Pre 1976 CJ5 Purchase Advice

Hi my name is Ramon
I'm new to the Jeep word and new to the forum.

I plan to buy a CJ5 as a project to build. I don't have much jeep trail off road experience but I have enough to know that I enjoy it. I rented a Rubicon in Sedona and did a bunch of trails in the area plus have spent some time at Hollister Hills near my home in California. I have other not so relevant off road experience as well.
I would like to build something that is street legal & pretty capable off road so I suspect major suspension modification/conversion will be required. For reference of my idea of "pretty capable" I could see wanting to do the rubicon trail and similar stuff. Probably nothing significantly more challenging than that.
I have a full shop so mechanical skill and equipment will not really be an issue. That said I have a lot to learn about jeeps and the off road world.
Now for my questions:
Are certain years (pre 1976) better than others for such a build?
I will likely do a motor swap. 420 ft lbs/265HP diesel is what I'm thinking. I mention that because it's probably relevant to the next questions.
I have seen reference to different axle & transfer case options what are the preferred options? I assume there are limits to how much torque some of the axles and transfer cases can take?
What are the locker options for the differentials?
Is automatic or manual transmission preferred? I normally prefer manual but could see an automatic being prefered for low speed crawling.
Is a coil spring multi link conversion necessary or can leaf springs get the job done?

I saw https://davescustomsunlimited.com/ referenced here. Seems like they offer a lot of well thought out solutions.

Suggestions and advice welcome.
Thanks in Advance
Ramon

 

Welcome @c4rip ...your jeep project sounds solid as long as you got the time, space, funds and skills. What you experienced with the rented Rubicon can be purchased as the latest Rubicon is an ultimate Jeep right out-of-the-box. You got good questions about CJs that apply to nearly any Jeep and within this forum are some of the answers. Gotta go

 

Thanks aggrex
I'm considering a rubicon as well. it probably makes more sense.
Part of the project is to get something to work on with my kid.
I also want something I'm not afraid to damage.

Lots to think about

 

Doesn't have to be a new Rubi as there are plenty out there that haven't seen dirt. Lot of the Rubi features can't be appreciated on the road should be in great shape. The 4 dr JKU have created a new market of jeep buyers that have different interests.

 

The only street driving this vehicle will see is getting to the trails. If I'm not going to build it I would likely want to go Rubi just to get the maximum off road ability right out of the box. I guess if I wanted to keep some of the project aspect maybe there is a middle ground between starting with a CJ5 and just buying a Rubicon and calling it done. That said if I don't go CJ5 then the motor swap I was thinking about is out of the question.

 

For the mods you are anticipating, I would steer you away from a CJ5.... this vehicle is to tight underneath to put an automatic trans into without having to deal with additional mods to accept it. Depending on the year of the doner, axels and trans vary, but the 3 speed manual tranny of that vintage is pretty bullet proof. As for the coils, not sure of any kits for that for a CJ5 but i havent really looked for one so they may be out there.

For the mods you want, I would suggest you find a clean TJ as your doner so you don't have so many limitations for you build. The TJ is a fine platform and has many upgrades avaialable for cheap.