjoy your new toy!
Take care,
Bill
I used to own a '79 CJ5 with a 304 V8 and 3-speed, and have spent a little time behind the wheel of a CJ7 w/straight 6 and 4 speed, a 1960 something CJ5, as well as some of the old 4-cylinder flat fender jeeps. They are all fun for offroad use. I think the "newer" CJ's (72 and newer, I believe) have better suspension and are more stable at highway speeds. However, I recommend you drive one at highway speeds before buying as they feel a lot different than a truck or SUV. I also think the newer ones with electronic ignition are more reliable than the older points models, and prefer something with power steering, dual master cylinder, power and disk brakes. Keep in mind no matter what CJ you buy you will have an older vehicle with the typical maintenance/reliability problems.
Enjoy your new toy!
Take care,
Bill
Dave M
Well-known member
Brian ,
I just traded in a 98 Wrangler SE the SE was Jeeps idea to slow people down , it had a 2.5 liter producing a whopping 150 horse , and at 15 miles to the gallon on the highway it just did not fit my finacial picture . the problem with the jeeps are frame rot , My frame was starting to rot due to salt build up from many New England winters and i even rinsed it religiuosly to make sure there was no issues . The jeep had 183,000 miles and ran well with the expected piston slap and all but if i was to do it again i would not go with the 4 cylinder but go with a 6 or a modifies 8 cyl , All and all i had a lot of fun with it but it just was not big enough and lacked the power i needed . I replaced it with a 07 Chevy Trailblazer and i am happy with that choise so far itr has not even been a week yet , Good Luck with whatever choice you make .
Dave M
I just traded in a 98 Wrangler SE the SE was Jeeps idea to slow people down , it had a 2.5 liter producing a whopping 150 horse , and at 15 miles to the gallon on the highway it just did not fit my finacial picture . the problem with the jeeps are frame rot , My frame was starting to rot due to salt build up from many New England winters and i even rinsed it religiuosly to make sure there was no issues . The jeep had 183,000 miles and ran well with the expected piston slap and all but if i was to do it again i would not go with the 4 cylinder but go with a 6 or a modifies 8 cyl , All and all i had a lot of fun with it but it just was not big enough and lacked the power i needed . I replaced it with a 07 Chevy Trailblazer and i am happy with that choise so far itr has not even been a week yet , Good Luck with whatever choice you make .
Dave M
Jeeps are fun! There's really no other way to put it LOL!
Myself, I am a fan of the yj series. They are basicly an "upgrade" of the cj line... same great spring suspension, with fuel injection, and interior improvements - not all "plasticky" and car like.... something that you won't be afraid to get dirty and abuse a little bit.
They do have that funny, square headlight thing going for them - but that kinda grows on you.
Dave is correct about the 2.5... great little motor, but it has no gas mileage advantage to speak of over the 4.0 six. The inline six is a solid motor, and the model is very capable of towing light loads... I use it to haul a tdb 14, and small 10' utility trailer for chore type work - mulch, etc.
Dave is also correct about watching out for rust....... that also is an issue with the yj line. Probably the number one thing you need to look for in any jeep - especially any located in "salt" country.
I really like the cj series, and I am constantly on the look out for an early year, flat fender model...... To me they are "the real jeeps"
Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
Myself, I am a fan of the yj series. They are basicly an "upgrade" of the cj line... same great spring suspension, with fuel injection, and interior improvements - not all "plasticky" and car like.... something that you won't be afraid to get dirty and abuse a little bit.
They do have that funny, square headlight thing going for them - but that kinda grows on you.
Dave is correct about the 2.5... great little motor, but it has no gas mileage advantage to speak of over the 4.0 six. The inline six is a solid motor, and the model is very capable of towing light loads... I use it to haul a tdb 14, and small 10' utility trailer for chore type work - mulch, etc.
Dave is also correct about watching out for rust....... that also is an issue with the yj line. Probably the number one thing you need to look for in any jeep - especially any located in "salt" country.
