OH NO!!! 5 Things About Buying a Used Jeep CJ7 // What to look at for your next purchase
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- čas přidán 11. 09. 2022
- How many times has this happened to you?
You see a really nice used 1976-1986 Jeep CJ7...
You pull into the used car lot (or someone's front yard)...
You check it out, looks solid...
You take it for a test drive... no strange sounds...
You make the purchase...
Then you take it to your local garage, and next thing you know, there are 15 things that need to be fixed before it can be road legal, and your bill now costs more than you spent on the vehicle??? What just happened???
We've all been there at one point or another. And if you haven't, you know someone who has been.
At SFJ, we believe in being as prepared as possible when picking out your next vehicle, especially in today's times when saving money wherever possible is critical. In this video, Neil takes a look at 5 things to make sure you check out when buying your next used 1976-1986 Jeep CJ7. Is it the ultimate checklist?? Of course not, but for the average person, these 5 things will give you an idea of just how much work you're getting yourself into, and how much money you may have to put in to make it your dream Jeep.
Neil takes an in-depth look at problems affecting the frame/body, the steering/suspension, wiring, tops/covers, and modifications.
If the seller will allow it, SFJ also offers a "Crawl Over Inspection" where we'll give your perspective new vehicle a multi-point inspection and report our expert opinion on the vehicle's condition. To see if this service is still available, reach out to us at www.SFJ4x4.com, call us at (440) 813-3663, or visit us at the shop at 324 Orange Street in Conneaut, Ohio.
Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to share in all our wild adventures.
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I just bought a CJ7, an 82, drove it thirty miles home this week and will begin the work of figuring out all it needs rebuilt and restored for "daily driver purposes". It needs the steering looked at right out of the gate, it's got a straight six and four speed, feels fairly tight and in good shape, should be interesting once I get into it's innards. Got many new things to "check out" based on this and a few other videos. Hope to be driving it in the next year or so as a daily driver. Thanks!
I've got a tilt steering column in my 81 CJ5, and it was wobbling like crazy, when I bought her. I found a mechanic to fix the play in the steering, but in the process they messed up the turn signal mechanism. Rebuilding those tilt steering columns is not a fun time. 😉
Having owned and restored a dozen CJ's over 5 decades, here is what to look for; don't get soft doors with zippers, get rollup windows and then add the soft top, Most of the automatics were quadratrac AWD, so no flat towing with hubs, the 304 was all torque with no horsepower and slowww, low range in early CJ's with 3 speeds was not low enough and will power out on a steep grade, later Dana 300's were better. Late 4.2 (lightened) engines with VV (electronic mixture control) carbs will wreck your engine. 1985 and 86 tubs were galvanized so mostly rust free. At 72 my current CJ7 is an 85, with tilt, A/C, soft top hard doors, Ford 5.0 Mustang V8 (fit better than Chev with headers inside frame rails) Drag race spec. T5, 4:10 gears.
Just a note about the 1339 TC!
The chain inside the case is notorious for stretching over time. The clutch cones also fail. It also takes a very particular oil!
All in all a very good transfer case IF taken care of!!!
I have a full set up for a quadratic including 3 TC's & 2 Turbo 400 tranny's, rear offset axle, tilt steering column, cardon front drive shaft and shift linkage.
Love the channel. Keep up the fantastic content.
Thanks for the support! We'll keep grinding if you all keep watching!
I just bought my first jeep today and it's a 78 CJ7 built mountain rig. Hell of a deal from my buddy and the best part is my girlfriend just rebuilt a bunch of shit for it over the last few years he had it. So excited.
I purchased a new 1986 CJ7 Renegade when I was 20 years old. Still have the window sticker. Hard top and doors. $11,800. 4.2 liter 6, Dana 44, 30 300. B
Warner T5. Tilt steering. For a kid making $450 a week in 86 it was a very reasonable purchase. $242 a month. My insurance with $250 deductible was $85 a month. Today the price for an old CJ7 is beyond ridiculous. I’ve seen them as high as $60k. Dennis Collins can completely restore for $100k. Even rust bucket condition is going for almost 1986 new prices. Unless you’re a baby boomer who made their money selling off the American economy to the Chinese to buy this vehicle it’s not a wise decision. Buy a wrangler JL like I did with warranty. If you want an old Jeep a CJ2 or CJ3 is a lot more affordable. In 86 when I drove my CJ off the lot I never imagined in a million years these vehicles would become so popular. They didn’t sell well because their handling was tricky and flipping one was very easy. Still it was my daily vehicle for ten years before I sold it with 157,000 miles on it.
