CJ 7 or XJ

[MARXY]

thanks Jeff. Considering more the day/ w'end thing ( and I guess a trailer is an option). XJ v ZJ - well as I said - ZJ is the "nice looking" fam car. The XJ would become the toy - all damage accepted.
Haven't seen any CJs <$10K but around about $10.5 - $14K. Still looking - still considering!

[Wooders]

VERY different ttpes of rigs.....
Think about which style you prefer than buy....Personally for a second or toy rig I think it would be tough to go past the CJ - but hey I'm biased :D

[billsta]

at standard condition.
CJ's have Leafs.
Xj has F coils and rear leaf.

so what do you like to play with.? :D

i reserve my choice,

[AussieCJ7]

Hey Marxy,

I own a CJ7 so my thoughts are biased but as I have a 6 month old daughter I have given this a lot of thought of late.

CJ takes a lot of hunting to find a good one but would be a lot cheaper and easier to make a hardcore play machine.

Things to think off to make a CJ for this .

If you want to use the rear seats a roll cage is a must the standard sports bars do not really cover the rear seat.

Lift is easy you can either go a SUA lift like the OME or the RE 4.5" extreme. or you can go SOA all depends on how big you want.

Rear diff in a CJ needs either a one peice kit or full float conversion if you want to run lockers and fair amount of HP like the 6 or V8.

Storage, if you keep the rear seat you just have to get creative and make drawers under the seat and boxes on the wheel wells and maybe a jamboree rack or the like, just watch your centre of gravity or weight over the back. For weekend trips take a trailer, maybe even a camper trailer.

Engine conversions are what ever your imagination can come up with as the options are wide open.

I would only go for a wide track that is post 82 CJ7's the extra stability will help after your lift

Small body lift will allow a belly up lift to give you more clearence with less lift.

TJ flares allow bigger wheels with less lift. if it is off road only go sick with the angle grinder and dont worry about it.

A CJ is really a matter of how much you can fabicate yourself or are prepared to pay for.

CJ's are starting to get long in the tooth so the up keep although cheap is never ending.

XJ has more room and will easily take the family

XJ is harder/more expensive to lift but not to the point it is cost prohibitive.

XJ has a dana 35 which may be a source of future problems if you go big although Mark Hicky still running a 35 even if it is heavily trussed

XJ is no where as cool as a CJ and no matter how small/stock your CJ is people love to see a CJ out and about, they dont look twice at a XJ

As this is your second Jeep my vote is a CJ7 wide track get creative on storage and enjoy it. There is a great one for sale in Newcastle for about 11k very stock and has factory aircon and pwr steer. It is auto and a wide track.

Jeff where are these 7k CJ's ??? I paid 7 for mine about 4 years ago and they are very hard to find. I would not pay more than about 12k unless it has lots of parts like warn axles and air lockers whinch etc even then I dont know I would go as high as many people are asking for them

[Jeff]

I usually keep an eye on the trading post, I've seen a fair few for sale, mainly in QLD.

How much was the CJ7Boner?

[AussieCJ7]

CJ Boner needs a hell of a lot of work and could not be registered until this is done.

I agree they are not worth the price people are asking for them but the sad fact is while people pay that that is what they sell for.

I like it as it make mine worth more than I bought it but still think it is screwed up

The bottom end of the XJ and TJ market is approaching the top end of the CJ market

If you want a cheap CJ then go for a 5 or 6 both of which seem 000's cheaper

[MARXY]

Thanks Aussie Cj - some very valid points. I have found an '83 CJ7, one owner, 50,000k! well looked after. TW has seen it and think its a possible goer - but still needs some "trail ready" mods - owner wants $14K+ - so some heavy haggling if I were to go ahead. I hate to admit it, the XJ makes sense, but the "cool factor" of the CJ :cool: has seriously been considered! Any details on the Newcastle one?

[ 02 December 2002, 04:11 PM: Message edited by: marxy ]

[AussieCJ7]

Look at the front page of Just 4x4 December issue for the one in Newcastle

I rang him and was very tempted to go have a look myself but the wife would kill me if I got another one

[MARXY]

Hi guys - this maybe a stupid question - but I've already asked a few - so why stop now! graemlins/dunno.gif
Looking at an alternative play jeep. The Zj is the fam car and of late I have given it a fair beating and while the other half is tolerant - she is after all human. She has suggested I get another Jeep! smile.gif - what a woman! graemlins/bowdown.gif
Question -not having owned or driven either a Cj or XJ - which one would be better to do some serious driving (accepting that both may need some mods). I know the short answer is probably the CJ - but I have 2 kids who come with me so storage is an issue also. Interested in your thoughts re practicalites and pros & cons of each. It seems I can pick either one up for around the same price. I already have some good advice off others - but let me know your thoughts.

[Jeff]

couple of questions for ya:

Are the drives you're going to do short day drive or long trips? If you are just going to have a play in the mud, do you need a lot of storage space?

Do you think an XJ is too similar to your ZJ?

Modding the CJ should be a bit easier.

As for the price, a CJ should be cheaper. You shouldnt be forking out more than about $7000 for a CJ, unless it's a chrome show pony. Plus the whole roof off thing! graemlins/avid.gif

[billsta]

dont take this wrong, but where do these people get the price tag from?
14K? jeeps are good but surely cant be THAT good....

[Jimmyb]

aussiecj............people do look twice @ the xj, i get people in nissans passing me in traffic giving me the thumbs up, which is quite kewl smile.gif

[CJer]

Yea but yours is not the norm Jimmy :D

[Gildo]

Well, youve asked the audience, now its time to phone a friend.
Of course the best of both would be a CJ8, and I happen to know of a few for sale- whod have thought?
You get all the space of an XJ and all the problems of a CJ....
If you are looking at spending 14k, on a rusty ole cj, and no matter what anyone tells you, any 85 or earlier CJ will have cancer somewhere, why not consider a TJ?
The price of a 97/98 is round about the same ballpark, and you will have a lot less to spend in the long run. You get a car thats 5 or so years old, fuel injection, current saftey gear(theyre your kids in there)and plenty of new off the shelf mods.
If you go the CJ way, youll end up replacing/rebuilding most of the drivetrain and to do that youll pay way too much for the parts or have to import what you need. Come and test drive mine, you could have had a go last weekend after I pulled you out of that Mud hole!