When it comes to collectible Jeeps, CJ-8’s are up there among the rarest and are definitely one of the coolest. So cool, in fact, that Jeep is resurrecting the Scrambler marque for the 2019 model year. It’s easy to see the appeal of such a vehicle in today’s market; the JK/JKU platform is Jeeps all-time bestselling vehicle, and it’s a pretty safe bet that combining that with the added allure of a pickup bed is going to be a surefire home run for Fiat Chrysler. Surprisingly, this wasn’t really the case for the CJ-8 Scrambler. Despite being a personal favorite of former President Reagan, only about 27,000 total were ever built and production numbers dwindled every year of their 6-year run until they were killed off entirely in 1986 in favor of the XJ-based Comanche. This nicely preserved example was found near Atlanta here on Craigslist by keen-eyed reader Michael and can be yours for $24,999.
The nice thing about such rare Jeeps is the survivors tend to be pretty well preserved by their owners. You rarely see a CJ-8 hacked up and built into some trail-only abomination, unlike their more common cousins. This one is certainly no exception there, as it was kept covered by its previous owner when not being used for some light-duty hauling work. That’s one of the things I like best about this particular Jeep – it was clearly cared for but wasn’t a garage queen, it saw some use and it shows it in the scratches in the bed. Otherwise, though, the paint and decals look fantastic and it is claimed by the seller to be “100% rust free.”
Some cracking on the driver’s seat is apparent, but for the most part, the interior looks to be in nice, original condition with all gauges working as they should. The seller states that the inline-six engine runs great with 85k miles on the clock, but the 5-speed transmission needs new synchros on gears 3 and 4. Otherwise, this CJ-8 looks to be turnkey ready to put back into service doing some light hauling and chores on the farm, or to be finished up as an easy restoration project!
love these. they got the proportions just right!
timeless & functional & attractive.
if i needed about 1/4 of a truck this would be the number one choice.
Damn… I would love to own this vehicle…
“Surprisingly, this wasn’t really the case for the CJ-8 Scrambler”
These were REAL expensive when new. I used to stop at the dealerships wanting one in high school. A 3/4 ton F250 four wheel drive and Trans Am
were equal or lesser priced in 1985.
Cool ride but not $25 g’s 🆒
Yeah, too much money. Is the transmission cover gone?
Actually, I believe Reagan had an even rarer CJ-6, not a CJ-8 Scrambler. AND his other favorite was a Subaru Brat – believe it or not.
He actually had both, a red CJ6 in California, and a light blue CJ8 in Texas!
Very cool! However if I were to buy it the first thing that would definitely without a doubt go would be that moose caching bumper! It looks hideous!
Yes, that “bumper” is truly hideous!
And the next thing to go would be the lift, were it mine.
I’m so tired of home-engineered “improvements,” as if the (multiple) factory R & D teams didn’t know jack. (Other examples: “geniuses” who put super-wide wheels and tires on, with no concern for the additional stress caused by the unplanned-for width–especially because “it looks better.” Or super-tall wheels and tires, but no upsizing of the brakes, to account for the greater “lever-arm” of the larger diameter wheel/tire combo.)
The latest mod that I detest is people raising the fronts of their Tundras/RAM, so the factory rake is negated–again, because it supposedly “looks better.” Purpose be damned, right?
Yes, that “bumper” is truly hideous!
And the next thing to go would be the lift, were it mine.
I’m so tired of home-engineered “improvements,” as if the factory R&D team didn’t know jack.
Other examples:
Overly-wide wheels and tires, especially on trucks, with no regard for the additional stress placed on suspension components.
Or way-larger diameter wheels and tires, with no thought given to upgrading the brakes, to account for the (unplanned for) increased “lever-arm” effect of the larger wheel/tire combo.
Or (and my favorite) people who “lift” just the front of the Tundras/RAM’s, to zero out the factory rake, just because, to them (somehow?) it “looks better” if their truck is level, as opposed to being a TRUCK, designed to take a load of 1,500+lbs. and NOT squat like a scalded dawg, on the run.
Youth + Credit Card – Knowledge = Displays of Arrogant Ignorance. /rant over.
(Full disclosure: I have a Tundra.)
And there’s my ignorance, on display–sorry about the double-post. The “edit” time expired and I (ASSumed) my post and been obliterated. Sorry.
yep, now this 1 is just right (the moded redish1, not so much).
Some1 will pay close to this, but not me.
Thxn, Matt.