Calling all the Jeep guys

jovibuilt

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2006
Location
spruce pine nc
Need some advice my gf wants a jeep and I know nothing about them. She wants something dependable with ac. I want something to run 35's and take the top off that I dont have to work on lol. I would like to find a nice cj7 but would settle for a wrangler. But no 4 cylinder ones. I found a couple I like and wanted some advice. I will be buying so I would like to stay around 5-8k. What do you guys think of these? I like the cj7 better.

1984 Jeep CJ7

2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
 
jovibuilt said:
Need some advice my gf wants a jeep and I know nothing about them. She wants something dependable with ac. I want something to run 35's and take the top off that I dont have to work on lol. I would like to find a nice cj7 but would settle for a wrangler. But no 4 cylinder ones. I found a couple I like and wanted some advice. I will be buying so I would like to stay around 5-8k. What do you guys think of these? I like the cj7 better.

1984 Jeep CJ7

2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
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Jeeps are great vehicles. But anything in the year range you seem to be looking at is going to require work and upkeep. The old 4.0 TJs are great vehicles, but they can suck down the gas and do require upkeep.

If yall want a jeep (which I highly recommend getting one, theyre awesome) your options are to buy an older one and work on it yourself, buy an older one and pay somebody to work on it, or bu a new one that doesnt need work (yet).
 
Jeep + something you don’t have to work on, does not go together!

You can pick up a TJ in that price range. It will need minor things if you get a good one but will serve it’s purpose.
If your budget is max $8k, I’d try to find one about $6000-$6500 to have some money left over for little things.
CJ7 is my favorite wrangler, but they aren’t cheap these days unless they’re a rust bucket. TJ will offer AC, better road manors and a bit more creature comfort for the wife. There’s nothing like rolling around with no top and doors on a nice day when it’s not too hot. I personally like it better than riding a motorcycle.

Also, you may be opening up Pandora’s box with this. It can easily turn into adding this, changing that and before you know it you’ve spent $3k on upgrades. It’s a slippery slope, but I highly recommend it!
 
Question:

Have either of you ever driven a CJ or a TJ?


jovibuilt said:
She wants something dependable with ac.
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A CJ is certainly out then

jovibuilt said:
I want something to run 35's and take the top off that I dont have to work on lol.
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Buy a toyota and a sawsall


jovibuilt said:
I will be buying so I would like to stay around 5-8k.
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Anything in that price range will be a project at best. You will likely be adding a lift and buying wheels and tires. So either up your initial purchase budget to GET those things, or figure on spending another $2500 to get them.

Also...this is a SECOND vehicle right? [nod your head yes] because a CJ is most certainly NOT an only vehicle (no AC + rain + shoulder months with high humidy and a crappy defrost make for a VERY foggy interior) and a TJ, while much more comfy and less bone jarring, is also not an ideal ONLY vehicle

Just things to think about.
 
Dependable and Jeep should never be used in the same sentence unless "not very" is in front of it.

CJ's absolutely suck as a driver unless your a full on nut case....I mean insane....no I think I meant Jeep guy. TJ's make for ok driver's but honestly they still bring the suck at times. A JK seems like a better fit minus the budget aspect.
 
jovibuilt said:
Need some advice my gf wants a jeep and I know nothing about them. She wants something dependable with ac. I want something to run 35's and take the top off that I dont have to work on lol. I would like to find a nice cj7 but would settle for a wrangler. But no 4 cylinder ones. I found a couple I like and wanted some advice. I will be buying so I would like to stay around 5-8k. What do you guys think of these? I like the cj7 better.

1984 Jeep CJ7

2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
Click to expand...


I will add this, if you can live with only running no doors instead of topless a ZJ might be a good fit. They can be had in good shape for sub $2k, ride good, have AC, and with whats left over you can buy a nice lift and fit 35s. Just be ready to catch a lot of flak for having a ZJ, wheeling a ZJ, taking doors off a ZJ, modding a ZJ... Just go ahead and make sure your internet flame suit is comfy lol.
 
CasterTroy said:
Question:

Have either of you ever driven a CJ or a TJ?

I had a couple of cj-5's and a bunch of samurai's


A CJ is certainly out then

Then a TJ?


Buy a toyota and a sawsall

NO!!!



Anything in that price range will be a project at best. You will likely be adding a lift and buying wheels and tires. So either up your initial purchase budget to GET those things, or figure on spending another $2500 to get them.

Also...this is a SECOND vehicle right? [nod your head yes] because a CJ is most certainly NOT an only vehicle (no AC + rain + shoulder months with high humidy and a crappy defrost make for a VERY foggy interior) and a TJ, while much more comfy and less bone jarring, is also not an ideal ONLY vehicle
I have a bunch of 2nd vehicles lol
Just things to think about.
Click to expand...
 
JSJJ388 said:
I will add this, if you can live with only running no doors instead of topless a ZJ might be a good fit. They can be had in good shape for sub $2k, ride good, have AC, and with whats left over you can buy a nice lift and fit 35s. Just be ready to catch a lot of flak for having a ZJ, wheeling a ZJ, taking doors off a ZJ, modding a ZJ... Just go ahead and make sure your internet flame suit is comfy lol.
Click to expand...
She hates anything but a cj/wrangler.
 
JSJJ388 said:
Jeeps are great vehicles. But anything in the year range you seem to be looking at is going to require work and upkeep. The old 4.0 TJs are great vehicles, but they can suck down the gas and do require upkeep.

