Buying first cj

Hi, A friend of mine is selling his '74 cj5 which I'm considering buying. Just looking to introduce myself and fish for some advice into any pitfalls of this particular model. What's hard to find or funky about these? Thanks-

 

I have a 74 and I love mine. pre smog year thats a plus. How much is he asking?

 

74 was actually a pretty good year for the CJ.
It was still small and narrow for trail prowess. It had a fantastic engine in either the I6 or V8. Stout transmissions and transfer cases. Dana 44 rear axle with 30 spline one piece axles. Modern steering. Big 11" brakes all around. Big underseat toolbox.Last year for NO catalytic converter, and hardly any emission equipment at all. Last year for the simple point ignition.
It was also one of the top sales years for jeeps up till that time, so there are quite a few of them out there to scrounge the few parts that are not still made new.

The late CJs(76 + newer) are more prolific but they started getting wider, heavier, and more bogged down with complex emissions.

74 was, to me, the last of the simple tin can jeeps with first of the modern drivetrains.

 

I have a 74 also...love it.

Great comments and I agree with everyone. I'll add that you will find that some parts are harder to come by as this is an "intermediate" Jeep where AMC was still settling on long term changes...some, but not all parts do interchange with the 76+ models.

If you can tell us a bit about what you think you might want to do to it, or what is wrong with it we can probably be more specific in terms of replacement parts, difficulty, etc.

 

One thing I've noticed on intermediates (72-75), is the frame tends to crack behind the front spring hangars, esp on V8 models. Intermediates do have some significant advantages over the pre '72 models, like a firewall mounted master cylinder, hanging pedals and a modern steering system.

 

I also have a '74. The only thing I didn't really care for was the drum brakes, but if you do good upkeep they're fine. Also they're not hard to change to disc with all the various kits or build your own systems.

I have had mine for about 15 years with most of its time haveing a modified 360ci motor and 35" tires seeing alot of offroad use up until a couple years ago. Everthing has held up including the factory 30 front(trac-loc). The frame hasn't cracked even with all the twisting offroad.

There are a ton of aftermarket parts available and driveline parts, new and used are available.

Buy it and enjoy!:driving:

 

Fellas,
Sorry for the delayed response. Shortly after my original post, my every day driver slipped a timing belt, destroyed the head, and pretty much everything in the timing cover. So, about 1000 bucks later I knew I couldn't afford the Jeep. But my buddy held onto it for me, and I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on it now...mainly because my Honda blew up again and I don't feel like sinking anything else into it.

So, this will be a daily driver. I drive about 13 miles to school and another 30 to work at times before heading back home. It'll be a mix of city and highway driving. I'll take any advice from you guys that drive these things daily.

In the next few days, I'll be tackling the problems to get it more road worthy. It has an hard to kill exhaust leak - so I might look into getting a new manifold or possibly headers as I'm thinking the existing manifold may be warped. Tune up, fluids, brakes, and steering is what I'll be looking at in the next few days. It needs a new top & doors, but that will have to wait unfortunately. The heater works, but doesn't blow nearly as hot as I would like it to. I'll trace the lines back to the core. Are these ducts hard to find? I got about 1000 to spend until Feb so these repairs need to count, especially for cold weather.

I'll post pictures when I pick it up.

 

be sure to post up some specs too so we can answer questions or make comments specific to your Jeep. We all love to give advice and spend someone else's money.

 

Love my '74, it has been my daily driver for the last 15 years. The more you drive them the better they run and the less they break. Maybe that's because the more you drive it the more intimately familiar you are with all the squeaks and rattles, so you pick up on anything that isn't normal.

 

use a 74 for daily use average 20 mpg but I don't go far or highway itll do 65 70 mph but i wont(short wheelbase and all) it is a more than capable commuter rig and is excellent off road. I added some batting(think quilt) to the doors at the bottom to help with the cold wear warm clothes and you'll be fine....good luck and happy jeepin....Jeff

 

i drive my 73 every day no problems, drove it 50 miles to school and back every day
i love it, i love it

 

Congrats on your purchase, and good luck with the fix-ups.

The Jeep will be much different than your Honda, but I wouldn't hesitate to have one as my daily driver - heck, I'd use mine as that if it wasn't in pieces at the moment, and I plan to when I can finish the restoration. If yours has an I-6, from everything I've read and from driving mine for a number of years under all different kinds of use, it's a great engine. The V-8's are also fine engines from all I've heard. As a blanket statement, I think I can say they're simple, reliable, capable vehicles.