Looking at buying this '70 CJ5

I've been briefed on the pros/cons of the early CJ's, and understand most of that. Here's some basic info on the jeep.

-1970 CJ5
-Soft Top and Doors (guy said ok condition, one window is cracked)
-Chevy 350 unknown origins, currently only runs when fiddling with the choke, wont stay running. Not too worried about this, it's a 350...easy. We tried to start it up for about 5 min, got it to fire a lil but didnt try very hard.
-Unknown transmission. Something bolted to the 350 that is a 4 speed.
-No front drive shaft. Old owner busted it at the linkage to the T-case, and the t-case was rebuilt/repaired, but no drive shaft was replaced.
-Gauges are busted up.
-No rust seen, checked in floor pans ant at body mounts, frame was good too. Body is super straight.
-Located in Las Vegas, came from georgia new, but then lived in arizona for a long time.
-Gas tank isn't original, and the gas cap comes out behind the tail gate.


Known problems
-the 350 is having carb issues and isnt running, as mentioned
-missing front drive shaft, as mentioned.
-some weird repair was made to the steering, it looks like the bracket behind the bumper broke, and it was replaced by a home-brew bracket. the owner said it steered fine and everything worked (had to play with choke to keep it running) the one time he drove it to the store this spring.

Other than that....here she is. Dont know what else to say. There are obviously multiple issues, but I feel like it's nothing that I cant take care of. This jeep will be a desert-runner beater CJ. It's not getting restored, just fixed up a little, and it's not gonna be some hardcore rig. Prolly gonna keep it to 31's, I just want to get back out in the desert and mountains. The weird steering and whatnot would be repaired ASAP.

Asking price is 1200, but I'm sure I can get it for 1000 or less. I'm thinking 900 would be good. Dunno how low I can get him though.

What do y'all think?




here's the weird steering repair

 

No opinions or advice on the subject?
Dont think it's worth about 900 bucks?

 

I am no expert but I would buy it. Offer half and go from there.

 

Looks workable to me.. Has an auto tranny behind that 350. Pretty straight looking rig. I would think it's worth the $900 if only for parts.

 

It has 3 pedals, so I expect that a side-shifter for a close-ratio car 4-speed, like the T-10.

Steering linkage looks scary. I'd rip it all out and go Saginaw.

You're missing the core support struts across the top of the engine compartment. Likely you'll find other stuff that's missing or marginal.

What location? <edit> Ah. Las Vegas.

Looks like a bargain for $900.

 

There is a lot of stuff that has been changed on the jeep. What Tim said plus seats, steerng wheel, I don't see a way to turn on a blinker, tail lights, etc. And a lot needs to be fixed.

But all in all, it looks like a good project. I'd say it's well worth $900. And I'd just try to get it running good. To much of it has been altered. Just get it,, fix what is broke and drive it.....

 

Body looks great, it's missing a few things, like signal light switch, speedo needle, etc. I'd buy it for 1K.

 

I'd buy it....wish the one i paid a grand for looked that good !

 

No front driveline is always a reason to check the gear ratios in both axles to make sure they match. Big red flag there. Very easy to drop the covers and find out what you are buying. A few minutes of your time up front can save a lot of work later. Dana ring gears have a string of numbers on them that gives you the build date, part number and the ratio. Divide the big number(teeth on the ring gear) by the little number(teeth on the pinion) and it gives you the ratio. 43-8 = 5.38s 41-11 = 3.73 and so on. It just always seems that every time I buy a Jeep without a front driveline installed someone has swapped a axle with different gears. But I would still buy it for a grand.

 

Wow! Definitely some helpful info here.

I noticed a bunch of stuff missing as well, including the blinker control and whatnot. I was actually laying in bed last night and that occurred to me, haha.

I pretty much just see a good starting point here, with potential. This isnt something i want to buy and then throw on the road, it's something to work on and just get it trail worthy. I dont want anything crazy, I dont want something restored, ya know?

Not to mention, all the ittle stuff will be taken care of over time, there are a few major issues, as listed above, but the other stuff can be done whenever.

Y'all really think it'd be a good starting point for a lil desert trail runner?

Everyone over on jeep forum seems to think it's worthless, or only worth 500 bucks...

 

And they are cruising all over Vegas looking for it as well.
I'd be all over it for a grand.

 

its crappy timing for me, i'm on unemployment and i'm in my final year of college, but i can always have it sitting and slowly work on it. I've got the spare cash and I have a garage to keep it in, so, ya know?

How many times will I find a deal like this? Or at least find such a solid starting point for whatever i wanna do with it?

 

I think I'm gonna pass this up. After looking at closer today, i think the weird steering is because of the engine swap, and I'm not sure what else could have been half-assed on this jeep. I think I'll be better off waiting for something else. I don't have the money right now to pour into it, and it'll just be a paper weight for a while.

I'm gonna think it over this week before I make my definite decision though.

 

Like others said I'd be all over it if you can get it for around $1,000/1200.
A rust free body on an Early CJ-5 is a hard and blessed thing to find.
If you decide not to buy please post up in the E-bay and other section so someone else in the area can have the opportunity.