Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems and
they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with the
features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and new
metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever. Had
an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I only
have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy this
one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.

Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at the
body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that the
body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts were
almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings shot
obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second can
they be welded onto the frame?
Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through the
gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment that
can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
yesterday.
And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float in
the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!



Allen

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

I feel your frustration. I looked for 4 years before I bought my first CJ. I
wanted to spend 4 to 5 K and ended up spending just under 8K, but got a 42K
mile rust free/mint, fully loaded.....you get the idea. I didn''t have to put
any sizable $ into it for amost 10 years and even then it has been more
reliable than a Toyota I owned. In short, don't buy junk unless you like to
spend a lot of time and bucks.
Those mounts are part of the frame condition and can hide rust problems under
the bushings. Rust from the inside out is a problem too. Yes, you can buy just
the mount extensions and reweld them on....kinda a big project.
I feel that 5500 is high if it has all a lot of problems and such. Where are
you looking for a CJ, the south and west US are good places to start for less
rusty CJs. Carbs are always a PITA

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

I feel your frustration. I looked for 4 years before I bought my first CJ. I
wanted to spend 4 to 5 K and ended up spending just under 8K, but got a 42K
mile rust free/mint, fully loaded.....you get the idea. I didn''t have to put
any sizable $ into it for amost 10 years and even then it has been more
reliable than a Toyota I owned. In short, don't buy junk unless you like to
spend a lot of time and bucks.
Those mounts are part of the frame condition and can hide rust problems under
the bushings. Rust from the inside out is a problem too. Yes, you can buy just
the mount extensions and reweld them on....kinda a big project.
I feel that 5500 is high if it has all a lot of problems and such. Where are
you looking for a CJ, the south and west US are good places to start for less
rusty CJs. Carbs are always a PITA

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

Hi Allen,

in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in the
fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but, are
not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I bought
aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument cluster,
was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have that
silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.

Glenn
74 CJ5
XJ Cherokee

<ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems and
> they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with the
> features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and
new
> metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever.
Had
> an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
> with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
only
> have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy this
> one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
>
> Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at the
> body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that the
> body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts were
> almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
shot
> obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second can
> they be welded onto the frame?
> Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
> Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through
the
> gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
> noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment that
> can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
> yesterday.
> And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float
in
> the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
>
>
>
> Allen
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

Hi Allen,

in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in the
fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but, are
not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I bought
aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument cluster,
was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have that
silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.

Glenn
74 CJ5
XJ Cherokee

<ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems and
> they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with the
> features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and
new
> metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever.
Had
> an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
> with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
only
> have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy this
> one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
>
> Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at the
> body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that the
> body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts were
> almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
shot
> obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second can
> they be welded onto the frame?
> Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
> Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through
the
> gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
> noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment that
> can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
> yesterday.
> And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float
in
> the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
>
>
>
> Allen
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

You can't buy the perfect CJ. I've been using mine as the hobby. There
will always be work to be done. If you have money that's cool, but I want
you to know that this vehicle requires an owner that know how to use a
wrench.

--
Thanks Always !!!
Paul '75 CJ5 258
Vail, CO.
"Glenn Wainwright" <jeepthing66@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:YCPdb.83$t44.3427@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> Hi Allen,
>
> in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
> both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in the
> fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but, are
> not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
> mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I
bought
> aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument cluster,
> was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have that
> silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.
>
> Glenn
> 74 CJ5
> XJ Cherokee
>
> <ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> > I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems
and
> > they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with
the
> > features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and
> new
> > metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever.
> Had
> > an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
> > with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
> only
> > have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy
this
> > one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
> >
> > Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at
the
> > body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that
the
> > body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts
were
> > almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
> shot
> > obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second
can
> > they be welded onto the frame?
> > Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
> > Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> > Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> > Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through
> the
> > gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> > shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
> > noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment
that
> > can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
> > yesterday.
> > And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float
> in
> > the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> > work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
> >
> >
> >
> > Allen
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

You can't buy the perfect CJ. I've been using mine as the hobby. There
will always be work to be done. If you have money that's cool, but I want
you to know that this vehicle requires an owner that know how to use a
wrench.

