What would $4500 get me?

[jeepdreamer]

GPW...mmmm

And if you don't mind me asking...what was the asking price for the GPW?

 

[MoGas]

I'm not stuck on the V8, it's just stuff I have laying around. To round out a beefed drivetrain on the GPW, I would have used FZJ80 series axles, full floating with rear disc brakes. That would have brought 4.11s in where 5.38's would have been. Tires were to be no larger than 33s.


As far as "hardcore wheeling" is concerned, I'm a firm believer in "it's the archer, not the arrow" I have taken a stock flathead powered 1943 MB through areas 25 years ago that nowadays, people think you must have lockers, 35s, and judicious application of the stupid pedal to accomplish.


My needs are:

Standard transmission

Fun

Durable


My wants for this vehicle are:

Can it sit out in the weather with no top for a full four seasons and still have everything work?

Ease of field repair.

Ease of locating repair parts at most stockists

Cheap operating costs



What would be nice?:

Power steering

Heater

Hard top

When I ask myself these questions, I end up like this:

My needs are:

Standard transmission (Available all years and models)

Fun (available all years and models)

Durable ( I know the durability of 1941-1986. no idea on 1987-present)


My wants for this vehicle are:

Can it sit out in the weather with no top for a full four seasons and still have everything work? (41-86, absolutely, I don't know about 87+)

Ease of field repair. (41-86, absolutely, I don't know about 87+)

Ease of locating repair parts at most stockists (Probably best at 76+, however not too bad for '61+)

Cheap operating costs (41-86, absolutely, I don't know about 87+)



What would be nice?:

Power steering (most likely found in a '76+, however was an option earlier)

Heater (I'm pretty sure was standard in '45+)

Hard top (Most likely on a CJ-7 or later, however also found on many earlier models)

Hope this helps you guys figure out what I want.

Dave

And if you don't mind me asking...what was the asking price for the GPW?

$500. last run ~5 years ago. The "problem" is that it has been in his family since 1947, so he has a great emotional attachment. It is too hacked up to restore to original and that's not something I'd be interested in anyhow.

Dave

 

[Amauri]

I think a YJ with a 4.0 would fit the bill.

 

[DarinM]

I had a '79 CJ-5, a '94 YJ and my current '04 TJ Rubicon.
When the TJs first came out, I was disgusted with this "car-like" creation they called a Jeep. I have since changed my mind.
Having said that, I loved my YJ. It had the 4.0 with the AX15 transmission. Really no other options - No AC, soft-top, etc. I added headers, a K&N filter and a Flowmaster - all of which made a little more horsepower.
Then I added a 4" ProComp lift and Daystar shackles for another inch or so. I stuck some 33x12.50's on it and it looked great!! Problem was I was young and dumb and didn't know anything about gearing. The 3.07s in the axles were not amused.
All that aside - I had a blast in that Jeep. I had transmission problems off and on - but I think that was due to poor quality mechanics working on it and my own idiocy.
I love the 4.0 engine. The only engine I love more is the Ford 5.0 inline 6 (which I had in an '81 F-150 in high school - with a 4 sp manual that had a granny low!!).
My friend Tod and I installed the lift ourselves and didn't blow anything up. The thing was easy to work on, fun to drive. As much as I really, really like my present Jeep, at times I miss my YJ very, very much.
Couple crappy cell phone pics of the original crappy pics. :ylsmoke:

 

[AYIAPhoto]

I would really look hard at the YJ from your list of needs:

My needs are:
Standard transmission-check
Fun-check
Durable-check(yeah the axles aren't great, but they're not too bad either)

My wants for this vehicle are:
Can it sit out in the weather with no top for a full four seasons and still have everything work?-check(again the YJ has a galvanized body so rot is not a major concern, all the electrical on a 4.2 is no more vulnerable than a CJ or older. The 4.0 you do have the computer to look out for.)
Ease of field repair-check(with a 4.2, just swap a non electronic carb from a CJ)
Ease of locating repair parts at most stockists-check
Cheap operating costs-???define cheap

What would be nice?:
Power steering-check
Heater-check
Hard top-check

Swap the carb for one from a CJ or an aftermarket carb and manifold and the 4.2 is just as reliable as those in the CJs. Pick up an AX-15 from the bone yard(if it has the peugot junker) or get adapters to swap your T18 in its place if you really want a granny gear. An explorer 8.8 with trac-lok and 4.10's is an easy swap for the rear and a 4 cylinder front axle will have gears to match. A slip yoke eliminator is highly recommended. 3 inches of lift will easily clear 33x10.5s.