CJ5 1980 - Cannot shift gears

Hello
My CJ5 was towed. It had a club on it. When I went to pick it up. They couldn't put the Jeep into gear.
The pedal works but the gear stick will not budge at all.
The transmission shop says they need $500 to disconnect to see what the problem is.
Does anyone have any advice. Seems like a lot.

I have Warn hubs on the jeep.

One another note. The tow truck company ended up putting the Jeep on the street and I had to get it towed by another company. It's been sitting in a garage for 2 years now. I think I missed the deadline to sue the tow company. The police department dismissed my ticket because the Jeep was towed from a place that had no signs. I am in California. Sorry for the drama.

I really miss my Jeep.

 

$500 should cover both the the removal and installation. That is the standard fee when taking a 4x4 to a shop to have tranny rebuilt, in Houston anyway. Another 300-500 to have it rebuilt depending on the tranny up to 5speed standard and 4 speed auto. I don't know about new trannies cause I haven't had to rebuild one yet.

I assume this is a standard, cause the CJ5 did not come with an automatic. You said the stick is frozen? Did you have it in first gear when it was towed? Is it still stuck in first gear? Did they disconnect the drive shafts (probably not). Would think they would at least put everything in neutral, but who knows. Yes you should have taken care of this as soon as you had the ticket dismissed, and they would have been liable for the repairs, but too late now unless where you are there is a longer statute of limitations. Sounds like a rebuild and extra parts might be in the works.

What year is your jeep and is it a 3 or 4 speed?

 

Yes. It's a standard 4 speed. I usually put in 1st gear. They didn't disconnect the drive shaft. And I can't turn the jeep on at all.
I am in California. Just googled Statue...

Injury to Personal Property
3 yrs. Civ. Proc. §338(b), (c)

I will go to the shop today and check the gears again. I can't remember all the details now.

I have also been toying with the idea of converting it to Electric.
My engine is good but I get a lot of exhaust smell. I think it's an issue with manifold or carb.
I did replace the carb and replaced the entire exhaust pipe, gas tank.

 

Welcome! In the city one can see Grand Cherokees AWD towed from the front rolling away with intermittent chirps from the rear tires which can't be good . Its unusual to wait 2+ years to check on the CJ but as mentioned the trans shop should be able to find the problem. Hope the damage is limited.

 

Welcome to the forum. Your in good hands with above posted members. Me...sorry. Not the slightest idea what issue could be. Im just here for moral support. Lolll.

 

You Can't turn the Jeep? Do you mean the steering wheel from left to right and right to left? If so it sounds like you have more going on than just the tranny. Did this jeep by any chance sit in high water?