No Reserve: 1984 Jeep CJ-7

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UPDATE 09/23/2024: Don’t you just love non-paying buyers? If you are the owner of this 1984 Jeep CJ-7, I’m sure that the answer to that question would be a resounding “no.” They thought they had secured a successful sale at $14,600, only for the winning bidder to fail to honor their commitment to hand over the cash. Therefore, they faced little choice but to try again with another No Reserve auction. Let’s hope they taste greater success this time.

08/20/2024: We’ve recently seen a few promising 1980s Jeeps cross our desks at Barn Finds, and this 1984 CJ-7 looks like a gem. It presents nicely, and life in a dry climate has left it rust-free. It has a few minor shortcomings, but the seller’s decision to list this turnkey classic with No Reserve must make it tempting.

Jeep launched the CJ-7 in 1976, with vehicles remaining on showroom floors until 1986. It shared most of its design cues with the CJ-5, although the 10″ longer wheelbase provided buyers with more interior space. Our feature Jeep rolled off the line in 1984 and has spent its life in dry Arizona. That state’s climate is ideal for steel preservation, making this CJ-7’s rust-free status unsurprising. However, the harsh UV rays took a heavy toll on its Sebring Red paint, prompting the seller to perform a recent cosmetic refresh. The result justified the effort and expense because the vehicle presents superbly. The paint holds an impressive shine, and the lack of flaws and defects suggests it hasn’t seen any off-road action since the work ended. It is worth noting that the seller started from a sound foundation with the cosmetic refresh, because not only is the Jeep rust-free, but its panels were as straight as an arrow. The contrasting White hardtop is in good order, as is the glass. The trim appears to be in as-new condition, while the alloy wheels and larger tires should enhance its off-road ability.

Lifting the hood reveals a 258ci six that generated 112hp and 210 ft/lbs of torque when this Jeep was shiny and new. The first owner teamed the six with a five-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and power-assisted steering and brakes. Outright performance wasn’t the aim of the exercise with the CJ-7, because its engine will run out of breath with the needle hovering at 85mph. However, with the six’s torque peaking below 2,000rpm, the CJ-7 will be an accomplished performer when the going becomes rough or slippery. The seller admits that while the odometer shows 156,000 miles, the vehicle’s true mileage is unknown. They assure potential buyers that it is in excellent mechanical health and that they wouldn’t hesitate to drive it anywhere.

If any aspect of this Jeep disappoints me, the interior receives that dubious honor. The condition of the seats, door trims, and dash pad suggest the seller may have performed a retrim. The Tan vinyl surfaces are excellent, with no visible wear or physical damage. However, there are enough visible flaws and defects that the winning bidder may decide to refresh a few things. The painted surfaces sport a selection of chips and scratches, while the floor paint has worn through to bare metal. There is a gaping hole where the factory radio should be, some gauges feature cloudy lenses, and the compressor for the factory air conditioning isn’t currently connected. None of the shortcomings are deal-breakers, but they mean that the interior presentation falls well short of the exterior. They may not be the end of the world, because addressing them in a home workshop would be an ideal and productive way to occupy the upcoming winter months. That way, the Jeep could really sparkle as it ventures forth when favorable weather returns.

Some classics create barely a ripple when they hit the market, while others generate respectable interest. This 1984 Jeep CJ-7 falls into the second category, attracting fourteen bids since the seller listed it here on eBay in Phoenix, Arizona. That action has pushed the price to $10,000, which is lower than the failed previous sale. If you missed out last time, this could be your chance to right that wrong for a potentially lower price. This is a No Reserve auction, so providing the same fate doesn’t befall the seller a second time, it should hopefully find a new home this time.

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Comments

  1. StanMember

    👀 No frills I6 Jeep.
    #Howard

    Like 3
  2. Howard A Howard A.Member

    1st, no Jeep post would be complete without a word from the peanut gallery. She’s a beaut, and about the nicest, most refined CJ as you will get. What’s nice about this particular post, I had long thought of painting my hardtop white, for several reasons. 1st, its cooler, 2nd, every freakin’ red Jeep has a black top. Yep officer, it was a red and black Jeep, why there he goes now,,hey, it could happen. I like the white top.
    Now for price, I know, but just listen. The bottom has fallen on Jeep Wranglers, why? There are just too darn many of them. With diminished interest, there is a glut of older Wranglers and not enough buyers. Don’t think so? A quick search on FB brings up pages. A good friend, who knows I’m into these things, sent me an ad from Hemmings of a 1990 red Wrangler, like mine, but much nicer. Hemmings, mind you, it sold for $4400. A guy down the block has a black one, again, much nicer than mine, been at $5000 for about 2 years, nobody wants it. Moral? Don’t be intimidated by this alleged pricing, I just don’t believe it, and neither should you. This is a very nice Jeep, notwithstanding, but at the end of the day, it’s still an old CJ, and you may just test its limits in normal driving. From 1973 to 1981, I read AMC paid out over $9 million in rollover lawsuits. Be careful with these, a new Rubicon it ain’t.

    Like 11
    • Mike

      Not being a “Jeep” person (though I sort of like them) I was curious are there model years to buy/and not to buy? A friend recently fixed the frame on his Jeep but until I talked to him I had no idea the frames rust through behind the front wheels in the bend of the frame, when that happens it wouldn’t pass State Inspection in Va. he repaired his (we are both retired steel workers). Not that I need another vehicle but a fun toy like a Jeep is hard to pass by, especially when you can get one for $5K.

