Jeeps

The Renegade · 04-11-2018, 12:05 PM

Jeeps seem to be a very popular vehicle in the Motorhome world. Does anyone have or have had in the past a ‘78- ‘81 V-8? They are classic beauties for sure. I always wanted one when I was growing up and have searched in the past for one to restore. They are really hard to come by now.

vrunner · 04-11-2018, 02:54 PM

I had an 80 4 speed with a 350 small block in it... lots of fun off road, PIA on the highway. If your going to do small back road trips you will love it. Or find a resto-mod, saw a few at some car shows, new or newer power plant and trans, upgraded suspension and brakes but old school body. Then you have the best of both worlds. [emoji106]

Blackrock · 04-11-2018, 02:58 PM

I had a 78' CJ5 with a 304 AMC V8 and 3 speed manual transmission. Had a lot of fun with it all over the trails here in southern Arizona. Traded it to my son in law so it's still in the family.

The Renegade · 04-11-2018, 04:16 PM

Yep thats the ones im talking about... I know both yall had headers riight? Those used to sound really awesome. A little narrow suspension and a little dangerous compared to the newer ones but i would sure love to have one.

Blackrock · 04-11-2018, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountieman

Yep thats the ones im talking about... I know both yall had headers riight? Those used to sound really awesome. A little narrow suspension and a little dangerous compared to the newer ones but i would sure love to have one.

Nope, no headers for me. A set of headers on a Jeep will teach you all about "Hot Foot" real quick. A friend had a Jeep with headers and he tried everything to try to insulate the floorboard. And as a professional mechanic I always added an extra $20 or $30 to a tuneup bill on anything with headers.

510Rick · 04-11-2018, 04:37 PM

I love jeeps but they are too expensive for my blood . I'll build up a nice some day but I'm more of a solid axle Toyota guy since im a broke fool lol. My Toyota has been fantastic but I know its not the same .

The Renegade · 04-11-2018, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 510Rick

I love jeeps but they are too expensive for my blood . I'll build up a nice some day but I'm more of a solid axle Toyota guy since im a broke fool lol. My Toyota has been fantastic but I know its not the same .

Can’t argue with the Toyota my friend. Best vehicle on wheels in my opinion. Best resale value of them all.

The Renegade · 04-11-2018, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrock

Nope, no headers for me. A set of headers on a Jeep will teach you all about "Hot Foot" real quick. A friend had a Jeep with headers and he tried everything to try to insulate the floorboard. And as a professional mechanic I always added an extra $20 or $30 to a tuneup bill on anything with headers.

I understand the part about the hot foot but why did it add to the labor cost on a tune up? I’m no mechanic by no means.

Orangecrush · 04-12-2018, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrock

Nope, no headers for me.

Headers sounded great in the day but headers are a PIA. You're always replacing collector gaskets, too much work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 510Rick

I love jeeps but they are too expensive for my blood . I'll build up a nice some day but I'm more of a solid axle Toyota guy since im a broke fool lol. My Toyota has been fantastic but I know its not the same .

You know what Jeep stands for, right? Just Empty Every Pocket.

I purchased my 13th Jeep about a year ago, a 2017 Jeep Rubicon. Add in 30K for a brand new crate 6.4 liter engine, lift, wheels tires, bumpers, etc, etc and I'm into now for just over $100K. Lots of fun and I like it but it gets expensive. I bought both my daughters brand new Jeeps in 2015. My oldest one kept hers (she's a hoarder, she'll never get rid of it plus I painted it pink) and my youngest one decided a year into it she wanted a new Camaro.

Reluctantly I let her buy the Camaro but told her the payments were on her. A year later, she's finding out how much it costs to keep up with payments and insurance.

So now I'm building a 2016 Jeep Sahara JKU for her that I applied for a lien on the title because the insurance company just left it at my shop. I don't have squat in it (purchased a replacement frame) but the upgrades are killing me. New tires, lift, interior, hood, blah, blah, blah. Why couldn't she just drive a honda civic like every other girl.

I included a pic of my Jeep, my daughter's and a Jeep I did for my wife back in 2008.

Mark

Blackrock · 04-12-2018, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountieman

I understand the part about the hot foot but why did it add to the labor cost on a tune up? I’m no mechanic by no means.

The way that the header tubes twist and turn can make for some interesting combination of socket extensions and swivels. Not to mention the chance of breaking a new spark plug when getting it back in. It can add up to .7hr to the job.
Also trying to route plug wires around and away from the high heat takes time.

Blackrock · 04-12-2018, 08:37 AM

This was my desert runner. Just a bone stock CJ5.

FOURWHL · 04-12-2018, 08:59 AM

What’s left of a CJ7.... powered by an XJ 4.0 tho

510Rick · 04-12-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourwhl

what’s left of a cj7.... Powered by an xj 4.0 tho

thats cool !!!

510Rick · 04-12-2018, 09:09 AM

Here is my current boonie basher . I know its not a Jeep and nothing like some of your rigs but there's more there then meets the eye I had to keep this one somewhat tame as its also my hunting rig. Also when I was broke after buying a house it was my everyday driver . Even pulled my Malibu Skier with it . I does have 5.29 gears, lockers in both ends and some other secret squirrel stuff . I love this thing its been on a lot of the hardest trails and makes short work of a lot of them . The slightly longer wheel base is an advantage more then a hindrance most of the time .

CedarCreekWoody · 04-12-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrock

I had a 78' CJ5 with a 304 AMC V8 and 3 speed manual transmission. Had a lot of fun with it all over the trails here in southern Arizona. Traded it to my son in law so it's still in the family.

I had a 72 with the same engine, tranny. Loved that old jeep. My son learned to drive with it, driving logging trails. Easy to work on. My ex sold it after the divorce. Lol

The Renegade · 04-12-2018, 11:04 AM

Very nice pics. Anybody ever had the Death Wobble? Where does it come from and do the newer Jeeps ever have them?

Crush: Great work on the Jeeps. Everything was good until you said headers sounded good back in the day!!!! Dang man that was back in my day...

It wasn't THAT long ago was it? Only like 37-40 years... Man time has gone by in a hurry.

FOURWHL · 04-12-2018, 11:22 AM

Death wobble is caused by a (or multiple) loose suspension component. Any Jeep can suffer new or old. Especially once lifted wear or sub par installation can cause. There’s kind of a list of increasingly difficult checks to make but first thing is making sure everything is tight.

Orangecrush · 04-12-2018, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOURWHL

What’s left of a CJ7.... powered by an XJ 4.0 tho

Niiiice!

dbear · 04-12-2018, 07:45 PM

Had a '78 CJ7, 304 V8, AT, Quadra-trac, soft-top, Levi Renegade Package, burnt orange. Absolute beast. Probably the only vehicle I truly regret selling.

The Renegade · 04-12-2018, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbear

Had a '78 CJ7, 304 V8, AT, Quadra-trac, soft-top, Levi Renegade Package, burnt orange. Absolute beast. Probably the only vehicle I truly regret selling.

I hate it for you and it wasn't even mine...

Fourwhls jeep is a monster.... You guys have too much money...

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