Going tomorrow to look at a 76 CJ5. Looks to be in good shape with some normal wear/tear. Has spring over lift (dont really care for that), and nearly new 33/12.50's. Also has new front brakes, new carb, new shocks etc.

I'm going to look at it tomorrow, what do I need to be on the lookout for other than the obvious? He said it will eventually need a clutch if I plan to do any heavy mudding, but right now its fine. Says he just took it on a 250 mile round trip and it was great.




[Edited on February 12, 2012 at 7:22 PM. Reason : .]

2/12/2012 7:16:15 PM

play in suspension components (ie: tie rod ends, ball joints, etc.)

Look for leaks. Make sure that when you go see the CJ5 it has been sitting for a while. This way you can make sure it'll cold start. Drive it around. Shut it down for a minute. Start it again to make sure it has no issues with warm starts. Play with the gears, make sure transmission shifts fine. Make sure windshield washer pump works (most people overlook this ). check lights, signals, have him press brakes for you to check rear lights. Maybe that's a bit overly anal, but I want to make sure the shit works like it's supposed to.

Look for leaks or any grease/grime under hood that would suggest a leak. Oh and typical CJ rust spots.

2/12/2012 7:33:41 PM

Big ass rusty holes he slapped that diamond plating over. Not a deal breaker, but it might help you negotiatie on the price some. Cool looking Jeep.

2/12/2012 7:37:06 PM

^He said the diamond plates actually were not hiding rust lol. We will see, for a beater jeep I dont care.

2/12/2012 7:46:19 PM

Look for a gaping hole in you wallet.

2/12/2012 9:21:39 PM

^^^

Rust, leaks. Proper 4x4 actuation particularly if it's a vacuum system.

I mean, the good news is that there isn't much too them, parts are cheap, and they are very easy to work on.


Also, mud fucking sucks.

2/12/2012 11:10:27 PM

If the diamond plate isnt covering rust why the hell would he put it on there?

2/13/2012 7:37:48 AM

^obviously you dont offroad


Added sheetmetal protection

2/13/2012 8:16:24 AM

I have never seen it on the front fender like that. I have seen the rocker guard and the diamond plating on the back fender, but it just looks out of place on that front fender and i dont really see what "protection" that provides. meh it looks like junk to me

2/13/2012 9:44:42 AM

Oh i'm not arguing that it is worthy protection.... 'intended' protection is a better description...that and people love plastering shit like that on vehicles

2/13/2012 10:14:19 AM

It's a Jeep thing. People will buy it just because someone makes it.

2/13/2012 10:29:52 AM

Ive had two of these.

Rust rust rust. look on the back for it, near the fenders and under for rust. also make sure you check all the rubbers on the suspension. they can ruin it.

the drive shaft is weak on most of them if they havent swapped them out.

the dash normally rust pretty quickly as well

check where the seat bolts down to the body.

and of course normal engine stuff.

2/13/2012 3:14:41 PM

Picked up the jeep. Actually looks mostly rust-free. You can see where someone repaired the tubs at one point in time, and it has one minor rust spot on the rear quarter panel. Other than that, for the most part it looks fairly decent. Wiring overall is pretty much crap, rear brakes need some help (no lines) and a few other odds/ends.

Overall it looks like a little more work than I would have liked, but it could be a fun project. Hell, for as little as I have in it, it wouldnt be to hard to get rid of if I get fed-up with it.

2/13/2012 10:21:38 PM

I would have paid about $2000 for it given the pics you have.

slap a new paint job on, some new chrome, fix the minor stuff and sell it for $5000.


the wiring is easy on those things but be sure if you redo it you run it cleanly and correctly.

I'll probably get another this summer to flip.

2/14/2012 2:47:27 PM

It has no brake lines and the seller just took it on a trip? Not like 250 miles round trip is a lot but you still need brakes!

2/14/2012 3:58:29 PM

^Paid less than that, traded some guns for it.

Did some more digging today once I got it off the trailer. Driving around the farm, it will need a clutch pretty soon I think. Up one hill the clutch smoked and I got a good bit of chatter letting off the clutch when starting. The engine "sounds" rough at idle, however runs great and has plenty of torque.

The rust situation...well the more I poke the more I find. Mostly just small pinholes and stuff like that, nothing major. Still havent found any on the frame lack for one spot right behind the front bumper.

Likely a little more of a project than I wanted. Still will be worth doing since I do want a Jeep.

2/14/2012 5:56:11 PM

hey what's the best Jeep forum? I just picked of a 2005 Grand Cherokee Limited.

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 3:44 PM. Reason : .]

2/15/2012 3:44:01 PM

http://www.nc4x4.com


might not be 100% jeep specific, but the amount of local knowledge is awesome, plus you can make IRL friends!


...there are a few carryovers from tww:
myself
colter (iirc)
jeepman
BBR
adam8778
primer
...9one9? (or one of those cats from the rallyx)
...maybe a couple mre

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 3:56 PM. Reason : -]

[Edited on February 15, 2012 at 3:57 PM. Reason : -]

2/15/2012 3:56:12 PM

cool thanks!!

2/15/2012 5:18:50 PM