Old vs. New

[BigRedCJ7]

yes yes, I know that this is a touchy subject, but which do you prefer...

CJ's or Wranglers... and say why

My choice is a CJ
Ever since I was a little girl, I would look at my dad's 74 CJ5 covered in mud and I would think, wow thats me. Even though the ride isnt as smooth, and how sometimes the heater doesnt always work :razz: I still love my CJ and wouldnt trade it in for a YJ or TJ in a million years :D

thanks guys

[TJMagoo]

From one Jeep chick to another...Hi :*

Anyways, I have a TJ and I love it. I have never owned any other jeep before this so I have nothing to compare it to. When we go off roading I have ridden in a CJ before but not driven it so I honestly can't give you a two sided opinion. I can just say, I drive my TJ every day, it's lifted, I wheel it too and I love it....Isn't that enough :* ;)

[CINCH]

I have both CJ8 & TJ, and im partial to the CJ

hey BigRedCJ, you know whats better than a chick driving a CJ7?

a chick driving a CJ8 :D

[BigRedCJ7]

hey BigRedCJ, you know whats better than a chick driving a CJ7?

a chick driving a CJ8 :D

touche :P

and TJMagoo, thats definitley enough :)

[Stilgar]

My '74 CJ-5 is best! Any CJ-5 of this era is a close second. I'm bias, yes, but look at how my CJ-5 came "stock":

Dana 30 front axle
Dana 44 rear axle
T-18 / dual stick
4.10 gears
258 inline 6

and that's my story... :D

[tj2kbob]

Leaves are for trees, Springs are where it's at :D

[Joker®]

I like square headlights :D

But really, I saved all my pennies and bought my '95 YJ new in July of that year. I had always wanted a Jeep and at that time I could afford one. The thought of trading it in on a newer model has never crossed my mind.

[scrambler013]

Wow that is a tough question. The different years have different things to offer. BUT, I will have to say, and I will apologize later, Older is better. Come on emisions, we went so long without it, why start now(1972). I prefer the old CJ-8, you know the Scrambler. I have one that I am rebuilding as we "speak"(is that the right term?). I like the old CJ-5's too. Nothing like a flat fender though. I don't have one, yet.
Now for the apology. Sorry to my Wrangler(Yj). I love that Jeep to the bitter end. It takes all of the abuse I dish out, :g but I still like the older ones better.

[TJMagoo]

Leaves are for trees, Springs are where it's at :D

Yeah Baby!!!! :*

[thejeepingoat]

with the exception of the new 03' rubicon, jeeps have not been built like their predecessors......like stiglar said, look at how his came "stock" I also had a cj-5 with the t-18 and the 258, and while i was pullin out suburbans at the beach all i could do was smile. too bad i sold it. i sure do miss those flintstone style floorboards. My cj-7 is a daily driver also with a sporadic heater, but i wouldnt drive anything else.

[jdogg4]

Leaves are for trees, Springs are where it's at :D

I like the setup of the springs better. Now if I can only change that over on my XJ I would be way happy. :D

[scrambler013]

I just got my first sprung Jeep the other day, let me tell you. The change from YJ to TJ(I still have the YJ) is rough. I am so used to the lumber wagon feel of the leaves. This MAY(key word here) change my opinion. I guess I could put coils on the Scrambler, Hahahahaha. :D Not in this century. Leaves may be for trees but I like em on my '8.

[jeff mclain]

I ve had many jeeps 93 grand limited, 93 wrangler, and still own old faithful 76 cj7, I really enjoyed all of them and they all have good and bad, cj frame problems, amc 20, that great cj heater. wrangler has a lot of improvements, but a lot of plastic, my grand had 250,000 miles not any problems except for rotors and that great plasitc radiator. but i still love my cj "if the speedo aint in the center of the dash it aint a jeep

[Big Buro]

It's got to be a CJ. Personally, I wouldn't own anything newer that 72. That's primarily due to the fact that I'm a nostalgia buff but also, the newer jeeps don't ride like jeeps. I once rode in a brand new YJ, Ten minutes into the ride, I fell asleep. That sure doesn't happen in my 66, CJ5.

