Newbie looking at early CJ5

Hi people, I am new to site and hopefully an active participant soon. I was hoping to learn from your wisdom. I am looking at two Cj5 and trying to decide what to buy, but also what to look out for. What should I be concerned with. I plan on the CJ being a driving project.

CJ #1:
I am looking at a 64 CJ5 that is mostly original. Full roll bar added, brand new 31" Goodyear Duratrac tires, seats possibly from a 70's or 80's camero, the the rest is stock including some cancer in the floor boards, mainly passenger side. It could use replacing at some point. It does come with a worn but serviceable soft top. Hood is warped and bent, beyond fixing, cargo and rest of body is pretty good. Floorboards and hood are only real issue body wise. LF brake isn't grabbing and at worse I think it needs wheel cylinder, springs, and the whole kobudle. I would do both to be safe. Four cyl engine runs great! Looks as if it had been rebuilt. Carb needs overhauled or replaced. Electrical I haven't looked at but with that age I am sure there are issues.

CJ #2:
I am looking at a 71 CJ5 that is all original. Body is in better condition, has a half roll bar, funky mismatched seats, and a bikini top, no full top. I haven't gone to look at it and I am hoping tomorrow I can. Transmission rebuilt, has a Dana 18 and comes with a Dana 20 if I want it. Tires are worn street tires that will need replaced within the year.

Both need heater cores and the tubing to the heater.

Neither will wine any prizes, sans the ungly jeep contest. Either way I will be dropping some coin into either CJ. The later, though unseen as of yet, is a little more appealing because the body is cleaner. Yet the full top and new Duratrac tires along with an engine that just purrrrs is very appetizing.

So some level thinking is need, and a guiding hand, to help lead me to either or neither of the CJ's. If it matters, I want just a stock CJ. No rock crawling or mud bogging from me. Just want to put around and go up the foothills to fish. Just a simple jeep is all I am looking for. Oh, and both are asking around $2800, which to be is a tad high even here in California.

I hope I am not asking to much, just some guidance to reality of the vehicle from experienced jeepers.

Thanks in advance.....

 

Welcome! I'm no Jeep expert, but I'd recommend getting under each of 'em with a bright flashlight with new batteries and scrutinizing the frames & etc real close. I wouldn't want something that some yutz has been playing Rat Patrol with.....

Look over the fuel, brake and electrical systems real good too for Bubba fixes and other nasties.

 

The '71 is the last year for a CJ-5 with those drivetrain components and that wheelbase. In 1972, things changed a lot with lots of upgraded components including steering, brakes, different engines, better heater, etc.

From 1966 on, Jeep was offering the 225 Buick V6 as an option, which greatly increased the Jeep's ability to keep up on the highway. The F134 4-cyl would be considered entirely inadequate for more than boulevard speeds by most drivers today. Be sure it's what you want ...

Engine swaps were very common for the four-cylinder Jeeps, so you may find older Jeeps with Chevy V8s or the Buick V6 swapped in.

Of those two, I personally would pass on the '64 because of the engine. But if your ambition is to swap in an upgraded engine, or you can accept the limited highway capability of that engine, you could consider it.

The '71 has some upgrades, like a larger gas tank mounted in the rear, a stronger rear axle (make sure you get a rear axle with one-piece flanged shafts with the '71 - reject if it has a tapered/nutted rear axle), likely a V6 motor, all-synchro transmission, other stuff.

Broken frames are common. Look closely underneath any of these Jeeps.

 

Timgr speaks with wisdom, and I second Rondogs comments.

Some of us love the F-134 four cylinder jeep as classics, others want more power to do more aggressive wheeling. IF - you would like an authentic early vehicle and don't need to run at highway speeds, a "fresh" f-134 engine is attractive. Rebuilding an F-head would be several thousand dollars.

Hoods can be had for free or near free, not a big deal. A set of tires is a big expense, on the other hand.

I would pay a lot of attention to the overall soundness of body and frame in making a decision.

 

[/URL][/IMG]Welcome, good luck, an enjoy your trip back to the good old days..Mine is a 71, with a v6, an I love it!!everything is out there to get if you need any parts...i did EVERYTHING! It took 2 years. off frame...

 

Thank you sirs. I am not in need for speed. If I do I have a nice KZ650 that will quench that thirst real quick! V6 would be nice for a little extra umph if you need it, but not necessary. Just something to putput around town and take me over my hills to the fishing hole. Pretty basic needs on my part. Of course the highway time will take a while up 4 mile hill!

I remember from high school days my buddies that had jeeps could have frame issues, espeacially if they installed power steering and big tires. Many cracked frames and had to fix and reinforce them at the box.

The 71 sounds like a better potential running project minus the no top. It is still chilly in the morning!

I saw a local add for a 70 with a V6, but has sat for at least 2 1/2 years which has kept my from looking at it. It is the most stock it looks like. Minor lift and bigger tires, but sitting for a long time with no activity is just not good. It "needs" a fuel pump, but I suspect more. Gas tank will most likely have to be drained, fuel system flushed, brake system the same. It seems more time to get it running if it does.

Thanks again for the advice. I will look over them with a better eye.

 

Oh, nice ride grunt. I like that!

 

So how can I tell if it has "rear axle with one-piece flanged shafts"? Going to look at it in about an hour.

