I owned a '62 CJ5 with the Hurricane 4 banger.....I also had a '66 CJ5 with the Buick V6 225, but had to return it to the seller because I couldn't keep it on the lane (bad steering).....I then bought a '68 CJ5 with the V6 Buick 225. I ended up taking out the V6 and replaced it with a good used Buick 350 V8 that literally just dropped right in. Yes, everything fit. I added Saginaw power steering and a larger radiator. Power brakes and a hydraulic clutch was added too. I ended up selling it for an insane price about 45 years later. I wish I had not sold it, but needed the $$. I now drive a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the Eco-Diesel engine. It flys!! .....Russell D.
My daily driver is a 1985 CJ7, 2.5 4 cylinder 4 speed, 33" tires, manual brakes. Bought it as a full project and my daily driver. My only other ride is my Harley. Top off doors off right till the end of fall. I carry a bikini top with me, that's it. I love driving my old Jeep more than any of the new vehicles I've owned. I have no problem keeping up with the flow of traffic around town and in the city. It can get up and cruise at 65-70 mph, except when hitting big hills or mountains on the highway. I drop down to 3rd and keep moving till I get over the hills the back up to speed. I absolutely love driving it all year long. It's a little ruff looking and gets looks every where I go.
My grandfather taught me to drive in his 68 Jeep. Nothing like learning to drive up in the mountains with no doors and a couple hundred foot drop six inches away sometimes. Some of my best memories.
I have a 74 CJ5 and used it as a daily driver for over a year. It is exactly how you say. The biggest is the smell, how loud it is and for me the top leaked when it rained. I always told people it is closer to driving a tractor then a car.
lol thank you so much for the video.. Im just a new owner of a 1973 CJ5 ... and man I love it.. still working on it... but its going and I will never get tired of jeep perfume ever... thanks again!
I love my 73’ don’t drive it as much as l would like as l am 75 in a fie months , it came with a 304 / three speed / power steering . Now has 350 / 350 , atlas , 4:56 and power disks . I would put some tunes in it but then I mite not hear the music .
I have a classic 71 challenger 440/6pack, I’m about to buy a 73 CJ5 with the 304, for my GF. Looks like a lot of fun, and something you can always fix/work on.
I rebuilt a Scrambler in 1990 and it was considered old as a '79. I had to replace the Iron Duke and went with a 350. I'm watching this smiling at the agreement with what you are saying especially since I am on my 7th Jeep acquiring a '79 CJ5 last week so I have a new-old hobby again. I only own the CJ5 and when I don't have a Jeep, it's just not right. The wife and I joined SAR about a year ago and began to look at Jeeps (STICKER SHOCK!!!) as the wheel-base on ourRAM 2500 is just too long and we want to preserve our RAM, so an old Jeep was the answer. Bigger tires have always been a thing, but this rebuild I'm thinking to reduce the turning radius balanced out with the ability to roll over the desert rocks which seem to grow bigger all the time! Oh, and the sand in the washes is prominate reality as well. Every search we have been on so far has been challenging, so this SAR Jeep is going to include some new thinking, suspension being the most important. My son is telling me coil-over shocks with 37nds, but I'm leaning toward 33 or even less, mud/snow and a width which produces the tightest turn radius. I'm not going to lift it any more than I have to which is appearing to be around 2 1/2". Low and slow for searches is best from what I have learned. I'm curious if anyone else has done this and how it played out? Do you still have yours? It is a great example of puting your heart and soul into what you are doing!
I built a 74 CJ5 It didn't have power anything either. I put power everything in it with OEM big 6 bolt caliper plate. I cut the outer "C" of the ends of the front axle tubes to give me a LOT more positive caster by tilting them back. . It drives so beautiful now. Oh and I repowered with a Cummins 4BT. I ditched the Dana 20 and built a super 18 so I could run the Saturn overdrive. Sprung over done right, it's my daily driver too.
Dude I just got a '72 CJ5, myself, about a month and a half ago. You were def spot on with everything you said! I drive mine to church and don't care how bad i stink haha. But parts are extremely hard to find for mine since it's the AMC era where they only made my specific jeep model/components from '72-'75 :( But still love the thing! Building some bumpers for it right now.
I too love the old CJs. I had 1978 CK5 that I dumped a ton of money in and sold. 😢. Also had a 79 CJ7 for a little while. Now I have a 1983 CJ5 that I am working on once again. So excited!
I love it. Your describing driving my old blue Renegade. If I didn't have the overdrive,I couldn't even take it on the freeway. Mines got exhaust pipes that empty out in front of the rear wheel. The floor is like holding your feet to the coals .Had to go to HEI distributor ,points suck. Had to change the leaf springs, to stiff to drive anywhere. The wife hates it,says it hurts her neck,she's been with me on many of my one way trips, over the years. I've finally just admit it when I take someone for the first ride, I ask them if they want to go for a walk. My sons is going to inherit it,weather he likes it or not. LOL
Awesome Video! It's hard to find anything on UA-cam talking about CJ's. Most videos are just people trying to sell them. Keep it coming!! I've got a 1981 CJ5, which has been my daily driver in the past. That said, I wasn't commuting on a highway every day. There is a big difference between the early 70's and 80's CJs. The higher output of my 258 engine, 4 speed transmission, and power steering makes for a much easier vehicle to drive.
Great. Actually I have a 1965 CJ5 and as you said we enjoy it a lot.In my family all my life we had jeeps.!! I am located in Puerto Rico and with our geography Jeeps are very helpfull.
The best thing about restoring your own truck is your really never stuck anywhere you could repair it. I also keep spare parts ignition coil ignition module fuel pump extra hoses nice truck.
