1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Buying a cj5, What should I look out for?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Lost, Apr 26, 2007.

  1. Jun 4, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    Dang, that DOES look nice! If the price is right and it has a title and legal reg., go for it! For the right price, I could ignore little details like manf. date & etc., as long as it's legal and runs good.
     
  2. Jun 4, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Vehicle looks like it matches the VIN.

    J=Jeep
    4=1974
    F=3-speed
    83=CJ-5
    5=open body
    T=3750 GVWR (std)
    H=304 V8
    34769=sequential serial number

    V. doubtful it ever had a 4-cylinder engine.
     
  3. Jun 4, 2007
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    Looks like a nice find. Don't pass this one by. Why aren't you :driving: it yet?
     
  4. Jun 4, 2007
    LostDawg

    LostDawg Slowly rusting in the NW

    Longview, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2006
    Messages:
    300
    That is a nice looking JEEP!
    How about that grill cover... makes it look very unique.:)
    I don't know what average price in your area is, but if you can get it...
     
  5. Jun 4, 2007
    dohc281

    dohc281 It is what it is.

    Laurel Springs, N.J.
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2004
    Messages:
    605
    If you can get it for $2500.00 it would be a great deal. If you spent $3000.00 its still a good deal. It depends what you think when you touch and feel it.
     
  6. Jun 4, 2007
    DocsCJ5

    DocsCJ5 73 CJ5

    Northern CA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2006
    Messages:
    156
    I'd buy it for 3100.00.
     
  7. Jun 5, 2007
    Brieoff

    Brieoff Member

    TX
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    310
    Now we just need pictures of you, your new jeep, and the title. ;)
     
  8. Jun 5, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Those seats are beeeutiful. That's original, or else an excellent upholstery restoration. I don't see how the originals could look like that after 100,000 miles.

    Yeah, I wouldn't argue with $3000 - a very good price if it drives like it looks.
     
  9. Jun 5, 2007
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
    I went to go see it today.

    It runs, drives and shifts nice.
    The motor starts up on the second crank after a couple pumps and it idles good (as far as I know)

    It looks like something is leaking somewhere around the t-case/transmission b/c one of the 2 are covered in wet oil.

    He told me that a while back, the driver-side axle bearing seized up on him while he was driving and it "fused" it self to the axle. :?

    The brakes feel a little scary and theres a a good amount of play in the steering wheel, but the brakes are the only thing bothering me out of the two.

    4wd works.

    It had body work and paint done(rusty floorboards were replaced etc...) to it about 11 years ago over in India while the owner was over there. It was originally a orange-redish color and had renegade stickers on it. Did jeep make renegades in 74?

    The seats look nice, the only thing is that the driver side seat has a pretty big tear in it. You can see it best in the 4th picture down. ( the white thing on the seat)

    It has carpet thats glued on in some places. I checked for rust underneath what I could pick up(barely any areas) I found some on the front-passenger corner of the floorboard. I also poked at a "bubbled paint" area on the floor board, by the passenger door opening and a little piece of paint flecked off and all that was under it was bare metal (a little pointless thing to say but at least its better than telling about finding rust everywhere.)

    I checked the body mounts and I couldn't tell if they were rusty or not b/c they were mostly covered the undercoating.

    I checked the parts of the frame where the spring hangers mount and the rear ones have been re-welded.
    The driver side looks like its in really bad shape b/c they just welded on it on the sides and theres a little gap b/w the frame and the mount in some areas. I'll get a picture of it, I'm bad at describing things :rofl:
    How hard will this be to fix the right way?

    Theres also some "bubble rust" under the paint by a few seams, especially on the seams on the sides of the front fender.

    well, I know that I'm forgetting some stuff but let me know what you think.

    The seller is now leaving for his trip on Monday so it gives me more time to think about it.

    I'm going to go back to see it with my Dad sometime in the next couple of days so I'll get some pictures of the body mounts, spring hangers, and whatever else that any of you would suggest.

    Thanks again for all of the help, I appreciate it :beer:

    -Matt



    And sorry if some of my writing isn't too clear, I'm just a little tired :D
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2009
  10. Jun 6, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    Sounds like just nickel & dime stuff to fix, and a used axle shaft w/new bearing shouldn't cost much. Looks to me like the general consensus so far is "thumbs up", go for it! If you want it, I wouldn't dilly-dally. At least let him know you want it before he leaves, so you've got a claim on it. Have payment ready when he comes back, if possible. If that one gets away I bet you'll be bummed about it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2007
  11. Jun 6, 2007
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
    I went to my insurance agent today (state farm), for antique car insurance it's only going to be $20 a month for full coverage :D
    I'm going to check it out again one more time tomorrow, leave a deposit and pick it up on Friday.

    Do any of you know where I can find a write up on how to repair the rear spring shackle mounts the right way? I've been searching for a while and can't find anything.


    Thanks again for all the help, this is a really great site,:flag:

    -Matt

    :driving:
     
  12. Jun 9, 2007
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
    [​IMG]

    :D
    Brought her home today
    Thanks again for all of the help. I'll post more pictures and stuff when I get back from work tomorrow.


    Thanks again, :driving:
    -Matt
     
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2009
  13. Jun 10, 2007
    kaotik1

    kaotik1 New Member

    Albuquerque NM
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2007
    Messages:
    24
    killer deal looks just like my jeep except mine is lifted more.. I got mine for 3800 but had more aftermarket stuff.. I wish I could of ran across yours stock jeeps in that condition= love at first site heres mine almost a twin huh?[​IMG]
     
  14. Jun 12, 2007
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
    Nice!

    do you have any more pictures(?), I need some inspiration! :D
     
  15. Jul 14, 2007
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
    :)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]



    I finally had a chance to take it out for the whole day today. :patriot:
    It started running worse and worse through out the day, I think I need to rebuild the carb and I also think I need a new gas tank b/c one of the fuel filters is clogged bad with little rust pieces. Should I replace the tank with a plastic or steel one? and wheres the best place to get one at?
     
  16. Jul 14, 2007
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,201
    My 75 did that too when I first got it.. I dropped the tank and cleaned it out.. I also replaced all the rubber hose on the fuel system, new fuel pump and filter.. I also re-routed the fuel line a way fronm the engine..
     
  17. Apr 6, 2009
    Lost

    Lost New Member

    South Florida
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Messages:
    34
New Posts