Are you looking to enter the classic off-roader scene? If so, check out this rugged 1979 Jeep Golden Eagle CJ7. Located in Waller, TX, it is listed for $14,500 here on Craigslist. This rig has a good upgrade for someone looking for a more reliable and affordable option: a small-block Chevy conversion. Does this conversion help or hurt the value of this Jeep? Thank you to T.J. for sending in this tip!
The Jeep name is synonymous with outdoor life. The utilitarian models from Jeep’s assembly lines were made to tackle rugged trails and back roads. The Civilian Jeeps, designated as CJ’s, are some of Jeep’s most iconic. From the CJ-5 to the CJ-8 Scrambler, these rigs have been across almost every inch of this planet. The CJ7, however, may be Jeep’s most iconic CJ model. Featuring a longer wheelbase than the base model CJ-5 but with the same basic looks, these models were favored by ranch hands and city slickers alike. Released in 1977, the Golden Eagle package gave buyers larger tires, a Levi’s soft top, a rear-mounted spare, and the golden eagle decal and lettering on the hood.
According to the seller, this Golden Eagle was picked up from a ranch in Texas and shows the patina of its previous ranch life. Complete with a roll bar, white wagon wheels, and off-road tires, this Jeep looks and feels like your favorite pair of work boots. However, the big ticket item for this Jeep is the small-block Chevy conversion. This is a common change to make these rigs more reliable and more cheap to work on.
Generally, seeing an original vehicle with a different drivetrain is not good for the car’s value. However, a small-block Chevy is arguably the most reliable engine ever built, and parts are plentiful and cheap. So, seeing an SBC swapped into an old Jeep makes sense, especially if this will be used as a backroads wanderer. However, the AMC inline-6 motors are no slouches in the reliability department either, so I’m curious about what driveline this Jeep originally had. Plus, based on the pictures in the ad, this does not look like a new crate motor but something the shop had kicking around. So, what is your take on this rig? Does the SBC conversion turn you off, or are you ok with it? Either way, this Jeep appears ready for more fun adventures.
Howard is this the same model as Daisy Dukes 👙 ride ?
🎸🎙” just 2 good old boys, never meaning no harm, beats all you ever saw, been in trouble with the law, since the day they were born.
Straightening the curves…flattening the hills.. ” 🎵
Hi Stan, pretty darn close. I think hers was a 1980, and the original series had “Golden Eagle” later changed to “Dixie”, but kept the Eagle to avoid copyright infringement. I think the SBC is totally acceptable here, I had one in my Willys pickup, but I feel the 6 is more than capable of anything a Jeep might encounter. The V8, which I feel should have remained the original 304,( I believe all Golden Eagles had a 304) would sure pull an Airstream, if you dared. Nice Jeep. The automatic, whatever it is, will seal the deal for many.
Very very common swap back in the day..
Nice one. Wouldn’t venture too far out into the boonies without roll bar tubes running forward and down the windshield, 3 point belts, and doors. Know some folks have been hurt with tree limbs etc.getting through that big hole where the door normally is. Our ’42 was tons of fun as is most Jeeps ever built.
People have no concept of what can happen if something like a Jeep rolls over and their arms or upper body are exposed.
The former dragstrip manager had a firm rule that any roadster, convertible or car without side windows that would roll up was only allowed to run if the driver had arm restraints. More than a few Cobra kit owners threw a fit when I told them they couldn’t run. Only once did an owner call in advance to find out what safety equipment he needed. People can be stupid, on Wednesday nights I’d usually fail 2-3 cars a night because the seats weren’t bolted to the floor on all corners. The second most common was people wanting to race in flip flops and shorts when the weather was warm. I would never sign their tech cards unless they had real shoes and put them on in front of me, not because it was likely to cause an accident but that it demonstrated a severe lack of judgement.
Steve R
Good call on the footwear Steve. 🚩
Sadly, some folks from Kansas found that out couple years back. Apparently, this gal and her daughter and dog, in their Jeep, not familiar with our back country, went with several other Jeeps on some trails. It began to mist, and they encountered some rocky terrain. This gal thought she could make it, slipped on the rocks, and tumbled 600 feet to her death. The daughter and dog flew out and survived, she rode it out and was killed. I think about how that day started out and how it eventually ended due to poor judgement.
people can be stupid on Thurs through Tues too;
too many too often
its like the motorcycle riders with shorts and no helmet, theyre cool whatever, but when the family member has to tend to the road burn or brain damage, not cool.
anyway, if i were to get a Jeep (real Jeep AMC), this survivor would be perfect; though a 258 with fi preferred.
Looks like it’s been dolled up for a quick flip. Yea
All my Jeeps have a Drinking Problem
Chevy conversion won’t help. Original AMC 6 cyl said to last forever. That’s what I’ve been told. My 84 never messed with except for a new Holly carb.
I bought a new 1979 Renegade with Levi seats. Had the bullet proof 304 AMC V-8 with a 3 speed manual trans. I had it for 11 years and 89K miles and only issue was the original carb. I finally replaced it with a Holley deuce. Vehicle owed me nothing other than that. I wouldn’t think twice about an AMC motor. But a SBC is a nice consolation prize. I paid right at $9K for mine back then. Wish I could have kept it. Loved it.