I owned Jeeps from that era till now. The soft tops are a pain on the 5 with zipper windows. The heaters don't really work/ wipers don't really work either. The short wheelbase bucks on uneven roads. There is no roll control and the sway is scary. I had the first bunch of sway bars bent up for 5's at Quickor engineering. Even heavy shocks just delay the lean. Low range 1st gear is too high and you can power out on a steep hill especially if you add larger tires. The early shorter wheelbase 5's will go anywhere offroad with incredible maneuverability and super light if you do get bogged down. As you get older the 5 is hard to get in and out of because of the faux/leftover fuel filler panel beside the seat. I did love my 5's and put a 401 in one I restored. Today after at least a dozen, I drive a '85 CJ7 with hard doors rollup windows/soft top, 5.0 Ford engine, c4 trans but I'm 68!
I have a ’61 and a ‘82 CJ5. The ‘82 has a 258 straight-6 with power steering and a tilt steering wheel. That makes a huge difference in how they drive.
LOL. I had a 1972 CJ5. It steered the very same way. My Dad drove it one day and he said it scared the crap out of him jumping around. It was my daily driver then....1980. I honestly didn't notice it. The braking was what was truly scary. I had the jeep for about 5 years and never got all the air out of the brake system. Just another Jeep quirk I guess. All in all, I love CJs. Once you have one, you always want another, even though they are a true PITA.
I have owned jeeps. Bought New 78 CJ5 One of the Most Dependable Ride I ever owned. I am restoring a 78 CJ5 now. too I drove the 78 246000 miles and it was just barly puffing some blue oil smoke. Engine Failed. 232 I-6 20 transfer 150 trans 20 rear 30 front. I pulled a lady in the snow out of a ditch. A motor.mount had broken where I had pulled a Bobcat Out a few day before. The front drive shaft barly caught the protection plate on the oil pan tore a small hole at a spot weld and it started knocking and melted the front bearing on the crank. I repaired it but it didn't last long the cranknwas done. Put a 258 in it from a Hornet or Griemlin and A few months later traded it for a Truck for my company. Beautiful Sun Orange. I did normal repairs and a master cylinder, I did have to clean the carbon from the inside at 150k miles because of the awful design anti-pollution garbage on it. It was a 49 state low altitude model so it didn't have to be tested. DRIVING. All CJ 5's with saginaw steering require the operator to learn to drive it. It takes months to learn it. Nothing drives lime it. My new 78 jeep never had problems wandering. They will find a rut but nothing like what your describing..The 78 I am restoring does like what you describe..It was harder to steer than I remembered and would wonder on the road some. I lined it up set what there is to set. Still wasn't happy I noted the steering box has a bit of movement? Nole not it. I replaced the lower bearing in steering colums Helped some. The stock Steering Shaft was worn a bit at the upper Universal and the bottom coupling to. I replace it with after market junk only to put the old stock back. The new one makes no provision for telescopic movement and that ruined the bearing I had replace Junk. very soft chineesium metal. Finally I decieded to check steering box BINGO! Someone had over tightened the adjustment screw a bit 3/4 turn to tight. Drives a lot lot better. Front end is tight. pretty tight. The jeep is not squirrely. Like before. to tight you cannot feel the road. If.it isn't dependable probably like the old 78 I am repairing a lotta stuff is worn out. The speedometer.may say 60k miles but it probable 360k miles or more. It is a awful lotta work. The only jeep I would ever buy used would be Stock Stock Stock. All the rigged stuff does more harm than good and a clean stock jeep keeps its value very well. The 6 258 or 232 do well of the road with a good carb or injector. The 304's like a pick up are a bit nose heavy. The 6 is better balanced.. The V8 will swing around on a slippery up hill grade. My Wife and Kid cried when I traded the 78 I had bought brand new. $6,800 I think. That Jeep Drove a many loggin Road as I am or was an NSS cave explorer for decades. They do drive weird. You never take your eyes off the road. That great short wheel base that is a proven winner off road take a lotta getting use to. You csn go in snow or mudd and every where. But, Not Fast. That short wheelbase will swap end on you real quick. That narrow short wheel base means you don't need to jack the body up so high..It can go places and turn shorter than bigger vehicles. Hard to beat the rough riding noisy non AC jeep. No kidding if it is breakin down you still got a bunch of bad parts or someone modified it to death. Check you steering box while someone turn the wheel. The 77-80 I think had the big brake. It should steer lime power if your moving. A little difficult sitting still. Never put thumbs on the inside of steering wheel off road. it will break a thumb. And that goes for any of em.
I bought my 1974 CJ5 brand new back when I had hair and still drive it. I get everything you said about driving an old CJ but I think they will bury me in mine! Thanks for the vid!
the disc break set up on the Chevy dana 44 ,will fit with few mods. to the dana 27.a little grinding and changing the oil plug to a allen plug.also the 10 bolt is the same as the dana 44 disc set up. I did this on my 1960 CJ 5.it stopped very well, with the stock master cylender.
Hehe. 1973 here. Just tell the truth - chicks dig it. It’s pretty much that simple. An old Jeep is simply the most fun vehicle in the world to ride around in. For drivability and safety, drop in power steering and add sway bars. It’s a world of difference. I drive a little, I fix a little, I modify a little.
"don't get me wrong i love this thing. it's literally a part of me. sometimes... big hammers". i can relate on both ends of those statements and yet i still love that machine. i have a feeling the only way i'll know the breadth and depth of those statements is to do a total rebuild myself. #todolistnumberfortyninethousandsomethingsomething
My 81 cj7 was daily driven up till about 9 years ago by various family members. Sat then gave to my bro inlaw, timing chain jumped a tooth so he v8swapped it, lifted it and put 31s on and put in 3 speed in place of the 4 speed that was worn. He mostly finished it sorta then it sat. Eventually he gave it to me, took a year but 1 rebuilt 360 later, a rebuilt t176 4 speed tranny since the 3 speed was geared high, (1st gear was like 2nd) a hei since the ford system crapped out, gas tank rusted out so new one of those, and alot of little things she is as reliable as can be. Good daily if you know how to handle a ole steed like these. Brakes suck but somthing ive gotten used to, i never liked abs, tcs, and aor con anyway. The bumps i dont even notice anymore. Oh ya. Headers also rusted out so i put a new on of them on aswell as a alternator. She scoots pretty good now, open that 4 barrel up and she will squat a lil
I daily drive my 1954 CJ5. Most of your complains about it aren't really problems for me. First off, speed. Mine has been engine swapped with a chevy small block 350 so that's not really a concern, it flies. Power braking and power steering have both been added to my jeep as well. My suspension is really rough on me jeep so you do feel practictially every bump, but I'm okay with that. To address the carberator problems of needing to tune it all the time I plan to fuel inject it eventually. My plans is also to disel swap it at some point in the future, which will really help with my biggest problem which is fuel economy. I typically get around 5 MPG. I spend roughly $150-200 a month on gas currently because of the high gas prices this year. The problem with gas is the only really bad part for me currently, that makes it tough to drive it everywhere.
