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are 1973 Jeep parts hard to find??

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by CT, Dec 28, 2008.

  1. Dec 28, 2008
    CT

    CT Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2004
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    We have a new jeep project... 73 cj5 (AMC)

    Tonight while searching the Internet from some parts, I noticed few companies who show a range of parts that include 1973. Most of the them show 76 and later. Do any of you know if a 76 side panel would fit at 1973 ?
     
  2. Dec 28, 2008
    Craig_M

    Craig_M New Member

    Centralia, WA
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    Dec 28, 2008
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    Good question. I've been looking for floor liners, seats and a replacement dash for my 74'. All I find is parts for 76-86. If someone knows of a good resource, or the interchangeability of 76 and 74 parts I would be glad to hear about it.
     
  3. Dec 28, 2008
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    Try the where to find parts thread in ecj5 section.
    Posted via Mobile Device
     
  4. Dec 28, 2008
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
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    Dash panels of the 76+ CJ's are interchangeable with the intermediates...of course the location of gauges is different, as is the shape of the area that the steering column goes through.

    Although I haven't personally used them, Classic Enterprises has good reviews for selling quality body parts, Link
     
  5. Dec 28, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    In general, there are fewer parts available for the '72-75 CJ Jeeps (the Intermediates) than for either the early Jeeps (55-71) or the late Jeeps (76-on).

    The early Jeeps are basically a civilian version of the M38A1 military Jeep, produced 52-57. When AMC bought Jeep from Kaiser in 1970, they began the process of making it 'their' product. There are some minor changes in 70-71, but the 1972 model marked the transition to the biggest AMC-related change - use of the AMC engines (232, 258, 304, 360) in place of the collection of unrelated engines used by Kaiser (the Kaiser-Willys 134 and two GM engines, the 225 and 350).

    CJ Jeeps from 72-75 are transition vehicles, essentially the existing M38A1 platform with enough changes that the AMC engines could be used. Some obvious changes were made in '72, such as improved steering and brakes, and updated transfer case and axles.

    In 1976, AMC/Jeep introduced the 'all AMC' CJ design, dropping the CJ-6 and introducing the new CJ-7. Almost everything changes except the engines and the outward appearance of the vehicle - thus the outside body panels are the same (mostly) from the later Jeeps to the earlier Jeeps.

    Some of the lack of parts support is probably due to a passive ignorance on the part of the parts suppliers. Some parts from the earlier Jeeps will be ok for '72-75, and some parts for the later Jeeps will also be ok. But on balance, little is interchangeable across the eras.

    My advice - until you become more familiar with the issues - ask here. If you can't find the parts you need from the suppliers listed in the sticky thread http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25203 we may be able to point you to a source. But also realize, that comparatively few of these vehicles were produced (somewhere between 100-150 thousand total over 4 years), it's been more than 30 years, and the parent company is mostly gone, so you should not expect much support for parts that do not overlap with other applications.

    hth!
     
    Last edited: Dec 28, 2008
  6. Dec 28, 2008
    CT

    CT Member

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    Apr 28, 2004
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    Tim,

    Thanks for that great response and history lesson on the change of ownership and the new stuff AMC was doing about this time. No wonder the parts are hard to find for the era that AMC had them.

    Will keep looking. And thanks Sparky for the pointer to the sticky site listing all the suppliers.

    You guys are great.

    Happy New Year!!
     
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