The CJ-7 was a significant upgrade over its near sibling, the CJ-5. A broader frame at the rear changed the geometry of the suspension to improve stability. A slightly longer wheelbase mellowed out the ride; metal doors contained roll-up windows; full-time Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive and an optional automatic transmission were available. Almost 380,000 CJ-7s were made from 1976 through 1986, when the CJ gave way to the even more refined Wrangler. This example here on eBay is priced at $8900; the seller calls it a survivor with very little rust, and it can be retrieved from Vincennes, Indiana.
The CJ series was offered with several engine options blended with multiple trim levels and special editions. The seller of this Jeep says that though it wears Renegade decals, it’s probably not a Renegade but he isn’t certain. The Renegade would have been equipped with skid plates and heavy duty shocks in addition to alloy wheels and an upgraded interior. A 110 hp 258 cu. in. in-line six cylinder paired with a four-speed manual moves this CJ down the road. The clutch, pressure plate and throw-out bearing are new, as is the battery. The Jeep runs, shifts, and drives well. That said, this engine bay looks neglected; I’d replace the hoses and that radiator cap at a minimum.
The interior shows mild wear, but the painted surfaces are tolerable and the seller will include after-market seat covers. There’s no carpet. The removable hard top was a new feature for 1976; earlier versions of the Jeep offered only a soft top. Also new was the wiper positioning at the lower edge of the windshield on the cowl, rather than hanging from the upper edge of the windshield. The CJ-7 carried its military DNA even many decades removed from the very first Jeeps, seen in the flat dash and rudimentary ergonomics. Still, the cabin was wider than the CJ-5; combined with the more civilized ride, the CJ-7 meant that Jeep owners no longer had to suffer bone-jarring, weather-exposed off-roading.
This Jeep was originally blue, as seen in the engine bay above. At least the repaint included the door jambs and interior! The odometer reads 28k but it’s turned over, according to the seller. While the asking price seems reasonable in light of even base model CJ-7s selling well into the teens, I’d want to visit this Jeep in person before making a commitment. It’s on the scruffy side, and the mileage is high. What do you think, nice price or no dice?
Thanks Michelle. Your mention of refinement had me remember when we 1st drove a Jeep w the coil spring setup. It was a rental, and automatic. I was blown away by the smooth ride, compared to the previous models.
Go Howard , I’ll let you do the typing….
Just my opinion, but this is a deal for $8900. Very little rust, new clutch pressure plate and TO bearing, hard top and doors.
Weeeeeeelllll, I strongly advise a good relationship with your local AutoPlace person, they aren’t all grumbly old men anymore, you’ll be on a 1st name basis in no time. Some real cuties pushing the buttons today, and if you grumble, like I did, she may give you 10% off. All parts are affordable and readily available, you think a British car requires tinkering, and tinker you will, but well worth it. It’s always a Jeep. While the CJ7 was a slightly improved CJ5, make no mistake, it was still a CJ. Imports were kicking the CJs and with the much improved YJ a couple years away, the CJ was horribly outdated. I remember Jeep sales plummeting, you couldn’t give a CJ, of any number, away. This is an okay find for maybe half, CJs still hold some value in the hills, not sure about in the flatlands of Indiana. I’d have to think ANY CJ in Indiana is a rare sight. Certainly not here.
I will say that was regional. Some parts of America you had trouble finding a jeep. In others they were like fire ants
No spare tire and I like the way the battery cables are crossed!!
The CJ7 were designed to put an automatic in them ! They just happened to get some extra comfort with the length. I had a CJ5 1976 to be exact, 304ci with power to spare. Which you needed if you were going to run with the big boys in the sand dunes. Jeep Quadratrac was the way to go when offered. People stealing gas back then ! I mean it was so expensive @ .58 a gal
But that locking gas cap on my jeep would freeze when the roads were covered with snow! That jeep cost me $5600 new. Have lots of memories with it.
Absolutely right about the extra 10″ WB allowing for the Quadratrac. I had a 78 CJ5 Renegade with the 258 straight 6.
The last one I was in required three hands to drive, two on the wheel and a third to shift. This one looks pretty nice in the pics. As long as everything is there underhood you can address the seat and scruffy mirrors. You won’t drive like you stole it. More like you’re bringing it back.
It should be noted, 1981 was the height of Jeep rollover lawsuits, in which AMC paid out over $9million in damages. Some say it was 70% more likely to roll at 22 mph, but was never proven.
Main purpose of the Wrangler was to improve the Jeep image. Lower Cg for better handling and less tumbling. We lost a classmate straight after graduation when he rolled his CJ-5. Cured me from having one for some time.
I think that a fairly large number of the rollovers were possibly attributable to people trying the take turns like it was an MGB.
Jeep is about the only vehicle that has my approval for side curtains, not roll up windows.
I like the Jeep doors that are low cut, merging into the body lines.
With this CJ-7 you take the top off and you still have the window frames. Hate that.
Also like the Jeeps that you can fold the windshield down onto the hood.
This new stuff is not Jeeps. They are comfy luxurious whatevers that have never seen a dirt trail in their life.
And who turns a blue vehicle into a Canary yellow one?
Calm down, now, on my Jeep, I can take the doors off pretty easy, although I never have. While my YJ retains the fold down windshield, it’s not doable because the roll bar is attached to the windshield. I got those “half doors” with mine, but traded them for a back seat I never use.
@Howard
Howard, Boobie, I don’t want to take the doors off. I like the ones with what I guess you call the half doors. Or an old enough WWll Jeep that never had doors