I bought a New 78 in Oct 77. I spent much time in a 66 V6. Yes there were interstates in the mid sixties. Yes the CJ did keep up. The 78 ran 246 mi. with normal maintenance. Only failed after pulling a snow bound car and front drive shaft hit oil pan protection plate and leaked oil out. As a caver I ran the wheels of the CJ5. Off road and on. Very dependable. More than many of today's vehicles. My wife drove it many mikes as well. Not quiet as a car but not terribly loud either. Road hard. I have a 78 I am rebuilding. Similar to the Sun Orange I had then. Yesterday went to store, came out cranked and didn't start. Since I was using a temp gas tank I figured it pulled air in the input. Nope, Bad fuel pump. $25. Fixed it and drove it home. Yes it is worn. Much Rubber on an old Jeep needs replacing. Frame good but doing a lot of metal rust repair on the rear right behind the seat as well as several other places. After market part are mostly OEM JUNK. Like the Korean so called replacement steering shafts. Wouldn't make a pimple on the original equip. butt. Fix it. A cosmetic jeep is only as good as the worn parts. FIX IT RIGHT. A lotto work. Price a new car put a fraction of that amount in your CJ5. My wife and kids cried when I finally sold it in 88. Another engine 258 from a Pacer was put in 85. Replaced the 232 low altitude non Emission Test required 49 State motor. Good luck. Thank you for your Video. KA4WYO Caveman telecasterron@hotmail.com
The roads and highways were actually better in the 1970s than they are now. Also, the interstate highway system has bee around since the early '50s. Keep on Jeepin' on!
Not exactly. The act for building the interstate highway system wasn't passed until 1956. Major portions of the interstate highway in the eastern half of the country weren't completed until the mid 1970s, and in the western half weren't completed until the mid 1980s. The official completion date of the entire planned interstate highway system was in 1992.
All that stuff can be upgraded.... Get yourself a wide track axle set a Saginaw steering box a power brake booster pertronix does amazing things with ignition.... Retain the stock look and make it a wonderful reliable driver
My first Jeep was a CJ7. Bought it new in 1986. It was an off-road God. Nothing fancy. It handled great off and on road provided you respected it capabilities. Right now I’m in the process of acquiring another. My daily vehicle is a 2018 JL unlimited sport s. It’s fun to drive but compared to a CJ the Jeep was designed around women.
Nice vid, but I thought I'd see more of you driving it rather than talking about it. As an aside, I've had two JKs, an 08 that I got in 2011, and a 2015 that I ordered with half doors. I did not like them. I looked at, and drove a YJ, but it was too far gone. I now have an 03 TJ that is still very "jeepish" but also kind of modern, like the cars I drove in the 60s and 70s. Right now, it's over 20 years old but, in another 10 or 15 years, maybe I'll do a vid on driving a really old jeep.
I have a 66 CJ5 with a V6 and 3.73 gears. I drive it more than my loaded 2012 toyota camry. The jeep has no issue cruising at 70. You are definitely not having a conversation at that speed. The brakes do suck compared to modern brakes. But I've been a truck driver for 18yrs so I've gotten into the habit of leaving space and looking further down the road than most car drivers.
I daily drive a CJ7 with 4" lift, yes by choice.... I have a newer truck that sits, and a new mini I bought my old lady. My Motorcycle and my CJ7 are all I drive.
That's awesome! I have thought about driving this on the daily but it would be hard in my area! 66-71 they came with 225 V6's. It mostly has a 231 Buick V6 now which is the same motor essentially. 😁👍
Willy's bought the v6 tooling from GM and produced the engine for this cj5. When AMC bought Jeep, they lengthened the body 3-4 inches and shoehorned their 258 inline into them. The V6 was sold back to GM to be used in the Buicks after the gas crunch.
1974 CJ-5 here. Boy do I identify with what you say. My wife complains all the time about things "smelling like Jeep." One thing you don't mention: the white-knuckle experience of driving a vehicle with that short and narrow wheelbase, with no doors or top, on the interstate with trucks whizzing by.
I would put some 31 inch street tires or all terrain on that jeep and i bet it would improve the ride quality dramatically. Knobby mud tires do you no favors on the road.
Love your CJ-5 videos. What part of Florida are you? I have a 2 door 2009 Jeep Rubicon as my weekend toy. I plan to always keep it in my family unless I trade it for a CJ.
hi C Mac again .with the disc break set up ,you use your old hubs with longer bolts, for the mounting braketts and longer wheel studs. you use the rotors off of the 1976 Jeep Wrangler. use the caliper from the Chevy and those break pads, good luck.
Nice video and beautiful 5. I have an 83 CJ7. Power brakes and steering. Detroit lockers with 4.56 gears on the 258 w/ 5 speed. I can’t relate to much of what you said other then loud and Jeep perfume lol which is so true. I change my shirt every time if the wife and I go out. If it was up to me I’d leave it on all day lol! Anyway, big difference in 13 years and so many improvements. I will say, driving my 83 at 75 mph on the freeway under 2500 rpm in a 36 year old classic is indescribable fun. I thought about a 70-75 CJ5, I decided against it just because of how often I drive mine to longer distance Jeep shows etc. plus I love the longer wheel base and body on the 7. I guess it’s all preference. Looking forward to your next video. I’m on Instagram @ Jeepdad2830 if you want to link up. Take care.