[o||||||o]

"That's primarily due to the fact that I'm a nostalgia buff but also, the newer jeeps don't ride like jeeps"

At 25 I dont feel I'm yet qualified to be a nastalgia "buff", but I would like to be one some day. My 2000 Sahara is my 1st (I baught it all bah mah self) vehicle, and they can bury me in it when I die.
BUT, b4 I get burried in my TJ, I will own a CJ, a '77 cj-7 (year I was born). Then I will be well on my way to nastalgia buff-hood.....

JBO

[Big Buro]

I'm not all that old myself, and yet, I do consider myself a nostalgia buff. You don't have to be an old man (or woman) to appreciate the benefits that the early industrial age brought us. My main reason for prefering the older jeeps can be put into a very simple scenario.
If you were to walk outside right now. Go over to your brand new Sahara and put a swift kick into the front fender, You'd get one hell of a dent in that fender.
Conversely, you can smack the hell out of the older jeeps and you'll be lucky to scratch the paint.

That's it in a nutshell. The newer the jeep, the more pretty, complicated, sofisticated, and "street friendly" they are. CJ's were built for off road use and weren't really intended to be driven on the street. Not the earlier models anyway.

[thejeepingoat]

i am definately not old, and i love the classics, much because they are easier to work on......if my jeep brakes down on the road, i have enough tool and back yard riggin ideas to get her going(fishing leader in lieu of accelerator cable, just to name one).........if something goes wrong with a newer one, such as computer, fuel injector problems, you are more than likely gonna have to call a buddy to come get you and your ride.....my jeep is older than me, its an 83', that makes me 18, and i still love the classics. it all comes down to your personal tastes
-goat

[Big Buro]

I can tell you this. My grandfather and I were out in the middle of the desert. I mean, THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT. G.P.S. put us 11 miles from the nearest unpaved road and 38 miles from the highway. Well, the fuel pump decided to quit. Didn't happen to have an extra in my pocket so we had to get creative.

First, we removed the hood and strapped it on to the roll bar to get it out of the way. Then, disconnected the fuel line at the filter up in the engine compartment and removed it from the carburetor. I then re-shaped the fuel line so that it ran under the windshield as it was folded down. Once I had the line shaped how I wanted, I took the rubber fuel line off of the saddle tank and using an empty two gallon water carton, made a half a$$ed gas tank. I connected my newly fabricated gas tank to the fuel line. Rested this newly fabricated gas tank on the folded window and help it down with bungy straps. I took the jerry can off the back, filled my gas can and, taaaa daaaa, we were back in business.

Now, I ask all of you that might happen to be reading this, could that EVER be tried in a "new" jeep????? Fuel injection, computers, an engine compartment that looks like the guts of the space shuttle. I hardly think so... That's my story and that's why I won't own anything that I have to take to a mechanic to fix.

[scrambler013]

Nice field fix Boro. I don't mind the new stuff, then again I am a mechanic. I have all of the stuff I need to diagnose something. If it is covered by warranty, then someone else fixes it(that is if I don't get the job at a Jeep dealership). If not I get the parts and do it myself. But you are right fuel injection is harder to work on than a carb. But to each their own. I like all years, they each have something to offer and a place on or off the road. But I do prefer the old Jeeps over the new.

[Big Buro]

The fix must have came to me in a dream because we were stuck there over night and when I woke up the next day, I went right to work like I knew what I was doing. Yeah, I was pretty proud of myself getting out of the desert and all. Who was that guy on TV? McGuyver??
It's not just the fuel injection. I think that you, especially, would agree that all those sensors are a pain in the a$$ as well. I've never had my jeep just stop running and not be able to figure it out rather quickly. Fuel system? check. electrical system? check. After that, it's ALWAYS one of those two. I can climb under the hood of my 66' knowing that no matter what I do, I can always put it back to where it was when I started. Sure, there's a place for the newer jeeps, I totally agree. But when it comes to choosing a preference, I want the CJ or older.

