Advice on '78 CJ5

New member here. I'm looking at a '78 CJ5 that I'm considering to replace my now daily driver S10. It has a recently rebuilt 304 and quite a bit of other work done to it. I have no experience with these engines. Are they fairly reliable? Could I drive this daily on my short 10 minute commute without too many complaints? The first thing I would do is replace th 35" tires with something more road friendly. I'm in Central FL, so most of the year I could go topless. At $3500 it looks like a pretty good deal, and I could probably get my money back if I wasn't happy with it. Any advice?

 

The 304 is a very reliable motor. Parts are pretty common and easy to come by, but obviously not as common as say a GM 350 or Ford 302. For daily drive i'd suggest getting the Pertronix ignitor for the distributor to replace those points. Also, look to see if your jeep has the optional Disk brakes. The drums are a little weak for daily driving. 32's or 33's would be a better choice for street driving. If it has a body Lift over 1", I'd get rid of it ( the body lift that is). I'd suggest driving it to work one day before you buy it if possible, its a bit different than an s-10 blazer. Also, dont expect anything miraculous from the gas milage, definitely worse than your s10. That being said, If i lived in florida and had a 10 mile commute, I'd drive a cj.

 

We have a place in Florida in Sarasota on siesta key, and I got by with a motorcycle only for over a year. But I had to dodge the storms. I would make sure it did not have cloth seats, and as most people know drum breaks don't work in the rain. How about some pictures
Doug/Tucson

 

No points on a '78 - it has the Ford Duraspark ignition. Also, a '78 will most probably have front disk brakes.

Should be fine for your commute. Check that the frame is not rusted out - these boxed frames trapped water and salt, and if it's from the snow belt originally, it could have some rust damage.

 

Thanks for the replies. What other things should I look for when I check it out tomorrow? I'm not sure yet if the lift is body or suspension. Is there anything that would need to be done to the drivetrain if the suspension is lifted enough to fit 35s? Thanks.

 

Actually I would upgrade the Duraspark to a TFI. It's inexpensive and great to run. I could almost make mine a daily driver but I drive mostly on interstate and it's a 75 CJ5 so it has drums.

 

If it currently has 35s and the owner set it up correctly, it will probably have at least 4" or 5" of total lift. That could include: suspension, body and/or HD shackles. Take a look at the body mounts. If this bushing are larger than 1" or so, it has a body lift. That's ok as long as it isn't a 2 or 3" body lift. Take a bunch of pics when you look at it and post them up before you buy.

 

I am also a Central Floridian and since retiring from Corps.... daily run my 72' CJ-5 (I'm the original owner). Have Dana 44 with Tru Trak front and Dana 60 with full time Detroit in rear. Have four inch Rocky Mtn. suspension lift and riding on 10X15" wheels and on road run General 33X12.50X15 and offroad i run Super Swamper 35X12.50X15". My 258 is bored .030 over with Offenhauser intake and Holley four barrel, Headman dual exhaust headers with Flowmasters. I use my old style bekini top 99% on year and run this ol man daily everywhere. Have original drum brakes around this ol fella and he stops jus fine... even in our major thunder boomers down here in Florida.
Presently rewiring and soon may see ya on the road and in the MUD.... All the best with yer new ride! Gunner