She's a real beauty. However, you're history of "back in the day" is suspect. Believe it or not, there were traffic, stoplights and interstates back in '72. Although the double nickle speed limit didn't come about til the late '70's. I'm really glad that you love your Jeep and I hope you keep her for life. Mine? A '48 CJ-2A. and she'll go all day everyday, anywhere anytime but not very quickly ! 😄.
What you said about the speed limit in 1970 is absolutely wrong. The speed limit didn’t drop to 55 until the “gas crisis” in 1974. In 1970 interstate highways had a 75 m.p.h. speed limit.
Hey Britt, great video! I love the look of that Jeep, very well done! Offhand do you remember what brand lift kit you used and how many inches it is? I’m building a 68 right now and I can’t choose a lift kit to use but yours looks perfect. Man I would really appreciate some feedback, thank you, nice Jeep!
You said that when that Jeep was built the speed limit was 55 mph. WRONG! In 1970 the speed limit was 75. The 55 mph speed limit wasn’t until 1973-74 during the Oil Crisis.
LoL Jeep perfume I put some on this past Weekend. I have or need help. Building up a 77cj5 want to go with Disc brakes What shops have the parts? Thanks
Wuss. I daily drove my cj an hour each way as daily driver on mountain roads. The only reason I don't drive mine daily right now is I have too many kids.
news flash. back in 1970 they had interstates, stop signs, stop lights and traffic. it was not yabba dabba doo time! but i love it. i drove jeeps in 1970.
That’s a great looking jeep! Us flatfender guys consider this a “new” jeep, tho! 😆 LOL Check out out my channel: Tecovas. Other old jeep channels: Granny Low, Jeepevans, jpetrowich, and Stan Fuller. We absolutely LOVE old jeeps and we use ‘em! But everything you said in this video is true, they are cantankerous! Hope to see you out on the trails someday👍🏼. Rick
Very hard to put an automatic into a CJ5 because of the total length of the vehicle. You're talking about extreme rear driveshaft angles and/or a cv-style driveshaft.
Wow. So much whining. Growing up in the 60's the things you find unusually designed and antiquated were just normal to us. Interesting look at the generation gap. Glad to see you do enjoy working on your CJ and taking it off road though. It looks like a real clean survivor.
You are really clueless about the past. Only for a few years did we have 55 mph. You need to sell it to someone who knows what to do with it. You ruined the turning radius by jacking it up, adding larger tires without changing wheels to an offset greater than stock. If your exhaust is ran correctly and the engine is running right you won't smell. We had emission laws back then too. The V6 as well as the 258 respond well to modifying for greater output. And again your Jeep wanders because you didn't set it right. I've had CJ 5s and CJ 7s, and Wranglers. They are very stable when put together correctly. Lower it 2", change the wheel offset to give it the proper stance - Wider and it will handle much better. 31 to 32 x 11.50 would completely change how the Jeep accelerates, handles and brakes. It's an easy thing to upgrade to disc brakes, even just doing the front will make a major change. Remember 70% of your braking power is on the front brakes. Tips from a professional mechanic with 40 years doing this. Try it, you'll like it.
my dad drove a cj6 daily for 40yrs it was our family car we went everywhere in. i drove a cj5 daily for 10yrs before buying a cj7. i've never heard such pissing and moaning.
If anyone ever sees this, THUMBS UP for the typo! 👍
I owned a '62 CJ5 with the Hurricane 4 banger.....I also had a '66 CJ5 with the Buick V6 225, but had to return it to the seller because I couldn't keep it on the lane (bad steering).....I then bought a '68 CJ5 with the V6 Buick 225. I ended up taking out the V6 and replaced it with a good used Buick 350 V8 that literally just dropped right in. Yes, everything fit. I added Saginaw power steering and a larger radiator. Power brakes and a hydraulic clutch was added too. I ended up selling it for an insane price about 45 years later. I wish I had not sold it, but needed the $$. I now drive a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the Eco-Diesel engine. It flys!! .....Russell D.
My daily driver is a 1985 CJ7, 2.5 4 cylinder 4 speed, 33" tires, manual brakes. Bought it as a full project and my daily driver. My only other ride is my Harley. Top off doors off right till the end of fall. I carry a bikini top with me, that's it. I love driving my old Jeep more than any of the new vehicles I've owned. I have no problem keeping up with the flow of traffic around town and in the city. It can get up and cruise at 65-70 mph, except when hitting big hills or mountains on the highway. I drop down to 3rd and keep moving till I get over the hills the back up to speed. I absolutely love driving it all year long. It's a little ruff looking and gets looks every where I go.
Too funny. My 2 rides are a lifted 2002 TJ on 35's and my Harley - 1999 FXDX. You have good taste in vehicles! 😁👍💪
My grandfather taught me to drive in his 68 Jeep. Nothing like learning to drive up in the mountains with no doors and a couple hundred foot drop six inches away sometimes. Some of my best memories.
I have a 74 CJ5 and used it as a daily driver for over a year. It is exactly how you say. The biggest is the smell, how loud it is and for me the top leaked when it rained. I always told people it is closer to driving a tractor then a car.
lol thank you so much for the video.. Im just a new owner of a 1973 CJ5 ... and man I love it.. still working on it... but its going and I will never get tired of jeep perfume ever... thanks again!
I love my 73’ don’t drive it as much as l would like as l am 75 in a fie months , it came with a 304 / three speed / power steering . Now has 350 / 350 , atlas , 4:56 and power disks . I would put some tunes in it but then I mite not hear the music .
I have a classic 71 challenger 440/6pack, I’m about to buy a 73 CJ5 with the 304, for my GF.
