The fancy color names for this 1971 Jeep J4000 4×4 pickup are Champagne White over Avocado Mist Metallic. I don’t think of champagne and avocados when I think of a tough Jeep 4×4 pickup. This solid example is well-photographed and is posted here on craigslist in beautiful Mesa, Arizona, and they’re asking $14,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Barney for the tip!
AMC’s marketing department was on the job, having enjoyed its share of interesting and popular vehicles over the previous few years. Champagne and avocados, I like it. This truck is another contender for 2026’s best photos list. There aren’t a lot of photos, but they hit the highlights, even including a rare-for-craigslist engine photo. By 1971, Jeep was owned by AMC, and the former small grille (my personal favorite) had gone away in favor of this cheshire grin grille.
You can see some surface rust around this truck’s body (and on my body), but it looks solid compared to a lot of other examples. We don’t get to see inside the full-length Townside bed, unfortunately, and I’m guessing there’s a lot of surface rust in there. I’m assuming this is an Arizona Jeep, but we don’t know, and the seller says the paint has a “high gloss clear coat over it to preserve the patina from the Arizona sun.” The wheels are also wearing a healthy dose of shine.
Clean and inviting, unlike me, this interior looks fantastic. It was dolled up at some point, and it looks great. You’ll notice there is a big brake pedal next to the accelerator (or gas) pedal, and no clutch pedal. This Gladiator has a GM-sourced Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic. The seat cover is new, as is the headliner, vinyl floor covering, and more. The dash is said to be new, but it has a cover and a couple of cracks in it, according to the seller. Jeep changed its model names a few times, and in this era, the J2000 had a short bed (120-inch) wheelbase, and the J4000, as seen here, has a 132-inch wheelbase. They do mention that some of the gauges aren’t working, but don’t go into detail on that.
The engine is a 360-cu.in. OHV V8, and it looks clean under the hood, other than some surface rust. This one should have 175 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque. It has a new carb, fuel pump, fuel lines, coil, plugs, wires, cap and rotor, new transmission fluid and filter, new oil and filter, a new brake master cylinder, new wheel cylinders and brake shoes, a new water pump, coolant system flush and fill, and much more. It appears to have optional power steering unless I’m mistaken, which is more likely than not. Any thoughts on this J4000?
Ewwwww. . .auto trans. Super cool truck though!
Very nice looking truck and pretty loaded too. Is it a cruise control unit on the driver’s inner fender?
There is one similar used as a fountain decoration at a local campground. It was put for sale prior to this position…
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SKDFW3n2c5tsh47F9
My favourite Jeep, with the appropriate grill. This is the truck real men drive. It’s a bit rough, but at 55 years old, who hasn’t acquired a few battle scars?
Razor grill is best grill.
Jesus! Is that how old it is? I remember when these were new.
had one lol!
I love the brake master cylinder matching paint job. Nice interior . Can’t tell if the A/C belt is still on. Great pictures none the less
Pretty clean older REAL Jeep here that needs a little work with A/C. I do think the gauges should be working.
This is one tough old workhorse. While I’d prefer a manual trans, the THM 400 is a very good stout unit. Live the period correct color too. They did a great job on the interior too from what I can see, and as for the exterior, I could go either way really, fully restored it would look amazing, but the way it sits now has a good honest old work truck look to it. I like these old Jeep pickups a lot.
Love it – one of my favorite truck designs!
SHINY TIRES!
These are really cool old trucks,for when you actually need a truck.
Tough looking rig. Nice stance. Great article too SG 👍 😃
Thank you, sir! Like Dave, I’d prefer a manual, but as Geo would say, I would not kick this one out of the driveway.
Scotty… seeking some clarification on the engine. The seller lists a “V8 AMC 360 – 245 Horsepower, 365 Torque”, and you note the 360 V8 but with 175-hp and 245 lb-ft of torque (gross vs. net rating?). However, the 1971 Jeep brochure lists the optional V8 engine as a 350 CID, with 230-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The seller notes an engine overhaul, but not a replacement. Any thoughts on the differences noted? Thanks! (And, as usual, a great write-up!)
Nice catch, NHDave! I normally live and die by the factory brochures, but you’re 110% right, if not 1,000% right. I did see the 350 listed in the brochure, but all or most other sources say an AMC-sourced 360 was the top engine in this year. Thanks for bringing that up. I spaced it out as I was doing that last paragraph. Also, the net/gross ratings. Thanks for being so polite, too! That’s really appreciated by the team here when pointing out mistakes or anything else weird about the articles.
I don’t see a shifter for the transfer case.
If you go to the Craigslist ad, it’s in the 8th pic. Lil stubby boi.
Thanks, MoparGirl_IndaKitchen! I also have the red link in the fourth paragraph showing the cab from the passenger door, and if you click on that, which apparently not many people do, it shows the transfer case shifter.
Not far from where I live. No time or money for this…
Roughest riding truck I ever owned !
I had a 67 J2000 with a 327 3speed tree shifter in it ,it was one great truck
My great uncle bought a brand new one for his Montana ranch. Then he went back to Chevrolet after that.
They were pretty thirsty.
Cool truck! Well worth to bring again to a better stage or let he as it is ! Still a great little truck to keep!