Beautiful Survivor: 1981 Jeep CJ7

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When it comes to vehicles that are just real-deal survivors, there’s not a lot that can be said beyond what’s captured in photos. The beauty of vehicles like these is that it takes some of the guesswork out of buying sight-unseen because the condition is so honest that it leaves little room for hidden surprises. There are a reason vehicles like this super clean 1981 Jeep CJ7 command very real dollars on the marketplace, and while this one is clearly expensive by old Jeep standards, it also appears to deserve every penny. Find this highly original Jeep listed here on craigslist for $17,750.

The CJ7 will always have a fan base. It’s a classic, just like a Corvette or a Town Car. Even among non-car folks, there’s instant recognition of a truck like this. And, obviously, the Jeep brand is one of the most popular automotive properties out there, so even among newcomers, there’s a deep appreciation for a specimen like this. The seller notes that the Jeep came with the optional denim seats which have been protected beneath these seat covers. The original (and oftentimes missing) flip-up rear seat is still with the Jeep, which points to this CJ7 being used carefully as opposed to being beaten up on the trail and left to sit out in the rain with the top missing.

Check out the underside shot – this Jeep is in mint condition underneath with a gorgeous frame unmarred by surface rust and virtually no distortion to the paint on the body. I hate the phrase “clean enough to eat off of,” but this CJ7 certainly deserves that distinction. The seller doesn’t tell us much about the history of this Jeep but whatever it is, it clearly wasn’t used like one. I would say this truck had almost certainly been restored, but the seller makes it clear that it hasn’t been. The mileage is low at just 65,600, which is certainly believable with photos like these.

Let’s not forget the original decals still adhered to the paint, looking absolutely period-correct – because they are. The white hard top looks good against the brown paint but seeing the roll bar poking through the back glass – well, it’s hard not to reach through the monitor and pull that hard top off. The Jeep is powered by the numbers-matching four-cylinder engine and four-speed manual gearbox, and you’ll likely be rowing that gearbox quite a bit on the inclines. That’s really the only obstacle I see for the seller not getting his ask, as most buyers will want the more powerful six-cylinder. But aside from that obstacle, this CJ7 looks like a winner.

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Comments

  1. Howard A Howard AMember

    Oh Jeff, I think many will agree, a seemingly pristine LOOKING vehicle hides a bunch of surprises, and a vehicle like this will have you knowing the AutoPlace person by their 1st name. The motor is the GM 2.5 “Iron Duke”, and a slightly better choice than the AMC 2.5. Headers is wishful thinking and will do little except affect drivability. To the untrained eye, a Jeep is a Jeep. Not so. This is merely a glorified military Jeep, and all the downsides of that. My ’91 YJ , looks similar, but an entirely different, and I dare say, better Jeep than these, for a slew of reasons. The tow bar attach indicates this Jeep probably rode most of its miles behind a motorhome, and for the record, the seats weren’t real denim, dyed cloth, I think, to look like denim. It’s a great find, IDK, again, 5 figures for an outdated Jeep, that can’t get out of it’s own way, and sorely needs a 5 speed, is a bit much. The 4 cylinder makes my Jeep halfway roadworthy, on a level, that is and any sort of mileage, maybe 20mpg(?) and not much better than a 6. You want a classic Jeep, for whatever reason, here you go, but I predict buyers remorse will be high with this purchase.

    Like 10
    • Desert Rat

      First off you just about the only person on the planet that would prefer a yj jeep over any cj7 experience especially one in this good of shape. And as an owner of an 81 cj7 for over 22 years I assure there is no buyer remorse, for my offroad treks I want nothing but my cj7

      Like 17
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        That’s YOUR opinion, pal. When YJ posts come up, there is an overwhelming response to how the YJ is just more user friendly. (See NHDave below) I like all Jeeps, but you can’t possibly think this is better than a YJ. They are everything the CJ isn’t. Like the ads say, “For off-road, Jeep wrote the book”, and that’s true, however, you have to GET to the off-road areas, more than likely, involving some sort of highway travel, and this doesn’t cut it. I can drive with one finger on the steering wheel, straight and true. A CJ, you hang on for dear life, especially these lifted monstrosities. A good bump sends you into the ditch, or the inevitable roll-over. Sorry, the YJ isn’t quite the mechanical wizardry the newer Jeeps are, it still has the original Jeep charm, but the best of both off-road and highway driving I’ve found, in Jeeps, anyway.