Looks like a lot of fun, and something you can always fix/work on.
I rebuilt a Scrambler in 1990 and it was considered old as a '79. I had to replace the Iron Duke and went with a 350. I'm watching this smiling at the agreement with what you are saying especially since I am on my 7th Jeep acquiring a '79 CJ5 last week so I have a new-old hobby again. I only own the CJ5 and when I don't have a Jeep, it's just not right.
The wife and I joined SAR about a year ago and began to look at Jeeps (STICKER SHOCK!!!) as the wheel-base on ourRAM 2500 is just too long and we want to preserve our RAM, so an old Jeep was the answer.
Bigger tires have always been a thing, but this rebuild I'm thinking to reduce the turning radius balanced out with the ability to roll over the desert rocks which seem to grow bigger all the time! Oh, and the sand in the washes is prominate reality as well. Every search we have been on so far has been challenging, so this SAR Jeep is going to include some new thinking, suspension being the most important. My son is telling me coil-over shocks with 37nds, but I'm leaning toward 33 or even less, mud/snow and a width which produces the tightest turn radius. I'm not going to lift it any more than I have to which is appearing to be around 2 1/2". Low and slow for searches is best from what I have learned.
I'm curious if anyone else has done this and how it played out?
Do you still have yours? It is a great example of puting your heart and soul into what you are doing!
I built a 74 CJ5 It didn't have power anything either. I put power everything in it with OEM big 6 bolt caliper plate. I cut the outer "C" of the ends of the front axle tubes to give me a LOT more positive caster by tilting them back. . It drives so beautiful now. Oh and I repowered with a Cummins 4BT. I ditched the Dana 20 and built a super 18 so I could run the Saturn overdrive. Sprung over done right, it's my daily driver too.
I’ve got a 1980 CJ5 as well and I felt completely identified with your video
Dude I just got a '72 CJ5, myself, about a month and a half ago. You were def spot on with everything you said! I drive mine to church and don't care how bad i stink haha. But parts are extremely hard to find for mine since it's the AMC era where they only made my specific jeep model/components from '72-'75 :( But still love the thing! Building some bumpers for it right now.
Same boat! 1972 CJ5 parts are a pain
Bought a 1970 last weekend and ready to delve into the restoration fun.👍
I too love the old CJs. I had 1978 CK5 that I dumped a ton of money in and sold. 😢. Also had a 79 CJ7 for a little while. Now I have a 1983 CJ5 that I am working on once again. So excited!
I love it. Your describing driving my old blue Renegade. If I didn't have the overdrive,I couldn't even take it on the freeway. Mines got exhaust pipes that empty out in front of the rear wheel. The floor is like holding your feet to the coals .Had to go to HEI distributor ,points suck. Had to change the leaf springs, to stiff to drive anywhere. The wife hates it,says it hurts her neck,she's been with me on many of my one way trips, over the years. I've finally just admit it when I take someone for the first ride, I ask them if they want to go for a walk. My sons is going to inherit it,weather he likes it or not. LOL
WTH!!! 16 👎 what’s wrong with people this is a great honest video. Keep up the good work brother. Haters gonna hate I guess. SMH!!!
'81 CJ5, OM617 Diesel, 5" lift, 37's, power steering and brakes... Love my Jeep!
Awesome Video! It's hard to find anything on UA-cam talking about CJ's. Most videos are just people trying to sell them. Keep it coming!! I've got a 1981 CJ5, which has been my daily driver in the past. That said, I wasn't commuting on a highway every day. There is a big difference between the early 70's and 80's CJs. The higher output of my 258 engine, 4 speed transmission, and power steering makes for a much easier vehicle to drive.
For sure! They definitely were a little out dated until 76!
New sub! I have 1979 CJ-5 W/ V-8. Excellent channel!
Great. Actually I have a 1965 CJ5 and as you said we enjoy it a lot.In my family all my life we had jeeps.!!
I am located in Puerto Rico and with our geography Jeeps are very helpfull.
I like your jeep.I like how you described driving it. lol. I am A little older than you. I grew up driving this type no power anything jeep. Fun times
The best thing about restoring your own truck is your really never stuck anywhere you could repair it. I also keep spare parts ignition coil ignition module fuel pump extra hoses nice truck.
I owned Jeeps from that era till now. The soft tops are a pain on the 5 with zipper windows. The heaters don't really work/ wipers don't really work either. The short wheelbase bucks on uneven roads. There is no roll control and the sway is scary. I had the first bunch of sway bars bent up for 5's at Quickor engineering. Even heavy shocks just delay the lean. Low range 1st gear is too high and you can power out on a steep hill especially if you add larger tires. The early shorter wheelbase 5's will go anywhere offroad with incredible maneuverability and super light if you do get bogged down. As you get older the 5 is hard to get in and out of because of the faux/leftover fuel filler panel beside the seat. I did love my 5's and put a 401 in one I restored. Today after at least a dozen, I drive a '85 CJ7 with hard doors rollup windows/soft top, 5.0 Ford engine, c4 trans but I'm 68!
I got a 77 cj5.
I’ve been “working” on it for 10+ years now.
Tons of extra parts too
I have a ’61 and a ‘82 CJ5. The ‘82 has a 258 straight-6 with power steering and a tilt steering wheel. That makes a huge difference in how they drive.
I've been driving Jeeps since 1978, and your spot on about everything. I'm subbed.
Went I get my old CJ running it will be my daily driver I will carry extra parts and all my tools lol I love your videos and thanks for sharing them
LOL. I had a 1972 CJ5. It steered the very same way. My Dad drove it one day and he said it scared the crap out of him jumping around. It was my daily driver then....1980. I honestly didn't notice it. The braking was what was truly scary. I had the jeep for about 5 years and never got all the air out of the brake system. Just another Jeep quirk I guess. All in all, I love CJs. Once you have one, you always want another, even though they are a true PITA.
