Want to buy a Jeep. Need advice

I would really like to get a Jeep to restore and enjoy but I need some guidance. I was thinking of a CJ-2 or CJ-3 but they seem a little more rare/expensive compared to a CJ-5. I want to keep it as stock as possible . I don't drive on the highways so I don't think the lower gearing would be a big issue. A few questions though.

Should I look for a 4cyl or a V-6? I know a 6 has more power but I am thinking more in terms a reliability and maintnace.

I did find 2 for sale in my area. First is a 62 with a 4 cyl. It needs brakes , suspension work and the rear of the tub is rotted. I have a mig welder and can do body work and the brakes and suspension work I can do myself and the parts are not overly expensive. On the plus side it has a plow which I'm sure I can sell and reinvest the profits into the project. The big plus iis it as a metal half cab which is something I really wanted.
The other one for sale is a 67 with a V-6. which is in pretty good shape with only some surface rust. it too has a plow.
Both these vehicles have been used for plowing. does plowing beat on them or tweek the frames?

I would be greatful for any insight or assistance anyone can provide.

Thank you
Todd

 

Welcome Todd. Be sure to fill out your profile...One of us may be just around the corner from you.

Now about that jeep. Plowing with a jeep is not a bad thing. Just check the frame out well and the front springs. It is hard on the springs.

My advice on the purchase would be the 67 for several reasons.
1) It sounds like it is in better shape than the 62.
2) I think you would be happier in the long run with the v6. Not that there is anything wrong with the 4cyl. Good reliable engine.
3) You can always add the half cab. They come available every so often.

Now, that is just my opinion and you should do what you want. If you want a bigger project, get the 62. If you'd rather be driving it while working on it, get the 67.

 

Welcome fro SE Michigan.

I have both models which are like two different tools. Parts are readily available for either but it depends on your mechanical comfort level. I can't run down to Autozone and get a starter or water pump for a 2A. My 4cy with 5.38 gears will out climb a 3.73 v6 all day long. On the open road, it tops out at 45 MPH while the the V6 CJ5 left me at the stoplight.

Flatties are alot of fun and unique! I decided 20 years ago I wanted one and finally did something about it!

 

Can't go wrong either way. My first jeep was 2A with a chevy 350 installed by the previous owner. And, Mr. Pinstripes is correct in that 45 mph was pushing it, but it would climb a wall and sound great doing it. My latest is a 67 CJ5 with the V6. It will climb just about anything that I am willing to try, and run down the highway at a decent clip. I think I am partial to the CJ5, but it is probably just because it is what I have now. I have not owned a 4cyl yet so I don't have any input on it. Just get one! Mine spends most of its time in the garage being "worked on" not because it needs repair, but because it's there.

 

CJ5 parts are going to be a little more plentiful . . . . I have the stock 4cyl, and am happy with it, but I did go with an overdrive, and swapped out my 5.38 axles for 4.27s. If you never aspire to hit the interstate, I'd still go with the OD if your jeep has 5.38 axles - less strain on the engine. When I was running 5.38s, at about 40-45 MPH I was always happy I had an extra gear. If it is a "later" early CJ5 (circa '64-65 I think), the 4.27s became standard and the 5.38s optional - the opposite of '55-~64) and I wouldn't bother with the OD w/ 4.27s.

I have seen frames bent out of whack from plowing (on jeeps that had never been in an accident), so that does take is toll on them, if they were used hard. If the previous owner only used it for his driveway, you are probably OK. . . The 2 frames I'm referring to were on Jeeps that had new bodies placed on them, and the measurements keep coming up funny, until the frames were compared with the dimensions in the service manual - to look at them visually, there were no signs of bucking, etc.

