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Cheap Cj

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Andy Weaver, Jun 4, 2022.

  1. Jun 4, 2022
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
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    46
    I have a chance to buy a cheap CJ. Owner inherited from an uncle, zero paperwork. Where I live, 25 miles from the nearest town of 10,000, not an uncommon thing. Poverty and drugs leave a lot of people driving rigs that would get you busted in a real town.

    It has a 4.3 GM with tbi wired by Bubba. It runs poorly. Twin stick transfer case, and he claimed a turbo 350 tranny and an advance adapter. He let me take pictures of the Vin plate, so I'd guess it wasn't stolen. He's asking $1200 bucks. It still has the gas tank under the driver seat, but is being fed by the donor truck's plastic tank sitting in the back. I'd guess late 60's, maybe a '68. The Kaiser Willys serial number plate is 8305017 355265. The first half of the number makes it a v6 cj5, the second half? Does that tell year? It has centerline style wheels, and the body is repairable. The frame was boxed, new spring hangars welded, hell for stout tranny crossmember welded and formed from heavy C channels. I'd keep the 4.3, but buy an aftermarket TBI and get rid of the one borrowed from the truck it came out of.
     
  2. Jun 4, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    First question is how difficult is it to get paperwork (title) in your area?
    If very difficult it may be a parts Jeep. Nothing wrong with the factory TBI if wired correctly. Simple and parts are readily available. Sounds like a lot of good parts for the money.
     
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  3. Jun 4, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sep 17, 2009
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    4,460
    Yep. Worth that price just for parts. I'm obviously completely oblivious as to cali title regs but here it wouldn't be too difficult to get a title. Just a lot of hoops to get through and takes some time.
     
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  4. Jun 4, 2022
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    Dec 17, 2002
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    A few of us have 4.3 ltr V-6 with the TBI and we should be able to help with that. The Jeep sound like a good deal. I should of went with an Automatic. :banghead:
     
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  5. Jun 4, 2022
    Lockman

    Lockman OK.....Now I Get It . 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Silver Hill,...
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    If it's a Factory GM TBI.....Keep it & work the bugs out. GM knew what they were doing & I do not believe that there's a better one out there. You'll love the Automatic....Just Say'n :)
     
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  6. Jun 4, 2022
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
    Joined:
    Sep 21, 2020
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    46
    Thanks guys, Titles in California aren't that hard as long as it is either out of the system ( last registration 10 plus years give or take) or wasn't reported stolen, or have some cloud on the title. Any good write-ups on pruning or building a wiring harness for the factory TBI?
     
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  7. Jun 5, 2022
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome from Michigan, The people here are ready, willing and able to help you, Good Luck.
     
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  8. Jun 5, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The VIN does not explicitly tell you the year; however, the site has a document somewhere with serial numbers taht helps to narrow down the build year. Kaiser-Jeep didn't follow the yearly revision model the way that the majors do, and changes don't necessarily line up with any "new model" introduction.

    Yeah, I'd keep the factory TBI. If it came with the V6 donor vehicle, it's already tuned for the engine. There is lots of information online about the native GM TBI, and it's very popular as junkyard EFI for the original engines and new applications. It's well-liked because it's modular, parts are cheap and available, and it's well-characterized and the programming is accessible.

    If you want a Jeep, this is a good price if your description is accurate. Realize that getting it running and maintaining it won't be free, in time or money.
     
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  9. Jun 5, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I looked for the VIN document, and found the thread in the Technical Articles. However, the links in the thread to the PDF database are dead. If you post a specific question with a descriptive title about this and include the VIN, maybe someone here knows where to look for the info.
     
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  10. Jun 5, 2022
    jeep peep69

    jeep peep69 Member

    redding ca.
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    Dec 8, 2007
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    Well worth the money get it and fix it up.
     
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  11. Jun 5, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  12. Jun 5, 2022
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I don't have any write ups, but I've pruned the original factory harness. Also make sure you get the VIN# from the donner vehicle. May need it later.
     
  13. Jun 6, 2022
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
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    Sep 21, 2020
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  14. Jun 6, 2022
    Andy Weaver

    Andy Weaver New Member

    Rancho Tehama, CA
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    Sep 21, 2020
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    I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow. Worst case is Ive got some wheels and parts to start a build. Thanks for the help.
     
  15. Jun 6, 2022
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    I just finished installing a 2000 GM 4.3 in my CJ2A with a SM420 and D18 with OD.

    I went with a Howell wiring harness and a reflashed computer with VATS disabled and also the automatic transmission scripts disabled. It was labeled correctly, relatively easy to install and worth the money.

    The 4.3 requires 2 O2 sensors before the Catalytic converter. The one after it is not required. The 4.3 requires a minimum of 58lbs of fuel pressure and the in tank GM one is readily available and relatively cheap.

    I have driven jeeps with the 304, FHead 134 and Buick 225. The best of that was the 225, but this FI GM 4.3 is better in every way than any of them. I'm very happy with it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2022
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  16. Jun 6, 2022
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Any idea on what ECM is running the TBI?
     
  17. Jun 6, 2022
    WYOMIKE

    WYOMIKE Oct 1971 pic

    Parkman, Wyoming
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    I have a old copy of that database that later on had a lot more data added to it but from what I have it looks like a year of 1969

    Mike

    upload_2022-6-6_11-55-18.png
     
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