I have owned jeeps. Bought New 78 CJ5 One of the Most Dependable Ride I ever owned. I am restoring a 78 CJ5 now. too I drove the 78 246000 miles and it was just barly puffing some blue oil smoke. Engine Failed. 232 I-6 20 transfer 150 trans 20 rear 30 front. I pulled a lady in the snow out of a ditch. A motor.mount had broken where I had pulled a Bobcat Out a few day before. The front drive shaft barly caught the protection plate on the oil pan tore a small hole at a spot weld and it started knocking and melted the front bearing on the crank. I repaired it but it didn't last long the cranknwas done. Put a 258 in it from a Hornet or Griemlin and A few months later traded it for a Truck for my company. Beautiful Sun Orange. I did normal repairs and a master cylinder, I did have to clean the carbon from the inside at 150k miles because of the awful design anti-pollution garbage on it. It was a 49 state low altitude model so it didn't have to be tested. DRIVING. All CJ 5's with saginaw steering require the operator to learn to drive it. It takes months to learn it. Nothing drives lime it. My new 78 jeep never had problems wandering. They will find a rut but nothing like what your describing..The 78 I am restoring does like what you describe..It was harder to steer than I remembered and would wonder on the road some. I lined it up set what there is to set. Still wasn't happy I noted the steering box has a bit of movement? Nole not it. I replaced the lower bearing in steering colums Helped some. The stock Steering Shaft was worn a bit at the upper Universal and the bottom coupling to. I replace it with after market junk only to put the old stock back. The new one makes no provision for telescopic movement and that ruined the bearing I had replace Junk. very soft chineesium metal. Finally I decieded to check steering box BINGO! Someone had over tightened the adjustment screw a bit 3/4 turn to tight. Drives a lot lot better. Front end is tight. pretty tight. The jeep is not squirrely. Like before. to tight you cannot feel the road. If.it isn't dependable probably like the old 78 I am repairing a lotta stuff is worn out. The speedometer.may say 60k miles but it probable 360k miles or more. It is a awful lotta work. The only jeep I would ever buy used would be Stock Stock Stock. All the rigged stuff does more harm than good and a clean stock jeep keeps its value very well. The 6 258 or 232 do well of the road with a good carb or injector. The 304's like a pick up are a bit nose heavy. The 6 is better balanced.. The V8 will swing around on a slippery up hill grade. My Wife and Kid cried when I traded the 78 I had bought brand new. $6,800 I think. That Jeep Drove a many loggin Road as I am or was an NSS cave explorer for decades. They do drive weird. You never take your eyes off the road. That great short wheel base that is a proven winner off road take a lotta getting use to. You csn go in snow or mudd and every where. But, Not Fast. That short wheelbase will swap end on you real quick. That narrow short wheel base means you don't need to jack the body up so high..It can go places and turn shorter than bigger vehicles. Hard to beat the rough riding noisy non AC jeep. No kidding if it is breakin down you still got a bunch of bad parts or someone modified it to death. Check you steering box while someone turn the wheel. The 77-80 I think had the big brake. It should steer lime power if your moving. A little difficult sitting still. Never put thumbs on the inside of steering wheel off road. it will break a thumb. And that goes for any of em.
I bought my 1974 CJ5 brand new back when I had hair and still drive it. I get everything you said about driving an old CJ but I think they will bury me in mine! Thanks for the vid!
Thanks for the touch of reality 👍
the disc break set up on the Chevy dana 44 ,will fit with few mods. to the dana 27.a little grinding and changing the oil plug to a allen plug.also the 10 bolt is the same as the dana 44 disc set up. I did this on my 1960 CJ 5.it stopped very well, with the stock
master cylender.
Hehe. 1973 here. Just tell the truth - chicks dig it. It’s pretty much that simple. An old Jeep is simply the most fun vehicle in the world to ride around in.
For drivability and safety, drop in power steering and add sway bars. It’s a world of difference. I drive a little, I fix a little, I modify a little.
"don't get me wrong i love this thing. it's literally a part of me. sometimes... big hammers". i can relate on both ends of those statements and yet i still love that machine. i have a feeling the only way i'll know the breadth and depth of those statements is to do a total rebuild myself. #todolistnumberfortyninethousandsomethingsomething
Good video and although my TJ is 2 generations newer i still feel your pain on a lot of what you talked about with an older Jeep.
Haha...jeep perfume. Had to change my shirt after driving. I related to everything you said.
Should have said Cologne I guess but either way! 😁
Great video! Great Jeep!!!
Glad you liked it!
My 81 cj7 was daily driven up till about 9 years ago by various family members. Sat then gave to my bro inlaw, timing chain jumped a tooth so he v8swapped it, lifted it and put 31s on and put in 3 speed in place of the 4 speed that was worn. He mostly finished it sorta then it sat. Eventually he gave it to me, took a year but 1 rebuilt 360 later, a rebuilt t176 4 speed tranny since the 3 speed was geared high, (1st gear was like 2nd) a hei since the ford system crapped out, gas tank rusted out so new one of those, and alot of little things she is as reliable as can be. Good daily if you know how to handle a ole steed like these. Brakes suck but somthing ive gotten used to, i never liked abs, tcs, and aor con anyway. The bumps i dont even notice anymore. Oh ya. Headers also rusted out so i put a new on of them on aswell as a alternator. She scoots pretty good now, open that 4 barrel up and she will squat a lil
Its been in the family since 81 when it had 800 miles. Origonal owner layed it on its side when new, bodied it up and traded it in.
I daily drive my 1954 CJ5. Most of your complains about it aren't really problems for me. First off, speed. Mine has been engine swapped with a chevy small block 350 so that's not really a concern, it flies. Power braking and power steering have both been added to my jeep as well. My suspension is really rough on me jeep so you do feel practictially every bump, but I'm okay with that. To address the carberator problems of needing to tune it all the time I plan to fuel inject it eventually. My plans is also to disel swap it at some point in the future, which will really help with my biggest problem which is fuel economy. I typically get around 5 MPG. I spend roughly $150-200 a month on gas currently because of the high gas prices this year. The problem with gas is the only really bad part for me currently, that makes it tough to drive it everywhere.