      Like 4
      • Howard A Howard A.Member

        Hi Mike, anything older than 2006 would be the ones to buy. Not sure if you do FB Marketplace, but punching in 500 mile radius from me, and $5,000 max, brings up a slew, INCLUDING the one from Hemmings. It can be overwhelming, there are so many. Choose wisely, any remnants of mud anywhere, I’d leave alone. :)

        Like 3
    • scrapyard john

      Howard, I wish I could find a decent CJ or YJ (or TJ) for $5k or less. I sold my 1979 CJ5 back in 1999 for $5500. I agree that the CJ’s have sort of peaked in price, but it’s still difficult to find a decent one for $5-6k. I found a really nice TJ for $4500 locally, but when I went to look at it, it had a rust hole in the frame under the driver side door that I literally could stick my hand in. Oddly, it had zero visible rust anywhere else. I dodged a bullet with that one because I was ready to buy it. I even had my wife on board. I don’t think I’d buy another CJ5 for road use, though. I bet that’s where the majority of the lawsuits came from. I think they ceased production on the CJ5 in 82, so that coincides with your lawsuit dates.

      Like 4
    • CadmanlsMember

      Howard maybe incorrect but pretty sure was the CJ 5 with the pretty useless rollbar that was the reason for the numbers you threw out there. Back when I was younger, worked for the Railroad no need for the name but we used a rough and tough CJ 5 to pull up new and take in old linewire with a modified front winch. That inline 6 would run most of the day and get that little 4X4 into some tough areas and back out again. I can respect a basic jeep, it was quite the utility vehicle.

      Like 0
    • MOPAR Joe

      CJ-5’s had the roll over issue.

      Like 0
      • Terrry

        Due to the shorter wheelbase and especially, idiots who didn’t know how to drive them.

        Like 1
    • Aussie Dave Aussie DaveMember

      Howard, it’s a falisy about colour.
      I had a Midnight Blue (the darkest black available at the time) RX2 coupe (I had it repainted from a very yucky cream), the misses had a white Corona XX liftback
      Both parked in the sun, yes the RX2 heated up quicker. But the white car soon followed. The RX2 cooled down quicker then the XX, once you started driving, the XX had air con too. Currently I have the only NU V8 Fairlane, black on black ever made.

      Like 0
    • Cooter CooterMember

      Howard, as the owner of a 2016 Rubicon I purchased new and have hardly driven, I have a great appreciation for the older models like yours and this one advertised. I’d like to have one with a V8. Mine has the big V6, hard rock (crawler) upgrade, 3″ lift and some big Nittos. It’s a 2016, the last year before they started gracing them with LED lights, backup cameras…etc. I may sell it in the near future and look for one of these. Like motorcycles, Corvairs, Pintos or anything that’s said to have issues…If the owner is educated they will know how to maintain and drive it.

      Like 1
      • Rw

        Just another Mall Crawler,does it have dash ducks?

        Like 0
  3. Flint Fieseler

    A wise man once said… “This has Howard written all over it”

    Good Night To All

    Flint

    Like 5
    • Howard A Howard A.Member

      Thanks Flint, but one is enough. :)

      Like 3
  4. bobhess bobhessMember

    If I was shopping for a Jeep this is the one I’d buy.

    Like 5
  5. CarbobMember

    Well, as an owner of a 1993 YJ, I will add my two cents worth. I think Howard is correct about the current market for Jeep Wranglers. There is no shortage of them for sale. I’ve been thinking about selling mine because it has been parked at my second home for the last few years and frankly just sits too much. Especially in the winter. Mine is nowhere near as nice as this one. When I check out the internet I find a bunch of Wranglers for sale with quite a range in asking prices. Rust free condition is the best selling point for them. Also six cylinder and manual transmission. Mine is not in bad shape and is a good runner with the desirable drive train. But I would be lying if I claimed it was rust free. Many if not most Wranglers are in some degree of rustiness especially in the Mid Atlantic. Even TJ’s, which seem to be the most sought after Wrangler for people who want to actually drive them on and off road; are potentially rusty and the few that aren’t are the ones that get good money. The rest of the Jeeps are getting pretty average money , at least from knowledgeable buyers. I think CJ7 Jeeps are a good bit more expensive to purchase given equal condition for the YJ&TJ’s. They are older and there isn’t as many of them in decent condition compared to the later models. In any event; lots of people like Jeep Wranglers and don’t want the new ones for a variety of reasons not the least of which is the ridiculous prices. So if and when I put mine on the market I am pretty sure it will sell but only if it is priced right. And I hope that the seller of the featured Jeep sells happy. GLWTS.

    Like 1
  6. Matthew Dyer

    Worthy jeep for sure. As Adam stated, Arizona preserves metals well. Jeeps can have bare metal floorboards. Almost rust free from the smallest to largest fasteners (there are exceptions).

    Like 1
  7. Steve R

    Sold with a high bid of $14,600, spread out over 32 bids.

    Steve R

    Like 1
  8. Ric

    I drove a CJ7 solo from New Jersey to California and back in the late eighties. Quite the adventure going over the mountains with that wheezy engine. No cell phone, no GPS…Don’t know how I survived. My 2024 392 Rubi is slightly more civilized.

    Like 0
  9. Arch Stanton

    Radiator overflow container looks empty and not connected…what else is wrong?

    Like 0
  10. DA

    I can see why it might not have been paid for. When the bidder saw the vehicle in person, he saw that it was a little more rusty in the interior and on the underside than was represented. It is not “rust free”. Also, in the engine bay one notices that the intake temperature sensor is not connected, and the EGR valve is not connected. I do not know what that coolant bottle is for; looks brand new, unused and not connected. Under the battery seems to be a special area. I can see no air conditioning lines or hoses, not do I see air con controls on the dash, which itself is pretty dirty.

    The interior presents in stark contrast to the exterior in my opinion, with rust spots in odd places. Carpet can be had for this for $200.00 which would be a great improvement for the floor.

    The pictures lack resolution, which does not help in discerning details on this unit.

    Like 1

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