If yall want a jeep (which I highly recommend getting one, theyre awesome) your options are to buy an older one and work on it yourself, buy an older one and pay somebody to work on it, or bu a new one that doesnt need work (yet).
Click to expand...
So does the link I posted for the 84 look like a descent deal?
 
JSJJ388 said:
I will add this, if you can live with only running no doors instead of topless a ZJ might be a good fit. They can be had in good shape for sub $2k, ride good, have AC, and with whats left over you can buy a nice lift and fit 35s. Just be ready to catch a lot of flak for having a ZJ, wheeling a ZJ, taking doors off a ZJ, modding a ZJ... Just go ahead and make sure your internet flame suit is comfy lol.
Click to expand...

If you want a Wrangler, you should just get a Cherokee instead! o_O
 
Bought the family an '03 Wrangler 4.0/5-speed for a great price, slapped on some 31's mounted on some Rubicon 15" clone wheels....wife loves it. As soon as lifts, 35's, lockers, etc enter the picture...the weekend cruiser goes a little too gnarly (think Blue Ridge Parkway jaunts, etc,)

I have resigned myself to leaving it more or less stock-ish (bumpers, rockers, 1" lift) & keep it a cruiser. My '86 F150 will get tons, etc. to drive myself mad with.
 
I was between a CJ7 and TJ many years ago and went with a CJ7 with a 6cyl, hard top/door and rare factory AC that worked well. I daily drove it as much as I could and only lifted 2.5” with 31s. If I was doing it over, I would go with a TJ. I love the CJ models but it was not something that was fun to drive above 45. I would spend more on a TJ which could end up saving you in long run if you forecasted potential cost of ownership over a few years.
 
So...have you?

CasterTroy said:
Question:

Have either of you ever driven a CJ or a TJ?
Click to expand...
Since @CasterTroy already beat me to it... I will tell you that driving a lifted CJ down the road makes for a fun adventure. Correction - one doesn't DRIVE a CJ, one CHASES a CJ all over the road. Especially at speeds 55+ mph. The one you posted appears to have a 4" suspension lift and a 2-3" body lift. I can tell you that will be one top-heavy bastard when cornering as well...but, still fun to drive nonetheless, if you keep all those things in mind.

CasterTroy said:
Also...this is a SECOND vehicle right? [nod your head yes] because a CJ is most certainly NOT an only vehicle (no AC + rain + shoulder months with high humidy and a crappy defrost make for a VERY foggy interior) and a TJ, while much more comfy and less bone jarring, is also not an ideal ONLY vehicle

Just things to think about.
Click to expand...
What he said again (must have caught the Jeep thing sometime :lol: didn't you?). I would not recommend a CJ as an only vehicle, but a fun weekend cruiser/trail rig. Climate control (even if it has everything in it) is nonexistent because the doors/top/floor are typically drafty in old Jeeps anyway. So again - if you're looking for a fun side piece (take that as you will... :lol:) go for the CJ. If it's your main driver, I'd definitely look for something newer. ​
 
Scooter402 said:
must have caught the Jeep thing sometime :lol: didn't you?
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1986

I was 14-1/2 and had money from washing dishes at a nursing home for a year and a half. Got the job specifically to buy a Jeep. Got a 1974 CJ-5. Had to sit and "look at it" for 6 months until I got my permit. Then I tagged it and got my own insurance and would drive it with my mom in the passenger seat (Oh, and every afternoon after school for 3 hours before she'd get home from work :huggy:)
jeep.JPG


304 V8, 3 speed, with headers. She was a BEAST :rockon:

It was GREAT in the summer, and also in the snow. But every other month, when it rained especially, it sucked donkey balls. I was actually caught in Hurricane Hugo in it coming home from cruising Stratford :eek: Had to crawl over a massive oak tree that had fallen across 150 in Sedge garden to get home. Continually had to wipe the inside of the windows to see
I got 10mpg. Gas gauge didn't work so when the odometer would click another 100 miles I'd go get $10 worth of gas (gas was 89¢ a gallon)

Mom made me sell it after my 3rd speeding ticket. Well...SPEEDING was the ticket....what it was, was me pulling out roasting tires in downtown Kernersville where the speed limit was 20 :shaking:
 
Something to mention, to get a Tj on 35's and "dependable" will basically require axle swap, gears and upgraded steering. Not including a lift cause I'm not going down that rabbit whole.
 
33’s will make for a better driver/ simpler build. I have a few wranglers and thankfully all of them are pretty reliable. I don’t beat on my rigs and I stay on top of basic maintenance. I have mileage ranging from 40k miles to 220k miles and other than basic maintenance they are all pretty solid.
 
All you folk complaining of CJ handling never drove a worn out 76 RamCharger down the highway!

A CJ has a unique driving experience for sure but I wouldn't call it a death wish.

No you can't Bluetooth going down the road balancing a latte while chatting it up in an insulated cab.....

More ignoring anything other than the oil pressure on the dash, sipping a straw with the other end suctioned to the Tupperware console, and hollering at the top of your lungs at a stop light over an exhaust leak and a poorly tuned carb idled at 2500 rpms so it doesn't stall letting out the clutch.

I pretty much agree with everyone else.

Owning Any Leaf Spring Jeep is a unique experience. One to hate, naw....but you'll definitely learn something about yourself.


I also heard boot camp described this way.:p
 
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