79 cj5. Is this normal?

[tazstoy]

I think the first one i used was a t4 but I'm on my 2 t176 most of the stock jeep transmission don't hold up to the abuse I have snapped the input shaft on both of my first transmissions I plain on doing the ford t18 swap at some point. The reason I said you will hate is if you drive it on the road much. I like having the extra gear for my tire size and gears I'm running so my rpms are in the normal range while hitting 65 to 70

[patman]

Make sure the frame and tub aren't rusted out under it.

^^^ this. Check the tub floor supports and body mount locations. Mine were non-existant, but this jeep looks much nicer than what I started with

[Cannonballkev]

Thanks, guys!  I bought a four wheel drive truck for the sole purpose of being able to drive up the mountain to the back side of my house so I could put my firewood back there.  This was about a year ago.  Since then I've been bit by the "wheeling" bug.  Full size, long bed truck with IFS and open/open diffs.  Yea, all the wrong stuff, but we still have a lot of fun.  Living in Hiawasse, we can hit Bell Mountain, Charlie's Creek in the morning then be on the lake by noon!
  I haven't been to a park yet ( missed Gulches). Don't know how my truck would do at a park.
  Like my Christmas  poem said. " I think it's time to get me a jeep"

[patman]

In my opinion, a full size truck like you described would leave you disappointed at a park. You wouldn't be able to get very far either, depending on the terrain.

*not to say you wouldn't have fun, just not as much fun

[Cannonballkev]

I think I should go to a park WITH the girlfriend, so she can experience how much fun we are not having,  then say,  "see, that's why we need a jeep".   Ha ha!  She actually already knows,  but really doesn't know what jeeps are capable of.

[8lugLJ]

if you want a good place to take that truck go to windrock and just ride the ridges for a couple days lol, thatl give ya a bug

[Raisinhead]

I think I should go to a park WITH the girlfriend, so she can experience how much fun we are not having,  then say,  "see, that's why we need a jeep".   Ha ha!  She actually already knows,  but really doesn't know what jeeps are capable of.

I was shocked at the jeeps capabilities when I started. I grew up in Louisiana and it was only mud. My Tacoma did great, but I had no idea how much fun the rocks can be. I still get surprised at what my jeep can handle when we get out to the parks.