FWIW-

Eck

 

my first was a 47 cj2a. kept it stock completely. loved it. 45 was the top end but that 4cyl would take me anywhere. (until i spun the bearings and blew the rest of the engine do to oil breakdown on the highway) sold it and now 30 years later i have a 69 cj5 v6 which i am working on. i love it also!.

two different tools. pinstripes is right about the availablity of parts for the later jeeps. it was tough enough to keep it stock in 1970 when i owned the 2a.

this time i opted for one that had a much better body than the 2a i had before so i wouldn't have to deal with replacing sheet metal to make it look good. but as people here may tell you even the 69 i bought had some "previous owner suprises". but my work will simply make this jeep even more my own.

as they say jeeps are built not bought. whichever you do you'll enjoy yourself.

btw, welcome from iowa

 

Welcome Todd from Ohio.

I'm a V6 guy, but it sounds like you're somewhat (subconsciously?) partial to the '62. If so, go for it! Having a mig welder presupposes that it's fun for you to use and repairing the body will be within your scope of expertise. Plus the brake and suspension work seem to be variables which you seem to have the upper hand on. And not only did you mention it first and talk mostly about it, but the 4-cyl would keep you only 1-degree of separation from the stock 2A +/or 3A enthusiasts. The half-cab is an intangible...I've bought Jeeps solely for the cab. Bonus! ...as long as it has a valid title, that is.

Regarding plowing, I'd be mostly concerned about the frame rust due to salt that accompanies plow vehicles. Rear crossmembers (& area all around the rear frame) are particularly suspect to salt damage...look real good at it. Regarding frame cracks, inspect all 8 spring mounts (where the spring hangs on the frame) for cracks. They're common, and could mean the difference between buying the '62, the '67, or neither. Good luck and welcome aboard!

 

I prefer the 6 cyl over the 4, mostly because of the hwy speeds. However, mechanically, the 4 cyl is much easier to work on, IMO, if you have limited mechanical skills, like myself.

Jim

 

buy'em both and combine to make one jeep. use whichever motor is better suited to your driving/offroad/mech needs. the 4.27 gears are good all around, anything lower an od is needed for highway travel. anything higher, is better for dd.

 

My advice would be to buy the one that has the least amount of "six-pack-o-beer" engineering put into it. If they are equal on that front, buy the one that needs the least work.

Above all, don't buy it and then take it apart with grand schemes of restoring it.

A jeep in pieces in the garage is no fun, especially for a new-to-jeep person.

Get it running safely and enjoy it. If you still want to rebuild it in a year then break out the tools and torches and have at it!

By the way, I'm partial to the F-134 engine, but I am probably in the minority on that issue.

good luck

 

I'm not an expert at this, but since you're asking for advice ...

IMO it's a rare plow Jeep that isn't rusted, sway-backed and has a cracked frame. There's a plow Jeep in a contractors yard near me that's been there for years. The owner says it was only used for plowing paths to the gravesites at a local cemetary. Not bad, but atypical. Plow Jeeps at gas stations, garages etc. seem not to be up for sale until they can't plow with them any more - when they are rusted or bent up so bad as to be undriveable. A plow Jeep does not have to be worthy of the highway - it only has to start and run in cold weather. The one near me has a bad motor - which seems like the best reason (from our point of view) for retiring a plow Jeep.

IMO you need a good frame, a good body, and a complete Jeep. Most plow Jeeps are complete, but often have been run hard and put to bed wet, so to speak - rusty body, bent and cracked frame. Plow service can stress the frame and drivetrain a lot, depending on the "enthusiasm" of the driver. You're much better off starting with a Jeep in as good a condition as you can possibly afford. Starting off with a basket case will be both expensive and discouraging, since it'll be a long time until it's road worthy. Many (Most?) plow Jeeps I've seen have been basket cases.

