Should I buy a CJ7?
 

There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and has
been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven, seat
belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was told
by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one, rubber
and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did need a
rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What does
anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in good
shape?

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

It has 33" tires on it, mud terrains, so I realize that this will add to
ride bounce, and it sits a little lower in back then front so may be a
spring/shock problem. Was looking at a site online for an engine for it,
$1135.00 US for a rebuilt V8, that's a little over 1500 Can. Guess for under
8 grand I could have a nice jeep.

"Michael White" <michael12@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:nHa7b.4059$PE6.2640@newsread3.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> Greg (greglc84@hotmail.com) wrote on Monday 08 September 2003 08:30 pm:
>
> > There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
> > Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and
has
> > been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven,
seat
> > belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was
> > told by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one,
> > rubber and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did
need
> > a rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What
> > does anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in
> > good shape?
>
> They're not going to be a car, and you will get bounced around on bumpy
> roads. But the engine and transmission should both be smooth. You can
> probably get both rebuilt (or exchange for a rebuilt) for about
$1500-$2000
> US.
>
> Check for leaks in the axle seals, in the transfer case, and fuel tank
> (especially up north there).
>
> I don't know what could be causing the bumpy ride. Bad springs? Bad
> shocks? Are there oversize tires on it? Sometimes that'll add to the
> problem.
> --
> Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
> fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer, 1891

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

It has 33" tires on it, mud terrains, so I realize that this will add to
ride bounce, and it sits a little lower in back then front so may be a
spring/shock problem. Was looking at a site online for an engine for it,
$1135.00 US for a rebuilt V8, that's a little over 1500 Can. Guess for under
8 grand I could have a nice jeep.

"Michael White" <michael12@mindspring.com> wrote in message
news:nHa7b.4059$PE6.2640@newsread3.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> Greg (greglc84@hotmail.com) wrote on Monday 08 September 2003 08:30 pm:
>
> > There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
> > Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and
has
> > been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven,
seat
> > belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was
> > told by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one,
> > rubber and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did
need
> > a rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What
> > does anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in
> > good shape?
>
> They're not going to be a car, and you will get bounced around on bumpy
> roads. But the engine and transmission should both be smooth. You can
> probably get both rebuilt (or exchange for a rebuilt) for about
$1500-$2000
> US.
>
> Check for leaks in the axle seals, in the transfer case, and fuel tank
> (especially up north there).
>
> I don't know what could be causing the bumpy ride. Bad springs? Bad
> shocks? Are there oversize tires on it? Sometimes that'll add to the
> problem.
> --
> Michael White "To protect people from the effects of folly is to
> fill the world with fools." -Herbert Spencer, 1891

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

For a first Jeep, it doesn't sound like the way to go both financially or
physically

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

For a first Jeep, it doesn't sound like the way to go both financially or
physically

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

Tell him it's the worst CJ you have ever driven and it's a mechanical
nightmare. Maybe he will start feeling a little guilty about trying to
unload his POS and give you a deal on it. Otherwise, stay away from it
unless you are willing to put the time and $$$ into it.
Odds are, if you are buying a used CJ, you will most likely endup rebuilding
the whole damn thing anyway. I know, I did.



Ted

"Greg" <greglc84@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:W2a7b.926884$3C2.21140741@news3.calgary.shaw. ca...
> There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
> Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and has
> been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven, seat
> belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was
told
> by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one, rubber
> and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did need a
> rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What does
> anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in good
> shape?
>
>

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

Tell him it's the worst CJ you have ever driven and it's a mechanical
nightmare. Maybe he will start feeling a little guilty about trying to
unload his POS and give you a deal on it. Otherwise, stay away from it
unless you are willing to put the time and $$$ into it.
Odds are, if you are buying a used CJ, you will most likely endup rebuilding
the whole damn thing anyway. I know, I did.



Ted

"Greg" <greglc84@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:W2a7b.926884$3C2.21140741@news3.calgary.shaw. ca...
> There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
> Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and has
> been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven, seat
> belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was
told
> by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one, rubber
> and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did need a
> rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What does
> anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in good
> shape?
>
>

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

>Odds are, if you are buying a used CJ, you will most likely endup rebuilding
>the whole damn thing anyway. I know, I did.
>

I second that!! But don't we all?

Don W

'82 CJ8 Scrambler
AMC 360
T/F 727
Dana 300
One-piece model 20 rear
Dana 30 front, upgraded to 6-bolt caliper and Warn hubs, awaiting locker
2" shackle lift/reversal
2" lift springs of unknown origin
33" Mickey's

And it finally runs!!!!!

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

>Odds are, if you are buying a used CJ, you will most likely endup rebuilding
>the whole damn thing anyway. I know, I did.
>

I second that!! But don't we all?

Don W

'82 CJ8 Scrambler
AMC 360
T/F 727
Dana 300
One-piece model 20 rear
Dana 30 front, upgraded to 6-bolt caliper and Warn hubs, awaiting locker
2" shackle lift/reversal
2" lift springs of unknown origin
33" Mickey's

And it finally runs!!!!!

Re: Should I buy a CJ7?
 

Price sounds high to me. I wouldn't spend $4000 on a Jeep knowing I was
getting a shot tranny and engine. For $8000 you can buy a nice Jeep
already. Why buy a beater for $4000 and then put the time/effort and
another $4000 into it hoping it's good.

For the same $$ you could probably find a decent CJ here
http://www.jeep-classifieds.com/classifieds/cj.asp and have it shipped.

"Greg" <greglc84@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:W2a7b.926884$3C2.21140741@news3.calgary.shaw. ca...
> There is a 1981 CJ7 up the road from for sale, guy wanted $4500.00
> Canadian for it, it's now down to $4000.00, has a new glass body, and has
> been recertified, but this thing is the worst thing I've ever driven, seat
> belts required to hold you in, shifting is bad, engine sounds bad, was
told
> by another CJ owner that the engine and trans are shot in this one, rubber
> and body are great, wondered if it was worth it even if it did need a
> rebuilt drivetrain, tires and rims are probably worth $1200.00. What does
> anyone have to say, are these things that bad to drive even when in good
> shape?
>
>