Common parts on intermediate Jeeps? 72 - 75

Hi! I am new to the forum. after many Jeeps over the years, mainly older CJs from the 60ies, I own an 75 CJ5 V8. I have started a genral search for parts sources. but sometimes the model years don't refer to a 75. 72-74 and then 76 and newer. Is my assumtion right that my 75 models is common with 72 to 74 or are differences? specifically I was looking for exhaust parts and could nt find my MY. How about commonality with 76 and younger. I guess some of the mechanical parts woud fit....Many thanks for help and feedback!

 

Welcome from Boston!

Very broadly, the watershed years were 1972 and 1976. You will find that the intermediate Jeeps 72-75 are poorly supported re aftermarket parts.

Within the range, '72 was the initial year and still had a few elements in common with the '71s, such as the heater controls and instruments. '73 and '74 are almost identical, and '75 has some new features that foreshadow the sweeping changes for 1976, ie electrical and ignition.

An exhaust system from a '72-74 should fit a '75, mostly. I expect it's something dumb like the hanger locations that make them different. Some '75s got a catalytic convertor, and that may influence the routing and hanger positions on the rest of the line.

Never guess that a part that fits a '76 will fit a '75 - it almost certainly will not. Almost everything changes for 1976. Online and parts store catalogs have a lot of errors in this year range, so don't trust the listing if it seems goofy.

Most people would find a local custom exhaust shop and have the pipes bent. A shop can bend up an exhaust system for you very easily.

 

I have a 75 and if you scrounge long enough you can find most anything. It takes patience.

 

Hey! Many thanks for your replies! Sounds complicated but doable. My first Jeep was an 72 from a US Air Base in Germany almost 25 years ago I loved that thing so I am happy that I found this 75 now. I hope to get it back on the street as soon as possible...

 

To elaborate a little, maybe I can list from memory what is not changed for the 1976 MY, with some description.

Exterior body - the body shell is the same mostly, so that the front clip and exterior body panels are the same. Since things like lights and fuel filler change, the body panel perforations will be different. The notch above the rear wheelwell for the military top bows is gone. Front clip (fenders, hood, grille) is not substantively changed. CJ-5 tailgate is unchanged.

Front axle - same open-knuckle Dana 30, except for different gear ratios (now 3.54, 4.10 optional). Front brakes unchanged.

Engines - no substantive changes, except for new/different emissions equipment.

Transfer case - still the Dana 20. Shifter linkage may be different.

I think that's it for the most part. If you have a question about a specific parts issue like this, please post up. There are a lot of minor differences within this year range that we should be aware of, and we can advise.

 

To add to Tims comments, the floorboards changed in 76, i.e. no more toolbox under the passenger seat, the tranny floor tunnel area changed all the way back between the seats, the dash, seat brackets and seats, roll bar, steering column, heater, wiper motor all changed. I believe the tailgate was different; no more chains and an internal latch. As for the exhaust parts, if you sourced for the V8 at least the manifolds/smop poop should be the same. Can't confirm whether stock pipes crossover but as was mentioned before any muffler shop can cover that for you. Congrats on the 75; I've had mine for 23 years now and its still my favorite.

Mike

 

IIRC that's only for the CJ-7. The CJ-5 has the same externally mounted tailgate, with tailgate chains.