Having owned and restored a dozen CJ's over 5 decades, here is what to look for; don't get soft doors with zippers, get rollup windows and then add the soft top, Most of the automatics were quadratrac AWD, so no flat towing with hubs, the 304 was all torque with no horsepower and slowww, low range in early CJ's with 3 speeds was not low enough and will power out on a steep grade, later Dana 300's were better. Late 4.2 (lightened) engines with VV (electronic mixture control) carbs will wreck your engine. 1985 and 86 tubs were galvanized so mostly rust free. At 72 my current CJ7 is an 85, with tilt, A/C, soft top hard doors, Ford 5.0 Mustang V8 (fit better than Chev with headers inside frame rails) Drag race spec. T5, 4:10 gears.
I just bought a CJ7, an 82, drove it thirty miles home this week and will begin the work of figuring out all it needs rebuilt and restored for "daily driver purposes". It needs the steering looked at right out of the gate, it's got a straight six and four speed, feels fairly tight and in good shape, should be interesting once I get into it's innards. Got many new things to "check out" based on this and a few other videos. Hope to be driving it in the next year or so as a daily driver. Thanks!
I've got a tilt steering column in my 81 CJ5, and it was wobbling like crazy, when I bought her. I found a mechanic to fix the play in the steering, but in the process they messed up the turn signal mechanism. Rebuilding those tilt steering columns is not a fun time. 😉
Awesome CJ7....the coloring on this Jeep looks very much like the '71 Dauntless V-6 I owned. I fully went thru it and painted it International Scout Fire Orange with a white top and installed white bucket reclining seats (I think from a Toyota) from Junkyard. Had the white spoke wheels and full cage. It was a striking look and definitely stood out, and so does this one!😍
Later year windshield frame also indicates not all original. The spare tire on the side of a CJ7 in 78 and 79 was still available. My dad ordered his this way to allow full acces to tailgate and hitch. Most important tip as you pointed out.....INSPECT FRAMES! Inside of frames. Buyer beware of many CJs on BaT or any online auction. Better view in person and inspect or go have it inspected. Beware of flipper sellers. Great video. Nice information.
Just a note about the 1339 TC! The chain inside the case is notorious for stretching over time. The clutch cones also fail. It also takes a very particular oil! All in all a very good transfer case IF taken care of!!! I have a full set up for a quadratic including 3 TC's & 2 Turbo 400 tranny's, rear offset axle, tilt steering column, cardon front drive shaft and shift linkage.
I just bought my first jeep today and it's a 78 CJ7 built mountain rig. Hell of a deal from my buddy and the best part is my girlfriend just rebuilt a bunch of shit for it over the last few years he had it. So excited.
I purchased a new 1986 CJ7 Renegade when I was 20 years old. Still have the window sticker. Hard top and doors. $11,800. 4.2 liter 6, Dana 44, 30 300. B Warner T5. Tilt steering. For a kid making $450 a week in 86 it was a very reasonable purchase. $242 a month. My insurance with $250 deductible was $85 a month. Today the price for an old CJ7 is beyond ridiculous. I’ve seen them as high as $60k. Dennis Collins can completely restore for $100k. Even rust bucket condition is going for almost 1986 new prices. Unless you’re a baby boomer who made their money selling off the American economy to the Chinese to buy this vehicle it’s not a wise decision. Buy a wrangler JL like I did with warranty. If you want an old Jeep a CJ2 or CJ3 is a lot more affordable. In 86 when I drove my CJ off the lot I never imagined in a million years these vehicles would become so popular. They didn’t sell well because their handling was tricky and flipping one was very easy. Still it was my daily vehicle for ten years before I sold it with 157,000 miles on it.
Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket. But seriously with these things, it seems like they leak all the time no matter what. Ya kind of have to take a tach that as long as it's leaking its still got fluid. It keeps the metal from rusting sometimes. Nice video
Sure did and in 1978 too.Looking at a 1978 brochure I saved from when Pops ordered a new J20 Jeep Pickup and they show side mount and optional swingout rear carrier in the CJ section. Enjoyed the video thanks
@@johndoe43 nice! I noticed he said steel body is preferred but my son and I are going to see about one with a fiberglass body, any thoughts on the glass ones?
@@waggitnshaggit6592 never had one but I know you have to run ground wires for everything. My buddy with the 78 passed away and I wound up with his project. It is a steel from MD juan. The fiberglass are a little better than they used to be. Guy here in town did one and it looked ok. Never checked it up close though
Survivor Jeep is correct. Two incorrect parts jumped out at me, the wheels are not OEM and the bumperettes are either YJ or aftermarket. definitely not OEM CJ. Nice video, thanks.
Good catch! You're right, it's not original but it was SOLD as original. That's part of the issue when people go out and spend a large amount of cash on one of these vintage vehicles, they don't know what they don't know and it can come back to bite them. Thank you
New sub but need to know. What part of the country are you in. In nh now lookin to move to georgia. Good video. I like jeeps cj 5 and 7 used to have one great on gas great in snow. Cheers
Good video!! I have a fixer upper project and this has been helpful to know what "true" looks like so I can match it. By the way, where can I find a side tire mount like that? I have been looking for ages!
