Newbie here, a few qustions

I am looking at Jeeps right now, 76 and above CJ's. we have a few for sale in my area. I was wondering, how is the steering on these? should I just plan an upgrade? also how hard would it be to add power assisted brakes. I am good in the garage so I am not worried about that, I have rebuilt a few Chevys in my day, but nothing beats the look of a nicely restored and taking care of CJ. And last but not least, has anyone here added an A/C unit to a CJ? the wife is all about that, and I would not be shy to use it

 

The '76 and later Jeeps already have the desirable Saginaw steering - no need to upgrade. Many came from the factory with power steering. Most came from the factory with power assisted front disk brakes too.

I know that OEM AC brackets and pulleys for a 6-cylinder Jeep truck or Wagoneer are like hen's teeth - pure unobtainium. I'd guess the CJs are similar, although the situation may not be so dire for V8 models. There are universal AC systems that could probably be adapted, though you'll have to find a way to mount the evaporator box in the cabin.

Why '76 and later? What's your location?

Welcome from Boston!

 

I went with 76 or later for the 4 speed tranny, but that actually came out in 75 correct? I am in Sumter S.C. for the location qustion. As far as the AC I could fiqure out how it install that easy, just wondering if anyone else had done it. The last jeep I looked at was a 76, with 6 inch lift, and it was going for 4 grand. but I left for vegas to get married and just checked today and it was gone. A friend of mine has a 73 he wants to sell for $2,500 and he says it has a 4 speed, but I have not looked at it yet. the only reason I am leaning away from that Jeep is, well it has sat in his yard for a year, not even started once.

 

There were 4-speeds before 1976. All were the T-18 heavy duty truck transmission, with long shifts and non-synchro 1st. Prior to 1977, these had a 4.02:1 1st gear; low, but not granny-low. From '77 to '79 (I think that's right), the CJs got the same T-18A that the full-sized Jeeps got (pickups and wagons) with the 6.32:1 granny gear. This is the most desirable transmission. 1980 ended the Borg-Warner era, and all CJs 1980 or later came with lightweight, close- ratio passenger car transmissions.

The T-18 from 1972-75 only came with the 258 inline 6 cylinder. There were a very few T18 CJ5s prior to 1972, but they are really rare and you won't find one. Quite a few F134 T-98 4-speed Jeeps were built before 1971. There are reports of the '77 to '79 having a T18 and a V8, but I doubt it.

 

Maybe I will go and take a closer look at his Jeep, but I don't think it is worth $2,500 and I know he is stuborn and won't move from that price.

 

If it's power accessories and AC that you really want then you may be better off with a square eye wrangler, they have the HO 4.0 from 91 (or is it 93?) and they came with OD 5 speeds and they are actually cheaper than most 76 - 86 jeeps. AC and power accessories came standard in most of them..

BUBBA

 

Welcome from the West Coast.

 

Welcome

I'm sure you couldn't find one now, but according to their 79 sales brochure California residents had the opportunity to purchase new from the factory a 304/T-18A.

 

Chuck, I know you've mentioned this before, but it seems so ... contrary. California was the one place in the nation where fewer models were always available. Still is. For example, you can't buy a manual transmission VW diesel car there, simply becasue it won't pass CA smog. It's been that way for years - another example: my truck, with a 258 and manual transmission, was availalbe only in the 49 states - not CA. No 258 full-size vehicles were sold in CA in 1977, at least according to the FSM.

The 49 states vehicles were always a superset of the CA-only vehicles.

I know you've seen the evidence - I don't doubt your word - but I still wonder if the brochure is right, or that there's more to the story.

 

And I don’t doubt your knowledge, never did, you’re the closes thing to a walking encyclopedia. I would agree that the brochure could be incorrect (maybe they meant available in every state but Cal) not sure of their printing habits .

In California, a 258 CID 1bbl. Six Cylinder engine and 3-speed floor mounted transmission are standard on CJ (4-speeds optional). An optional 304 2-bbl. V8 engine with 4-speed floor mounted transmission is also available. An automatic transmission with Quadra – Trac is available on CJ- 7 models only with either engine. On Cherokee, Wagoneer and Pickup models sold in California the only power team available is a 360 CID 2-bbl. V8 engine with automatic transmission and Quadra – Trac.

1979 sales brochure.

I do have a 99 F-150 sales brochure that has some inconsistencies.

 

Ya, I saw the YJ with the square lights. the lights just don't look right on them, but I guess if the price is right it will work. and I am decent fabricator, who knows maybe I will have a YJ with round lights.

 

Thanks Sparky, that really opens up a lot of options for me. now here is the qustion I am sure that has been answerd a million times. When looking at a Jeep (YJ) anything special I should look for? any common fale points, or just give it a good look like anyother used 4X4.

Thanks again for all your help

 

i'm fairly sure that '72-'75 also had saginaw (non-power) steering direct from the factory. replaced the ross gear from pre-'72 vintage.

 

Thanks for all the info, but I think I am going to look at YJ's. but they seem to be harder to find then 85 or ealier around here.

 

Ya, I know to look for the scratches on the skids, that mean some moron was hauling thru stuff he should not have been. I am actually looking for a 91 or newer I6 that way I don't have to mess with the Carb at all.

Anyone have one for sale by chance? or know of one in the 29154 Zip area???

 

I think Sparky is referring to the 258 (4.2L) with the 2V manifold and the Carter BBD carburetor. The BBD, especially the computer-controlled BBD, is well known as troublesome. Plus, in many jurisdictions, those vehicles are new enough that you're stuck with the stock carburetor due to smog regs.

The 1V (pre 1980) manifolds used the Carter YF carburetor, which is fine albeit a little anemic.