cj-6 help

I recently just out grew my freshly finished cj-5 with my wife having my third child. So I need to now get creative and am in the market for a new cj. I would prefer a cj-6 just because they are so cool not tomention I have only seen maybe 2 in moab, where I frequently visit being so close. My second choice would be a cj-8. Any way pointis I need help knowing what is a good price for an old 6 and how to find one. I hear they had a somewhat long production run. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

6's had a long production run, but low production volume.

i dont think any year exceeded 3,521 units/year....

CJ5s top out production at 43,000 units/year.....

8's seem more common. due to age and slightly higher volume (though for fewer years and fewer total units)

http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/prod-numbers.htm



the average 6's i've seen (i'd been shopping for one for a while) was around 2-3k$ pretty much regardless of condition. i found some completely beat up and missing parts in the mid 2000$ range......i wasnt willing to pay that. I got mine for half that and its in much better condition than others.


keep an eye out here:
http://ww2.collectorcartraderonline.com/

for Cj6s.....theres a few on there now....one is listed as a "Jeepster" but its junk. theres one on e there now that says its 90% complete for 1500$, but ive seen that one online several times....so the guy just cant seem to sell it, gotta wonder why

 

I feel for ya' but asking for prices may be unrealistic.

What do you plan to do to it? You want a 4-banger and plan to do an engine swap, want a V6-era and keep it stock, an intermediate '6? The closer you get to your ideal vehicle, the more of a premium you should be willing to pay.

Also, condition and completeness matters greatly in price. You should discount an incomplete Jeep by the price of the parts needed to complete it.

The cheapest way to go is to find somebody's unfinished project.

For stock vehicles, I would likely pay $4000-6000 for a extra-prime stock 72-75 with all the right equipment (PS, PB, V8?, good seats, 4.27 axles). The V6 Jeeps are probably worth a little less, in the same extra-prime stock condition (original paint, no rust, no significant mods, excellent mechanical condition - a cream puff).

I would discount for most mods and anything less than extra-prime condition. If the Jeep has mods that you like, you'll have to determine what they are worth to you.

 

or you could get a CJ5 or 7 and stretch it yourself to whatever length you want! put 4 rows of back seats in there!!!

which would be pretty sweet ....might require some creativity for a top though.....maybe a local guy who makes covers for boats could help you out

prolly more trouble than its worth



if you do go with an 8 with 2 rows of back seats you could replace the front-most of the rear seats with a low back (or high back i guess) seat from an earlier CJ....that way it leaves a small walkway so kids can get to the rear-most seat easier.

i had a single low back seat in the rear of my CJ7 for a while....it was pretty nice when i had an extra person riding along and didnt want to unload my camping gear..or move my camping gear to an outside trail rack.


or what about a Willys wagon? Jeepster? Commando? or if you are really lucky and can find a FC jeep in the crew-cab or van configuartion...those would all be very unique.... thats what i'd like to do some day...when i have kids (not yet! phew! )

 

A Commando is the same size as a CJ-6 ... maybe a little more rear overhang to square-up the body.

I think your only option is the CJ-8 if you want to carry all three kids and have an open-air Jeep vehicle. Most of the added body length (over the CJ-6) is in the rear overhang though, no?

Wagoneers and full-size Cherokees can be had very cheaply. They would seat 5 easily, with room for gear. The 76-79 wide-track Cherokee is one of my favorite Jeeps. They can be found with the T-18 and either the 258 or 360. The automatic-equipped ones are more common though. Typical Jeep nimbleness, comfortable, low COG, and very competent on the trail.

http://home.off-road.com/~ozifsja/tech/reviews/chief.htm

 

i thought they had more room between the wheel wells... meh....i'm prolly wrong

 

No, you may be right, but I thought the CJ and Commando used the same back seat, more or less. The springs are outboarded in the rear of the Commando, so there could be a little more width - I'd guess there's not much more. There's a picture of the back of the Commando seat here: http://www.c104.net/manual/Section_19.pdf

 

Thank you for the help, now to clarify was it 18 inches that the 6 has on the 5. If that is the case than I see how that would be insufficient considering putting two rear seat was the original plan. I really would like to run the 6 so maybe adding a couple of inches would be cool. Thanx again for the feedback and suggestions.

 

Why don't you keep the 5 and get or make a custom front bench seat that will fit three people.
I have a 2001 crew cab Gmc pickup that with the front buckets and center console only hauled 5 people. So Iremoved the console and went to the wrecking lot and bought a matching center seat with seat belt that will fold down to a console while not being used, now I can haul six people. You might be able to do something like this in the jeep. I know, it wrecks your excuse to buy another jeep, but will save you some cash.

 

Not even little kids? No matter what jeep you have, they are all tight! I honestly have not sat in a jeep with the bench seat though. I'll trust your opinions on being too small.