Just something to consider. hth

 

Advice: spend a little time really looking each one of them over, listen carefully because they will be speaking to you. the one that gets through to you is the one you should buy. sounds nuts but give it a try...

once you get it, make it safe and drive it the way you intend to, off road, onroad, around the block, put as many miles on it as you can with as few $ spent as you can. while driving, take note of the things you like and don't like.

read the articles on the web about everybody' favorite mods (you will find that most of them address the very things you noted in the the last step) and pick the ones that will give you the most bang for the buck.

driving around with a swiss cheeze tub held on with bailing wire and a tight driveline is much more satisfying than trying to motor through traffic with a worn steering box and feeling "Death Wobble" for the first time.

lastly: free advice is guaranteed to be worth at least what you paid for it

 

Just hold on a cotton' picking minute.... I resemble those remarks....

Actually, complete teardown and restoration isn't so bad, but I agree it's more of a pain. It's a fact that a lot of Jeeps start out getting "restored" and end up being sold as a pile of parts. I guess I'm one of the exceptions, because I jumped in intending to "just get it running" but ended up tearing it apart in stages and getting it back together in record time (thanks to a loving wife...). Looking back, I'm glad I did. It fit my MO, and now I can enjoy all the little things instead of dreading when I "have to do this". But again, I'm in the exception list.

Mostly, doing it this way depends on your situation, ability, workspace, and $$$. Only the individual can decide how to do it.

 

There's pretty good evidence that lots of folks get half-way through their restoration project and either their interests change, their domestic situation changes (moving, marriage, divorce, whatever) or they simply run out of time and money. A Jeep in pieces isn't worth much - look at how many project Jeeps are sold and how much money they go for (quite a few, and probably 10-25c on the dollar invested).

So Thad, you're an exception, but your situation allows you to be that exception. Building a Jeep can be fun, I agree. However, you need to know what you're getting into and be able to set some limits. IMO the most common reason projects (of all types) often don't get finished is because the builder did not have a clear idea of what needed to be done and what the end point is. A shifting end point (ie changing specs while underway) greatly increases the risk the project won't be finished. You need strong opinions before you start about what the result should be, and why that result is best for you.

Thad, you have a long history with this Jeep, as I recall. You had a good idea of where you were going, even though that opinion changed in the middle of the project. That's where you are really exceptional - you were able to accept the shifting end point and keep at it. Many people would get discouraged under similar conditions.

That's why I'd say it's important that your (or anyone's) first Jeep be driveable. Drive it, get some skills, form some strong opinions about what works and what's needed, then start a project after a few years. Maybe you'll want to build up that vehicle, maybe you'll want to start with another. That's also why I think that spending more money now (on the best condition Jeep you can find) will be way cheaper in the long run, and much less risky spending.

 

Actually, my wife calls it "being stubborn"

 

Todd,

I'd stay away from a jeep that had a plow on it if at all possible. Personally I'd rather fix a bad engine or an axle or any other mechanical problem then mess around with replacing rusted sheet metal.

There should be PLENTY of older Jeeps in new england so don't feel these two are your only choice. You just have to look around, you'll be surprised where you'll find one hiding.

As far as if the V6 or f-134 is better that is a matter of preferance. I personally like the sound of the four cylinder. Just sounds more Jeep like to me. But thats just me. If I were you I'd look around some more. When I was in your neck of the woods in September I saw more old jeeps in 10 days then I see in more than a year here in FL!

 

Welcome from Havasu Todd. Enjoy the journey.

 

There is alot of very good advice and I cant add much. My first jeep was a 4 cyl. they have huge amounts of low end torque and are very reliable. My third jeep, the one I have now, I looked for it for many years. If you want a short wheelbase jeep, it kind of plants itself in your mind, nothing has ever been made to equal them.
Its like having a starter kit of Lego Blocks. And you know what you want, and what you are will to invest in terms of garage space, tool budget, parts budget, etc. If you have the kind of personality that wants to "rescue" one, you have probably thought out the long wait before its hits the road in perfect condition.

However, there are others who want something driveable and presentable, to enjoy before you have a firm direction of how much time & $ you want to invest.

But then again, I am still searching for that elusive Ford GPW
http://www.autogallery.org.ru/k/w/tt_IgorGuzienko.jpg