Year 1981
Make Jeep
Model CJ-5
Color Deep Maroon Metallic
History
Bought in 1992 - had mentioned to my brother about a year earlier that I was looking for a Jeep. One night he calls out of the blue and demands $1400. I asked for what - he said for the Jeep you just bought. Fortunately, things turned out well.
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Exterior
Repainted in 1998 - started the body work at 7am with a drop dead time of noon. At noon, pushed it out in the yard, taped everything up, and shot it.
Note to self - gots to watch that overspray on the house!
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Interior
New seats around 2003, new carpet.
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In-Car Entertainment
Kenwood cassette player, JCWhitney Magnum speaker box in the rear seat, Infinity in the dash. Used to have a Fosgate Punch 40, the original made-in-America series from 1978 - but it died a few years back, and haven't replaced.
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Under the Hood
304CID V-8 mated to a 4-speed with 3.31 axle gears.
1981 was the last year a V8 was available in the CJ series, which I suppose was a sign of things to come, since 1983 was the last year for the CJ-5.
Replaced motor in 1997 when its oil consumption went below 100 miles per quart. Found a shop that sold rebuilt motors about 150 miles away. Got directions, but when I arrived at the shopping plaza this store was in - couldn't see any auto stores. Well, good! Drive 150 miles and can't find the flippin' place. Went into a furniture store to ask about it, the guy pointed me to the back of the store where the stock room was full of motors mixed in with all the furniture stock. Hmm, WTF did I get myself into? At any rate, all has worked out well.
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Suspension
4" lift - should've paid the extra $100 and got the soft-ride option. Getting too old to be getting bounced and kidney-punched on down the road.
Spacer brackets installed to keep the anti-sway bar functional.
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Wheel and Tires
Uniroyal MT 33x12.50R15
American Racing 15x12
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