The speed limits were 65 mph at the time. I drove my parent's '68 CJ-5 all the time after I got my licence in 1972.
I bought a New 78 in Oct 77. I spent much time in a 66 V6. Yes there were interstates in the mid sixties. Yes the CJ did keep up. The 78 ran 246 mi. with normal maintenance. Only failed after pulling a snow bound car and front drive shaft hit oil pan protection plate and leaked oil out. As a caver I ran the wheels of the CJ5. Off road and on. Very dependable. More than many of today's vehicles. My wife drove it many mikes as well. Not quiet as a car but not terribly loud either. Road hard. I have a 78 I am rebuilding. Similar to the Sun Orange I had then. Yesterday went to store, came out cranked and didn't start. Since I was using a temp gas tank I figured it pulled air in the input. Nope, Bad fuel pump. $25. Fixed it and drove it home. Yes it is worn. Much Rubber on an old Jeep needs replacing. Frame good but doing a lot of metal rust repair on the rear right behind the seat as well as several other places. After market part are mostly OEM JUNK. Like the Korean so called replacement steering shafts. Wouldn't make a pimple on the original equip. butt. Fix it. A cosmetic jeep is only as good as the worn parts. FIX IT RIGHT. A lotto work. Price a new car put a fraction of that amount in your CJ5. My wife and kids cried when I finally sold it in 88. Another engine 258 from a Pacer was put in 85. Replaced the 232 low altitude non Emission Test required 49 State motor. Good luck.
Thank you for your Video.
KA4WYO
Caveman
telecasterron@hotmail.com
A good,honest vid. Well done!
Love this vid! Great Jeep and love Your honesty... I got a red YJ 95
Coolest jeep ever.
THANK YOU!
Cj
Coolest
Jeep
Also the wipers do absolutely nothing and hope he dumped the points ignition too . I have a 71. It’s like driving a lawnmower on the highway.
"It's like driving a lawnmower on the highway" - that is a classic line LOL.
The roads and highways were actually better in the 1970s than they are now. Also, the interstate highway system has bee around since the early '50s. Keep on Jeepin' on!
Not exactly. The act for building the interstate highway system wasn't passed until 1956. Major portions of the interstate highway in the eastern half of the country weren't completed until the mid 1970s, and in the western half weren't completed until the mid 1980s. The official completion date of the entire planned interstate highway system was in 1992.
I have a 1966 cj5 project going. It’s been in my family since 1981...
My dad has a 66 in the family since 71. Slow as hell but a blast to drive. NEVER SELL IT!
i havean 80 cj5 and she never quits its my daily driver get you some electronic ignition
All that stuff can be upgraded.... Get yourself a wide track axle set a Saginaw steering box a power brake booster pertronix does amazing things with ignition.... Retain the stock look and make it a wonderful reliable driver
My first Jeep was a CJ7. Bought it new in 1986. It was an off-road God. Nothing fancy. It handled great off and on road provided you respected it capabilities. Right now I’m in the process of acquiring another. My daily vehicle is a 2018 JL unlimited sport s. It’s fun to drive but compared to a CJ the Jeep was designed around women.
Nice vid, but I thought I'd see more of you driving it rather than talking about it.
As an aside, I've had two JKs, an 08 that I got in 2011, and a 2015 that I ordered with half doors. I did not like them.
I looked at, and drove a YJ, but it was too far gone.
I now have an 03 TJ that is still very "jeepish" but also kind of modern, like the cars I drove in the 60s and 70s.
Right now, it's over 20 years old but, in another 10 or 15 years, maybe I'll do a vid on driving a really old jeep.
I have a 1969 CJ5, 1960 wagon and 2015 rubicon. Your Jeep is very nice.
I have a 66 CJ5 with a V6 and 3.73 gears. I drive it more than my loaded 2012 toyota camry. The jeep has no issue cruising at 70. You are definitely not having a conversation at that speed. The brakes do suck compared to modern brakes. But I've been a truck driver for 18yrs so I've gotten into the habit of leaving space and looking further down the road than most car drivers.
The 55 speed limit wasn't enacted untill Presidant Jimmy Carter was in office after 1976.
In 1970 the engine that had 85hp was iron duke I4 The V6 was a Buick that had 155hp
Hello Mr Clark - I just got a 72 Cj5 that missing its buttons on the inside like the throttle button etc. Any recommendations on where to find some?
I daily drive a CJ7 with 4" lift, yes by choice.... I have a newer truck that sits, and a new mini I bought my old lady. My Motorcycle and my CJ7 are all I drive.
That's awesome! I have thought about driving this on the daily but it would be hard in my area! 66-71 they came with 225 V6's. It mostly has a 231 Buick V6 now which is the same motor essentially. 😁👍
Willy's bought the v6 tooling from GM and produced the engine for this cj5. When AMC bought Jeep, they lengthened the body 3-4 inches and shoehorned their 258 inline into them. The V6 was sold back to GM to be used in the Buicks after the gas crunch.
Get a good pair of tires, she'll go in bumper deep snow. I daily mine even in winter. Its a blast
1974 CJ-5 here. Boy do I identify with what you say. My wife complains all the time about things "smelling like Jeep." One thing you don't mention: the white-knuckle experience of driving a vehicle with that short and narrow wheelbase, with no doors or top, on the interstate with trucks whizzing by.
I would put some 31 inch street tires or all terrain on that jeep and i bet it would improve the ride quality dramatically. Knobby mud tires do you no favors on the road.
It's nice to hear I not the only one that sometimes wants to take a hammer to my beloved Cj5 lol 😂 😂 great video
Love your CJ-5 videos. What part of Florida are you? I have a 2 door 2009 Jeep Rubicon as my weekend toy. I plan to always keep it in my family unless I trade it for a CJ.
hi C Mac again .with the disc break set up ,you use your old hubs with longer bolts, for the mounting braketts and longer wheel studs. you use the rotors
off of the 1976 Jeep Wrangler. use the caliper from the Chevy and those break pads, good luck.
