New to Jeep experience

This site is fantastic. I have been reading everything I can on this forum for a couple of weeks. The Jeep experience bug is catching, so be it. I am a totally excited novice, however, I don't want to bite off more than I can chew at the moment.

We (my wife and I) are picking up a 1980 CJ5 from our civic (Lions) club acquaintance this week. He originally bought it to play with during his retirement and to use as a driver, but, according to his wife, has too many other toys. He replaced the engine with a 4 cylinder rather recently (within the last three years) and it runs (he was going to gift it to his daughter in California but we offered to take it off his hands).

Comes with an extra transmission, some diamond plate but no obvious rust through, interior looks okay. Otherwise, it appears solid. No lift kit, probably never taken off road.

I am just looking for some general ideas and input. Once we have the vehicle, I will be able to specify exactly what the engine is, transmission and differential(s)(?)

Questions and observations, since the couple is out of town and, I, of course, didn't bother to ask.

1) Since I would like to make this a daily driver, can I and would it be recommended to look for some-kind of overdrive to add in order to increase gas mileage? I am assuming it "can" be done, but, can it be done relatively economically and simply (looked over Herm's site, some nice stuff there, don't know if any system would fit an '80)?

2) Does anyone make a hard-top system that fits an '80 CJ5?

3) Tires (size?), moderate lift kit (2 inch?), thoughts?

4) I will probably rebuild the spare transmission, upgrading any components. I will be looking at specific gearing for moderate offroad and mainly top down street driving. I will need some input in the future.

5) Any immediate thoughts and or considerations we should think about? We will add snow tires for my roughly twelve mile commute from the outskirts of town. Comes with a soft-top with full doors and the heater works, thank god (Klamath Falls area of Oregon)

We have other vehicles with front wheel drive and snow tires, so weather has never been a consideration.

Seems like a fantastic bunch of knowledgable people. Thanks for your community.

 

Welcome aboard. Sounds like you got a pretty good Jeep to ride around in. It would definately help if you could get an OD for it, but I don't know whether they have one for your model. Some of the other guys here will be able to answer that for ya. As for the lift and tires, for what it sounds like you will be using it for, I would go with a good suspension lift in either 1" to mainly give you new springs and shocks and add a little lift to it, or a 2-1/2", and run a good 31" all terrain tire.

 

Welcome from one CJ 5 owner to another. I have a 79 CJ 5.

First off the trans -

I am assuming it has a 3 speed? I'm not totally firmiliar with the 4 cyl setup. Most of the 5's have that 3 speed transmission. You can put a different trans with higher gears, but I currently have a 5speed on a 6cyl engine (was modified for better gas milleage) and I hate it and it doesn't get great gas milleage. I will be either putting in an automatic or a 4 speed. If you do swap out, I'd say go for a 4 speed trans...you won't be going much over 55mph in a CJ 5 anyway, they aren't made to with the narrow track axles that are in them. Also, with the 4 cyl engine you may actually get worse gas milleage because it is working much harder to push the Jeep. Adding more gears might bog it down.

Lifts -

From what I could find, they are 2 lifts (rubicon express is what I have). 2 1/2 allows 31 inch tires and is better for daily driving and small time offroading. 4.5 inch lift (what I have) allows 33 inch tires.

You can change out the axles, wide track CJ 7 axles will bolt on to a CJ 5 without modification and will also help to stabilize your Jeep (this is what I am upgrading currently). This helps when you add a lift, also allows for less rubbing if you put bigger tires.

Hard tops -

Hard tops were an extra option on CJ 5's, the 5 came standard with a soft top. A new Jeep CJ 5 in 1980 was probably ballpark 4 - 5k depending on the options...an ACME hard top was about 2k as an option. So, needless to say, not many people opted for them.
I have not been able to find a company that still makes them, no idea if there are any. ACME who was the company that made them for Jeep, no longer does. I have seen plans to make your own, or just look on ebay or craigslist. There are some out there, but you gotta look...I just found one for my Jeep and purchased it but had to drive quite a ways to get it.
Just keep your eyes open, it does help with the resale value of your Jeep, but a lot of people sell a junk Jeep with a decent hardtop to get rid of both.


Good luck!

 

If the 4-cylinder is original, it will be the 151: http://www.jeeptech.com/engine/gm151.html
The transmission is probably the SR-4: http://www.jeeptech.com/trans/t4.html
Transfer case will be the excellent Dana 300: http://www.jeeptech.com/xfer/d300.html
Front axle is the narrow Dana 30: http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/d30.html
Rear axle is the AMC 20 (Corporate 20): http://www.jeeptech.com/axle/amc20.html

Regarding overdrive, I'd advise you to forget it. By 1980, the axle ratios in Jeeps were plenty high enough (low numerically) to propel you at highway speeds. Your main obstacle to fuel economy is wind resistance. I very much doubt that an overdrive would make any difference in fuel economy, and certainly won't boost your top speed. Plus, there's no easy place to put it - the rear driveshaft is very short already. Sorry to be so negative, but I want to give you the straight scoop.

I don't think I'd put a lot of effort into an SR-4. What kind of transmission would you like, ideally? You pretty much have your choice of close or wide ratio (granny gear) 4-speeds, or the T-5 5-speed maybe. Automatics and truck 5-speeds will be too long for the CJ-5 wheelbase.

My opinion: drive it and enjoy it. If it were mine, I'd keep the soft top. Try it for a while and see if you like it.

Welcome from Boston!

 

Thanks all...looks I should have some "good times" with this project. Everything will be taken under advice, especially the "overdrive," we will probably pass on that one based on the above comments. Average speeds on the roads to town are 55, so there is no compelling reason to try and increase the speed potential.

From what I am remembering, most of the efforts will be cosmetic (lifts, tires, paint, etc.) with the possible exception of the steering, apparently there will be some needed work on that in the near future.

I appreciate everyone's input. Oh, by the way, my wife just called, the owner(s) are back from their trip and we may just pick it up this very evening. First order of business are snow tires (per the "boss").

Merry Christmas to me (LOL) and happy holidays to all for your help.

 

1980 could have 4.09s with the 151
good ratio IMO

 

Yeah, I suspected that but wasn't sure. With the 4.07 1st in the SR-4, that would give 4.07*2.62*4.09 = 44:1 crawl ratio, pretty good.

 

Welcome aboard Dano! Where are you from? There may be one of us just around the corner...

 

Welcome from another 1980 CJ5 owner. Mine is a 258 Inline 6 with the 4 speed manual trans. Haven't calculated the mileage yet, but I'm guessing upper teens. I don't get on any highways with mine, but it's still pretty good at 55 at least for short bursts. I have the stock steel wheels 15x 5.5 and am running 235, 75 /15 "green diamond" snow treads year round.
I'm a weirdo, and really like the Jeep stock, with no lift, and the steelie wheels. so It's staying that way. It served strictly off-road for the last 15 years, and handled everything wonderfully at stock height so I don't ever plan on shanging it. (now if I ever get a CJ7....)
So far the soft top is fine, but we haven't gotten any REAL cold weather yet, so I'll get back to ya on that.
Enjoy the new ride! Mine's the "daily" here now, and I'm still playing with the carb. It's running rich, so I'm hoping to improve the mileage a bit more before I'm done.
The biggest thing to plant in your head is to drive on-road conservativly. Hang back, keep relaxed. Evasive manuvers are not a good thing to do in a CJ5. I'm a much better driver since I got my CJ. I'm not pushy on the road anymore.

