I've got a chance

[pinaplebob]

Alright, well i've got a chance to buy a running 79 CJ with a V-8, that drives for $500. The only bad about it, is the tub is starting to rott out.

I'm new to the CJ aspect, as I mainly play with XJ's. Just wondering if there are any things I should look for or something that i'm missing before deciding to buy it or not.


thanks for any opinions.

 

[dingus]

as long as the frame is solid, just swap out that rusty body for fiberglass (or just repair it, whatever floats your boat)

just realize that "rust" is synonymous with "huge project"

 

[TwistedCU]

Look over the frame really well. If it's solid then I'd say it's well worth $500. Even if it is not you could probably make the $$$ back by parting it out. Check the rear shackle hangers, they are one of the known rust spots on CJ's.

A tub swap is a good bit of work, but well worth it if everything else is fairly sound. Is it a CJ5 or a CJ7??? Many folks swap out rusted CJ7 tubs with YJ tubs.

Oh, yeah and if it has a 4 speed manual it's probably a T-18A with the granny low. If that's the case, I'd at least buy it for the transmission.

 

[pinaplebob]

Alright, I looked it over, and decided to buy it. It's either a 1978 or 79 (Seller did not have title yet, still waiting on DMV) with a 304 V-8 and and 3 speed manual. The floor boards are shot, allong with the driver's side "rocker panel"? The frame is in really really good shape, looks at one point it was rust protected. Under the hood and the frame have a coat of grease/ruber that are on everything. It runs and drives, all the lights work, even the wipers. It needs a tune up, oil change, and a coolant flush.
Now the weird stuff, it's got a brand new top, or at least a top that was just put on. It's a Jeep top, and not a best top. It's also had the doors in the back, two canvas full doors. After I bought it, I went to put them on for the 2 minute drive back to my garage and found I have two passenger doors.

Anywho, I've got one question right now, It has the air pump on it for califronia emmisions....is there a away to take that off, because I can tell it is not working right, or at least making funny noises. It does no look hard, to do, just wondering what it will do it it's "running state"? I'll post some pics later, once I find my digital camera.


Thank for reading.

 

[dingus]

congrats man! sucks about the doors LOL

i'd say yank that air pump off there, but thats just me and i dont really know what i'm talking about with that one... but if it were mine, that air pump would be in the trash. CA emissions regulations are rediculous

 

[redrooster]

Snatch the pump and emissions off if not required. You will have to plug the holes in the exhaust manifolds. I used a bolt and then welded the bolt in to eliminate leaks.
You can buy weld in replacement floor pans for CJ's. The rocker can be reparaired by cutting out all the rust and welding in new metal. Then you can cover it with some rocker guards to make it look pretty. You can either buy the guards or make them. Poison Spyder makes cool ones.
It sounds like a 110 Mig welder is in your future.
The Jeep is about the same as mine was stock (1978 model). 304 with T190 3 speed and Dana 20 case. If you can find a T176 and Dana 300, it is a good upgrade and you get a 4th gear.

 

[redrooster]

BTW. There is a small plate on the frame behind the driver's rear tire. It will give you the date of manufacture for the Jeep. It may not necessarily coincide with the model year though.

 

[pinaplebob]

Alrighty, well in the last week i've spent about everynight working on the thing. I still need to post some pics, but it's now plow less and I removed the plow wires. (Who ever installed the thing, was a moran). I also have gutted the seats and the rusted floor boards, and am in the process of welding in the new. I've got the back and "the step" as jcwhitney would call it welded in. Also fixed the driver side rocker panel and it is pretty structurally sound as of right now. Just waiting for FEDEX for the rest of my floorboards. I'll hopefully get some pics up tonight. Sorry for the long read.

 

[pinaplebob]

Dingus...my XJ looks like yours in my truck area. not as bad though, what the heck happened to yours? It doesn't look that old. The reason mine rusted was due to a CB wire running out the back door and the door not sealing. I guess the previous owner liked the smell of mildew.

 

[dingus]

Dingus...my XJ looks like yours in my truck area. not as bad though, what the heck happened to yours? It doesn't look that old. The reason mine rusted was due to a CB wire running out the back door and the door not sealing. I guess the previous owner liked the smell of mildew.

not quite sure, i bought it that way with 215k miles (1994 model)... the previous owners said its been back and forth to Colorado a few times and it lived most of its life in Maryland, where they use a TON of salt. I'd like to say they ran a hose into the interior and let it sit for a few years but im not sure.