Thanks for watching and we're glad you found the vid helpful. Honestly, this particular Jeep will likely have the side mount removed soon. Maybe you and that owner can strike a deal! Feel free to email us if you're interested in that.
Some did. It was an option from the factory but you can get low range by adding an aftermarket unit to the back of the t case. If I remember right this particular Jeep in the video did not have it.
@@SFJ4x4 I didn’t know if it worked like the older Chevy full time 4x4 or what. My old brother had a 80 Jeep wagoner long ago. Inline 6 automatic with quad trac. It didn’t have a low range just full time 4x. Was great until you came to a steep hill.
Some early 78 cj7 did come with side mounted spares i was there! that jeep came from the factory with standard steel wheels and not those aftermarket wagon wheels. check your facts if your doing this type of vid
Actually it's the fuel and temperature gauge that share an electrical feed not fuel and voltage.... Anyone who buys a CJ7 or any 40+ year old vehicle, regardless of seller stated condition better know how to turn a wrench or have a thick wallet for a good mechanic if you want everything to be perfect all the time.
I have never ever looked at a jeep CJ without making a mental list of how to build it up. CJs are like Harley's, the most rare and boring is the one that's still stock. haha. And, by the way, I've never looked at a Chrysler wrangler without throwing up in my mouth! We do not let them ride with us unless it's a girl driving. Their like the 80s vw rabbit, you know, a girls car!
Having owned and restored a dozen CJ's over 5 decades, here is what to look for; don't get soft doors with zippers, get rollup windows and then add the soft top, Most of the automatics were quadratrac AWD, so no flat towing with hubs, the 304 was all torque with no horsepower and slowww, low range in early CJ's with 3 speeds was not low enough and will power out on a steep grade, later Dana 300's were better. Late 4.2 (lightened) engines with VV (electronic mixture control) carbs will wreck your engine. 1985 and 86 tubs were galvanized so mostly rust free. At 72 my current CJ7 is an 85, with tilt, A/C, soft top hard doors, Ford 5.0 Mustang V8 (fit better than Chev with headers inside frame rails) Drag race spec. T5, 4:10 gears.
1985 cj7 tubs are definitely not rust free lol
I just bought a CJ7, an 82, drove it thirty miles home this week and will begin the work of figuring out all it needs rebuilt and restored for "daily driver purposes". It needs the steering looked at right out of the gate, it's got a straight six and four speed, feels fairly tight and in good shape, should be interesting once I get into it's innards. Got many new things to "check out" based on this and a few other videos. Hope to be driving it in the next year or so as a daily driver. Thanks!
I've got a tilt steering column in my 81 CJ5, and it was wobbling like crazy, when I bought her. I found a mechanic to fix the play in the steering, but in the process they messed up the turn signal mechanism. Rebuilding those tilt steering columns is not a fun time. 😉
Awesome CJ7....the coloring on this Jeep looks very much like the '71 Dauntless V-6 I owned. I fully went thru it and painted it International Scout Fire Orange with a white top and installed white bucket reclining seats (I think from a Toyota) from Junkyard. Had the white spoke wheels and full cage. It was a striking look and definitely stood out, and so does this one!😍
Right on!
Later year windshield frame also indicates not all original. The spare tire on the side of a CJ7 in 78 and 79 was still available. My dad ordered his this way to allow full acces to tailgate and hitch. Most important tip as you pointed out.....INSPECT FRAMES! Inside of frames. Buyer beware of many CJs on BaT or any online auction. Better view in person and inspect or go have it inspected. Beware of flipper sellers. Great video. Nice information.
I bought a Jeep new in 1980, mine was a base model it too had the side mount spare tire. Yes Im that old.
Just a note about the 1339 TC!
The chain inside the case is notorious for stretching over time. The clutch cones also fail. It also takes a very particular oil!
All in all a very good transfer case IF taken care of!!!
I have a full set up for a quadratic including 3 TC's & 2 Turbo 400 tranny's, rear offset axle, tilt steering column, cardon front drive shaft and shift linkage.
In az we do the trim because we don’t have rust and it looks good haveing the bed liner on it
I just bought my first jeep today and it's a 78 CJ7 built mountain rig. Hell of a deal from my buddy and the best part is my girlfriend just rebuilt a bunch of shit for it over the last few years he had it. So excited.
I purchased a new 1986 CJ7 Renegade when I was 20 years old. Still have the window sticker. Hard top and doors. $11,800. 4.2 liter 6, Dana 44, 30 300. B
Warner T5. Tilt steering. For a kid making $450 a week in 86 it was a very reasonable purchase. $242 a month. My insurance with $250 deductible was $85 a month. Today the price for an old CJ7 is beyond ridiculous. I’ve seen them as high as $60k. Dennis Collins can completely restore for $100k. Even rust bucket condition is going for almost 1986 new prices. Unless you’re a baby boomer who made their money selling off the American economy to the Chinese to buy this vehicle it’s not a wise decision. Buy a wrangler JL like I did with warranty. If you want an old Jeep a CJ2 or CJ3 is a lot more affordable. In 86 when I drove my CJ off the lot I never imagined in a million years these vehicles would become so popular. They didn’t sell well because their handling was tricky and flipping one was very easy. Still it was my daily vehicle for ten years before I sold it with 157,000 miles on it.
Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket. But seriously with these things, it seems like they leak all the time no matter what. Ya kind of have to take a tach that as long as it's leaking its still got fluid. It keeps the metal from rusting sometimes. Nice video
Haha yup that's just part of the Jeep life! Thank you
I have a awesome 1983 CJ 7 !! It is set up old school with custom mods ! I love it but the suspension is horrible back then ! It need more !
Great video awesome intel
Thanks!
In 1977 the tire did come on the side. Don't know about 78. Renegade with no tailgate got a rear mount. On the cj5s. Good video and info.
Sure did and in 1978 too.Looking at a 1978 brochure I saved from when Pops ordered a new J20 Jeep Pickup and they show side mount and optional swingout rear carrier in the CJ section. Enjoyed the video thanks
@@waggitnshaggit6592 thanks for the follow up. I bought a 77 that I still have and a friend bought a 78 but memory wasn't sure about 78
@@johndoe43 nice! I noticed he said steel body is preferred but my son and I are going to see about one with a fiberglass body, any thoughts on the glass ones?
@@waggitnshaggit6592 never had one but I know you have to run ground wires for everything. My buddy with the 78 passed away and I wound up with his project. It is a steel from MD juan. The fiberglass are a little better than they used to be. Guy here in town did one and it looked ok. Never checked it up close though
Ok appreciate it
I'd like to have that original gray carpet... Has some great original parts
Love the channel. Keep up the fantastic content.
Thanks for the support! We'll keep grinding if you all keep watching!
Survivor Jeep is correct. Two incorrect parts jumped out at me, the wheels are not OEM and the bumperettes are either YJ or aftermarket. definitely not OEM CJ. Nice video, thanks.
Good catch! You're right, it's not original but it was SOLD as original. That's part of the issue when people go out and spend a large amount of cash on one of these vintage vehicles, they don't know what they don't know and it can come back to bite them. Thank you
those are aftermarket bumperettes, you can tell immediately because the flattest portion does not have a tab that extends down
New sub but need to know. What part of the country are you in. In nh now lookin to move to georgia. Good video. I like jeeps cj 5 and 7 used to have one great on gas great in snow. Cheers
Welcome! We’re in north east Ohio
Good video!! I have a fixer upper project and this has been helpful to know what "true" looks like so I can match it. By the way, where can I find a side tire mount like that? I have been looking for ages!
Thanks for watching and we're glad you found the vid helpful. Honestly, this particular Jeep will likely have the side mount removed soon. Maybe you and that owner can strike a deal! Feel free to email us if you're interested in that.
@@SFJ4x4 Done! That is if I'm not too late!
I would love to find a nice White Top and Hardware!
Knowing all of this, what would he the fair price to pay for a Jeep in that condition?
Does anyone know what year that black jeep is behind the CJ7?
That particular Jeep is an '04 LJ (aka TJ Unlimited). LJs were produced from 2004-2006
Question. Did the Quad Trac have a low range?
Some did. It was an option from the factory but you can get low range by adding an aftermarket unit to the back of the t case. If I remember right this particular Jeep in the video did not have it.
@@SFJ4x4 I didn’t know if it worked like the older Chevy full time 4x4 or what. My old brother had a 80 Jeep wagoner long ago. Inline 6 automatic with quad trac. It didn’t have a low range just full time 4x. Was great until you came to a steep hill.
Good stuff👍🏼
We're trying!!
Some early 78 cj7 did come with side mounted spares i was there! that jeep came from the factory with standard steel wheels and not those aftermarket wagon wheels. check your facts if your doing this type of vid
Actually it's the fuel and temperature gauge that share an electrical feed not fuel and voltage.... Anyone who buys a CJ7 or any 40+ year old vehicle, regardless of seller stated condition better know how to turn a wrench or have a thick wallet for a good mechanic if you want everything to be perfect all the time.
Good catch, your statement is accurate but the sentiment is still the same. Just something for people looking to buy a vintage Jeep to be aware of.
I have never ever looked at a jeep CJ without making a mental list of how to build it up.
CJs are like Harley's, the most rare and boring is the one that's still stock. haha.
And, by the way, I've never looked at a Chrysler wrangler without throwing up in my mouth!
We do not let them ride with us unless it's a girl driving.
Their like the 80s vw rabbit, you know, a girls car!
As a side note, Bestop, Crown, Rugged Ridge, & Smittybuilt all suck.
If this guy knows Jeeps, he overlooked the replaced windshield and no way this is original paint. Look under the hood.
It wouldn’t pass state inspection 10 years old is the max
The tires....seriously??
Who puts a top in their jeep???
I think the white jeep is a cj7 lol
My mom thinks I'm handsome, but that doesn't make me a model! 🤷🏼♂️🤣 -Neil
If you want something with a top buy a grand Cherokee
Auto. Maybe a woman would drive it.