Buying 1972 CJ5 - need some input

I should be picking up a 1972 CJ5 in two weeks pending no major catastrophies. I'm looking for any insights some more skilled eyes may have on what exactly is goin on with this Jeep. I've previously owned a mildly built XJ and this will be my first venture with a CJ. Here's what I know/have been told:
1972 CJ5
Chevy Corvette 350 engine with edelbrock intake, carb, headers, TH350 auto tranny
He says Dana 300 TC - is this possible?
2 Dana 30 axles
custom cage
2.5 inch lift
fiberglass tub
Custom 4 inch radiator
various other new/rebuilt parts

From the pics, can anyone give me any more ideas of whats goin on? Whats with the seats? They also look like they may be out of a Vette. Is that a custom "Block they are on"? The lift looks to be suspension from the pictures? Thoughts? look to be a new windshield?






Just seein what any other skilled eyes may see that I'm missing. Jeep is for sale to me only by a family friend for 2000 and comes with a drive on trailer wth brakes. Its an incredible deal i think.

Thanks guys

 

A D300 is possible, since the PO had to buy an adapter for the TH350. The D300 has a better low range than the stock D20 (2.08 v. 2.62).

The rear axle should be a D44. A D30 is ok in the front, but too weak for a rear axle. Some Jeepsters had D30 rears, but it's not something that you'd intentionally swap in.

The seat brackets are custom.

Suspension, v. body lift? Looks like no body lift.

Welcome from Boston!

 

Looking at the dark pictures it's hard to say, but it looks like a suspension lift, not a body spacer. The passenger seat bracket is definetly not stock and looks higher than the bracket in my 75. looks like a good deal, except for that d30 rear axle, that has to go, your stock 350 would be too much for that if you wheel at all. Loren

 

I know the D30s are weak - I blew one in my XJ. I was hoping it was a 44.... how would a D20 hold up to the 350? Arent they one piece and pretty tough?

 

The D20 is ok - not the ultimate. Biggest downside is the low range is not very low. Replacements are widely available. Held up fine in full-size Jeep applications behind the Buick 350 and AMC 360, and with a much heavier vehicle. Any component can be broken, but I don't think it'd be the first component to break.

Easy to tell the D30 from the D44. The D44 will have an octagonal cover, and the D30 will be circular with flat spots.

 

Pix are too dark for me to tell here, but what is up with the front axle? It looks even wider than widetrac to me.

 

Sorry, the AMC corporate 20 rear end. Did a 72 come stock with the D44?

Anyone know how to identify the 20 rear end?

 

Might be axles froma a wide track CJ, '82-86. That would be a D30 front and a M20 rear. 3-4" wider than factory axles.

 

Yes.

Big, round, dome-like cover. 2-piece axles - they have a nut (?) at the hub center. The two-piece axles are weak, so they're often converted to aftermarket 1-piece axles.

 

Thats real strange, the front axle does look wider. I wont see the Jeep in person for 2 weeks. Any thoughts on what could be up with that. These are the only pics i have for now.

 

I've never heard of a widetrack cj... were they factory? So do you think its possible that only the front axle is off of a widetrack and that the rear is an M20 (is that the amc corporate 20?) Sorry, lots of questions, but this is a first CJ ill have any experience with.

Thanks again, this place is full of good info.

 

Be careful with the "custom cage", too.

There's an awfull lot of tape and padding on there. On the older built jeeps it can hide all sorts of weird stuff.

The front seems to be even wider than a wide trac, even considering the huge offset on the wheels.

 

OK, I just lightened up the pix on Irfanview, and it just looks like it has a WT front.

(My monitor doesn't like dark pix)

 

Yes, the factory increased the track width in '82, presumably to increase roll-over stability on the street.

Yes, it's possible. Jeeps are like hot rods - they are often built to the owner's concept of what's good, or with what's cheap or available. Yep, M20 = AMC corporate 20.

 

...also looks like possibly an AGR box, and the is a steering box brace on it- good signs, it isn't all '70s mods.

 

good eyes.. it is a new steering box. the PO says it was "the very best, most expensive." not sure which one however.

On the widetracks... i assume both axles were wider and not just the front. How would a wider front axle affect drivability on road?

The lift is also newer, so are the brakes, tie rods and a rebuilt tranny. The jeep hasnt just been sitting since the 70s... which is good