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1974 cj5 questions

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by boscoedog, Oct 22, 2004.

  1. Oct 22, 2004
    boscoedog

    boscoedog New Member

    Fayetteville, AR
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2004
    Messages:
    28
    hi guys,
    i think i want a jeep and a friend is selling his 1974 cj5 for $2000.
    the jeep has a recently rebuilt engine which starts right-up and doesnt smoke or anything, four new 31" tires and white spoke wagon wheels to go along with them. the body is straight with a few spots of rust here and there. all the lights work and that is about all the jeep has.
    i am worried about the fact that it would need a new interior, seats and everything. also the brakes seemed soft when i was driving it (i could stand on them and the jeep would still creep down hill) and the steering is all over the place. the only other thing i am worried about is the suspension was so bumpy i almost got bounced out (no seatbelts either). it also need new clamps for the windshield, which bounced off into my lap as i was driving it.

    any advice or things to look out for on this jeep would be appreaciated. or sources for replacement parts would be helpful.
    thanks
    b
     
  2. Oct 22, 2004
    plunkinberry

    plunkinberry Member

    Canonsburg, PA
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2002
    Messages:
    102
    Howdy boscoedog... Where ya from?

    Price is funny, it really depends on you. For a recently rebuild rig, 2k might be OK, but with several drawbacks that you've described, it gives you room to negotiate. None of those things are difficult to do or to find cheap replacement parts for, but it will be additional cost to you after the buy.

    What would you use it for? Trail rig? Toy? Daily driver? Do you have any previous Jeep experience?

    I paid considerably more than that for my '75 and its lived in the garage for 4.5 years... Can you take any pics of it?

    Again, howdy from southwestern Pennsylvania.
     
  3. Oct 22, 2004
    sternbal

    sternbal Member

    Nashville, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2004
    Messages:
    104
    Sounds like a Jeep, to me.

    Bargain with them, get the price down a little more, and buy it.
     
  4. Oct 22, 2004
    boscoedog

    boscoedog New Member

    Fayetteville, AR
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2004
    Messages:
    28
    the jeep would be mainly a toy/project/hobby type vehicle. I want to buy the jeep b/c I have a nice 2002 nissan frontier and i am sick of putting scratches and dings in it.
    i have never owned a jeep but had a toyota fj40 for a while.
    i like the jeep b/c it looks simple to work on. i'm no-mechanic but i am mechanicly inclined. with a good manual and a wrench i am not afraid to try almost anything and since it wont be a daily driver if something takes me three or four weeks finish its no-big deal. this jeep will also be on a pretty tight budget. first on my to-do list will be safty issues such as the brakes, windsheild and seatbelts. then i will begin to replace the interior and make any performace up-grades necessary. i dont want to end up with a monster at this point just a reliable off-road vehicle.
    I dont do rock crawling or anything yet but i do drive down dirt roads and logging roads in the ozark natl forest when i get out in the woods. also a friends cabin i goto has a pretty rough road through the woods.

    i would like to get involved with my local 4x4 club but have not yet done so.
    again any advice is welcome.
    b
     
  5. Oct 22, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Sounds like you found your vehicle then. :D

    Steering should be an easy fix as should the brakes. You could upgrade to disks easily or just fix the offending 11" drums quite easily I'd guess.

    It's an easy vehicle to work on. Welcome to the forum!
     
  6. Oct 22, 2004
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2004
    Messages:
    1,552
    Hows the frame look?
    New frames are pricey. The rest is no biggie.
    Almost anything you would want to do some one here has done.
    I'd say get it, see what the bottom $ is he would take and do it.
     
  7. Oct 22, 2004
    boscoedog

    boscoedog New Member

    Fayetteville, AR
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2004
    Messages:
    28
    The frame is solid w/o rust the only rust is body rust by the doors ( or where they used to be b/c it dosn't have door or a roof) and on the tail gate. the jeep looks pretty original except for the spare tire has been moved to the rear bumper and a tow-bar is on the fromt.
    the jeep starts right up and drives as can be expected. everything leaks except the engine and radiator and the interior is shot.
    the $2000 price is as low as it gets. i am paying for the new tires, new wheels and rebuilt engine. the guy selling the jeep say he has one too many vehicle and the jeep is at the top of the list to go. currently it is not a daily drive but is driven on a farm pretty often.
     
  8. Oct 22, 2004
    firegod33

    firegod33 Member

    Grand Junction, CO
    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2003
    Messages:
    154
    Price sounds a little high for the work it needs, but it is probably still a good deal. Vehicles don't get much easier to work on than the old CJ's. Have fun with it!
     
  9. Oct 22, 2004
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2004
    Messages:
    1,552
    If thats as low as they will go, pull the trigger.
    We have all seen junk sell for more $ than that.
    All the tech help you would/could need is here.
     
  10. Oct 24, 2004
    schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    Success, MO
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2003
    Messages:
    553
    I paid 800 for mine, was told I was paying for the new tires and top. It needed totally gone through top to bottom, front to rear. If you don't have any electrical issues you are a step ahead of where I was. Heck, if it runs you are leaps and bounds ahead of where I was! You can replace the entire brake system yourself and not spend a fortune. It has to be done eventually on any vehicle so wouldn't let that bother me. Better you do it yourself and know it is done right. With the saginaw steering, you should be able to check tire pressures, wheel bearing adjustment, ball joints, and then replace worn tie rods and drag link as required. The box itself is nearly indestructible. Again not a fortune and you'll know it is done right. I applaud your focusing on safety related items-smart move!
    I say buy it, but if it doesn't have a top, I would negotiate a little. Tops can be a little pricey unless you are just going with a bikini top.
     
  11. Oct 24, 2004
    speedbuggy

    speedbuggy Looking for a Jeep now

    Living the Good...
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2004
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    1,270
    I'm with the rest of the guys here. Buy it. It doesn't take a whole lot of cash to fix what you've mentioned and you'll have a nice rig.
     
  12. Oct 24, 2004
    James P. Enderwies

    James P. Enderwies Sponsor

    Lake Havasu City, AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2003
    Messages:
    747
    I concurr with everyone else. You've got your priorities correct. But try to get a couple of hundred off for No Top. Everything else is doable yourself for little $$ and it can be FUN!

    Oh, Welcome from Havasu.
     
  13. Oct 25, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Welcome from Boston west (currently Pasadena)!

    The '74 model had a long option list compared with modern cars. You had your choice of 3 AMC engines - 2 inline 6s (232 and 258ci) or the 304 V8. Power steering and power brakes were both available, as were several "heavy duty" options (cooling, springs and shocks, alternator, battery). The value of the vehicle goes up if it has factory power steering, the 258 engine with a T18 4-speed transmission, or the V8. There were a couple of factory "packages" like Levis, Renegade and Super Jeep. Any of those in original condition would up the value. I'd guess just about everything else is much less important than condition.

    For $2000, I'd certainly expect to get something you can drive, at least around town. The rust, or frame cracks, take the most value off of the Jeep if it runs and drives. Look around the steering box bracket for cracks coming from the corners of the frame, or look for old frame repairs. I'd say solid frame, solid body, and completeness would be your major concerns.

    hth Tim
     
  14. Oct 25, 2004
    boscoedog

    boscoedog New Member

    Fayetteville, AR
    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2004
    Messages:
    28
    thanks for all your replies.
    i have decided to buy the jeep but it will be about three weeks before i get my $$ together and the time to really go through it and start cleaning it up.
    i will post again then as i am sure i will have dozens of new questions about what goes where, how to fix whatever and where to buy replacement parts.
    again thanks for all your help and see ya'll soon.
    b :)
     
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