I really want to get a Jeep CJ7, can I get some advice?

Youtube will be a big help. I’ve got a Jeep Commando I use to drive around my ranch but it’s a bucket of shite I paid $900 for

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Are there manuals or other literature I should look at? Videos? Baptism by fire?

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Youtube.

There are tons of videos made by Jeep owners. You can find anything you would ever want to know. It’s great for when you need to work on it too.

They have a bunch of forums. I use the wrangler TJ one, but there are a bunch of CJ ones out there. Stay away from Reddit - way too many people who don’t know what they are talking about.

I appreciate the advice, I am cool with springing a little more for something not completely rusted out but I’m also comfortable taking on a longer term “project” I am hoping my son and I can work on it for years and both learn about tinkering with a jeep. I also just like the look of the CJ more. This will really be a casual driver, not my day to day at all. But I will keep your advice in mind

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I hate to be this guy but find something newer like a TJ instead. CJ7 nowadays are all rust buckets that require a ton of body work for the most part. You may get lucky and find one that's been truly garage kept, but then you are going to pay a premium on one.

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as an owner of both, I'd go with a TJ as well. You can move the front turn signals from the fenders to the grill and it looks alot like a CJ. Plus you will have better brakes, air bags, AC, etc with the TJ. But of course the Cj's are alot simpler. Good luck with whatever you do, they are fun.

Not in FL unfortunately, Louisiana

Don't get talked into anything newer than a CJ. They quit making Jeeps when AMC folded. Everything newer is a Chrysler.

I've owned a CJ7 for over 20 years. Pulled the motor out myself and sent to a machine shop for the rebuild, reinstalled and put a clutch in.

I'm no master mechanic and some projects have kept it parked for months due to my procrastination. Buy it to learn wrenching on stuff. Tons of videos, message boards to help.

My Jeep hasn't moved in a few weeks, because I've let an hour long replacement of ujoints on my driveshaft take too long.

PS- I only wave when waved to, and I'll only initiate a wave at a CJ cooler than mine.

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Don't get talked into anything newer than a CJ. They quit making Jeeps when AMC folded. Everything newer is a Chrysler.

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To each his own. My late wife ended up with a JK after not liking the ride of any previous model and I truly regret selling that thing. As bad as people speak of them, I just enjoyed the hell out of that thing.

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I also don’t know frickin shite about cars hardly at all and I would like to learn how to work on one of these and do it right.

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I would suggest maybe finding an old truck instead of a CJ. With a CJ, you're going to have a lot of suspension work to keep up with in addition to the engine. If you are looking to learn, learn first on the engine.

If you are stuck on a Jeep, do as someone said earlier, find a TJ. The parts are way more accessible and you can get service done much more easily with that engine combination. The engine is fairly easy to work on. Parts are still available at any parts store.

Inherited a 1984 CJ7 Renegade and looking to offload it. In Louisiana if you are interested. It ran a few years ago and will need work but generally in decent shape. Do not have the time to give it the TLC is needs.

Here is my suggestion, collect photos of CJ’s so when you see one, you can run in the opposite direction.

Do you have a fat wallet ?????
You will need one. Ha-Ha

We have an 81 CJ 7 that we did a frame off restoration on but we know how to turn wrenches. A fun ride and rarely a minor issue. A garage queen, not a mud ho.

Have fun.