I had to drive 150 miles to Sacramento to check this rig out - I didn't buy it yet - I am at a friends house using his net to post this _ I NEED ADVICE... I got there and it was nothing like he said (it never is though), the engine knocks and the tranny only goes in 1st & reverse (possibly a problem with the B&M Shifter)... THE FRAME/TUB IS SWEET AND HAS A FULL TUBE SUB-CHASSIS (very trick)... NO VISIBLE RUST...

1968 CJ5

* 327 V8 w/ rod or some kind of knock/ping - idles STRONG and steady REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK
*Carter Carb, Full long tube headers, other bells/whistles etc...
*Turbo 350 TRANNY w/ B&M shifter -- WON'T GO INTO DRIVE OR 2nd? Only goes in 1st & Reverse. (POSSIBLY THE LINKAGE? maybe bad trannY??)
* REBUILT TWIN STICK TRANSFER CASE...
* FULL TUBE CHASIS - BUILT LIKE A FREAKING NASCAR w/ DUAL SHOCK HOOPS ALL AROUND - SHOCKS DON'T MOUNT TO FRAME, BUT TO THE TUBE CHASSIS!!! (very well designed)
*Puny little 68 AMC axles
*Puny Drive Shaft
*RACING SEATS
*RACING HARNESSES (4 point w/ 5thpoint hookup)
*FUEL CELL RELOCATED
*BFG 33" M/T on ROCKCRAWLER RIMS.

Body mounts are all rubber or polyeurathane...

STEERING COLUM OR SHAFT (FROM THE WHEEL) RUBS ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DRIVER SIDE HEADER? Is that a huge problem??? the box is mounted in front of the diff though...

HE IS ASKING $3400 But I could probably get it cheaper... (3000-3200)

DO you think it is worth it? It looks really fun - but I don't want to just buy it because it fun.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE FOR ME? I HAVE NEVER BOUGHTEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE... I guess it will need a motor (and tranny or fix the shift linkage) - to be reliable.

What can I expect to pay for a motor at a junkyard or possibly a new GM crate?

by the time you pay for the jeep (3k), pull the 327 apart and fix the rod knock (who knows could be 100 bucks could be 1000 bucks) fix the trans (ranges from adjusting the linkage to rebuilding that biatch) you'll have a running truck. that being the case you'll start replacing the running gear with beefier dana 44's or 60/14ff as you destroy them out piece by piece with the grunt of a rumpity small block.

you dig?


bottom line: could easily become a money pit.

I had a feeling that 350 would thrash those axles etc... I am prepared to throw some new axles and driveshafts in at a later time... In the meantime I just need something to get around the farm...

Does $3200 sound like a good deal???

something for the farm? buy a scout.

no seriously is this something you can go snap some digital pics of and post them?

Is a good body and frame worth $3000 to you? because that is probably all you will use.

I don't know your mechanical aptitude, but it sounds like this may be a fairly large project.

If I were looking for a jeep right now, $3200 for a non runner and cheesy axles sounds like a bad way to go to me. I would look for a yj, as those are going really cheap right now, and already have a strong motor and frame. Just put in a new rear end and go!

Here are a few links to the pictures (sorry they are B&W because his scanner is old - they were originally 5x8)


http://b.im.craigslist.org/xi/XI/75NGOmOIMhMg53S6PzMsJedJguTc.jpg
http://a.im.craigslist.org/si/tW/58m9Y0R3Re9X5cK8oQ4AXU2LEmoO.jpg

It runs and drives strong - just leaks a little oil and has a rod or some sort of knock -- HE SAYS ITS THE FAN - but I know better than that.

Swapping a motor/tranny and axles (SOA etc..) is definitley something I can do...

well its hard to tell from the pics but "looks" like it could be worth that. it looks like its done fairly cleanly. if you dont mind doing some repairs or some major and potentially expensive upgrades at a later date and you like it, go for it.

Its a "if it blows your skirt up" type thing.

the knock thing bugs me but Im fairly handy with a chevy small block so It wouldnt scare me off. they'res always the chance you could tear it apart and find two pistons in one hole or something catastrophic like that.

The trans is no big thing. if you pull it out and take it down to a tranny shop, a complete rebuild with a shift kit is only around 600 bucks. if its just something minor then you're good to go.

If you're looking for a toy to play with and it wont break the bank if it ends up getting shelved for a month or so then go for it.

$3200 for a jeep with possibly blown motor and tranny? Hell no I wouldnt buy it, check out the forsale section on this board... I think I saw a built toyota on 36's with dual transfer cases for $3000, much better deal and would get around the farm alot better.

Just bought the CJ5 yesterday and took it to a local 4x4 shop today. Here is what they say:

* It has a willys tub? I doubt that - the vin is a jeep vin and mounted in the correct place -- but I don't know $hit about anything... They Said it is the old miitary style tub M3??? ?

* MOTOR IS FINE- THE KNOCK NOISE IS THE TRANNY ( i didn't know it could make a noise in park so I ruled the tranny out)... THE TRANNY IS TOAST.

* Only other thing is a broken shock in the driver rear (1 broken out of 8 shocks isn't bad!)