[o||||||o]

Understandable Buro, like I said, I will own a CJ b4 I die.
Yes my Sahara looks good on the street, and it's had it's share of mishaps off road. ONLY because of exactly what you have said about what'll happen if you walk up and kick the fender. My fenders (flares) are plastic :oops: so most likly kicking it wouldn't do much but scuff the paint. However, I could show you 2 stumps, a boulder, a fence, and a roll of fence fabric that DID make quick work of my fender flares, and cost me a pretty $$ to replace.
Yes, i have come across trails that I don't go down because they're too narrow (gotta watch the paint). However, i could show you half a dozen scratches from trails that were too narrow (and that fence fabric) but looked like too much fun to wuss out on.
I wish I had a CJ now so I don't have to worry about it, but my day is coming soon. Untill then, spit shined and polished, sittn in a driveway full of mud.
I cant necessarily say I like one over the other for off road, but I have a good idea which one I like for urban pourposes.
Buro, why '72?
Do you drive your CJ as a daily driver?

JBO

[Big Buro]

'72 is the year that the Kaiser inventory was gone and the AMC actually bagan "producing" jeeps. I had a pretty thorough discussion on this top in the "vintage jeep" forum with wrangler013. Check it out for more info.

No, I don't drive it daily. I do in the summer months but in winter, even in Californina, it's a bit cold at 4:30 A.M. on my way to work. I drive it as often as I can but I spend a good deal of time tinkering with it to get it right so it's torn apart quite often. It always seems like there's something I'd like to fix or upgrade or re-paint or something. I just finished installing the saddle bag gas tanks for the third time in 4 months because I couldn't get it right. When I make changes to the originality of it, I have to make sure that you can't tell that it's not stock. I work hard to keep the "vintage" appearance.

[scrambler013]

Ahem, scrambler013! :D You are correct all of those sensors make for a lousy day with diagnosis. That is the problem I have right now with my YJ. It won't start. If it was the '63 '5 that I am working on restoring, quicker fix. No sensors, gadgets, computers, or anything like that. It would be simple. Spark or fuel! So when it comes to fixing them gimme old any day. Still I like my TJ and my YJ, No they aren't a CJ but they are Jeeps. Not like those stupid Trackers and Sidekicks, those things suck! :*

[Big Buro]

Oh boy, I guess I screwed that one up pretty good. I do apologize and it won't happen again. I didn't get it at first until I read my post. Kinda slapped me in the face........ Now that i think of it, it's almost funny. Not to you, I'm sure but the fact that I got it COMPLETELY wrong, and yet, spelled wrangler correct, now that's funny. I took the time to make sure that I spelled your name right but didn't take the time to make sure that it as the right name. Please, forgive me for my transgressions.

[scrambler013]

:D It's ok. I just didn't want someone looking for me and not find me.(did that make sense?) :) Yes it is funny, even to me. I don't mind. Dookie happens(that is for you TJ Magoo). I acctually chuckled when I saw it.

[TJMagoo]

Dookie happens(that is for you TJ Magoo).

Thanks scrambler013 ;) I would've allowed $hit happens though. :D

[scrambler013]

I know TJ but hey Dookie sounds better. It's cleaner too(note: extreme sarcasm there) By the way Nice Jeep! Like the bullet holes, did you shoot back? :lol:

[deadpedal]

I always wanted a flatfender, but they're hard to find and considered collectors.

All I could afford as a brand-new private in the Army was a Geo Metro (hey, I sold it, no flak please). I wanted a Jeep but had to have reliable transportation for work. I COULD afford to get a YJ though, albeit I ended up getting one four years after I joined. A 1995 YJ, which has since been wrecked. Now I have a 1997 TJ.

I love that piece of junk. I really do.

[Big Buro]

Hey Deadpedal;
I know where you can find that flat fender if you're looking. I found one sitting in a guy's back yard rusting away. Can you believe that? It doesn't run and I'm not sure what that problem is, but it's complete with hardly any real rust problems. He's asking $3,000.00 for it.
Also, there are couple of early CJ's that I know of but they're quite a bit more expensive. 8,500.00 and 6,800.00 but in real good shape. Kind of half A$$ed restored. You'd have to start over but hey, that's what it's all about anyway.

