So what had happen was...

ncpatroler

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 1, 2006
Location
Clayton
  • OK the story goes I have had numerous Jeeps since I was in my early 20's, 6 to be exact, all of which have been CJ's 5s or 7s. I would buy them in a state of disrepair, collect parts from different guys on here or craigslist, get them in good operational order and someone would offer me money for them; and well the enjoyment was in fixing them to me to I would let them roll. A couple of them I made a few dollars on and a couple I lost my ass, as is the way. Well about 3 years ago I got my hand on a 1985 CJ7 that was a bone stock one owner that belonged to a local farmer. Surprisingly enough it had no rust and was in fair condition minus the paint. Over the last 3 years I have again collected parts from here and there and have finally come close to what I would call a finishing point. And I know that Jeeps are never truly finished but in my mind everything that I wanted to first do to it when I got it with the exception of one piece axles and trussing the rear and a MORE shackle reversal in the front is done. Everything has been gone through on this Jeep down to the smallest items. Granted the top end is blowing a little oil and is time for a ring job, but this thing runs perfect and rides and drives the best out of all of the Jeeps I have ever owned...and did I mention no rust!
Well the story goes on to a few months ago when I was perusing through craigslist as I do fairly regularly when I happen upon a deal that I did not thing I could turn down. I found a 2005 Rubicon Unlimited with the 6-speed and the 4:1 crawl box. It was clean as hell, already had a 6" long arm kit on it, bumpers, winch, rhino-lined interior, cold-air intake, 35" BFG KMs, speedo fix...pretty much most of the big things I would want to do to one if I had one. I went and saw the guy and he had to get rid of it fast so needless to so I think I got one hell of a deal. Oh and I forgot the most important part 10 years old and only 27,000 original miles. Well with the wife's permission brought her home and began crawling all over her like a spider money, (the jeep that is) could not find one thing wrong with it. Let me preface this by saying I bought this LJ just to resale because I thought the guy was selling her for way too low. Well since getting the LJ the wife has taken a liking to her. She likes the facts that it is not cold natured (like the CJ), it has ac (unlike the CJ), it is quieter in the cab (unlike the CJ), the seats are more comfortable than the CJ, and she just says it drives smoother. Although I do not agree with all of these things I will admit that after riding with the wife in the CJ and then in the LJ I will admit that when I exit the LJ my butt does not have to spit out nearly as much seat as it does riding with her in the CJ. I am and have always been a CJ guy, enjoy going to events and being one of 5-6 not the same thing everyone else has. Granted they only made about 13,000 LJ Rubicon Manuals in the two year run, a lot less than the 100,000s CJs produced in their long run.


I wish I could keep both of them but well I don't really have the space nor is it practical unless I get rid of my truck...and well that isn't happening. I would like to hear from some of yall the pros and cons of one model over the other and maybe that will help me decide or at least will create some chatter. 20150808_112531-1.jpg 20150808_112953-1.jpg
And no you are not seeing double...I like the silver give me a break...lol
 
I like the CJ...if you decide to sell it let me know.
 
I've only had 3 Jeeps. My first Jeep was a 74 CJ-5 purchased in 1986. It was for ME ONLY, and It was my ONLY vehicle, and as everyone already knows, you NEVER have a CJ as an ONLY vehicle. The defrost didn't work, the heat BARELY worked, and if it was raining, you could FORGET seeing the road. Not because of the rain but because of the FOG INSIDE

It took me 20 years to be in a position to have another Jeep (this time as a 3rd vehicle) but I was finally there. My second CJ was an attempt to recapture my teens but to do it right this time. I built it from nothing but a broken shell. I made sure everything was perfect (for ME since my wife didn't even want to ride in it). I got 90% done and then my wife decided she didn't like being MY wife anymore. So I had to sell it before I ever finished it.

It took another 10 years to get BACK in the position to attempt it again. New wife, who actually LIKES doing things with me, so I wanted to consider HER comfort over everything else. Enter the TJ

I had looked at a YJ that was PERFECT (for me) despite those bastard square eyes :flipoff2: but it was too tall, and "RED(neck)" for my wife. Top speed was 58 and it "roared" too much But daggone was it perfect! 8.8/44 detroits fr/rr 37" IROKs, twin stick, 8274, new top, no rust.....AHHHH

But, HER comfort was priority one. She wanted to be with me, and be comfy. That mean't Proper heat, AIR CONDITIONING, and a ride that wasn't a compromise of anything.

I searched for a very long time before I found an ALL stock Sahara that met with my requirements. And to my surprise, not only did my wife LOVE it...she would actually take it on errands. So would my son. To ME, HER happiness is as much, if not more important for vehicle choice than mine. Although I'm slowly turning this more into what I want, this is still very much a vehicle I want HER happy with. And the fact that it came with a hard AND soft top, keeps this TJ as our favorite run-around vehicle while still allowing me to build a competent trail rig off of. And the older I get, the more the creature comforts mean to me.

I SAY all that, because it SOUNDS like your wifes comfort (and your old age :D) is a heavier deciding factor than the nostalgia of a CJ...plus you can't get rid of your truck, so I say keep the Rubi and sell the CJ
 
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I would keep both. That's a very nice CJ, and if you got such a good deal on the LJ you can always keep it a few years and cash out later.
 
i agree with all of yall except the part about getting rid of the truck...truck is another one of those models that is hard to part with and is also my tow vehicle as i think most of yall would agree...2001 Ford 250 crew with the covetted 7.3 and less than 150,000 miles on her

after all daddy said if it was worth doing it was worth doing right
 
well thanks for everyone's input but I just can't justify keeping them both with having a truck, the wife having her suv, a company car, and currently having an antique tractor taken apart in the garage...and well since I still can't decide I have thought about putting them both up for sale and whichever one goes first, the other one stays...anyone want to open the bids...lol

no seriously I still am having a hard time...the CJ just feels more like me, the wife had her wedding pictures taken in it, and well despite its age it's still just a cool ride....but the LJ is more comfortable, practical, and really more trail capable (but who the hell am I kidding I get to the trails maybe twice a year)
 
What does justification have to do with keeping both of them? You don't NEED either of them, so why not keep them both.
 
Both.
But it would be harder to find another CJ like that one day. You know if you sale the CJ you will want another one in no time.
 
I'm with the others. Is there any real harm coming from having them? Do you need the money? Who cares about "justification". Don't feel you have to ditch something just for the sake of ditching it.
Between the three, sell the truck. The LJs are like gold now and good CJs are getting harder to find.
 
oh trust me I want to keep them both for several reasons...but that being said I am one of those guys that don't believe in having a vehicle that doesn't get driven...i can't stand the people that have these great show vehicles that get them out once or twice a year for a show and never drive them

and no I don't really need the money per say but if I was to sale one of them that might allow me to make it to Moab this year for the 50th anniversary Easter Jeep Safari or finish some other projects...all that being said I think I might keep the both of them for the winter, do a ring job or total rebuild of the CJ motor and put them both up for sale come Spring and see which one goes first...any takers...price will just go up on CJ after a motor rebuild:D
 
that being said...i guess this as good place as any to ask...can yall recommend a good master rebuild kit, cheap but good...think i am going to try and tackle it myself this time (minus the machine work)
 
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