Nice video and beautiful 5. I have an 83 CJ7. Power brakes and steering. Detroit lockers with 4.56 gears on the 258 w/ 5 speed. I can’t relate to much of what you said other then loud and Jeep perfume lol which is so true. I change my shirt every time if the wife and I go out. If it was up to me I’d leave it on all day lol! Anyway, big difference in 13 years and so many improvements. I will say, driving my 83 at 75 mph on the freeway under 2500 rpm in a 36 year old classic is indescribable fun.
I thought about a 70-75 CJ5, I decided against it just because of how often I drive mine to longer distance Jeep shows etc. plus I love the longer wheel base and body on the 7. I guess it’s all preference.
Looking forward to your next video. I’m on Instagram @ Jeepdad2830 if you want to link up. Take care.
She's a real beauty. However, you're history of "back in the day" is suspect. Believe it or not, there were traffic, stoplights and interstates back in '72. Although the double nickle speed limit didn't come about til the late '70's.
I'm really glad that you love your Jeep and I hope you keep her for life.
Mine? A '48 CJ-2A. and she'll go all day everyday, anywhere anytime but not very quickly ! 😄.
Haha thanks! Good to know! And thanks for sharing! I'd love to get a CJ-2 or 3a one day!
What you said about the speed limit in 1970 is absolutely wrong. The speed limit didn’t drop to 55 until the “gas crisis” in 1974. In 1970 interstate highways had a 75 m.p.h. speed limit.
I also drive a 1970 CJ5 and everything you said is spot on.
Hey Britt, great video! I love the look of that Jeep, very well done! Offhand do you remember what brand lift kit you used and how many inches it is? I’m building a 68 right now and I can’t choose a lift kit to use but yours looks perfect. Man I would really appreciate some feedback, thank you, nice Jeep!
I have a 74.
The best way to explain the driving is driving a bobtail
do you have a link to how you put the key in the dash?
what wires are hooked to the key? PLEASE tell me.
New sub. Nice jeep
You said that when that Jeep was built the speed limit was 55 mph. WRONG! In 1970 the speed limit was 75. The 55 mph speed limit wasn’t until 1973-74 during the Oil Crisis.
LoL Jeep perfume
I put some on this past Weekend. I have or need help. Building up a 77cj5 want to go with Disc brakes
What shops have the parts?
Thanks
SSBC - S135-2 front , S136 rear .
Wuss. I daily drove my cj an hour each way as daily driver on mountain roads. The only reason I don't drive mine daily right now is I have too many kids.
How can i get jeep cj on my country and i am here Thailand regions.
news flash. back in 1970 they had interstates, stop signs, stop lights and traffic. it was not yabba dabba doo time! but i love it. i drove jeeps in 1970.
My CJ-5....1976 304 V-8
Been there done that brother
That’s a great looking jeep! Us flatfender guys consider this a “new” jeep, tho! 😆 LOL
Check out out my channel: Tecovas. Other old jeep channels: Granny Low, Jeepevans, jpetrowich, and Stan Fuller.
We absolutely LOVE old jeeps and we use ‘em! But everything you said in this video is true, they are cantankerous! Hope to see you out on the trails someday👍🏼.
Rick
Nice editing
Thank you!
Roxor, son! Cj 5 that's brand new.
can you recomend me a automatic trans to put on my cj5 (258 engine)
Very hard to put an automatic into a CJ5 because of the total length of the vehicle. You're talking about extreme rear driveshaft angles and/or a cv-style driveshaft.
I put a TH350 in my 73' in back of LT1 , low gears and 33"s .It still goes faster than I like and I love it as much as I did In 73' bought it new.
Nice Jeep
I just got 1976 jeep cj5. 304 engine I’m restoring
Have a 77 cj5. Lifted cammed and drives like a log wagon.
Nice video but you should have cut out the music and have us actually hear the jeep drive train and engine while you drove it.
Wow. So much whining. Growing up in the 60's the things you find unusually designed and antiquated were just normal to us. Interesting look at the generation gap. Glad to see you do enjoy working on your CJ and taking it off road though. It looks like a real clean survivor.
it’s a complaint bc it’s not the 60s anymore
Yes we had interstates in 1970, we also had electricity!
And dial telephones.
Nice Jeep, I would of left it stock hight
I get it!
If you didn't have it all modified it would be much more driveable
👍
Drive my 66 CJ5 weekly 2nd owner
Gaaaaa! Drive it already!
…inline 6
You are really clueless about the past. Only for a few years did we have 55 mph.
You need to sell it to someone who knows what to do with it.
You ruined the turning radius by jacking it up, adding larger tires without changing wheels to an offset greater than stock.
If your exhaust is ran correctly and the engine is running right you won't smell. We had emission laws back then too.
The V6 as well as the 258 respond well to modifying for greater output.
And again your Jeep wanders because you didn't set it right.
I've had CJ 5s and CJ 7s, and Wranglers. They are very stable when put together correctly.
Lower it 2", change the wheel offset to give it the proper stance -
Wider and it will handle much better.
31 to 32 x 11.50 would completely change how the Jeep accelerates, handles and brakes.
It's an easy thing to upgrade to disc brakes, even just doing the front will make a major change.
Remember 70% of your braking power is on the front brakes.
Tips from a professional mechanic with 40 years doing this.
Try it, you'll like it.
Britt less talk more show and Drive!!!!!
my dad drove a cj6 daily for 40yrs it was our family car we went everywhere in. i drove a cj5 daily for 10yrs before buying a cj7. i've never heard such pissing and moaning.
Why am i watching this i already know the answer
U need to speak for YOUR jeep and not Jeeps in general, please. I've got a 1977 cj5 and don't have these problems you describe.