[deadpedal]

Thank you so much, but my wife would fly right off the friggin handle if I brought another Jeep home. I am getting ready to go to Korea right now and wouldn't be able to begin work on it for almost a year and a half anyhow. As it stands right now, I have just doled out just over $400 for a new stereo for a $7500 2000 Toyota Corolla I just got her for Christmas. I put $4000 down for it.

No Moola. :(

In the meantime, I'm working on designs for an internal XJ rollcage until I can get my hands on my TJ again.

She would've killed me if I got it anyway. What can I say, I'm whipped.
I could have bought the Willy's for 3k and then transported it and then begun resto/ repair work for what I paid for the Toyota. Bah! Sometimes it doesn't pay to be nice, it's gonna get me killed one day.

[Big Buro]

Believe me, I understand. If you get half of what you want and half of what you need, being whipped isn't all that bad.

Hey, good luck in Korea, I think you'll enjoy it. At least, I know I did.

[5.0L 44GPW]

Hey Big Buro just north of you in Idaho, Jeeps are cheap picked up my flattie for 750.00 it was driving, and 90 wrangler for 1500.00 but no hardtop. I used to think the same about EFI engines until I put one in my 44 GPW I will never go back to a carb. I can go from our altitude of about 2800 feet to the Rubicon or Bear valley CA and still runs the same. Dont let those sensors scare ya, they will run even without them, not good, but good enough to get you off the trail, just take an extra computer and fuel pump 8) 8) 8)

[Big Buro]

believe it or not, I actually thought about swapping in fuel injection on my 66. My wallet got the better of me though. I don't disagree that the EFI works very well on most applications and especially when compared to the carburetor. BUT, I know what I have, I know how to fix it, and lord knows, I know how to make it run even in the worst of situations. You just can't do that with the computers and sensors and injectors, and...... All that. No thank you, I'll keep my little V6 with the carburetor.

[5.0L 44GPW]

Yea but it wont look like this!!!!!!!!!!
here is a pic of the 5.0L in the GPW
just after a new coat of 98 Jeep lapis blue paint

[thejeepingoat]

wow, nice pics, that looks really clean..... :rock
-goat

[jdogg4]

I want that jeep. :x are you going to the meet and greet I want to see that in person.

[Big Buro]

Not bad. It looks like you do good work. Is this a product of your own hands or did you have the work done? It appears that it's sitting in a shop of some kind. Hopefully, we'll get this meet and greet thing going and be able to compare notes.

[5.0L 44GPW]

I try to do everything myself I did need help with the bending of the the roll cage and some of the initial wiring for the EFI. The thing I am probably most proud of on the GPW is the reverse rotation, 1977 Ford pu dana 44 front axle thats in the rear of it, I used 1978 Scout rear housing ends, front spindles, hubs, rotors with GM backing plates and calipers, Moser axles and Mile Marker locking hubs all on the rear. almost all but axles and locking hubs out of the wrecking yard. :D :D :D
I probably cant make the meet and greet back east I just cant leave the buisness that many days this summer with everything else we have planned BUT I will be in California for the get together in July

[myflatfender]

HEATERS! they put heaters in jeeps now? Wow my 51 cj doesnt have one I have thought about trying to fit one in it sure would make it easier to see out the windshield on those early morning runs. I have always liked the looks of the flatfenders and I am verry happy to have spent my $300 wisely. I have a hole in my door from a limb, thats what I call a narrow trail and that was one of my first drives after welding all the holes up in the body and giving it a fresh coat of paint. As for the new jeeps I have never driven one but if anyone has one they want to give me I will let you all know how I like it.

[Blupupher]

For the Dailey Driver and off roading duties, my TJ.
For off roading only, my old CJ-5 was great. I still miss her. :cry:

[Jeepkreep]

My first and only Jeep is a TJ Wrangler;
But I've always wanted a Scrambler since the first time I saw one.

Chris~
:USA: