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Replaced brakes on both axles.
Replaced all hoses.
Heater core developed a leak.
Heater blower motor died.
Wiper motor died.
This is a great vehicle. Everyone loves the Jeep CJ-5, and with good reason. It's quirky and rough, but for an all purpose utility jitney, there's nothing better.
The 258 six is plenty powerful. I've heard of the performance nuts dropping massive V8's into these, but the old six is more than enough for average driving, and actually gives the vehicle better balance. It's smooth and dependable, and gets decent fuel economy as well.
The axles are solid, giving the vehicle a rather harsh ride, but hey, it's supposed to be tough. On rough roads and offroad terrain, the Jeep shines. Short and nimble, the little rig will go pretty much anywhere you point it. The tough chassis has plenty of grip on rough stuff, and in low range, it will climb a wall. The 3 speed manual transmission shifts like it was brand new; I can't believe how well those old trannys will age if taken care of. I've switched over to synthetic fluid to help keep things preserved in the gearbox.
My Jeep has the factory hard top and original lowback seats, and I've kept it very stock and plain. The highway ride is noisy (lots of wind and whistling) but that's to be expected with this old rig.
The Jeep CJ-5 is a classic. If you want a tough, no-nonsense utility vehicle for varied travel situations, the old CJ-5 can still deliver the goods.
Sounds like my fine '79!! The only difference I notice is that mine has a Soft top, but is still really windy. I would not have it any other way!!
My brotha,
fellow jeepers, WE LOVE OUR CJ5'S!!! nothing beats them, I'm 41 yrs old and I still have the same 1982 cj5 I bought when I graduated highschool... only now its worth about 15 thousand bucks!!!
I also have a CJ5, with a few mods. It always get me to and from the trail. Love it!!!
Performance nuts put in the v8's?
Mine came STOCK with a AMC 304 V8 - and theres no way I would ever trade down to the six.
I just bought my first CJ5 not to long ago, and it is the best car by far that I have ever driven. it is even better than what I had expected, but I was wandering how many miles do you get to the gallon with your jeep.
I am interested in buying a CJ5 with the 232 4.2L six and a three speed transmission. I am just wondering how much I can tow since I own a small utility trailer which I haul lawn equipment on. E-mail me at: fatmoose90@hotmail.com
Thanks for your help,
Josh from Maine.
Just bought my first '79 CJ5! I'm heading to the San Diego desert (Anza Borrego) this weekend for my first run in it! Man, I can't wait!
CJ-5 is a great little vehicle. I have inherited my 1967 CJ-5 that my father bought new. Every few years he repainted and installed a new top and doors on the CJ. It has been well maintained over the years, but is due again to be spruced up. The V6 with 3 speed and overdrive cruises nicely while getting great gas mileage. 38 1/2 years old and going great. I wouldn't take for it. A fun vehicle.
I have a 76 CJ5. All stock. I owned a 76 in 76 and recently found this one and bought it up. It looks like it just came off the showroom floor in a time warp. I recently changed the tires. Now I have 10.5 wide and what a difference. The tires before were too wide and old. This one handles great even at 65 mile an hour. My original had a 4 speed. This is a 3 speed, but it's okay. It's the straight 258 six. It's been totally restored and was in storage for over 25 years. Everything is original and it has only 17,000 miles on it.
I've thought of selling it 'cause my mind and idea of my old 76 was different when I actually got behind the wheel. It feels so close to the windshield. Didn't remember that, but didn't have 30 extra pounds either. I haven't taken it off road and wouldn't do anything crazy even if I was going to do that. No rocks. I'm finding a leek of oil from somewhere. Can't find it. Maybe the behind the front transfer case? I can't. And it seems to burn a little and I don't remember mine leaking or burning any. I took my old one pulling a utility trailer from Chicago to Oregon where I lived for another 20 years.
Reaper CJ5
I also own an 82 and I wouldn't get rid of it for nothing. It takes me to the greatest places and always gets me back! I have installed a 4" rubi express lift, 3" wheel spacers, arb lockers front and rear, solide axle and 410 gears, cordu seats, herculine interior and soon some new paint. You are right it is noisy going down the highway, but I also wouldn't have it any other way. Because I would rather have it noisy on the highway than quiet broken down along a trail haha.
Hold onto your cj's fellow jeepers,
the monetary worth of the cj5 and cj7 is steadily climbing,
and it is getting increasingly harder to find cj's (either 5's or 7's) in decent shape. also, every single cj owner I have ever talked too has regretted the selling of their jeep, so just don't do it, the headache of replacing your jeep is just to great.
Sapper001
I have had my 79 CJ5 for about three years now. I have rebuilt the 258 and R&Rd this engine myself. I think this is one of the greatest attributes of these legends, you can still work on it yourself in the garage or the field. I added an MSD 6 Off-road box, Blaster 2 coil, Pro-Billet dis, Headman-Super Comp headers, Offenhauser intake with a 600 cfm Holley and true dual Flowmaster 40's and hotter plugs and wires. I haven't had dyno'ed, but it feels like torque doubled in 4Lo and on the road. This old Jeep, I love.
Keep Jeepin' and involve as many family members and friends as possible. God Bless America!!! Sappers Forward!
I bought my '79 CJ5 this past spring. It's got the 282 in line six, 31x10.5" tires (no lift kit), custom full roll cage, 3-speed manual with overdrive. I love driving it, but fortunately, it's my second car. My 11-year-old son and I frequent the southern California deserts - mostly Anza Borrego area. You don't see many CJ5's around. Love it!
I am a proud owner of a 1979 CJ-5. Though I agree that the straight six is a great engine, Mine has a 360 out of a 1974 javelin and I wouldn't trade it for the world. The engine is complimented by the dual exhaust and the two inch lift is more than enough. For owners of a CJ-5 the six is more than enough, but if you have the time and access to a V8 it's a nice addition (beware of lifting the two front tires off the ground).
I have a 1967 CJ5, Kaiser-Willies Jeep. The frame is perfect, the body needed a re-fit. I replaced the tub to bed with an 'I' beam structure. the pan and bed were re-inforced with.25" diamond plate. The stock 225 v6 was rebuilt and made slightly rad by an engine rebuilder. My son and I did all, but the precision work. I wound up replaceing the entire power train - front to back. The trany upgrade was a Saganow-Muncie 430. This number delivered a 7-1 crawl ratio. the rear was rebuilt and adjusted to host a solid shaft. the front is still in the invention stage. I really love this beast. there is no othe machine alive that compares.