That's an easy one ... 78 and 79 ... no question.

Rockcrusher

 

Sale me on why a 78 or 79

 

A few of us own Sami's as well as jeeps, we just recently bought one. Great little vehicles, and very capable.

Depends on what you're going to do with it. Are you going to wheel the snot out of it? How high are you going to lift it?

With the extra wheelbase, the jeeps are very popular for swaps, unlike the very short wheelbase Sami's, which are limited.

Do a search on this topic, there is a lot of info. The earlier jeeps have their good and bad points, as do the later CJ's. If you're going to build it, the advice I'd offer is to find one with a good tub, and to heck with the drivetrain, swap it out anyway.

Are you looking for a CJ-5, CJ-7, or CJ-8? The length can make a huge difference as to what you can swap in. For some insight into jeeps, go to http://www.off-road.com/jeep/swb/articles/specgrid.htm and look at what was offered on what model, and what year. Just click on the spec pieces and it'll take you to a different site.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7" Lift/33" Swampers/REP 8000/RS9000's/Scout II D44's F&R w/4.10's & Lockrights

 

I would say it depends on what you want it for! If you want a great street, trail, collectible truck then I agree with the 79 CJ (5 or 7) with the optional T-18A and the Golden Eagle package. Now if you are building a pure wheeler......than I say stay away from the narrow track model's........In the wide track area I will say I am partial to the 86 CJ with the Dana 44......(I am not telling you this since I have one either/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif). If it is a CJ it is cool in my book!

Common sense is genius dressed in working clothes.
http://www.austinjeeper.com

 

There was another post on this a while back... late '78 and '79 definately. This was the pinnacle of the AMC Jeeps - after this, they started using cheaper drivetrain components. 79 is the last year for the V-8's and the T-18's and the use of the TH400 for an auto tranny. Also first year for standard front disc brakes. Almost the last year for the 6 bolt hubs. Last year for standard 3.54 gears - after this they went down to 3.31 or 2.73. First year for the bigger roll bar that goes all the way to the floor. I THINK, but am not sure, that power steering was standard in 79, and I know Power brakes were an option. And so on... AND - you could still get CJ-5's!

I include late 78's because they are essentially the same as '79's... 79 seems to have been a transitional year for the AMC CJ-s, and you end up with all of the good stuff and none of the bad, except the AMC 20 and they all have that except 86's with the Dana 44 and I'd rather have a V-8 and a T-18 with a Model 20 than a Dana 44 with a 6 (or 4!) and an SR-4 or something...

Yes - 79's are still narrow track, but I'm partial to that anyway - the thin-walled AMC 20's are not suited for the wider track, and I've heard the Dana 30's don't do as well that wide either. Plus out here on the East Coast, the narrow axles allow you to worm between trees better...

Mine was a Golden Eagle but I lost the sticker to a re-paint - very dumb on my part... Anyway - I wouldn't get hung up on that - most Golden Eagles seem to have been Q-trac anyway, and I don't see much difference other than the Eagle on the hood - oh yeah, and mine had 7 and 9-leaf spring packs stock. For those on this board who swear by Q-trac (not my personal choice - that's why I got rid of it) - guess what!?! - 79 was also the last year for that...

Mine is a 79, but that's TOTAL coincidence - I'd make the same argument either way.

However - if you're a Scrambler guy - 79 sucks - right JEEPN?

Chuck Hadley

 

My 80 has a factory 304 in her. I do now what you mean with the narrow track in the woods it is nice having that extra couple of inches. Also with the narrow track you have less problems with the tires hitting the fenders.

 

Thanks for the input. I wheel the hell out of my Sami. Its build about as much as it can be. Was going to put Dana 44s under. Went out and bought them, but decided to sell them. I would like to run 35" tire on the Jeep. I don't wheel as much as I use to and would like the extra wheelbase of a 7. I think the 20 with one piece axles would be enough for me. I am getting older and I am getting tired of the hardcore runs. Its drive a little and wait for someone to fix something. I have just as much fun doing moderate trails. Waiting to hear more for you guys.

 

Just my two cents:

My favorites are:
194_ -----first of the jeeps, really small and nimble.
1953 -----first of the CJs (M38A1)
1972 -----longer wheelbase (2”) gives us a 304 and they still have Dana 44 rears, though unboxed frames.
1976 -----first of CJ7s and revision of CJ5 bodies.
1979 -----same reasons as before, and I’m bias, I own one. (’79 CJ5, 304/T18A (factory)/D20)
1980 -----CJ8s
1987 -----last of CJs. Cool yet sad.

Oh yeah, and somewhere in there I have to vote for the CJ6 as all time favorite. Long wheel base and classic style.