 

I would get the jeep home, drive it for awhile, then decide if you really need a overdrive, the four cylinder probably wont push a overdrive to well.
If you are planning on taller tires anyway, that is pretty much the same as installing a overdrive. Plus buying new tires is way more fun than buying transmissions.
Be carefull driving the jeep on slick roads, they can get away from you pretty fast! Just use common sense and you will be alright, millions of Jeep drivers have driven there jeeps daily all year around. My Dad did it the whole time I grew up.
My Dad had a 258 6cyl.and I remember him trying everything to increase his fuel economy on his 50 mile round trip to work a day. He had this Holley water injector thing that would inject water into the intake manifold. I don't think it helped much, these vehicles weren't designed for fuel economy. My best advice is make sure the jeep is tuned properly, and the stock size tires will probably provide you the best economy.

 

Welcome from OK. Here's a place you might find a hardtop.http://aj.testing.chilitech.net/Index.aspx I personally don't know their work, but it's the only place I know of currently making CJ5 hardtops.:v6:

 

Well, gents, thanks for all the replies. We did, indeed, pick up the jeep last night. Four speed stick, four cylinder and extra transmission for play. After the holidays I will look to see what the transfer case and transmission ratings are. There was some talk that the original engine had been a six.

It appears to have the relatively new stock street tires (235 75 R15)which stand about 28 inches measured from the ground. Our '93 F250 4X, which doesn't get driven much and will be sold (hopefully), has new (2,200 miles driven on them) 50K Cooper tires, which I believe are "all season" (my wife is seeing if they are 15 inch rims). Originally, we had requested a less expensive set but the dealer made a mistake on the order. To his credit, he gave these tires to us for the same price.

The Coopers stand about 30 inches from the ground (possibly 31 without weight), the thought is, assuming no rim size differences, switching tires to give me snow traction and a little height. Any concerns?

Which set or size may give actual better fuel economy at this point? It appears that there has been no lift kit installed, so the vehicle is standard height, however, the tires currently on it have huge amounts of clearance...sorta hate selling the Coopers if they would work well on the jeep.

The owner is giving us his paperwork on the upgrades and replacements he's done...joints, etc. so we will know what additional "stuff" needs to be taken care of.

And, for what its worth, I am located in South Central Oregon, near Klamath Falls (Keno, about 12 miles from the office in Klamath). Originally from San Diego, moved to Bend Oregon (Mount Bachelor) for "lifestyle" change, moved to Klamath for a better job/pay. Our house property butts right up to the Klamath River (dock and everything). Couldn't ask for a better home or community!

What, you may ask, is a Southern California boy doing in snow country? I had the same question for the first several years. First time in my life I had seen single digit temperatures (can't tell you now whether or not there was a negative sign in front, probably a mental block). Ten years later, all is well and good.

Bless you all.

 

Dano,
Hope you are enjoying the new Jeep up in K-falls. I did a sales trip up there way back and it is very nice area. There is also a heck of a lot less idiots up there as there are here in CA. When I purchased my '76 Jeep last year it had 31's without a lift and it was just fine for street driving, did not rub a bit. I would be concerned that the narrow stock rims are not wide enough for 31's, and the truck might look kind of funny with 235's when you are going to sell it, might cost you more to swap when you sell the truck.
In regards to the hard top there is a company down in Sacramento area that runs a Jeep only salvage yard, the owners name is Mark and he is a good guy. I have done some business with him in the past and he stands behind his products well. The link to the web site is below. If he does no have one in stock he should be able to locate one, if there are any available. Good luck with the project.
Douglas

http://www.jwjeep.com/

 

30s or 31s should be fine. I think you can run up to 33s with a mild lift. Then the limit is the rear wheel well diameter.

I would worry that the truck tires will have a weight rating that will make you feel every little pebble in your path. Flexible sidewalls are good - they smooth the ride, give you a bigger footprint at normal air pressures, and radials are slightly more fuel efficient IIRC. The radial sidewalls are somewhat less rock-cut resistant, but I don't think that's a major concern given the driving style you've described.

 

Again, thanks for all the input.

Looks like studded snow tires in the 235/75 R15 configuration (in a 10.5 inch width, unless I can find slimmer)for me. Now, off to find something else I can start a new thread with.

Bless all