        Like 3
    • 454ratMember

      Respectfully; spoken like a ”new car” guy. Us old car people love old vehicles, period. Most oldies may not have air or even power steering, and they sure don’t ride and drive like the ”new stuff”, but they have a class and a history that beats the new stuff hands down. We like old!!!! I’m an old Chevy guy, not a Jeep guy but I used to ride in the old jeeps from the 70’s and I do know enough to know that so far; this is one heckuva deal on one sweet ride. I will guarantee that whoever ends up with this ride will have NO buyers remorse.

      Like 4
    • john

      So,… sounds like Howard is thinking hard on this one… doesn’t want it to get away, so he’ll wait and bid ‘big’ close to the end !! GLWTA

      Like 0
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        When pigs fly. My YJ is the LAST vehicle I will ever buy in this bacocked world. It’s my way of giving the modern automotive world the finger. All your fancy crap, and I drive a 30 year old Jeep. I don’t mean to single john out, but some of you people are so full of it. I never said I didn’t like the CJ. And I’ll shout so you get the message, I LIKE ALL JEEPS, for me, it’s a fitting end to a lifetime of various vehicles. To say a CJ is better than a YJ is splitting hairs, and personal preference. Before I bought mine, I looked at a YJ that had an incredible 324K MILES! 120K on the 2nd motor! I’m sorry, you’d be a fool to drive a CJ that many miles. A CJ had it’s time, but the YJ is just a more user friendly ride. I’m not going to list why,,,,again.

        Like 1
    • Stan StanMember

      And the TJ jeep was miles ahead of the YJ Howard. The coil springs were so much nicer ride than the leafs in the YJ.. Love the unlimited, that longbody model👍

      Like 2
    • D.Jordan

      I’ve owned many Jeeps over the years.
      I would place my preference in the
      fan base column. I still have my
      360 v-8 powered CJ-7 after 40 years.
      (not stock, I know). Jeep is Jeep.
      It’s what most manufacturers try
      to emulate. Someone will buy this
      ’81. But I bet whomever does,
      recognizes it for what it is.

      Like 0
  2. Glenn SchwassMember

    I’d try to find a 4.0 6 banger. They were fast and long lasting. Beautiful Jeep though. Probably the cleanest older one I’ve seen..

    Like 4
  3. Desert Rat

    First off you’re just about the only person on the planet that would prefer a yj jeep over any cj7 experience especially one in this good of shape. And as an owner of an 81 cj7 for over 22 years I assure there is no buyer remorse, for my offroad treks I want nothing but my cj7

    Like 4
  4. NHDave

    I’m the original owner of a first year, ‘87 Wrangler YJ, which I truly cherish every time I take it out for a drive. And, I would love to have a late-model CJ7 (yes, a six-cylinder would be preferable) like this one. All great automotive icons—from Ford Model Ts to VW Beetles to Jeep CJs—have idiosyncrasies that are part of their charm, and separate them from the many examples of blandness that have littered the automotive landscape through the decades.

    Like 6
  5. Rw

    Howard we finally agree on something,have 2 4.0 YJs,both 300k miles many road trips at 75 mph try that in a CJ.

    Like 0
  6. James

    @Howard A and the later generation bronco’s were probably better than the originals on some level, but a survivor 1st gen like this CJ will set you back more than the cost of a new one. This CJ is a gem and worth every penny.

    Like 2
  7. David Cummings

    Howard, after having owned a ’79 CJ 7 for many years, and loving it, and after reading your comments, I now understand better the phrase ” it’s a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand”.

    Like 3
    • $ where mouth is

      Right on David, if I recollect correct Howard has made similar ‘off’ comments in the past (of that was a different person, pardon me if so Howard).
      As a previous owner of an 84 CJ7 with the MUST 258ci, the driving characteristics Howard described are NOT something I experienced. In my experience the Jeep handled better than I expected. Further, it’s an AMC and that alone outs it in a diffent catagory than a YJ.
      The 89 Islander I had was a great Jeep; if it weren’t for those frickin square headlights :/
      This Jeep has my ultimate color and decal kit, love it !, and just as Jeff said, I was imagining taking the ugly white top off as I read.
      Then I read it isn’t a 258ci ?!?. .
      and now I see why it’s so pretty and intact :/ , what a sad waist to not have the straight 6 ; so
      I went from “I want it !” to ahhhww, nevermind.

