Hey Jeep Guy's.

[Tughill Tom]

So I'm going to look at a 73" CJ5 with a 304mill in it and low miles, this weekend. The" Voice Of Reason" found this one fake market, but it's really local to me so it seems legit.
It's up as a solid CA unit and zero rust...........So what I'm looking for?

 

[85Hokie]

If it was a TJ I could help you! But they came 24 years later!

 

[jyoutz]

I have a JL. The only thing I know about CJs is they are great off road and have horrible road manners.

 

[chim]

I had an old WWII (that's not World War Eleven in case you're in the House of Representatives) military jeep, a '67 CJ and a '95 YJ. If you could drive blindfolded, you wouldn't be able to tell much difference between the ''46 and the '67 except for top speed. Both would go anywhere and had a habit of popping out of second gear. They were both fun to drive, but not pleasant to drive. The '95 was better.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Depends on what you're intended use is.
Check out some of the opinions on this Jeep Forum. There may be other forums, this just popped up first.
You being in the NYS snow belt seems heat may be an issue as well as parts availability.

 

[whatsupdoc]

My wife inherited a V6 1969 CJ5 that has less than 20k original miles.
Cool car but not practical.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I have considered Jeep’s as well.

Not sure what I want though.

I like the look of the World War “eleven” jeeps, but the reality is that a 60 or 70’s Wrangler would probably be the “best all around”.

My “must have list” would include

1. Modern Fuel injection.
2. Locker axles for (for true 4wd.)
3. Manual Transmission (cause they are fun)
3. A/C…..(cause I’m a sissy)

 

[Botamon]

If you are just looking for something classic and not to use for "Jeep" stuff off road, then go ahead and buy it. If you want something truly dependable and off-road worthy from the factory, then start with a Jeep TJ (years 1997 through 2006) or even newer.

Been involved with Jeeps most of my life - and I'm old!. Most guys who owned the old CJs and wanted them off-road worthy and dependable would throw away the Jeep drivetrain, install Ford axles front and rear with something like a NP435 4 speed transmission, Dana 300 transfer case, and either a Ford or Chevy small block for power.

When I was a kid:


My current ride, 2006 TJ:

 

[GreensvilleJay]

First car I owned was a '73 CJ-5 with 6'6 snow plow.Also had '74 and '75. GREAT JEEPS. Had the 6 ,was con-vinced to 'upgrade' to the 304. BAD move.. as I lost a LOT of bottom end torque..which is what you need for snow plowing and having fun in the mud. Check where fenders meet the firewall for rust, windshield will be rotted ,unless replaced. probably missing right side heat ducting. Drums all around so when mudding, you will NOT have brakes for awhile ! Wish I could find a nice one !

 

[skeets]

The 304 is a pretty bullet proof motor if its been treated half way descent. The KID has her CJ, she pretty much rebuilt from the ground up while her hubby was deployed over the last 20 years, and it has the 4 cylinder Iron Duke it aint fast but it runs OK. Dad had a AMC Matador 304 2 bbl, automatic , it had over 150K on it before sis put another 60K on it. Remember you cannot drift a CJ, well maybe once. If you do go with it, and need parts the KID has the number of a JEEP recycle yard in N. Ca the only place she could find some of the parts for her CJ, let me know and I ll get the information for the place for you. One thing you need to remember AMC was going tits up and sourced parts from a lot of different places, so a jeep part might be from a ford or chevy or mopar, and sometimes parts can be found off other critters

 

[ZTMAN]

I had many Jeeps including a 73 with a 304. Great Jeep when I was in my teens. I would get one if it was an around town or for trail rides but not as a highway vehicle. Pretty rough ride for my now old bones.

Plenty of room in the engine bay to work. If I can recall there was some sort of emissions system coming out of the engine block which someone advised to remove and plug the holes with brass plugs.

Aside from typical rust checking locations, fold down the windshield and see how much rust is under the joint.

Have fun.

 

[bucktail]

In the mid 90s I had a 75 cj5 with the 304 and a 3 speed manual. 1st was too high for serious off road. No sway bars. I had it on 2 wheels once and half rolled half endoed it into a ditch. Roll bar worked. We pulled it back onto it's wheels and the only damage was to the soft top.

Kind of a pain to get into and out of. I'd prefer a cj8 in that regard.

 

[Mpollic1]

Not something you can see on a pre-buy but keep an eye on the axles. I had a c-clip break off on a '73 and the axle shaft and hub pulled out of the tube. Granted it had probably 200k miles and a ton of offroad miles. I love those Jeeps, everything is easy to work on and parts are available for literally anything.

 

[Ping]

If it has a 4 speed tranny, the shift forks can wear to the point you and lock up the transmission. Happens when going between 1st & R if you try to shift toooo fast.
Check the clutch linkage. I had the bolt heads break off the bellhousing side once and ended up driving home with no clutch. Thank goodness Jeep didn't prevent starting the motor in gear. Body rust in particular by body mounts and the internal reinforcement points under the dash. Also, as noted above, not much room to get into and out of. You'll likely tear loose the left rear pocket on your jeans getting out. An absolute blast to drive the back roads in warm weather, not so much when the temperature gets cold.

 

[Botamon]

Not something you can see on a pre-buy but keep an eye on the axles. I had a c-clip break off on a '73 and the axle shaft and hub pulled out of the tube. Granted it had probably 200k miles and a ton of offroad miles. I love those Jeeps, everything is easy to work on and parts are available for literally anything.

Yup. Which is why in my post above I talk about swapping out the axles for something more durable. And why if you buy a new Wrangler today there is an option for a full-float rear axle.

 

[Tughill Tom]

So I just got back from looking at it. Overall a solid unit zero rust, a bit modified 2 lift, all Alum. bed/box custom bumpers and rocker sliders, disks up front. Overall a 7 out of 10, a nice running Jeep. price was a bit over where I want to be so I'm going to pass on it.
Thanks for all reply's.