Awesome CJ7....the coloring on this Jeep looks very much like the '71 Dauntless V-6 I owned. I fully went thru it and painted it International Scout Fire Orange with a white top and installed white bucket reclining seats (I think from a Toyota) from Junkyard. Had the white spoke wheels and full cage. It was a striking look and definitely stood out, and so does this one!😍
Right on!
In az we do the trim because we don’t have rust and it looks good haveing the bed liner on it
Later year windshield frame also indicates not all original. The spare tire on the side of a CJ7 in 78 and 79 was still available. My dad ordered his this way to allow full acces to tailgate and hitch. Most important tip as you pointed out.....INSPECT FRAMES! Inside of frames. Buyer beware of many CJs on BaT or any online auction. Better view in person and inspect or go have it inspected. Beware of flipper sellers. Great video. Nice information.
I bought a Jeep new in 1980, mine was a base model it too had the side mount spare tire. Yes Im that old.
Great video awesome intel
Thanks!
Good stuff👍🏼
We're trying!!
I'd like to have that original gray carpet... Has some great original parts
I have a awesome 1983 CJ 7 !! It is set up old school with custom mods ! I love it but the suspension is horrible back then ! It need more !
Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket. But seriously with these things, it seems like they leak all the time no matter what. Ya kind of have to take a tach that as long as it's leaking its still got fluid. It keeps the metal from rusting sometimes. Nice video
Haha yup that's just part of the Jeep life! Thank you
Survivor Jeep is correct. Two incorrect parts jumped out at me, the wheels are not OEM and the bumperettes are either YJ or aftermarket. definitely not OEM CJ. Nice video, thanks.
Good catch! You're right, it's not original but it was SOLD as original. That's part of the issue when people go out and spend a large amount of cash on one of these vintage vehicles, they don't know what they don't know and it can come back to bite them. Thank you
I would love to find a nice White Top and Hardware!
In 1977 the tire did come on the side. Don't know about 78. Renegade with no tailgate got a rear mount. On the cj5s. Good video and info.
Sure did and in 1978 too.Looking at a 1978 brochure I saved from when Pops ordered a new J20 Jeep Pickup and they show side mount and optional swingout rear carrier in the CJ section. Enjoyed the video thanks
@@waggitnshaggit6592 thanks for the follow up. I bought a 77 that I still have and a friend bought a 78 but memory wasn't sure about 78
@@johndoe43 nice! I noticed he said steel body is preferred but my son and I are going to see about one with a fiberglass body, any thoughts on the glass ones?
@@waggitnshaggit6592 never had one but I know you have to run ground wires for everything. My buddy with the 78 passed away and I wound up with his project. It is a steel from MD juan. The fiberglass are a little better than they used to be. Guy here in town did one and it looked ok. Never checked it up close though
Ok appreciate it
Good video!! I have a fixer upper project and this has been helpful to know what "true" looks like so I can match it. By the way, where can I find a side tire mount like that? I have been looking for ages!
Thanks for watching and we're glad you found the vid helpful. Honestly, this particular Jeep will likely have the side mount removed soon. Maybe you and that owner can strike a deal! Feel free to email us if you're interested in that.
@@SFJ4x4 Done! That is if I'm not too late!
Some early 78 cj7 did come with side mounted spares i was there! that jeep came from the factory with standard steel wheels and not those aftermarket wagon wheels. check your facts if your doing this type of vid
Knowing all of this, what would he the fair price to pay for a Jeep in that condition?
Actually it's the fuel and temperature gauge that share an electrical feed not fuel and voltage.... Anyone who buys a CJ7 or any 40+ year old vehicle, regardless of seller stated condition better know how to turn a wrench or have a thick wallet for a good mechanic if you want everything to be perfect all the time.
Good catch, your statement is accurate but the sentiment is still the same. Just something for people looking to buy a vintage Jeep to be aware of.
I have never ever looked at a jeep CJ without making a mental list of how to build it up.
CJs are like Harley's, the most rare and boring is the one that's still stock. haha.
And, by the way, I've never looked at a Chrysler wrangler without throwing up in my mouth!
We do not let them ride with us unless it's a girl driving.
Their like the 80s vw rabbit, you know, a girls car!
The tires....seriously??
If this guy knows Jeeps, he overlooked the replaced windshield and no way this is original paint. Look under the hood.
If you want something with a top buy a grand Cherokee
I think the white jeep is a cj7 lol
My mom thinks I'm handsome, but that doesn't make me a model! 🤷🏼♂️🤣 -Neil
Auto. Maybe a woman would drive it.