Looking for advice on potential 1974 CJ5 purchase

I found this cj5 on my local craigstlist:


1974 Jeep CJ5. Built 401 engine with fuel injection, smog exempt. T-18 trans with 6:1 first. Built Dana 44's with 4.88 gears and Detroit lockers front and rear. Interco 36" IROC's on aluminum wheels. Power steering, power brakes, front disk conversion. Steel horse seats front and rear. Full soft and bikini tops. This jeep is seriously fast and tough, it will go anywhere. $4,500or best offer.





I am going to see the jeep hopefully after work during the week or else this weekend. I've been reading the forum here to figure out what to look for but it looks like this cj5 has some unique components. Could someone help me shed light on the "upgrades" or unique components and also give me some idea on the appropriate pricing?

I did talk to the owner on the phone and the one thing he mentioned that needs fixing are the front hub locks - the front wheels are always locked to the axle in the current condition. Is this a big deal (expensive/mechanically difficult) to fix?

EDIT: It looks like there are some serious alignment issues in the second picture!

Thanks!

 

Sounds like a fair jeep to me for the money. the hubs are not really expensive to replace if they are bad~$100-$150. Look over the body underneath and see how much rust is under there. Also check out to see what kind of lift it has or see if they have done a spring over conversion on it. take it for a drive and see how it handles. offer $3k for it. you can always come up but you cant go down on your offer. the trans is the best 4 speed out there in my opinion. Check out the front end to make sure the did a good job installing the dana 44 as it is not factory. a dana 30 would be factory.

 

what is your location? that sometimes makes a difference in the price.

 

roadhog: thanks for the advice!

I am located in Northern California.

EDIT: When it says "Built" engine, does that mean it was rebuilt at some point? No mileage was listed in the posting but I'll the guy when I meet him.

 

built usually means upgraded cam bigger carb headers or other performance upgrades all of wich could be good or bad depending on what was done/who did it check the frame for cracks kinda looks like its been hammered a litle

 

i think hes buying it not selling it

 

For nor-cal that price seems fair if all the mods are done correctly. If not .......well it's anybody's guess at that point.

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Probably some Fender trimming to clear that 36" rubber. Look for stress cracks in the frame. Looks like that Jeep has been wheeled hard.

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So just look over the entire frame for little cracks or discoloration? Thanks for feedback.

 

Specifically behind the front spring hangers where the frame boxing ends.

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Depending on where in Nor Ca. you are I would be happy to meet you to look it over... I have a '74 and have worked through many of the problems... Where are you?

 

IRISHRALLY,
Is this going to be your first Jeep????

 

Looks like the jeep in in Los Altos.

To the OP: Unless this jeep has everything you want and are willing to deal with any possible defects, there is one that looks very nice and very stock in Lodi for roughly the same price. This is not mine by the way.

http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/2588067114.html

 

The drivetrain combination you see in the Stockton Jeep is quiet desirable: 258 inline 6 with a close-ratio T-18 4-speed transmission. Customers who had these in the day really liked them. There's lots you can do to hop-up the 258 fairly cheaply if having more power appeals to you.

I look at that first Jeep, and I think it's likely been driven, uh, enthusiastically ... due to the 401 and the overall condition. While the 401 is a great engine, a 401 is a lot of engine for that chassis.

Have you owned Jeeps before?

 

I dunno, while the Jeep has the mods that most of us would have done anyways, you really don't know when they were done or what quality of work was done on them. For a 1974, considering the "prone to crack" frame issues, a 401 is pretty beefy, unless the frame has been upgraded to accomodate. Certainly the T-18 can handle the torque, but without a boxed frame, and considering the many unknowns of "when" and "how" on many of the mods, I might be inclined to get something a little closer to stock if this was my first Jeep, IMO. However, if your goal is to tear her down anyways and build your own rig, and you can afford it, then I'd say go for it!