williams@mhuxj.UUCP (WILLIAMS) (02/12/85)
______________________________________________________________________________ From: Douglas A. Williams, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Reading, PA mhuxj!williams I'd like comments from people on JEEP CJ7s. Any topic is fine, but I'm especially interested in overall reliability and any problem areas that may exist. I am considering the purchase of a new one later this year. Please, no flames about rollovers and other "dangers" as I don't expect it to behave on the street like my 69 and 79 Camaros, nor do I expect it to do stunts off-road like my IT490 Yamaha dirtbike. Thanks in advance! Doug ______________________________________________________________________________
klr@hadron.UUCP (Kurt L. Reisler) (02/27/85)
> ______________________________________________________________________________ > > From: Douglas A. Williams, AT&T Bell Laboratories, Reading, PA mhuxj!williams > > I'd like comments from people on JEEP CJ7s. Any topic is fine, but I'm > especially interested in overall reliability and any problem areas that > may exist. I am considering the purchase of a new one later this year. > > ______________________________________________________________________________ Having just purchased my second CJ-7 (a new '85 hardtop), and my third Jeep (the first was a surplus M3B Willey's Jeep), I think I can pass a few things along. Mechanical: Jeeps are built like tanks. As a rule, very few things will go wrong with them, but the ones that do can be painful. In the course of a year, my '76 CJ-7 had the bolts that hold the clutch assembly to the transmission bell housing shear off not once, but twice! Fortunately, both times in light traffic, usually when shifting from first to second. Finally solved that problem by having heavier bolts put on. The next thing that went was the clutch throw-out bearing, this time in heavy, in-city traffic. Fortunately, when a Jeep starts to suddenly change lanes, most sane drivers get out of its way. It is also fortunate that a Jeep can climb curbs easily. The total mechanical damage was the throw-out bearing, the clutch plate, the clutch housing and almost the flywheel. Solution, get the extended maintenance policy. The repairs on the transmission came to more than the 5 year policy. Irritants: The gas guage on the '76 CJ was inaccurate (to say the least). When it read 1/2 tank, it was actually 3/4 full; at a reading of 1/4 tank it was actually 1/4 tank, and so on. The '85 seems much better. If you get a "rag-top", be prepared for two things (other than a lot of fun). You will be vandalized a lot. Even if you keep nothing in the Jeep, they will still go through it looking for things to steal. I had a steel "Audio Safe" (an excellent investment) over my radio to prevent theft of that, so the last time I was "hit", they ripped off (litterally) the roll bar padding and pryed off the wide angle mirrors. Next, be prepared to buy a replacement top and doors after about 3 years. The windows will scratch and cloud to the point where you can not see out of it. "They ride rough and are noisey." Who cares? If you wanted a luxury car, go buy a luxury car. Pluses: They are a hell of a lot of fun to drive (you drive a Jeep, not just ride in it). In the Winter (in the North East), they will get you places that would amaze you. They command respect from most vehicles. You don't worry about getting "dinged" in parking lots. Also, Jeep drivers salute each other (the way bikers do), and it is a nice little touch. Summary: Look around at other Jeeps. Talk to the owners (if you haven't yet guessed, Jeep owners love to talk about Jeeps). Decide what you want BEFORE you talk to a dealer. I would recommend the 6 cyl. engine, five-speed manual, radial tires, conventional spare (as opposed to polyspare), 20 gallon tank and high backed seats. I would also recommend positraction read axle. The remaining options are a matter of individual taste. As they say in the ads: "There is nothing like a Jeep". Kurt Reisler - Owner, 1985 CJ-7, hard top, 286 6cyl, 5 speed, trak-lok. Tags read "GONSNO" (GO iN SNOw)