well a neighbor of mine has a 76 cj7 and wants to trade for my
86 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban. it has a 258cu, 3 speed,new clutch,
new carb & manifold, and 373 gears. hard top with sunroof,and a soft top new in box.
also new w-strip kit for top new in box.

my question is what should i look for as problems??
what options for ft & rear diffs??
is dist an HEI??

any input would help. going to look at at 8am tomarro.
thanks for the help

 

I have a 76 CJ5, same thing just shorter. Heres the plot:

1. narrow track axles
2. drum brakes all around stock - disks were an option - upgradable but hard to find
3. engine has a 1 barrel carter (junk) 77 later 2bl easily upgraded.
4. 3spd tranny is a T150 - its (just)ok, replace it with a T18 (6:32 1st gear) if you can fine one - WAY OK.
5. Tcase is a dana 20 with 2.03 low range, with 3.73 finals that ONLY 22:1 reduction (poor) - see T18 upgrade above.
5. rear axle is AMC20 with 2 piece shafts, easily upgradable and recommended. And unless you run bigger than 33" tires very adequite
6. body and frame very suseptable to rust
7. After market goodies are on the decline, learn to fabricate
8. stock ingition is junk - Mallory, MSD or DUI still available but pricey

That it in a nutshell, hope it helps and not too late.

efstop32

PS - I freekin LOVE my CJ - 4.2(mallory) 2v, T18, dana 20 with teralow, 4.56 and lockers total reduction 90:1

 

thanks for the info!! ended up getting it. next day my buddies dad had
to have it. so he has a project for the winter. already got it running
well & overheating issues settled.