EXTINCT

 

If I were you I would avoid early eighties CJ's with the Iron Duke 4 cylinder engine, I have one and am not happy with it and these motors where equiped with mostly Sr-4 and T-5 trannies which are not very sturdy. Also another bad point is that these jeeps where ussually equiped with high gear ratios because of federal gas mileage regulations.

 

86CJ7 with the D44 rear. Put in a decent trans. and some lift and you have the
start of a great off-road vehicle.

Gary

 

I have to agree with Extinct, I too own a 79 CJ, 304, T18, D20, model 20. They are great vehicles and I wouldn't trade it for the world...well maybe the world or Tyra Banks!
Mizu

 

1975 is the King of all Jeeps! WHY?
1972 AMC bought Jeep from Kaiser and lengthened it for use of AMC engines, but bought all other drivetrain parts. 6's had a Borg warner T14 and V8's had the T15 bolted to a Model 20 Transfer. Racers still use the t15 because of its durability. Axles were Dana model 44 in the rear and model 30 in the front. In 1976 they started use of the Model t150 trans and AMC rear axle which is a piece of [censored]. 1975 was the first year of Motorcraft Ignition and it will start under water and even with the engine full of water. 1975 gets the trophy. Motorcraft Ign, Dana 44 axle, T14 or t15 trans. Except nothing less.

 

I would love to be there when you try to start your jeep under water.
Mizu

 

It'll work if you have the SCUBA factory option!!! Available only with the comfort & convenience group.

Rockcrusher

 

I'm confused as to why some of you are saying that the '78 and '79 CJ7's are the best years and leaving out the '77 CJ7. I recall that the granny low T-18A was not availiable in '76 CJ7, but in '77 the T-18A was availiable. I believe the same axles and t-cases were used from '77 to '79, correct?

Please help me out and tell me what the '78 and '79 CJ7 has that the '77 doesn't.

thanks,

Chad
cornfedcarp@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/liveaxle85/index.html?969746689620

 

I like the Scrambler, but '79 is definitely a bad year for them /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif. (hint, they were first made in 1981)

The Iron Duke is a great little motor, I love mine, and it's the only thing I kept original. I've also beaten it into the ground and never had a problem. Lots of torque, ability to run at 300 rpm's and still recover with a snap, and over 20 mpg on the highway.

The good thing about the Iron Duke is they were mated to the SR-4 or another sucky tranny, but had the same bolt pattern as the Small Block Chevy, so you can swap in a decent tranny like the SM465.

Oh yeah, my '81 also came factory with 3.73 gears stock, so it must have been the 6 cylinders that had the high gear ratios.

The '77 CJ's had disc brakes as an option only, and had the different heater box with the 2 speed fan. It was the changeover year from the '76 components and still shared some of them. '78 was the first year with the disc brakes standard, and larger ones to boot.

The 304 was offered in 1980, but only with the marginal trannies of the 80's era, no T-18's.

Good luck finding a 304, T-18, and decent ratio axles in a '79, if you can, and the body isn't rotted out, snag it, it's a gold mine. Personally I akin them to horsefeathers and hen's teeth, something just this side of mythical, but rumored enough to actually have existed.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7" Lift/33" Swampers/REP 8000/RS9000's/Scout II D44's F&R w/4.10's & Lockrights

 

I love my '72 CJ5. However, you should be aware that any pre-76 Jeep will be harder to get bolt-on aftermarket products (eg. bumpers, tire carriers, body hardware,...).

A 72 or later model is desirable for the improved steering.

Just a couple of points that haven't been mentioned so far.

An eternal question. I want one of each model!

Happy Jeepin'

Turtle

"Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name."

 

I'm with Jeepguys. When I figure out the electrical oxy-moron of the flux capacitor I plan on stopping off in '75 to pick up my CJ6. If you were in good with a Jeep dealer you could get a nice 401, t98, dana 20 combo, with a front 30 rear 44 and power steering and brakes. The frame isn't boxed but it's narrow and the leaf springs flex well when worn in. Yes the axles are narrow but as long as wagoneers are plentiful that's not really a problem. Oh yeah, I didn't believe you could get a CJ with a factory 401 until I saw one, he had the build sheet and everything. Second choice would be a 78-79 CJ7. Third would be any non-high hood flatty, sorry 3B owners I think your Jeep is ugly. Of course the 2000 TJ looks pretty good to, 4.0, NV3500, 231, rear 44, front 30, coils, ect. It's not a Cj but at least deserves honorable mention. Then again you could always dare to be different and buy the 69 Commando sitting in my back yard. It has a 401, 727, dana 300, J truck 44s, late CJ front clip, and more.
Happy Jeepin'
Travis

So many Jeeps... So little time/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif