Old Jeeps...CJ5 or CJ7?

[coastalcop]

what is the primary difference between the 5 and the 7 in the CJ series?

[Netpackrat]

The -7 has a longer wheelbase, and bigger door openings. Otherwise, they are the same, EXCEPT that in '81 or '82 the -7 got wider axles, whereas the -5 stayed at the original width through the end of its production run in '83. These are referred to as wide-track vs. narrow track axles. The Wrangler axles are wider still, which is one of the reasons why you don't hear of too many rollovers of stock Jeeps these days.

[Winchester67]

Having had a 5 and a 7 in the past, I would have to say they are both a bit twitchy at freeway speeds. The 232 three speed is a pretty good combo...my 304 had a QuadraTrac set up which would pretty much climb trees but an automatic? I could never get over that. I am looking for a six cylinder manual transmission CJ I think...still on the fence about a 5, 7 or 8...condition will be the key.

[Netpackrat]

The only reason to get a manual transmission in a Jeep anymore is for slightly better highway mileage. When I bought my '01, the only automatic available in the Wrangler was a 3 speed with no overdrive, so the 5 speed was just a better choice for a daily driver. Now they sell it with a 4 speed auto with overdrive, so there isn't much advantage to the manual. And the automatic is totally superior to the manual in all off-road regimes except for steep downhills.

[Winchester67]

Now I will have to take exception to that...a manual transmission is just more fun! Years ago, I read an autobiography about Stirling Moss, the famous English race car driver...it was written in the late 1960's, and he was convinced the automatic would rule racing in a few years. And his reasoning was sound...but frankly I prefer to be involved a little more. I like shifting gears.

[Netpackrat]

The manual's a lot more fun. But when you are climbing a loose, off camber hill on the edge of breaking traction, the automatic is absolutely the way to go. Especially if you have a hand throttle like a lot of the serious crawlers do, you can ride the brake with your foot and just ease it on over. And if you have to stop in a bad spot, it's less of a dance to get started again. Just safer all around.

Edit to add: And that's coming from somebody who likes to heel and toe his Jeep around town. 8^)

[Winchester67]

True enough...I tip my hat to the serious off roader. The automatic is pretty much smarter/safer than I am. But for a fun car, it is going to have to be a manual. And I am out of the loop...is the Wrangler way way better than the CJ? I suspect they are, but would like to hear from some WT Brothers that have run them....

[Netpackrat]

Any Wrangler '97 or later (TJ, JK) has coil springs at all corners, and once the front swaybar has been disconnected (I have quick disconnects for mine, only disconnect for off road use!), they are better at keeping the rubber on the ground, and the rig moving forward than any previous Jeep. Stock for stock, anyway. The '87-'95 YJ Wrangler was basically a streetified CJ-7, and won't perform as well as a CJ or coil sprung wrangler off road... stock. With some minor mods they are as good as any of them. Wranglers from '91-on got the fuel injected 4.0, which is a superior engine compared to the 4.2/258 that in later years was fitted with a problematic computer controlled carburetor.