Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Need input on older Jeep

Guy has a restored CJ2A at work, too much $.
I can't do a 5 unless the ride softens.
If I got one it'd be for puttin around town, no top.
Just a sun runner.

MB grill on that 2A would look way better.

Nice stuff, you lucky dog you!

I've had a few jeeps and just traded off an '08 to get a new'16. The one you're looking at is not one I'd consider. EVER

Just picking up a Jeep for a "second vehicle", could be anything from a DD to a toy. What you intend on doing with it has much to do with what would a good choice be.

I liked Cj5's, fun as can be but squirrly. Had a Cj2a that was more of everything but leg room. Truly crazy fun but...

In the price range you mentioned I'd look for an even older Cj7 that's had someone else's money spent on it. Again, depending on how you plan to use it, beefy axles with traction devices add to it's ability tremendously.

Look for one that has DANA 44's front and back. Disc brakes, gearing, lockers, and engine mods. If it has been screwed with you'll want to be sure it is well done or you may be buying someones headache.

My BIL sold his after he had tricked it out pretty well. I'd have liked to get it at the time but couldn't swing it. It was a STEAL of a deal for the guy who bought it.

Newer Rubicons are very well equipped stock. The X model could be ordered with good options.

If it's just a second rig with no real off road plans I'd get something else. The fuel milage isn't good, ride is rougher, it's limited in utility.

That said, I've owned at least one jeep most of my life. They really can be amazingly fun.

I had 2 TJs, a '98 and an '05 Unlimited. I wouldn't do the 4-banger for a couple reasons.

1) Power .. not much. If you have A/C, don't even think about the 4 cyl. Even the 4.0L I6 was somewhat short on horsepower at freeway speed ... good torque on the trail.

2) They came with the AX-5 instead of AX-15 transmission which was weaker yet. (:ater they switched to an NVG 3550 .. and later yet, to a 6 speed.)

3) They came with the weaker Dana 35 rear axle. Both mine had the Dana 44, the first as an option, the second as standard equipment.

Gearing ... both mine came stock with 3.73s. In the first I swapped twice, once for a Detroit Locker and 4.10s, then later swapped the 4.10s for 4.56s. The 4.10s are a bit stronger because the 4.56s (and 4.88s) have a neck-down section on the pinion shaft. In '04 or '05 they went from the 5-speed to 6-speed manual with deeper gearing so it wasn't necessary to swap gears when I went from 30x9.5s to 33x.12.50s with the '05. With the '98, before I swapped gears, the 33s were doggy.

Soft tops ... the soft top on my '05 was quieter than the hard top on my '98. It was kinda weird 'cause stopped at a light I could hear people outside talking and yet at freeway speed, I didn't get flogged or buffeted. They call the newer material "sailcloth" ... it's a 4-ply bonded fabric. I think you can get it from BesTop now as a replacement for the older soft tops.

If I could find another '05 Unlimited with a manual transmission in decent shape at a sane price, I'd own it. Very very good rigs. At 12-ish years old they're still selling for 2/3s what I paid for mine new. Sanity doesn't seem to be part of the equation.

Tom

The 2013 and newer have the new V-6 engine. Lot better mileage ,

"It's a jeep thing"....
















































































They suck balls...

97 TJ lifted with a 4 banger is going to be like a woman . Everytime you drive it somewhere you are going to have to buy it something.