 

Take a look at this thread - http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?93531-Dana-44-19-Spline-strength

Pic in my post there is a flanged axle. The earlier tapered axle has a dust cap and nut on the end of the axle.

I mentioned it because the flanged axles for that model were only made for maybe a year and a half, and they are in demand.

 

If the center of the rear axle (just inboard of the lugnuts) has a "dustcap" looking thing that covers a large nut, you have early tapered axles.
If the axle center has a hollow or depressed center (or flat for some aftermarket), that is the one-piece more desireable axle.
-Donny

 

I have a 71 with F 134, it is enough for small trips.
I won't buy a CJ with big tires, because it was maybe used for hard work.
2800$ means 1000 $ of other expenses to put all in good order; I'll choose the 71 (if the fuel gauge works). Standard tires are not expensive.
All is 'easy' to repair with the F134, canvas top are not very expensive and not really useful if you have hot weather.

If you have big roads with hills to climb, the F 134 is not a monster. That's the only problem. 35 Mph is what happens. Big trucks follow you.
It is not made for high speed in curves too...
but on nice country tracks, it is maximum pleasure. There is no equivalent.

 

Very true indeed. If I go big tire, I would do engine swap. My buddy had a 42 and we did 50 MPH max on flat ground. Climb any hill!
Soft Top wise all I can see online is going to be $1000! Where can you get, if at all anymore, replacements? Best Top and Quad site only show skins and replacement tops for 1976 and up.

 

Oh and thanks on the flange response. I understand what to look for now. Thank you guys.

 

Bestop has two varieties, AFAIK. The cheaper Tiger Top and the fancy Super Top. About $100 difference.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/p...01.01,31002.01,31001.01,21001.115&h=&spg=&cv=
http://www.quadratec.com/products/p...-83+Jeep+CJ-5&c=12&pn=31012,31011&h=&spg=&cv=

Shop around - you can probably save a little.

I have a Tiger Top on my CJ-6, but that's all that's available for that model.

 

SgtBB.....all great advise here from these CJ veterans! Take your time....I looked at a bunch of classic CJs before I pulled the trigger on this 1961 CJ5. There is a lot of molested tortured junk out there which can set you back a lot of $$ just to undo what others have done. Find something that will provide you with a good original base to work with for the money and then you can use it and have some fun while doing some rolling restoration. The size of the engine should match the purpose or life style. The 4 and 6 cylinder engines that were available in these classic CJs are all good & capable for what you want to use them for if they have been well maintained......but the CJ was never intended to be a howling highway tub. If one wants a vehicle that can pace a Corvette then instead of shoe horning a corvette engine into a classic CJ....just buy and drive a used Corvette

The money is in your back pocket which puts you in control.....so take your time.... and negotiate.

 

well said SgtBB and Drive28. I looked at a lot before I found mine. Does it still need work? .. Yep.. Is it the kind of work I can do? ... Yep. And for me... Is it mostly original? Finding one without a lot of mods makes it easier to get help or use books and forums like this to repair.

 

Sgt88 I know if I could go jeep shopping I'd be looking around the region/nation on ewillys.com and sellajeep.com. There are a lot of jeeps already upgraded out there that can be tremendous bargains if you look for them.

 

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Oh boy. 71 Body was pretty decent. nOne small patch of cancer passenger side. Floorboards looked great. Frame looked straight, steering box area looks good. Engine is ok. Soaked in oil, idles a tad rough, needs heater care and hoses, electrical is suspect, gauges are not original, seats are hideous but manageable, has a spare tank to go under the drivers seat and the filler attachment to knock out the hole. Tires are gone, the transmission is freshly rebuilt T-90 smooth as butter. It has the single stick Dana 18 so it is the Super 18 I believe.

I wasn't able to take off the rear drum, but from the sellers description it could well be the flanged and not the taper. He supposedly didn't know what the flanged or tapered axle were.
Tub is in great shape for its age. Some other things are not. Not $2800 worth to me at least.

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The 64 tub will need new floorboards up front but the motor is clean and just purrs like a dream, carb needs rebuilt or replaced, has a full soft top and doors ($900 for Tiger), new but too big of tires, and seats that don't work well for the jeep. Front fenders are ehh, hood will need replaced eventually, and most the gauges are stock. Has the rear seat too. Cargo area is clean and no cancer or denting from use.

Math wise the 64 is a better value. It needs carb work and brakes redone. Easy stuff relatively. The 71 I was not able to drive because of flat tires. I drove 45 min one way to not drive it. Not happy with that.

I don't have to make a snap decision and I won't. I will probably go back and look at the 64 again. Needs a original steering wheel though. It has one of those small Boxed/Autostore aftermarket in it now.

 

There is just so many small things on the 71 that makes it less attractive. Wires to wiper motor cut off, switched the the seller didn't know what they go to, dangling wires in the back from a Bubba trailer kit.

 

I am not sure your looking in all the right places . I think I would be concerned that the white one has all that body covering . I would be looking at floors . hat channels . body supports on frames . any rust through on frames ,windshield frame . the way I see it . if you only want to spend 2800 for a old jeep . more than likely your going to be buying somebody elses project , ok you said you wanted a driving project , but sometimes a project that still has all the pieces in the right place . isn't a bad start . and if the engine ran that would be a plus . think about it .