Should I buy a CJ7?

It has 33" tires on it, mud terrains, so I realize that this will add to ride bounce, and it sits a little lower in back then front so may be a spring/shock problem. Was looking at a site online for an engine for it, $1135.00 US for a rebuilt V8, that's a little over 1500 Can. Guess for under

$1500-$2000

For a first Jeep, it doesn't sound like the way to go both financially or physically

Tell him it's the worst CJ you have ever driven and it's a mechanical nightmare. Maybe he will start feeling a little guilty about trying to unload his POS and give you a deal on it. Otherwise, stay away from it unless you are willing to put the time and $$$ into it. Odds are, if you are buying a used CJ, you will most likely endup rebuilding the whole damn thing anyway. I know, I did.

Ted

I second that!! But don't we all?

Don W

'82 CJ8 Scrambler AMC 360 T/F 727 Dana 300 One-piece model 20 rear Dana 30 front, upgraded to 6-bolt caliper and Warn hubs, awaiting locker

And it finally runs!!!!!

Price sounds high to me. I wouldn't spend $4000 on a Jeep knowing I was getting a shot tranny and engine. For $8000 you can buy a nice Jeep already. Why buy a beater for $4000 and then put the time/effort and another $4000 into it hoping it's good.

One reason is the new fiberglass body on it, according my searches, this would cost me $ 3,413.16 Canadian from JC Whitney plus shipping and duty.

Keep in mind he is talking Canadian $$ here. It is Fiberglass and has some tire. It may not be all that bad of a deal. Sound like it needs the lift looked at if it is sagging in rear. As suggested for mine, a re arc and maybe new shocks. Just because it has bigger tires, doesn't mean it should ride bad. You may have to get all new shocks and springs.

Curt

I bought an 85 CJ7 that NEEDS nothing for $3000 (US). Sounds like you could find a Jeep from the southern US (ie little to no rust) and have it transported to you for the same price...

Well...

To start, a CJ7 drives like the small truck it is.

It steers like a truck, it 'really' shifts like a truck, brakes like a truck (long) and rides like a truck.

If the tires have more than 25 or so lb air in them, or if it has those Canadian tire sold Rancho 5000 shocks, you need a kidney belt and the wife needs a duct taped bra to drive it....

That 'panic' bar in front of the passenger isn't just there for show you know... ;-)

Seriously....

Those 258 engines are powerhouses. They also are easy to rebuild. $1200.00 from Chrysler Canada for a short block last time I checked.

But, usually the carb and the emissions stuff is all that is need to 'fix' to get them purring again. Both are inexpensive fixes if you do it yourself.

I have a 'glass 86 CJ7 and love it. I did the build myself and got a body from a gent in Ontario that makes wicked ones. It 'was' a pile of work and even with a blown engine and blown tranny I wouldn't sell mine for less than 5 or 6.

The price seems good to me. Rust buckets still get $3k around here.

When you get it, come back and we can help you make it run good.

A fast compression test on the engine before you buy it can tell a lot. Compression testers are cheap at Canadian tire.

Mike

Greg wrote:

You wouldn't happen to be in Winnipeg would ya? There's a silver/grey CJ for sale here too that sounds an awful lot like the one you're describing.

Mike