If there’s one brand known for creating special edition trim levels that remain desirable decades later, Mopar products definitely take top honors. From the “Adult Toys” lineup of the 1970s to the special ACR trims of the late 90s, Dodge and Chrysler products with decal kits and OEM accessories are still in demand today. This is a rare 1979 Jeep J10 “Honcho” edition pickup that the seller has to sell as an unfinished project due to a pending move. Find it here on craigslist for $3,000 near Tulsa.
The Honcho package was offered for a few years but total production was below 1,500 examples. The decal kit is obviously the most eye-catching feature, and like most special editions, the hardware under the hood wasn’t altered from a standard model. The suspension was also left alone, but you could get some optional accessories from your local Jeep dealer – I believe a bed-mounted roll bar was a popular choice. Looking at the rust-prone areas like the edge of the cab and seeing no rotten metal, this seems like a solid project.
Another bonus? It sports a manual three-speed transmission, paired to a 360 V8. This is a very cool combination as I feel most J10s that I see are automatics, and I imagine the production numbers for a manual Honcho are quite low. The interior is in decent shape overall but it’s a project like the rest of the truck; the bucket seats are haphazardly bolted in (if at all) and if there was carpeting, it’s long gone. Still, it’s always good to see below the floor covering and gaze on solid floors with no major holes; the seller does mention new floor pans but it’s hard to decipher if he means the new panels come with the truck or they’ve already been installed.
Despite the bed being removed, the Jeep is said to run and drive quite well. Recent work includes new rear drum brakes and brake lines, four new shocks, new lug bolts and nuts, a new electric fuel pump, and it will come with a new Jegs 20 gallon fuel cell (why, I am not sure – unless it’s a nice way of saying the gas tank is rotten and full of junk and the fuel cell is a more straightforward fix.) The Honcho came with unique fender flares front and rear, and it appears they are all accounted for. This seems like a very fair price for a rare Honcho, so thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck F. for sending it in.
At that price this won’t last long. As strong as these are in the market a restored Honcho will be worth all the money. Does anyone remember the movie Twister? Wonder how many Honchos were harmed in the making of the movie? Even back in 96 when I saw that yellow Honcho I wanted one.
Yes alphas us, I remember that truck in that movie and after I saw it in action I wanted one ,still do. These were just cool trucks and different from all the old fords and Chevys you see now days.
That Bed is in much better shape than my 2010 junk Ford F-350 , garaged, washed more than once a week in its life. Junk
It comes with a new tank and the bed is off because these J Trucks had plastic tanks that loved to split at the seams.
Ask me how I know…
That aside, 3k is an absolute steal for this Honcho or not
Also, 79 is going to have a 3 speed plus granny gear in it and that with the 360 makes for a fun truck to drive off-road. Only negative I can see is those seats aren’t “native” to the truck but at 3K that is no way a deal breaker
Good deal if real.
My ’76 J20 had the same fender flairs and color. Neighbors described the color as “calf scours”. 401 and Quadratrac would go anywhere. Great on the farm.
This would be a great Dennis Collins
(Coffee walk rescue) project
It’s real but no title
Looks to be a rather simple job to finish and put back on the road. probably won’t last long at this price. Some one is in for a real bargain.
I doubt seriously that’s a 3 speed. If one was offered at all (I don’t think it was) it’d been column shifted. That’s a bull dog 4 speed.