Driving a CJ 5 on the Freeway

Hello to all. i do not own a Jeep, but I would like to learn more about them. If it is ok with every one on the list I would like to ask a few questions from time to time. For example, what is it like to drive a 72 to 75 Jeep CJ5 on the Freeway? Do they track very well? Do larger tires make a difference? How about a straight 6 or a V8? Power steering?

Thanks,
Jim

 

Re: Driving a CJ 5 on the Freway

My '79 cj is fine on the highway. No issues at all, but....I don't really like driving faster than 60-65 mph. It can go faster than that, but common sense says not to.

Don't know if a '75 would be different. Much depends on the condition of steering and suspension components.

 

I have a '75 CJ-5 w/ 258 I-6 and T-15 3-spd, 32-inch tires w/ 4-inch lift. About 50 MPH is comfortable; over55 and you start burning oil (lol). Highway travel is okay as long as traffic is light, I'm only going 50 when everyone else is at 65-70. Also remember, CJ's are not originally high-performance vehicles, on the street that is. But no matter where I go, the ol'CJ is the most fun to drive.

 

I've commented on this before - maybe something has changed since these vehicles were new, but in that era I had no trouble driving my Jeep on the highway at legal and superlegal speeds.

I bought a new '73 and a new '75 back in the day. I drove thses Jeeps just like I would drive a passenger car. Both Jeeps were my daily driver. I lived in Southern California, and there, almost all commuting is done on the highways at freeway speeds. People drive seem to drive a few mph faster today than they did then, but sustained speeds of 65 or 70 were the norm. I had no reluctance to going faster except for the possibility of a speeding ticket (yes, a couple of times).

I went all over the deserts of SoCal, driving there and back on weekend trips in the Jeeps. I drove from the LA area to the Grand Canyon and the Sierras a few times.

IMO, if you own a intermediate or newer Jeep, and you're reluctant to drive it on the highway, either your Jeep is broken, has been excessively modified for daily driver use, or you aren't adjusted to the amount of noise a Jeep makes when underway. Even the earlier Jeeps are quite suitable for highway driving, if in good condition and have not been modified such that they are less stable than in stock condition.

A couple of suggestions: first, there's a lot of stuff that wears out on live-axle 4WD vehicle. I believe that many problems people have with highway driving are simply because of insufficient maintenance and repair. Second, modification away from stock will make these Jeeps less stable on the highway. Their stock configuration is very capable off-road, but most owners want lift, big tires and more articulation. Lift can affect the suspension geometry, and all these changes will have a negative impact on lateral stability and body roll. You have to make some compromise re what you want out of the vehicle - make the wrong choices and you won't be happy with the outcome.

Sorry if this seems like a rant - but IMO many (most?) of the stability and tracking problems that owners see in their Jeeps are entirely self-inflicted.

 

I had a 74 that I drove to Alaska with no problems. Cruising the freeways was at 55 and 60 wasn't a problem. However when I bought (locally) my 75 and drove it home, my son who followed me told me if a cop seen you driving he would have pulled you over for drunk driving. Steering is much better now.
The only problem I'v had with larger tires, 31x10.50s is that some of our roads seem to have groves and they will wonder from side to side in the groves. The faster you go, the more yuo feel like something is wrong in the steering.

 

I purchased my first jeep this last Feb, a '73' CJ5 with about 85k miles, 3-speed and 304 V8, and 31' tires. It handles the freeway fairly nicely. AT about 57-58 it smooths out and cruises right along. The steering is a bit sloppy, and yes you have to herd it down the truck grooves a bit. Overall, it's a kick in the butt to drive. I'll probably replace the steering gears one of these days just to try and tighten it all up. Right now it's like Mr. Frog's Wild Ride (Disney Land), but fun.

Nev

 

You can adjust the worm gear on the steering and that will tighten up a lot of the slop. Easy to do monkeys

 

i used to drive 6 hours to school with no problems. It just uses a lot of gas!

 

I had no problem driving mine with 31" tires and stock springs, and good steering linkage, at 65 to 70 mph. Even on one particularly crappy section of highway that yanked it all over the road, 60 to 65 wasn't uncomfortable. Now, with the YJ springs, new Bilstein shocks, and 35" tires, it's even more stable. Actually, it's a joy to drive on most roads.

 

Thats Mr. Toad My mother calls my jeep mr.toads wild ride

 

With proper attention to detail even a lifted Jeep with big tires can drive well on the highway. I run 4.5" lift springs and 35x12.5 MTRs. This was not a bolt in though. I replaced the springs with YJ conversion springs from Rubison Express and lengthened the wheel base a couple of inches. The steering has been modified to over the knuckle to keep the stock geometry. I replaced every bushing and ball joint when I rebuilt it. I am also running widetrack axles instead of the NTs that most CJ-5 have to make it a bit more stable in cornering and off-camber siuations. It will do 70 comfortably on the highway. The engine is making a lot of noise but its well within its capabilities.

 

I have a 74 CJ5 4" suspension lift with 35x12.5 BF goodrich tires and I have no issues on the highway. Vehicle doesn't stray like most people run into even up to 75 mph. However with a 3 speed and the AMC 304 it can make for a very loud ride at 75 mph.

 

I drive my 73 cj5 (six cylinder 3 speed) every now and then drive 50 miles round trip on the highway. It seems to track good and is for the most part easy to handle. My steering is probably a bit looser than it should be so that can make it difficult, especially on a windy day. The highway I drive on has some substantial hills, and the jeep will start slowing down quite a bit going up some of them. I've been told that I've gone at least 75 down the highway (my speedometer doesn't work). So to sum it all up, it will get you down the highway and back, it'll just be a bit noisy and you'll be putting out more money for gas.

 

I have a 74 CJ5 with a 304 and a 3spd. It does just fine doing 70-75 on the highway with 32x12.5 tires. My steering is a little loose so it floats a little when I hit larger bumps in the road. As long as you keep up maintainence and have tight steering you'll be fine.

 

My '72 is just a slice of heaven.. 3 1/2 inch lift , 33 inch tires, goes down da highway just fine .

 

When I drive my 73 cj5 (six cylinder) out on the highway I have to keep it floored to keep about 70 m.p.h. Is this normal, or am I somewhat underpowered?