Other than that the guys in the shop were drooling all over it - said it was the cleanest 68 they ever seen (probably haven't seen many :flipoff2: )... Said the tube work was done very meticulously and was very safe.

I would like to know the folloowing if somebody wouldn't mind helping a newb.

* How can I fix the steering, it is very loose and the shaft rubs the header... What is saginaw? Can I just pull a steering box off a junkyard car???

* WHAT KIND OF TRANNY DO I NEED? It has a turbo 350 (th350?) right now. BUT - it is mated up to a TWIN STICK transfer case (D18? D20?) Can I just get any 4WD TH350 tranny and bolt it in - OR does my tranny most likely have some aftermarket shafts on it to mate up to the TCASE??? It has the ADVANCE ADAPTER - So doesn't that mean I need a certain TH350? ? ? Since I plan on just driving this around town, on a farm, and occasional firetrail - can I just go to a junkyard and pull a TH350? Or should i have it rebuilt? I am kind of on a budget and the more money I can save for other stuff the better... I just need a tranny that ACTUALLY GOES IN DRIVE (this one goes in reverse, and 1st, but 2nd and drive don't work!!! )

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR ADVICE! I THINK I GOT A PRETTY GOOD DEAL...

You gotta stop with the wild cross posting dude...

Your steering issue could be any number of things. Find out what's wrong, and then fix it. If it's the box, fine, but it doesn't sound like you know that. Check all your linkage, ball joints, leaf spring bushings, steering shaft joints, and general grip on reality; CJ's aren't known for great steering characteristics.

You might have to get a BFH and put a well placed dent in your header tube to clear the stearing shaft... Or toss the :rainbow: full length headers and put some block huggers in there.

I'd say your tranny most likely has an aftermarket shaft. Better figure it out before you send it to the scrap pile...

Transfer case is probly a D18, D20, or D300. Here's how to find out. If it's rear output is offset to the right (same as the front output), it's a D18. If centered behind the tranny, then rub off the dirt/paint/whatever from the tail housing. If that chunk is aluminum, it's a D300, otherwise a D20. Whatever it is, I'm guessing your rear drive line is ~15 inches long (er shoooort)?

I'd say your tranny most likely has an aftermarket shaft. Better figure it out before you send it to the scrap pile...


Its a th350. either pull it and have it rebuilt and bolt it back in or find another 4x4 350 and have your tailshaft/adapter installed in it.

Okay sweet... I found a th350 for rebuilt th350 for $200. It has the receipt so that sounds like a good deal? I will have the tailshaft and adapter installed in it - is that something I could do? Just a unbolt bolt and swap thing? Or should I really take it to a shop? I never worked on an auto tranny before (rebuilt a manual tranny once)...


I notieced that my TCASE says SPICER on it? Is that the OEM TCASE?
What kind of options do I have when it comes to swapping in some fullsize or at least better axles than my puny 44 2 shaft rear and puny front? I noticed that my rear axle doesn't have the centered diff...

Thanks again for all the info!

I notieced that my TCASE says SPICER on it? Is that the OEM TCASE?Possibly......... The D18, D20, and D300 are all DANA/SPICER cases, and they all have the SPICER diamond on them. There are other spicer cases, but there's bassically zero chance any of them will be found in a CJ. I believe the D18 would have been stock for a '68, and by your description of the rear axle, that's probly what you have, but again, do what I described above to figure out what case you have for sure, because there's no real reason to believe a Jeep as modified as yours will have the factory case in it.

Where in Butte Co. are you from ?

You need to Slow way the hell down. Take a deep breath.

So you found a tranny. So what. Is it a 2x or a 4x4. Makes a difference. Even if you knew how to swap output shafts and tail housings.

Sounds like you put the cart befor the horse. Thats cool cause I still do it. ( I'm a slow learner)
Spend your money and get your tranny rebuilt or fixed.( Might not even need a rebuild).

As far as axles, Depends on what you want and how you drive.

Sounds to me like someone got a deal, swaped out the axles and stuff and just fliped the jeep.

We need pics. And good luck and have fun

LOL, Thanks, I do need to slow down, I just got it and already have a wish list totalling $2300 !!!

I live in Chico, about 45mins from you...

First thing is first I need to get the tranny fixed. I don't even think it is damaged as first works fine, reverse is there, it just won't go in drive or 2nd (makes a noise) so I wonder if the cable shifter just needs to be adjusted? The tranny shop I took it to said it needs a tranny AND a new shifter but that sounds wack to me - I can see a new tranny but why a new shifter if the one I have works fine???(remember, it shifts into park, 1st, and reverse fine) I just want to cruise it around town and light fire-trails now so no need for any major overhauls at the moment (axle/d-shaft etc...)

I found the 4x4 tranny but I am wondering if my ADVANCE ADAPTER needs a certain shaft? I hear there are like 4 or 5 shafts that GM used for the 4x4 TH350... Anyone know if Advance uses just 1 shaft? or if they custom build the adapter for your tranny?


PICS ARE DEFINITLEY TO COME... I was thinking of starting one of those "watch my buildup" threads in a few days after I get the tranny back... If not for everyone else to enjoy and tune into, then for me to see later as a before, during and after kinda deal...