I found the below jeep for sale and wondered if it would be an ok starting point.  I'm not a mechanic but I am quite crafty with a gas wrench, sawzall, and visegrip.  I am hoping to get into something I can modify with time and cash, But I mostly want to drive the drive the thing.

1985 cj-7 has the straight six motor with the five speed transmission, with a rear locker. The jeep comes with a hard and a bikini top. Has brand new 33x12.50 tires and 15x10 wheels.

Those with experience let me know what I may or may not want to get myself into.

Any help would be great!!  

How much is the asking price?  

4000  

not to bad if it's in real good shape. I'd opt for something cheaper if I were gonna be building it and making a bunch of changes...

how bout some pics?

I love, love the gas wrench thingy!.... LOL  

this is where I found the add. I left  a message and e-mail to see if he still has it.

http://www.free-jeep-classifieds.com/Classifieds/XcCPViewItem.asp?ID=1771

I have worked in the fertilizer industry for the last 15+ years.  Gas wrenching is taught on the first day.  Its is amazing how quickly you learn what size is needed and always bring the right one along  

If you're a CJ7 guy, that might be OK. Would have to be pretty nice for 4k.

But, if you're just wanting to get a Jeep, there are much better options. The CJ is quite crude by today's standards. The frame is weak and usually cracked in the usual places. The suspension is crude for the street.

A 91 or newer YJ would be a much better choice. Much better frame and really nice suspension compared to the CJ.

91 and newer YJ's have fuel injection, and more power. Fuel injection is really the only way to go. You can get an ok YJ all day long in the 4k range.

If you really want to step up, look at TJ's. The price has really come down since the JK's have come out. You can pick up nice TJ's for 6-7K. And they are a huge improvement over a YJ, suspension wise.

There seems to be a thought that CJ's are worth more becasue they are rare. If you have a choice, go with a YJ or TJ. CJ's are way over priced for what you get, or I should say what you don't get.  

Its a nice looking cj but like ft said a yj or tj would out perform the cj but if you just want to put around town with the wife and your dog the cj might work for you,Who still puts the white wall out on there tires?  

monster_01:
Its a nice looking cj but like ft said a yj or tj would out perform the cj but if you just want to put around town with the wife and your dog the cj might work for you,Who still puts the white wall out on there tires?

Hey I still put the white's out.  It's retro man. LOL  No but seriously I still put the white's out.  Not sure why.  

i'd take the 4k and get a nice yj or add another 3 and get the tj. from what i saw in the pix, looks like some rust on the body sides, around the windshield hinges and i'll bet ya a dollar to a moldy donut the frames got issues.  

try putting the whites in its just allot more cooler lol and in my personal opinion it looks better,but thats just me,and to save a little more and get a tj would be the best option.  

yep, i got a yj and my wife has a tj..........i can't wait till she gets tired of it, but in the mean time i can build mine without having to hear her whine.  

oh yeah, i gotta admit, the white lettering is out on both of the jeeps........  

ya know chariot, the yj has all the potential of the tj and the option of leaving the rear leafs out back for stability. how bout a coil conversion up front and full size axles like jeepnut4life did....  

My YJ will be great.  Maybe not as great as coils, but as close as you can get without going to national springs or something like that.   I can't wait til I get some more cash and start working on it.  It will be great!  

What have you done to your YJ anyway?  Or what do you plan on doing?  I would tell you what I am going to do...eventually, but it would be easier to just look at my YJ in the rigs section.  It tells everything I plan on doing.