1980 Jeep Cj5 Project Candidate

By chance, I stumbled upon a 1980 CJ5 with the 4 cylinder motor. It has been sitting in a garage since about 2002. The seller says he is the second owner with his neighbor being the first owner. He drove it to work on the weekends until one day it would not make it up the parking garage ramp. He found one of the valve rods had bent. He said he had the head fully rebuilt. Said he put it back on the motor but never started it up but that he is certian it will run. Story was due to family medical situation it has sat in the garage since he put the head back on. The city would not let him keep in on his driveway under a tarp so he put it in the garage. It is surrounded by so much stuff in the garage it was hard to get a good look at it. From what I could see it seems to be pretty solid and not much rust. The paint is pretty worn so at some point it had sat outside. Needs new tires. Has the hard top and two soft tops, one being never used.

He is asking $4K for it as is. Said he was pretty firm at the price.

What is a safe fair value price for a project 1980 CJ5 in this condition?

 

Well, I think it's a bit high for a Jeep that you can't run or drive. If it's in superb condition otherwise and totally rust free, I might be convinced to pay that much. An '80 is nothing special... it will have the SR-4 4-speed transmission along with the 4-cylinder, most likely. 4.10 axles. 1980 is known as the end of the "great transmission era" for Jeep, when they started using much lighter duty transmissions across the line. The SR-4 is a light duty passenger transmission. What do you want the Jeep for? I don't know that much about the post 1975 Jeeps, but I think you'd be much better off with a '76 to '79 with the T-150 three speed and a 258 inline 6. Or an '80-86 with the T-176 4-speed and the 258. The 4-cylinder will be the 151 GM "Iron Duke" engine ... some around here hate it, but I don't have much experience with it. That plus the weak SR-4 transmission would make me think twice or thrice about this particular Jeep. Dunno, maybe that's fair for Texas. But when you can't start or even drive it, the price should come way way down.

Welcome from Boston!

 

I have to agree . price wise
4 cylinder jeep have been around forever . I had a new 81 with the 4 and it would keep up with a 6 in the woods

 

Thanks Timgr and Twin2,

I am going to resist the temptation and look for something more along the lines of your recommendation. I seem to have caught jeep fever and was very tempted. I had hoped he would come down from his asking but he seemed very firm, so I did not offend him with a lowball offer. I did mention that I would probably want to drop a larger motor in it and he did say doing so would required a new power train that was capable of handling the power, so it must have the weaker transmission mentioned. Sounds like a money pit to get it to the level I would want it. My purpose would be mostly putting around on weekends and an occasional off road 4 wheel drive for fun. The 4 cycle might be enough for my purpose but I don't trust the motor in it and have to assume it will need to be rebuilt. Seems like a $2K project jeep, not a $4K running but needs work Jeep.

It is probably a good jeep for someone experienced in repairing them, but I want to at least start with something I can drive around a bit. It is probably a solid body for a project but too much project for my taste.

 

We used to part them out just for the Dana 300, the GM bellhousing and the 4.10 Dana 30. Not many 4 cylinders left. The last one I bought, I paid $700 for it and it ran and drove with a hardtop.

 

If I were in your shoes (unless you are dead set on a 5) I would take a serious look at this.

Just No Love For Old Jeeps Anymore.

Also for an idea on the massive number of jeeps available out there check out eWillys | Your source for Jeep and Willys deals, mods and more

And lastly, back in the late 80s I had an 1980 renegade with the Iron duke and the 4 speed. never had any problems with it and it was a blast to drive. I didn't do any hard core rock crawling with it though.

 

If only I was in Seattle. But something like that would fit my bill perfectly.

 

ROAD TRIP!

 

I understand that, But Daryl buys and sells jeeps routinely and I trust his judgement enough that would buy long distance and have it shipped, which he also does. just my opinion. I'm not trying to talk you into anything.

I know looking for the right jeep can be a bit stressful, but i have been reading this forum long enough to know what to look for and who to trust.