Jeeps, when parked in the correct landscape, tend to sell themselves. These tough rigs make it easy to imagine yourself bounding over hill and dale, up rocky paths and across the fruited plains. This 1979 Jeep J-10 here on craigslist is just $3,000 and has only 53,000 miles on it. It looks clean and is just a set of knobby tires away from tackling the trails. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find!
Of course, you may want to leave this preserved specimen in original condition. It might actually be more refreshing to go that route considering how many of these trucks ended up with lift kits or fenders cut to accept larger wheels. Hopefully, the custom cap pictured here has helped to keep the bed in good cosmetic condition.
One of the first things I notice about this Jeep is just how clean and straight the body is. I’d credit the truck’s location of Reno as playing a big role in its rust-free condition; the fact that the body has remained largely ding-free is a result of careful ownership, I’d guess. The seller has recently added new tires but that’s it for maintenance. He’s selling the Jeep to get something more commuter-friendly.
While you can clearly see the lineage here with the later Jeep Wagoneer, the J-10 that’s up for grabs is anything but a precursor to the modern SUV: it’s a genuine working truck, at home on the range and on the trail. I’m guessing it just needs some deferred maintenance addressed before being put to daily work, but it also sounds like a new carpet kit will at least be in order on the inside. Would you use it for show or for bombing around trails?
I probably don’t need to tell most of you that these are smoking hot right now at least in the south east. Someone closer to Cali needs to get cracking on this one. Crackalackin.
Wow! Three days later and this rig is still for sale. I agree with KeithK. Buy it, drive it, enjoy it. I even like the shell.
While I agree, this is a pretty good deal, mostly because of the condition. This is about the same year as my Cherokee, and that was a miserable vehicle. I think the 360 was kind of a slug, and again, for what you’d use this for,( slow ride into town on a snowy day pulling folks out of ditches for nothing, yeah, we still do that up here) an in-line 6 would do just fine. Jeeps like this didn’t last too long ’round here, and like most trucks like this, ( Dodge, Ford, Chevy) they are sitting next to the barn, with a plow and half a body, waiting for the next big snow. Nice find.
Ah yea…. That’s a nice looking rig right there!
If it was closer I would buy it for lumber runs and landscaping duties around the house only but the aluminum cap would be recycled, never liked them.
Unless there’s something wicked hiding, this is a smoking deal. No bed seam rust that I could see from the pics, no box corner rust around the tailights, gate is in good straight shape, looks unmolested. Can’t see the passenger side so that would need to be answered.
For 79 it’ll have the T-18 transmission…3 speed with a granny 1st (last year for this workhorse gearbox) and should have a dana20 transfer case. This is an awesome combo for sure…you can climb straight up out of a canyon with that granny gear
At this price it’s a steal if as represented. Everything else can be managed…floors, engine leaks, carb rebuild…if the bed is as straight and solid as it appears and there’s no rust in the fender flares buy it and don’t look back.
I agree – a steal barring some glaring unforeseen problem.
If this were closer to home it would be in my driveway with a snow plow, but it wouldn’t be waiting for a snow. There are too many fun activities around here that a 4X4 can come in handy for. I’d do some touch up and what ever maintenance is needed and run this thing till I can’t drive anymore.
A few more pix of the interior etc would be nice….also of the transfer case….these trucks seem to always be driven by wizened old guys with grey hair and stubble of a beard…hey wait a minute…thats me! Good thing its not closer!
I’m glad this is about 5 hours away from me,
& there’s snow on the road,& highway 299 is closed,
or I might be serious about this.
Plus,I’m going to be picking up a late ’80’s RX7
to sell for the owner.Not sure if they’re worth much.
Called the guy…truck is sold.
Which is somewhat of a relief ’cause I was ready to jump on a plane and count out the money. Would have to have explained that to the girlfriend and would have had to change my user name too HAHA
Hope it went to a good, loving home because a truck this nice deserves better than a flipper