Which Jeep late 50's or 73

Hello Everyone.

Its been a year or so since I was last allowed to have a Jeep. Now the girlfriend wants one by summer so I am going to jump at the chance while I have it.

My question is I want a simple semi reliable driver to play with on the road. Some light trail use, but nothing crazy. Mostly on road. I want to do 60-65 mph and get more than 12mpg.

So far my choices are a 60 Cj that needs work, Lots of it and a lot of body work (I can fix that sort of easily) If completed it will have a 225 v6 and t-98 trans I think with 513 rears. It should be less than 1000 to start the project and under two to make it drive, but far from complete.

Option two is a 74 CJ5 with a factory 304 V8 and 3 speed trans. I have to assume a milder rear gear with the added torque of a V8 installed. The body is decent for its age and is supposed to run well once a fuel pump is installed. If so its only about $500 price difference to get on the road.

So since most of you have driven more classic jeeps than I have wich one sounds like the better driver? Again I want mostly fun road use, maybe a few trails but nothing serious. Gas mileage and highway speed are most important to me.

Knowing the obvious limitations of a jeep what do you guys think is the better choice?

Thanks for your help.

_Mike

 

Re: Wich Jeep late 50's or 73

'74 is going to have 11" drums, Saginaw steering, hanging pedals, road-friendly gears, all the things that are going to meet your road friendly requirement.

 

Re: Wich Jeep late 50's or 73

Does that '60 come with the 225 V6 and the T98 already in it? Wouldn't that combo be worth a lot of the $1000 price tag?

 

Re: Wich Jeep late 50's or 73

Here is an idea, keep the 74 for yourself. I will come up and take that 60 from you. Makes the decision easier. Sound like a plan?

J/K

I say keep the 60 but then again look at my sig, I have a softspot for 60 cj5s

 

Re: Wich Jeep late 50's or 73

I have a 74 with the 304/3 speed/dana 44 rear/dana 30 front. For a road cruiser I think that is the better choice. I was able to get 20mpg with that with the motocraft 2100 and 3.73 gears.

 

I'd go with the '74. Stops better, steers better; Should go better.

 

As much as I like all CJs, I heartily agree that the '74 will be much better on the road than the '60. The '74 drivetrain is ready for street or trail, and the longer wheelbase, Saginaw steering, and 11" brakes provide a much more highway friendly package than the '60, even with the V6 swapped in.

The intermediates (72-75) have all the upgrades that Jeep owners wanted in their '71 and earlier rigs - bigger brakes, better steering, power steering and power brakes, more power... lots to do to make the '60 equal the '74 as it stands now.

Not to say that the '74 won't have its faults ... you'd like a better low range, stronger and more positive limited slip differential, stronger frame, better clutch linkage, disk brakes... the list goes on.

 

Why in such a hurry?
Buy the '60, and slow down and enjoy the scenery. I do.