--
Thanks Always !!!
Paul '75 CJ5 258
Vail, CO.
"Glenn Wainwright" <jeepthing66@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
news:YCPdb.83$t44.3427@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> Hi Allen,
>
> in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
> both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in the
> fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but, are
> not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
> mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I
bought
> aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument cluster,
> was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have that
> silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.
>
> Glenn
> 74 CJ5
> XJ Cherokee
>
> <ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> > I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems
and
> > they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with
the
> > features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and
> new
> > metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever.
> Had
> > an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
> > with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
> only
> > have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy
this
> > one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
> >
> > Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at
the
> > body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that
the
> > body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts
were
> > almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
> shot
> > obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second
can
> > they be welded onto the frame?
> > Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
> > Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> > Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> > Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through
> the
> > gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> > shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
> > noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment
that
> > can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
> > yesterday.
> > And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float
> in
> > the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> > work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
> >
> >
> >
> > Allen
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

I agree with Paul. I have a 1973 CJ5 that I bought about 4 years ago for
$2,800. All I was looking for was a Jeep with a solid frame, body, and ran.
Let me tell you, that's all I got. A couple of months ago I ran through all
the repairs and upgrades I've made and I've got, including purchase price,
about $10k tied up in mine. It's in really good shape now but still
requires a lot of attention. If you don't want to wrench on it at all then
I'd probably shy away from the CJ's and look at the YJ's. If you don't mind
getting your hands dirty then the CJ is the way to go. I love mine and
wouldn't trade it for the world.

Good luck,

Casey Teague
http://justjeeps.jeepz.com



"Paul Brogren" <pibrogren@msn.com> wrote in message
news:bl8j3i$96no7$1@ID-190695.news.uni-berlin.de...
> You can't buy the perfect CJ. I've been using mine as the hobby. There
> will always be work to be done. If you have money that's cool, but I want
> you to know that this vehicle requires an owner that know how to use a
> wrench.
>
> --
> Thanks Always !!!
> Paul '75 CJ5 258
> Vail, CO.
> "Glenn Wainwright" <jeepthing66@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
> news:YCPdb.83$t44.3427@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> > Hi Allen,
> >
> > in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
> > both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in
the
> > fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but,
are
> > not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
> > mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I
> bought
> > aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument
cluster,
> > was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have
that
> > silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.
> >
> > Glenn
> > 74 CJ5
> > XJ Cherokee
> >
> > <ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
> > news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> > > I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems
> and
> > > they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with
> the
> > > features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off
and
> > new
> > > metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch
whatsoever.
> > Had
> > > an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on
it
> > > with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
> > only
> > > have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy
> this
> > > one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
> > >
> > > Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at
> the
> > > body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that
> the
> > > body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts
> were
> > > almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
> > shot
> > > obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second
> can
> > > they be welded onto the frame?
> > > Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like
crap.
> > > Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> > > Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> > > Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle
through
> > the
> > > gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> > > shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch
in,..the
> > > noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment
> that
> > > can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch
replaced
> > > yesterday.
> > > And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the
float
> > in
> > > the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> > > work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Allen
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

I agree with Paul. I have a 1973 CJ5 that I bought about 4 years ago for
$2,800. All I was looking for was a Jeep with a solid frame, body, and ran.
Let me tell you, that's all I got. A couple of months ago I ran through all
the repairs and upgrades I've made and I've got, including purchase price,
about $10k tied up in mine. It's in really good shape now but still
requires a lot of attention. If you don't want to wrench on it at all then
I'd probably shy away from the CJ's and look at the YJ's. If you don't mind
getting your hands dirty then the CJ is the way to go. I love mine and
wouldn't trade it for the world.