I really like the cj series, and I am constantly on the look out for an early year, flat fender model...... To me they are "the real jeeps"
Good luck with your search :thumbsup:
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jode hillman
Well-known member
Brian,
I have owned and driven CJ's for nearly 20 years now. What is your intended use? They are great as a second pleasure vehicle, but can take a bit of getting used to as a daily driver.
A few good things, there fun, fairly easy to work on and gets parts for, and capable on and off road when set up right.
That being said they were made for over 40 years (1945-1986) and there is alot of variability in drivetrain strength etc.
The late mid to late 70's were great years for engine tranny packages. You could get a 76-79 CJ5 or 7 with a Borg-Warner T-18 truck four speed, 258 straight 6 ( AMC v-8 is an easy swap) and 354-4:11 axle gearing.
The 80's saw more production but the 258 started to get seriously hampered by smog equipment. Tranny got generally weaker, with the exception of the TF 999 auto and the T-176 four speed.
Alot of CJ's suffer from poor handeling due to worn suspension, steering components and lifts. These can be remidied, but make sure you test drive and assess one's condition before you take it on the highway.
The CJ-7 has slightly more room than the 5, but 5's are better for tight trails etc...........
Any other questions just ask...........
Here's a pic of my current CJ-5...with a pretty rare 'glass hardtop............one pheasent hunting this past winter, one from the summer. Jode
I have owned and driven CJ's for nearly 20 years now. What is your intended use? They are great as a second pleasure vehicle, but can take a bit of getting used to as a daily driver.
A few good things, there fun, fairly easy to work on and gets parts for, and capable on and off road when set up right.
That being said they were made for over 40 years (1945-1986) and there is alot of variability in drivetrain strength etc.
The late mid to late 70's were great years for engine tranny packages. You could get a 76-79 CJ5 or 7 with a Borg-Warner T-18 truck four speed, 258 straight 6 ( AMC v-8 is an easy swap) and 354-4:11 axle gearing.
The 80's saw more production but the 258 started to get seriously hampered by smog equipment. Tranny got generally weaker, with the exception of the TF 999 auto and the T-176 four speed.
Alot of CJ's suffer from poor handeling due to worn suspension, steering components and lifts. These can be remidied, but make sure you test drive and assess one's condition before you take it on the highway.
The CJ-7 has slightly more room than the 5, but 5's are better for tight trails etc...........
Any other questions just ask...........
Here's a pic of my current CJ-5...with a pretty rare 'glass hardtop............one pheasent hunting this past winter, one from the summer. Jode
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I have a 2001 Wrangler straight 6
full doors, soft top
I drove it til 2 years ago when my then 16 yr old took over.
my caveat with him is that he can't sell it or trade it.
if i had to do it again, i would.
its a rough ride for everyday driving but i'll keep it.
i bought it new and would reccommend it. the resale on them here is fairly high so buying used is not as worthwhile as it may be on some vehicles.
full doors, soft top
I drove it til 2 years ago when my then 16 yr old took over.
my caveat with him is that he can't sell it or trade it.
if i had to do it again, i would.
its a rough ride for everyday driving but i'll keep it.
i bought it new and would reccommend it. the resale on them here is fairly high so buying used is not as worthwhile as it may be on some vehicles.
Brian Rippelmeyer
Well-known member
Thanks for the responses, The only thing I would be towing would be my BB3,and that would be short distances,{60 miles and under}, I have never had one and heard they are alot of fun,so I have been looking,so if ya know of any let me know,again thanks for the feedback,Jode yours is one sharp ride! Thanks again Brian
Tom Scholberg
Well-known member
Brian, Never owned one but one of my brothers had a '78 CJ-7 he bought new.
A few thoughts and impresions.
