Thinking of picking up an old jeep for a weekend run around vehicle. I've always wanted a Jeep to knock around in and I'm finally at the point where having another car that I don't drive every day isn't out of the realm of possibility. This will purely be a run around town car. I don't plan on ever having doors or any more of a top than a bikini on it.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of the cj5 vs the cj7?

As far as I know, the only difference is wheelbase, the 7 being longer.

I would think the CJ7 would be somewhat better on the road and the CJ5 might be slightly better offroad.

I believe that the distinction is:

CJ5 = Tips over real easy
CJ7 = Tips over easy

Otherwise, not much difference.

Once upon a time, I had a CJ-7 for a short while. I don't think I would have liked it to be any shorter(CJ-5). It was okay, I just had to tinker with the engine what seemed like every day.

Now I have a 74 Land Cruiser that trumps all Jeeps imo.

Id prefer the landcruiser too but if you want a jeep. Go with a YJ, they are really cheap, lower miles, more parts, and not in demand right now, so you can get one for a real steal. All CJ's and FJ's are waaaay over priced due to limited numbers. if all you want is a beater that works for a good price. A YJ is a way to go. thats 1987-1995 years

I had a 78 cj5 Renegade with a 304 V8 that I absolutely loved. I purchased it in 1986, and it had a whopping 23,000 miles on it. I used it as a second vehicle, put 6000 miles on it, and sold it two years later for a small profit. I still kick myself everyday for selling that vehicle.

I had a '77 CJ-7 with the 304. 35's..

god i loved that piece of ****. Went through many bottles of starter fluid and was late to many high school classes due to needing to fix something.

3 turns of the wheel to make a 90 turn...completely unstable at high speeds (and yet I loved taking it on the highway)...had it on 2 wheels numerous times

to keep it short...I loved that thing

Had a '79 CJ7 Golden Eagle in highschool. It was awesome. I loved that jeep, but unfortunately, so did the thieves that stole it from my highschool parking lot. It also had the 5.0 liter 304 in it. My jeep had 33x12.5 tires.

I am now the proud owner of a 1992 YJ and I highly recommend.


TAF

Had a 76 CJ5 in highschool, blew up the 258 over Christmas break my freshman year at A&M and put in a 360. Got rid of it a few years ago.

CJ7= longer wheelbase more stability. Also CJ5's had the curved doors and the CJ7's had the full "U" doors

CJ7's have a host of issues that you will not have in the CJ5. Both will be tons of fun to beat around in, but the CJ7's are much crappier than the 5's.

Do a lot of research first. YJ's (depending on the year) can be trouble. TJ's are a better bet in my opinion, but probably will cost you more to purchase used.

I love a nice CJ7 though. Don't rule out a Toyota FJ40 either (just my two...)

[This message has been edited by AggieTJ (edited 7/27/2008 4:16a).]

If you are looking at CJ's, I'd go with a 76 or newer. They made some pretty significant changes to the CJ5 that year, along with the introduction of the CJ7.

I like 5's better, but if you want an automatic or overdrive you have to get a 7.

The transmissions kind of went to junk in the 80's, but the transfercase got much better. 83 and up have a computer controlled carberator, 83 and up CJ7 have wider axles. All CJ's after late 77 had disc brakes up front.

These things are kind of like lego's, and almost all of them have been hacked or rigged to some extent so you really need to make sure you are buying what is advertised. The floors rust, the frames bend near the front spring hangers. Look there before purchasing.

A 1980 to 81 CJ5 with factory v8 might be the best mix of modern brakes and offroad worthiness.

Freakishly tall people ***** about 5's, but if it doesn't have seat sliders you can add them from any 76 to 95 Jeep. Aftermarket seats do hit the rear inner fenders when on sliders so watch out for that.

If you want a YJ I've got a 1990 with a 4.0 swapped in and an 8.8 axle, slip yoke eliminator that I'm wanting to get rid of in the $3500 range.



[This message has been edited by robertf03 (edited 7/27/2008 12:59p).]