[clubbs]

Been a jeep fan but always been a spectator. I'm an avid wheeler, but my Dodge trail rig is undergoing major surgery and I needed something to wheel in the mean time. So when I saw this 1980 cj5 project for sale I had to jump on it. I've only seen one pic of it and talked to the owner a couple times but it sounds like a deal (don't they all). I know some of you veteran jeepers are probably thinking I'll be in way over my head, and your likely right, but I won't know until I drive the 10 hours round trip to trailer it home. Here is what I do know:

1980 cj5 with the 4 banger, likely has the weak 4 speed (sn4 I think??)tranny, has a metal hard top and doors. The one pic I have seen shows the radiator out and the fenders and grill off. The back of the tub where the tail gate would be is diamond plate??? The owner said the back tailgate was rotted so he made the repair with diamond plate and replaced the driver's side floor pan and otherwise its rot free with a solid frame and all together complete. He bought it and drove it home three years ago from a guy who had it in his barn for the previous 10 years. He said he put a new fuel tank in it because the old one was rusted and clogged the fuel filter on the drive home. He says the fenders and grill are off to be primed and he had the radiator serviced while it was out in the open and hasn't put it back in yet. Says he has too many projects and just needs to move one. Otherwise the pick shows a pretty clean looking cj5, still on the stock wheels, with the stock dash and roll bar, not sure about seats though...

What would this model have for axles, t-case, could it have have power steering and or brakes?? Any advise would be appreciated, I'll keep you posted as it gets closer, may be a real deal or a real waste of time and $500, but I figure any complete jeep without tons of rot and rust has got to worth atleast $500 right??? please say yes...

[k_smittay]

If the truck is still pretty much stock with no upgrades, get the VIN. The VIN will tell you everything that came from the factory. Use this website-

Decoding Jeep CJ VIN Numbers

[brownbagg]

yes its worth 500

[RogueSpear2023]

It's probably worth $500 in parts. I would say it's a good find, my uncle has a CJ5 4cyl, probably similiar, but his has no rust. They are great to drive, like you are driving piece of history. Even with a 4cyl is fun to drive around. The only downside is me being 6'2" they are very small.

[clubbs]

Sounds good, I think I'll pick it up on the 20th so I won't know until then. I'm right at 6' so its going to be cramped but I've always wanted a CJ5 so I'll just deal with it, after all half the fun of owning one of these things is deal with all the Jeep-o-centric stuff.

Anyone know of any good references I could look at to check part interchangability and all around general information. I'm sure this sight is full of that sort of thing, but I don't always have solid time to search the web. I'm debating on buying a rotted out CJ7 for the drivetrain to go along with the 5, but would like it to be bolt in stuff as I'm anxious to get on the road with this thing. The 7 has the 304 in it but other than that I didn't get a good enough look at it to see past the rust and figure out whats in it. The trans shift lever won't move so I think thats done so I'd need to find another trans and don't know what to look for.

Thanks
Dave

[clubbs]

so I found a 79 304 with a T150 and a dana 20 t-case for sale for $150. Its on my way home from picking up my jeep. Supposedly its complete and in good condition... Thinking about grabbing that to and replacing the 4 cylinder and not so stout SR4... that is unless some of you experts convince me that I'd be better off keeping the 4 banger???

Dave

[brownbagg]

that is unless some of you experts convince me that I'd be better off keeping the 4 banger???

I dont think anybody going do that,