78 cj7

[mnutz]

Hi everyone. Been a member here for a while but haven't posted much, lurk a lot though!

I've been overlanding all over USA about 10 years in my Pathfinder. I sleep in the back and it takes me anywhere.

Well, the old Pathy just finally gave out. Catastrophic tranny failure. It also recently collided with a couple of large deer, it's not worth saving.

Now I'm looking for something different. Never owned a Jeep, this one caught my eye.

Says it has a Chevy 350, and 36" tires? Do those look like 36s? Also says runs and drives great. What do ya think? $2500 minus the winch. I may go look at it Monday. Being a total Jeep noob, What should I look for? Thanks!

 

[JKIslander]

Look for rust, particularly in the body and on the frame look for rot back in the corners where the shackles mount and the body mounts.

Check the engine over, 350's are nice but it could be carbed or injected, dont know if you want to fiddle with carbs.
Check trans and transfer case, were they swapped with the 350 or are they oem jeep. and check axles. Rear originally was a 2 piece AMC 20 and a front dana 30, neither of these will live to long behind a nice 350 if you do any wheeling.

Also its a CJ theyre going to be very primitive compared to the Pathy and definitely no sleeping in it, also will wide rough be loud and noisy.

but 2500 is a good price if the engine swap is done right and it runs good.

-Blake

 

[Root Moose]

If you are new to the Jeep thing I think you should start with a stock TJ or fuel injected YJ or similar.

These old Jeeps are, well, old - and before you know it you might have it down to the frame rails and wonder how you got there.

If it's not fuel injected, pass.

If the steering is not done right, pass.

If the steering box is cracked to hell, pass.

If the axles are not done right, pass.

if the transmission/transfer-case are not done right, pass.

If you don't know how to tell when something is done right or kludged, pass.

If you want a gas-n-go driver, pass.

2¢

 

[jeffy]

Hmm, the picture is too small to really get a good idea of what you're looking at. What year is it? How original is it?

Places to check for rust; the floor seam especially around the sides where it's stamped Jeep. The rear wheel well seam which is about 8" up from the rear wheel well opening. The windshield frame. Lower corners where the glass sits. Low center where the metal cap covers the windshield gasket. Check the body mounts while you're at it. You might ask where it leaks as well. Typically the cowl seat under the windshield frame will rot out and trap water then it leaks into the back side of the dash. Check the body seam where the cowl makes the transition from the hood line to the windshield support. They usually use caulk there and it dries out then leaks.

Judging by the gap between the rocker and the nerf bar, it has a body lift. Find out what axles it has. The front is probably a Dana 30 but the rear could be a Dana 44 or a Model 20 if they are stock.

I'll also guess that the rest of the drivetrain is GM as well? Probably a NP203 transfer case and a TH350 transmission... Bet the engine is carb'ed too. Also check to see if the engine is stock and what it came out of. If you live in an emission check state/county, you'll also want to make sure that it will pass inspection.

Check for booger welds as well.

$2500 isn't bad as long as you know what you're getting into.

 

[AZchris]

All that being said, it could be a fun vehicle to have. :wings:

But, as said already, know what you are getting in to.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Now I'm looking for something different. Never owned a Jeep, this one caught my eye.

Says it has a Chevy 350, and 36" tires? Do those look like 36s? Also says runs and drives great. What do ya think? $2500 minus the winch. I may go look at it Monday. Being a total Jeep noob, What should I look for? Thanks!

Sorry about your pathy.

Honestly Brohemian, I'd have you look for a 97 and up wrangler TJ. :chef:

Simple efi motor, stronger frame, np231 transfer case(or np241 rocktrac in rubicons), and some nice medium duty axles from the factory. perfect for cruising the town or running the rubicon, or scouting around for a new campground.