- Seller: Jeff L (Contact)
- Location: Manchester, Maryland
- Mileage: 42,000 Shown
- Chassis #: 1JCCM87A8GT144000
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 258ci inline-six
- Transmission: 4-Speed Manual
At certain times in life, the vehicle we never thought we’d sell takes a back seat to other big plans. To me, these are some of the hardest decisions to make, because you suddenly have something that sat pretty high up on the priority list get moved down a few pegs. However, as the potential next caretaker of this 1986 Jeep CJ-7, you know going into it the current owner looked after it like a forever vehicle, which is an ideal specimen to buy versus someone doing a quick fluff and buff. This CJ-7 is listed here as a Barn Finds Exclusive and is a recent winner of the PA Jeeps All Breed Jeep Show in the unlimited CJ5-CJ10 class.
The seller is a colleague of mine, and knowing a little bit about what prompts the sale of his CJ-7 (all good things, by the way), I understand why he’s put it up for grabs. However, this Jeep was truly a work of blood, sweat, and tears, from a full paint job in Porsche-specification Jet Black Metallic to a suspension overhaul with a lift kit. The wheels are polished American Racing Outlaws with deep dish lips and mounted on 33×12.5″ Falken Wildpeak A/T tires with a matching rear spare. As much as it’s quite clean visually, it’s also got the right hardware for beach driving or off-road excursions.
Inside, there are aftermarket bucket seats that represent a significant upgrade over the stock seating arrangement. A 4-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case provide the controls, while a custom audio system includes Infinity speakers, a JBL amplifier, and a downward-firing 10″ Kicker subwoofer. The soft top has been upgraded as well with a Bestop roof system, while a locking center console keeps your valuable secure if you leave it parked with the doors off or top down. The seller notes that the Jeep will also come with removable steel half doors and a set of vinyl doors and side windows along with bikini top and emergency cover.
Underneath, it looks quite clean, with no signs of rust or scale on the frame components. The underside has been coated with Rock-It undercarriage protection, which is a 2K urethane textured coating used throughout the automotive restoration industry. In addition to the lifted suspension, CJ-7 is equipped with manually-locking front hubs, front discs, and rear drum brakes. The Jeep has a few other goodies for off-road excursions, including a winch on the front bumper and nerf bars.
Mechanically, the truck benefits from lots of recent maintenance. The seller shares that the head of the 258ci inline-six was machined and the head gasket replaced, and that the clutch, radiator, thermostat, and ignition components were all previously replaced as well. These are robust rigs when looked after, and this one has certainly been given far more “premium” treatment than most CJ-7s at this point. The upgrades are easily reversible should you want a bone-stock truck, but really, it’s just a matter of going back to a standard suspension and smaller wheels/tires. We’re excited to have it listed here as a Barn Finds Exclusive!
Nice Jeep for sure. Good article thanks Lavery.
Not commenting on a Jeep, would be like a pretty girl walking by and not looking. A Jeep post releases endorphins, or wait, maybe it’s just gas,,,:D, yep, just gas, I feel better already. Now, does this mean every Jeep commands this kind of price? Obviously, wishful thinking, but shows mine may have gained a little value. This, I would consider is probably the best example of a CJ you will find. When you own any certain vehicle, you are immediately “in the loop” as to what is out there. What is out there? High mileage, rough and tumble USED Jeeps, it’s what they are for. I looked at YJs with over 300K, but a CJ, generally, not as much. While partial, the YJ seemed to address all the issues outdated with a CJ. Better ride, lower stance, updated heat/ac, F.I., 5 speed, nicer dash, I actually prefer my YJ over a CJ. Not to sell the CJ short, not a bit. CJs are off road vehicles, period. A YJ was a compromise for both off road and street, but the CJ is a lot better suited for off road, in fact, I don’t even like taking my Jeep over the tough stuff, it seems to not like that, and heaven forbid something might break.
Nice Jeep here.
Good comment Howard. There’s a reason we always saw plenty of CJs featured in those Four Wheeler and Petersen 4wd magazines. They are awesome rigs off road from the factory, and take to modifications well also.
Just wondering why the head gasket was replaced?.How about the heater core is it by passed?I worked at a jeep dealer for 20 years back in the 70’s / 80’s
I would trust this in the bush over a new one – have you seen the quality issues and recalls – and you can park this one in your garage. Yes they have issued a warning not to park certain new Jeeps in your garage due to risk of fire and it burning down your house. My how far the mighty have fallen.
This Jeep is what you use when you want to go off grid and get back. A new one is what you use if you have money to waste and want to show your friends you have a new Jeep. Two different purposes.
It is, after all, just another Fiat now.
This is a very well done, not over the top Jeep. Have always wanted one this nicely done with a V8 under the hood. I ordered a Rock Crawler new 10 years ago, “Hard Rock” edition which they only built in 2015 and 2016, mine being the latter version. The last year they actually resembled a Jeep with steel bumpers and no LED lights or backup camera. It has never been off the road. I stand with Howard there as taking care of things becomes more priority as we age. Would really park this next to it if I had the space.
I wish this was closer. If there’s any rust present it doesn’t show in the photos. Like Brian, I wonder why the head gasket needed to be replaced, but if this Jeep runs and stops well, I don’t think anyone will find a CJ-7 as clean as this one for less than $22k.