1. Rough ride but what do you expect
2. When his was almost new he sunk it to the windows so all the things that result from that are part of my impression
3. Had never ending brake trouble (see #2)
4. Handles and knobs fell off
5. Rusted away while we watched
6. Huge fun factor
7. Heater that was marginal at best
8. His was a mid year build so parts were always a gamble to get the right ones.
9. The seats fell apart at the seams.
10. He had the 258 and 4 speed so performance was less than neck snapping;-)
Good Luck, my .02
A few thoughts and impresions.
1. Rough ride but what do you expect
2. When his was almost new he sunk it to the windows so all the things that result from that are part of my impression
3. Had never ending brake trouble (see #2)
4. Handles and knobs fell off
5. Rusted away while we watched
6. Huge fun factor
7. Heater that was marginal at best
8. His was a mid year build so parts were always a gamble to get the right ones.
9. The seats fell apart at the seams.
10. He had the 258 and 4 speed so performance was less than neck snapping;-)
Good Luck, my .02
Brian Rippelmeyer
Well-known member
Tom,I have heard that as well,Im torn beteween that and a Blazer or yukon, I will be sending your knife blade up tomm. got it done last night,hope all is well up there,good luck on your upcoming season,thanks again Brian
Tom Roberts
Well-known member
Have you thought about a Jeep Cherokee ( not the grand)? I had a 2000 model and drove it for several years and many miles and is still going strong. Mine had a 3 inch lift, brush guard, safari rack nice tires. I passed it along to my son who's in college. I pulled my aluminum duck boat with it and the back end gives you lots of hauling room. They can still be found with reasonable miles at decent prices.
jode hillman
Well-known member
Well, the old saying goes that real Jeeps are built, not bought. So bear in mind they always take some kind of maintenace upgrades.(sort of like a wooden boat!) There are well known fixes for all the little quirks etc.....I replace my heater blower with one from a Blazer. Bolt in and 3x the heat!
I've had small blazers etc...............not a fan..........but the Yukon are OK.
You can check out this forum, lots of good info
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/
I've had small blazers etc...............not a fan..........but the Yukon are OK.
You can check out this forum, lots of good info
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/
sean sutton
Active member
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sean sutton
Active member
My Jeep . My kid ask if she could use my jeep. I said ok. She came home with a broken windshield , a broken shock . Cracked frame and lost my hulla girl on my dash.
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jode hillman
Well-known member
LOL....That's the Jersey Pines for you...more fun than should be allowed.........(More repacking bearings + U joints too)
Luke Berkey
Well-known member
My first car was a cj7 they are a lot of fun. I have also had 2 xj cherokees, a yj wrangler, and I have an old j10 pick up sitting behind my shop right now. I would deffently recomend the cherokees. The smaller xj version not the grande (zj). They have more room and usually a little better ride then the cj, because of the longer wheel base. You can get just about any aftermarket or oem parts for them. I put about 150,000 miles on mine. And I did a lot of offroading with it. I sold it to my Dad who used it as a beach buggy for a while then sold it to an older guy who I think is still driving it. It has to have over 200,000 on it by now. Good luck with your search. Luke
Tom Scholberg
Well-known member
Thanks Brian, I'll be watching the mail. All is well here, maybe try early goose tommorrow but the main event here is Oct 2
Andy Grant
Well-known member
A medium size aluminum boat (15'6") can still try and turn your cherokee sideways in the winter. Don't ask me how I know. I can only image with a CJ. Some hitch dealer will not mount a hitch to Wranglers. That being said, I would still like one of the newer 4-door model wranglers.
Phil Nowack
Well-known member
I would go for (i.e. my dream) would be early 70's (i.e. removable hardtop) Dodge Ramcharger or Plymouth Trailduster... then when you get real ambitious you drop a Cummins 4bt or 6bt into it!
Nicholas Lee
New member
Im new to the forum but the word Jeep perks my ears. I have a 95 YJ with the 4.0, I love it but it sure does get tiring after driving long distances. Jeeps are not known for driving great but they sure are fun!! I would recommend getting one any day! Here's a pic of mine after a quick hunt last January.