Good luck,

Casey Teague
http://justjeeps.jeepz.com



"Paul Brogren" <pibrogren@msn.com> wrote in message
news:bl8j3i$96no7$1@ID-190695.news.uni-berlin.de...
> You can't buy the perfect CJ. I've been using mine as the hobby. There
> will always be work to be done. If you have money that's cool, but I want
> you to know that this vehicle requires an owner that know how to use a
> wrench.
>
> --
> Thanks Always !!!
> Paul '75 CJ5 258
> Vail, CO.
> "Glenn Wainwright" <jeepthing66@ozemail.com.au> wrote in message
> news:YCPdb.83$t44.3427@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au...
> > Hi Allen,
> >
> > in regards to the gas gauge, I think they probably are a problem, if the
> > both the temp and the fuel gauge aren't working then the regulator in
the
> > fuel gauge is probably burned out, the gauges are easily replaced but,
are
> > not very reliable from my experience, I went to the expense of replacing
> > mine only to have them burn out again within six months. in the end I
> bought
> > aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument
cluster,
> > was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have
that
> > silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.
> >
> > Glenn
> > 74 CJ5
> > XJ Cherokee
> >
> > <ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
> > news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> > > I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems
> and
> > > they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with
> the
> > > features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off
and
> > new
> > > metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch
whatsoever.
> > Had
> > > an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on
it
> > > with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
> > only
> > > have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy
> this
> > > one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
> > >
> > > Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at
> the
> > > body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that
> the
> > > body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts
> were
> > > almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
> > shot
> > > obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second
> can
> > > they be welded onto the frame?
> > > Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like
crap.
> > > Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> > > Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> > > Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle
through
> > the
> > > gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> > > shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch
in,..the
> > > noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment
> that
> > > can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch
replaced
> > > yesterday.
> > > And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the
float
> > in
> > > the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> > > work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Allen
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Looking for CJ,..need help!
 

In article <YCPdb.83$t44.3427@nnrp1.ozemail.com.au>,
"Glenn Wainwright" <jeepthing66@ozemail.com.au> wrote:
in the end I bought
> aftermarket two inch gauges and made them fit into the instrument cluster,
> was a very tight fit but can be done, half the price and doesn't have that
> silly regulator thingy in them to burn out.
>

Glenn-
Do you have pictures or a write up how you did this? I am about to try
to fix mine but this sounds like a better way. What brand gauges did
you use? How do they look?





> Glenn
> 74 CJ5
> XJ Cherokee
>
> <ABanks5@columbus.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:9MKdb.37627$uJ2.4480@fe3.columbus.rr.com...
> > I've looked at so many I'm about to drop over. They all have problems and
> > they all have so many different features...just haven't found one with the
> > features I want. I looked at one today that the entire body was off and
> new
> > metal put in...floor boards you name it. Not a ding, scratch whatsoever.
> Had
> > an old hard top with piece of crap doors. Ran beautifully. Had 31s on it
> > with great tread. He wants $5,500. Not too bad. Only problem is that I
> only
> > have about 5k to play with and I want 33s without a doubt. So to buy this
> > one,...I'd have to spend another 2k to get tires/wheels/lift.
> >
> > Okay I'm rambling..here are my questions: Many jeeps are so rusted at the
> > body mounts. On the frame, there are supports welded on the frame that the
> > body bushings rest on. On the jeep I looked at today,...these mounts were
> > almost rusted through...but the frame was in great shape. The bushings
> shot
> > obviously. My question is....can these mounts be purchased and second can
> > they be welded onto the frame?
> > Carb,...this one had a holley two bbl with manual choke. Ran like crap.
> > Does the regular Joe mechanic know how to tune these things or what?!
> > Or,..should I just spend the 300 bucks and get a new one?
> > Transmission,....I'm sure all of you have heard a vehicle rattle through
> the
> > gear shift...like metal on metal rattle that comes up through the gear
> > shift,....buses usually sound like this. When I put the clutch in,..the
> > noise goes away. Sounds like a whirling noise. Is there an adjustment that
> > can be made...is something serious here? He just had the clutch replaced
> > yesterday.
> > And lastly....the gas gauge doesn't work....is it common to be the float
> in
> > the tank or is it a gauge problem. And the temp gauge doens't
> > work....rambling again. Anyway....any advice would be great!
> >
> >
> >
> > Allen
> >
> >
>
>