Jeep, '72, 304V8, 3spd, bone stock

[HomeBrew2]

I'm giving some consideration to buying a CJ5 per the subject line description.
If anyone has any comments, pos or neg, on this I'd appreciate hearing them.
This is a generic question for the integrity of the vehicle I described.
I have gleened the following (negative):
The 304 ain't bad if it's sound and the ignition and 2bbl are in good shape and adj properly (?)
That vintage (AMC) Jeep has a frame cracking prob at the front xmember (?)
I have a handle on the motor/drivetrain that would be better/best and, price is "my" issue, ie, not part of my question.
Thank you for any info.

 

[wushaw]

Just remember....A Jeep is not bought...it is built

 

[HomeBrew2]

Just remember....A Jeep is not bought...it is built

Amen, brother!!! I appreciate your way with words, thank you

 

[EddieWalker]

In High School, my first vehicle was a 73 CJ5 with the 304 and manual 3sp. I paid $1,200 for it and when I joined the Marine Corps, I sold it for $5,000.

The 304 has a few problems, but overall it's a decent engine. The main problems are the carburator and distributor. Both need constant adjustment and attention. Replace both and you'll elliminate about 90% of your problems.

The clutch isn't all that either, but after putting three of them in, I remeber pulling the transmission out the last time in 45 minutes by myself.

Brakes are junk. Especially if you get them wet. They just don't work when they are wet.

Power steering would have been nice, but as long as you keep your thumbs out of the spokes in the wheel, you'll survive sudden bumps. That wheel will spin like crazy when the tire hits a rock, or something sudden, the tires will turn real fast and the steering wheel will spin.

Windshield wipers are vacume actuated and not very good. I replaced them with electric ones that really made a big difference. Of couse, I learned that when it's raining out and you don't have the top on, the wipers don't help with all the water on the inside of the windshield!!!! hahaha

One thing that drove me crazy was the clutch bracket was connected to the frame and the bell housing. Twice while off roading, I twisted the frame just enough to let the linkage fall off. After the second time of crawling under it in the mud to pull it all apart and then put it back together, I created a bracket that allowed it to work off just the frame.

I let my Dad borrow it to go deer hunting with my brother, and they came back telling me there was no radiator cap on it and that they had overheated real bad. I don't know the details, but sort of figure that both of them were not paying attention and didn't catch it until the engine was fried.

I was in high school, I had a friend with a Chevy LT1 small block chevy that needed rebuilding that was cheap, so I tossed the 304 and put in the 350. It was way too powerful and kind of crazy to drive, but as a teenager, I loved it!! hahaha

Eddie

 

[bigtiller]

I remember them rolling over easily.

 

[HomeBrew2]

...

Thanks Eddie, that gives me more insight. I appreciate your detailed comments.
Interesting how when a man needs to-the-point info it uaually comes from Texas

 

[HickoryNut]

That early 70's frame had more problems that just front crossmember. '75+ got a whole new wider and heavier frame and is much better suited for the 304. Springs got alot longer in the late '70s too which greatly enhanced ride quality on the street.

Remember, with any old Jeep your simply buying a frame and a tub, everything else is just waiting to get repaired or replaced so you got to make sure you got the "chassis" you want to invest in and go from there.

 

[HomeBrew2]

I remember them rolling over easily.

I do appreciate your comment as well. I collect easy-to-roll vehicles. I have a BX23. I also, on purpose, bought a 2001 Ford Exploder ... last of the "dangerous" breed. ... waited to buy new tires till one of the factory tires blew at speed on the freeway. Piece of cake ... gracefully pulled to the side of the freeway and changed the tire ... not very impressed with the roll-over potential of that vehicle. Rollover potential of a wheelbase considerably shorter will get much more attention

 

[HomeBrew2]

That early 70's frame had more problems that just front crossmember. '75+ got a whole new wider and heavier frame and is much better suited for the 304. Springs got alot longer in the late '70s too which greatly enhanced ride quality on the street.
Remember, with any old Jeep your simply buying a frame and a tub, everything else is just waiting to get repaired or replaced so you got to make sure you got the "chassis" you want to invest in and go from there.

Good info, thanks. Is the frame "prone" to breaching anywhere in particular or just where ever it decides to?
Later than '74 is out of the question as I am trying to keep this vehicle out of smog inspection parameters in the great state of Kaulifornia. I'm not limiting my interest backwards from the 70's but most everything around here is either hacked up or a "retirement income", if you get my drift.

 

[RobertN]

The frame... Look at the spring hangers, back of the front springs, and front of the back springs. The c-channel frame will flex a lot, and likes to crack there.

Power steering is a simple upgrade. Get the close ratio box from a Camaro. Look at a later 304 for a pump and brackets, proper pulleys. '71 and earlier actully had the steering box back by the drivers footwell. Hard to add power steering; '72 and later is easy.

My '70 had the same basic frame, just a tad shorter(Your front fender will be about 4 inches longer to fit the new inline-6). I put some Rancho freedom Rider spring in; they had more flex, rode better, and took some stress off the frame(springs flexed more, frame less).

The brakes may not be an issue; a '72 came with a Dana-30 up front. It may have disc's. If not, it is upgradeable with stock parts.

The clutch switched from the earlier cable linkage to push rods. Seen a buddy get twisted up on the rocks and stop; the twisting effectively pushed the clutch in. Changing to the older style cable is easy, or there are more expensive upgrades.

Not sure on the windshield wipers. My buddies '72 had stock electric wipers just like my '70.

They may roll easy with little pizza cutters, but mine with 33x12.50's was pretty stable. They are still short; any vehicle like that will be a bit squirrely.

My favorite combonation for a '72-74 is the inline-6, with a granny box and 4:27 gears. That with 33x12.50's make a nice combination. Otherwise, a '67-71 with Buick 225 v6(stock motor in those year Jeeps), granny box, and 4:27's. I like the hanging pedals and steering box configuration of the '72-74 better.