I'm going to look at a couple of CJ-7's this weekend, would like some some opinions.

1978 CJ-7, 258 W/YJ intake, HEI dist. MC2100 carb. T150/dana 20 combo (I think) bad 3rd gear syncro. Good body. Stock susp.

1979 CJ-7, 304, Auto, Quadratrack (with issues), recently rebuilt engine, but will not move due to tranny or t-case issues. stock susp. new 31" BFG's

I can get either one for $1400-1500. I'm okay with the tranny issues, but I am on a low budget. I have a truck and trailer and they are both the same distance away. Does anyone have any opinion about which one would be the better buy. I want build a jeepspeed insired CJ, 33's or 35's, I dont do rocks, lots of sandy trails around my area. Thanks.

I personally would stay away from the quadratrak but thats just me.You probably wont be that happy with either setup but I would go for the 1978.

Number 1.
Low ball number 2 for the hell of it.

Decent 258 with MC2100 and HEI is a pretty good setup. Doesn't sound like you'll need a lot of gears, so the 258/T150/D20 combo should be fine with 33/35s. The first one would require less work to get going it sounds like. T150s are pretty much free. I just sent three of them to the crusher because nobody would take them.
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Colorado Dispensaries (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)

Thanks, I was leaning towards number 1. I already lowballed number 2, he was asking $2000.

#1
Stay away from the Q-trac as was said...and you dont lose anything really passing on the 304 for the 258.

Thanks, guy's. Went with #1. $1200 bucks. It's in really good shape compared to the rest of the jeeps in this price range around here.

That t 150 is Junk, Try to find a T176/ dana 300 combo.

Upgrade that POS T-150, it will not hold up to a 33+" tire. Ive seen quite a few just give out already in friends rigs. T-176 or T-18 is the only way to go.

Find a set of wide track axles if it's a DD.

IMO the T150 is a decent (and i use that term loosly) tranny. It held up in my 5 for 3 years with a mild 350 in front of it, and i drove it hard. If you can deal with a 3 speed, i'd say rebuild what you've got... or just learn how to shift without the syncro. The rest of the drivetrain will most likely give before the tranny.

Personally I would go with the Q-trac and swap it out. You will have a V8 304 with a Th400 Trans, very strong. You can adapt a D300 with twin sticks in it for about $600. Buy or get a free CJ axle for the rear with a centered diff and you would have a very strong Jeep you could build on. The D300 was one of the best Tcase out there and TH400 is basically a chevy 1 ton trans. I did this with a 78 a couple years ago.

glad to see that you didn't get the q-track.

If you want to change to wide track axles its easy with the manual.
Not possible with the q-track.

the T150 can be swapped fairly easy for a better transmission.

Either T-18 with your Dana 20 t-case or T-176 with a dana 300
would be good upgrades, just make sure to grab the driveshafts
as well