buying a cj5...which would be best

cburgin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
statesville/boone NC
Would you rather have and older on with the dauntless v6 or a 74 and up with the 304. i cant really decide. this will not be used for wheeling just as a weekend cruiser...
 
I dont really, know thats why I am asking. I have never owned one earlier than 1976. Therefore, I am hoping someone can give me a little direction that has owned both!
 
CJ

yes the 225 has 160HP , but the later CJs have better brakes , steering , heat and defrost ( not the best but better ) and are a little longer ( 84 '' as to 81' , I think ) . Because there are so many of them out there , both new and used parts are a lot easier to find . The 76 and later have the two piece "20" rear axle but an easy fix with after market one piece axles . Also , the 77 and later have front disc brakes . A lot would depend on your budget and what type of curising you will be doing (highway or city ) .
 
Well

Make sure you get a good frame (and body)!!!

Pretty much everything else you can adapt better chit from other vehicles even for a DD.
 
It's 79 or 81 and up that have the wider axles and beefier frames. Go with a V8 and don't get one with the crappy T5 in it. I think 81 is the start but can't remember for sure.
 
SSWaters said:
It's 79 or 81 and up that have the wider axles and beefier frames. Go with a V8 and don't get one with the crappy T5 in it. I think 81 is the start but can't remember for sure.
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1982 was the widetrack axle introduction, but only for CJ-7 and -8...-5's always got the narrowtrack, until they killed it in 83.

The beefier boxed frame came with the redesign in 1976.

I think 1980 was the first year of the T5 and other crappy transmissions, and 1981 was the last year for V8 in CJs.
 
I had both. I love my V6 (but it is the larger one). The issue you will run into, is not so much motor but steering and brakes. If you got an earlier CJ5 with the V6 you will have the older style manual steering and small brakes. These can be upgraded, but it will cost a little more. The later CJ with te V8 and the straight 6 is nice because it is setup nice from the factory. I am biased with the V6, it is a great motor and the early jeeps are fun to drive :)
 
It will have the ross steering, which is fine, but it is manual. If you lift your jeep over 2 inches then you would want to repalce it with a saginaw conversion becuase there is no drop pitman arms or ways to eleviate the angles on the drag links. You will have the larger brakes 10 inchers, but you can upgrade to 11s later on. But if you are gonig to drive it as a cruiser, go for it, it is still a ncie vehicle. Run it the way it is and you will be surprised how well it runs and runs :)
 
cburgin said:
also, on paper the dauntless v6 has more hp and tq than the 304 from what i understand
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Yeap... as you said *on paper*. The 225 numbers are gross rating (no accessories or driveline loss) and the 304 numbers are net (rear wheel with full accessories) due to mandates on emissions ratings.

The reality of it... I know folks that wheel the crap outta both... you just have to decide whether you want something that sounds like a V8 or something that sounds like a "hit & miss" engine (225 oddfires were 300 V8s with 2 cylinders "sawed" off and consequently, sounds like a V8 missing on 2). Honestly, there seems to slightly less aftermarket support for the Buicks than for the AMCs (which is minimal). Sparky's www.earlycj5.com and www.jeepstercommandoclub.com foums are packed with 225 oddfire knowledge...
 
I'd prefer a 7,8 YJ,TJ or sidekick..
Anything without those damn "S" door that my fat ass cant fit by...
 
thanks for the help guys. I went and looked at a 78 yesterday. the body was crap but hearing how strong the 304 sounded in that little ass jeep sold me once again on a newer one
 
If looking for a CJ5, I would search for an '81 to '83, (it already has the Dana 300 transfercase). I have a '79, I like it but the rear axle is in need of changing either the axle or shafts (AMC 20), and the Dana 20 transfercase <--gearing, leaves alot to be desired, along with the transmission usually a T-150 three speed. I've since installed a NP435/Dana300 and looking for a Dana 44. The I-6 has plenty of torque, but a small block ford/chevy would be very nice. Also when said vehicle is purchased, look into modifying the steering shaft, and steering box bracket.
 
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