Looking at 73 CJ5

Hi All - this is my first post. I came across the sight looking for information on a 73 CJ5. What should I look at other than the frame when I go to take a look?

Also, I assume there are aftermarket tops available. This has no top or door,

Thanks
Bryan

 

Rust, completeness, originality. Mechanical problems are comparatively easy to deal with. Frame cracks aren't as hard to deal with as bad old repairs.

Post some pics and we can comment.

Soft tops are available, but no new hard tops.

Welcome from Boston!

 

I would first check all the normal things you would check when buying a vehicle, does the engine smoke,tick, run well, does it shift well, clutch work well, 4wheel drive work, noises?, does it have a title that matches the vin#, ect. On a 73 jeep I would also check for the frame broken around the steering box, most likely place to be cracked, check for the body mounts broken/rusted off, when I bought my jeep I would step on the clutch and the right front of the body would lift up from a bad body mount, causing clutch to not release. Are you very mechanical or have good helping friends? I kind of view my jeep as a hobby/project than a daily driver. But they are alot of fun to own. Post pics and I am sure anyone on here can help. Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

Also, I've found that the aftermarket for years 72-75 is limited. 76 + up is much better.

 

Looks like they pretty much covered alot of what you need to look at. Like timgr mentioned about the bad repairs, I would rather deal with broken parts than to have to deal with crappy repairs done by the p/o. Welcome from middle Tennessee.

 

Too true. The 72-75 Jeeps are the least well supported by aftermarket parts of all the CJ-5s.

If you look at a few Jeeps, you'll see that the intermediates are basically the Kaiser Jeep upgraded with newer components, and stretched to accomodate the AMC engines. In 1976, AMC/Jeep redesigned the CJ-5 to a new updated standard, and introduced the CJ-7. There are a lot more of these later Jeeps, and they had a longer run, thus are better supported with aftermarket parts.

 

Would you suggest something else then to look into? How would I be able to tell if there were bad repairs?

I am medium mechanically inclined (i.e. I am not welding anything or putting on a lift, but I do all the typical maintenance to my current Tacoma). I do have a good friend that can help with that other stuff.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

Mmm. I'd suggest you look at several Jeeps. Nothing wrong with a '73 - I used to own one and I'd love to own another. If you like bolt-on aftermarket accessories, you won't find many though. If the Jeep is complete and in good shape, stock parts to keep it running shouldn't be much trouble. You may spend a little more time finding less common drivetrain parts; some things like heater controls will be nearly unobtainable.

Why did you zero in on this Jeep?

 

X2 on that. We have a 73 in the stable and it is easier to find parts for some of the other ones that we have. Still love the 73 and have been able to make things work on it though so if the one you are lookin at is in pretty good shape you should be ok.

I don't know how much you have looked around on this site, but I can tell you these guys here are experts on Jeeps, especially Tim, and if you could get a pic or two to post they could tell you pretty much anything and everything about it. Just an idea if you don't feel comfortable about what to look for.

 

This is not the only one that I have looked at so far. I also checked out 2 1982 CJ7s. One had bad frame and the other was a 4 cylinder and it would be a lot of work and $$ to get that up and running with at least a straight 6.

I have looked at this 73 previously and the current owner did a lot of work to it….changed from the 3 speed manual to 4 speed V8, fiberglass nose, new wind shield frame, new 33’s with lift, etc. The price is in the range I am looking for ($2200) and although it still needs some work it isn’t over my head, although the hole that is in the tub where the transition comes thru will be something totally new for me. There is no top or doors.

As someone said, it is going to be a hobby/one day to work/cruise around town type of vehicle.

 

Don't take offense, but are you more interested in a hot rod or trail riding? And how much Jeeping experience do you have? I ask because you dissed the 4 cylinder Jeep out of hand, and I was going to suggest a 4-cylinder Wrangler as a good inexpensive and reliable starter Jeep.

It's fine that the previous owner of this Jeep did a lot of work to it, but to my mind you don't have to do a lot to a Jeep to make a good trail rider. When you're starting out, you're pretty much putting the cart before the horse if you worry about a bunch of mods. Take a stock Jeep, some nice tires, and wheel the snot out of it. Lots to learn at this stage... I'd say get something you like and can drive now. Go south and west if you need to, but the better the shape is to start, the less expensive it will be in the long run. See if you like Jeeps and trail riding and if that keeps your interest before you take on a big project - there'll be plenty to tinker with and modify.

Ok, off soapbox. hth!

 

I am looking for it as a “hobby” car, I do not necessarily want to supe it up with aftermarket parts, nor am I looking for anything to just run the trail with. I am looking for something fun to drive and easy to work on. I do want it to be able to be street legal though and something that is in good enough shape to last me a while.

I had a 99 TJ until last September, and yes it was the 4-cylinder model. I always thought that it lacked the ‘pep’ that I thought that it should have. Driving in my buddies 6 cylinder YJ, it was a night and day difference. It was nothing against the ’82 with the 4 cylinder, I was more surprised than anything.

No offense taken, I am here to learn.

 

Another comment - unfinished projects usually sell at a very large discount to the price of a complete and running Jeep (much less than $2200 I would think, esp in NE). You're essentially buying a collection of parts; they can be a terrific bargain, but only to the right buyer.

 

If you have already had a '99 TJ, then you know how much fun the Jeeps can be just to cruise around it. I had an '00 with the 4cyl and now have a '01 with the 6cyl. I also have others, but since you have experience in these types I can honestly say that the 6cyl has worlds more pep than the 4cyl, but I wish I had my 4banger back because all the running gear held up better. Tim is pretty much leading you in the right direction and so I hope you don't take any offence. Bottom line is I have or have had Jeeps with all the different engines, 304V8's,:v6: ,258-6's,2.5's, and 4.0's and they all have good qualities and all are fun to drive and easy to work on. As he said though, be careful if you are buying an unfinished project vehicle because that is where major headaches can come into play, especially if you aren't use to working on these things. Either way you go, we are here to help and there will be somebody here that can answer any questions you ever come across.