Engine swap or trade as original?

I have a 1965 cj5 with a F134 engine and as far as I know original drivetrain with 32,000 original miles on the odometer, from what I can see the tub is fairly heavily bondoed but the fraim is solid and surprisingly I got ZERO leaks anywhear (except for a tire bead leak) The engine starts with the choke in below zero weather in less than 15 seconds and stay running.

My question is should I consider trading in this cj for something that can handle our modern roads since I don't see myself doing any hard core off roading to keep it all original or is it not a big deal and do whatever drivetrain upgrades I'd like? Maybe a vw diesel or v6?


I'm hesitant on modifying an all original jeep with what I consider for it's age low miles.

Opinions? ( don't wan't to ruin "A find")

 

Re: Engine swap or trade as (nevermind) wife shot me down

Well my only options at this point are an even trade to a jeep with a bigger motor or making due since $$ isn't available for a substaintial outlay.
Sooo, I was wondering if anyone had any sucess with an electric fan motor instead of direct belt driven? That clutchless belt driven fan has to rob a few horses, I'm hoping an electric fan might be able to keep the Fhead cool enough while gaining some power.

Possibly upgrading current stock alternator for a more modern 100amp one.

Also debating having a friend machining out the current 1 barrel intake on the head to allow a 2 barrel carb.

Any thoughts?

 

well, you only have about 72hp to begin with.
forget the electric fan, the stock fan works great.
I'd pass on the head modification as well.....
no use in messing with a good stock Jeep with that low a miles, if you ask me.

 

Yeah I agree. That thing will be good for about 45-50 mph depending on how you drive it. It's not really a highway cruiser but you can still daily drive it depending on where you live. If you need to go on a freeway frequently then it probably won't be up to the task but if you're mostly on roads where the traffic is from 40-60 mph then you'll be ok. If you need speed then you might want to consider a more modern CJ with a bigger engine.

 

Add an overdrive and wheel it. There fun the way they are and is the cheapest "fun" since you own it.

 

Leave it. The mods aren't going to make much difference anyway.
Or trade it if you don't really like it.

$0.02

 

I LOVE It the way it is but I'm thinking I'm beating the hell outa a good low mile jeep on street/highway and it (meaning the jeep) would be in more caring hands with someone that has the ability to treat it right (as an original 65 jeep)
In my hands I'm just going to use it as a Beer run and "Nice warm day go for a ride" vehicle, and snow plow in winter.


I'm really thinking about what's best for the jeep, rather than me.

I REALLY appreaciate (spelling?) Older vehicles and would rather preserve them. Regardless of the owners desires

 

Listen, it's a jeep. Jeeps were made as a tool , not to stuff under glass. I understand your thoughts about preserving it, but jeeps are common as mud. They are fun to drive, fun to work on and fun to talk about. The best thing you can do to preserve jeep integrity is drive it and have fun. When it is beat , fix it and drive it again. How many other vehicles are on the road after 60 plus years ( like cj2a ) in such numbers? NONE!
Honor your jeeps heritage by having fun , using it as the awesome tool it is , and keeping it on the road. They are proably the cheapest old car you can own and maintain, there are a ton of things you can do to and with them ,. My 2 cents worth.......

 

I hadn't thought of it that way?? good point!, I think I'll take your advice, and maybe get the paint back to original cause since I painted it yellow I don't get as many "looks" anymore, guess it looks more like the newer ones, I was thinking an army type paint scheme but not sure if it would look right.


I guess I'm just apprehensive on maintaining a vehicle thats soo old, (don't get me wrong, at 40+ yrs old it starts faster than I do in the morningR))

I love the jeep "feeling" but I'm also missing the V8 sound and punch when you hit the throttle.

I went directly from a Dodge Diplomat 318 light racing cam and 4 bbl carb pushin 300+ hp right to my 74 hp jeepR) guess I'm havin HP envyR)


I don't know (shrug's) I'm lookin at turnin 40 in december and guess I'm starting my mid life crises.

 

I would forget the engine mods. The engine red lines at 3200rpm anyway, so getting it to spin up faster than that won't do you any good. You'll just beat up the internals.

My bone stock F-head 62 CJ will get up to 66mph on flat ground, but the rpms are over 4000rpm at that point. Not good for engine life. 3200 seems to the be "max cruising speed" on these little guys. I can hit that with pedal to spare, so I'm fine.

Go through the trouble of making more HP out of it, and you still won't be able to use it. Just no return on the effort. I good proper tune-up will do you far more good than anything else.

I'd say drive it like it is. As long as you aren't doing something that will send it to the junkyard and are enjoying it, you win.

I just joined a local 4x4 club a couple weeks ago, and am having a blast. If you can find a group around you that doesn't care what you brought, as long as you run it, you'll have a blast with it as well.

 

the trick is to have it as your toy/second vehicle.just takle it out when you wanna have fun!