      However, a CJ in that condition with that paint .. still a great Jeep and for one of these thousands of females that GOTTA have a Jeep these dayz with their fake nails and fake eyelashes that will never actually use the machine, it’s perfect.

      Like 5
      • NHDave

        Just one thought on your comments… Yes, AMC heritage is a point of distinction and pride for many pre- mid-1987 Jeep owners. My Wrangler was produced in September 1986, so it’s a true AMC product through and through. And, just as the CJ7 has ride and handling differences from the Wrangler, so does my WWII GPW compared to the CJ series models that followed. Doesn’t matter. I love them all, and each model’s peculiarities make them even more endearing. (Although I still wince a bit at the tall hood on the CJ3B!)

        Like 2
      • Howard A Howard AMember

        It’s no wonder we have such world strife these days, we can’t even agree on what Jeep is right. My “off” comments are my own, and not so out of touch. It makes the site interesting. The gall, “I wouldn’t understand”,,who do you think you are talking to? Some uninformed Snowflake? I was driving FFWs when most of you people were in diapers. Have a nice day,,,

        Like 3
  8. LastCJ

    The Jeep is far from a survivor. First, you can tell the front end is a different paint color. The Jeep was most likely in a front end collision and tried to match it as best possible. Second, the decals are for a 1983-1984 Renegade model and are missing the “Renegade” lettering across the hood so that’s not original. This is not a 1981 Renegade either. Third, the windshield frame is a replacement as the 1981 models did not have that rib above the cowl seal. The 1-rib version started around 1983 and went to 2-ribs with the 1987 YJ. Rust is the #1 reason the windshield frames are replaced. I could go on. So, not a survivor, lots of past work done, and I’m willing to bet it’s hiding a lot.

    Like 5
    • LastCJ

      Forgot to mention how terribly incorrect and annoying it is to have the radio antenna on the driver side instead of the passenger side where it belongs.

      Like 3
  9. Jim Muise

    I bought a new 79 cj7 with a 6 cyl and I kept it for 3 years. Power train was great but windshield frame rust was coming on strong and those leaf springs made travel on the best paved roads not very pleasant! Not my best vehicle for sure!

    Like 2
  10. D.Jordan

    Agree.
    The gap between hood/grille/fender
    is excessive. Also, the undercarriage
    is excessively clean. Even if it spent
    most of it’s life towed behind a
    motorhome, which looks to me that
    the tub may be a recent replacement.

    Like 0
  11. Colin Smeltzer

    As someone who has owned CJ, YJ and TJ, Unlimited…. I ONLY miss the unlimited and wish I had never sold it. And the guy who bought it wont sell it back and I think will be buried in it.
    I guess I’ll just have to keep my Square Body.

    Like 1
  12. Jay McCarthy

    I’ve had 5 Jeeps in my multiple trips around the sun.
    I’ve had a CJ5, a CJ7, 2 CJ8’s and a Wrangler Unlimited and I will say while the Unlimited was the most civilized of all, I still prefer the simplicity of the CJ’s

    Like 1
  13. Grant

    Sure, the six is a great engine. Almost as great as the legendary slant six, but the Iron Duke is pretty nice to. Not everything needs to be about power. If it makes this car affordable, I say then that it is a good deal.

    Like 1
  14. art

    Aside from engine preference and the like, this Jeep has been treated to some spray painting, the frame, front bumper, rear tailgate at the left hinges. If the headers are rusty as heck, the frame should show similar rust. It has a tweak/bend in the hood edge, left side. The clutch master fluid is dirty and quite low, so either the slave is leaking or the master. The bottom was cleaned, too much so, for a 65K mile vehicle. The seat covers are ill fitting and maybe it belongs this way, but why is the air cleaner snorkel facing the firewall? My guess is they positioned it to get heat to the air cleaner, after the proper heat shield was tossed with the old exhaust manifold.
    Just looking at this vehicle suggests an inspection is warranted and service records provided. It just looks too “fluffed up”.

    Like 3

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