Newbie Needs Advice On First Jeep Purchase

May 23, 2005 3 Replies

Hi All, I am looking for the best sources of info for someone considering purchase of a Jeep CJ 1972-1976. Advice as well as websites or what have you would be welcomed. Thanks In Advance! -Riles sriley3 [AT] san.rr.com


My advice, first figure out what you want the vehicle to do. For example, I wanted to pull a 3000 lb boat on the highway, launching sometimes where there's no ramp ... so that's probably a truck. I also wanted a daily driver (low octane, reasonable mileage) for summer/winter city/highway, occasional mild offroad into the bush to small lakes for fishing/camping ... I already decided that's either awd or 4wd, 4 doors (ok 5). After cruising the manufacturer websites etc, and visiting manufacturer lots, I decided a used

4 litre, 4 wd, auto transmission XJ (pulls 5000 lbs but I wouldn't try it) would be perfect. I cruised the used car lots for a month or two and found a '96 XJ that ran well ... went for the test drive, liked it, bought it, put on a transmission cooler, new wheels/tires for summer (use the originals with snows in winter) and I'm a happy guy. Oh yeah, one last thing ... before putting down the cash, I dragged my wife along for a test test drive ... even though she said "whatever you think" so that if (make that when) things go wrong ... :-)

For me money is a luxury else that big diesel truck woulda done the job, along with a new boat :-)

I've pulled that much (probably a little more) and it's "entertaining" to stop and don't even THINK about going up any sort of hills.

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required