Might be buying an OG Jeep CJ-7 . Am I crazy? Who has one?

[YY1]

A co-worker has an '81 CJ-7 Renegade.

I've been jokingly ofering to buy it since I started here in 2017.

Today, off the cuff she said it needed to go and offered it to me for 5K.

It's a 258 (IIRC) 4 speed, and is in it's original brown paint with the graphics on the hood.

It has had some diamond plate put over the body IIRC under the doors and has had one frame patch that supposedly was "really well done".

Other than a close inspection of those metal repairs and a general shake down, what should I look for?

I see these come up on CL in the same or worse condition for 10-12K.

I need another vehicle/project vehicle like another hole in the head, but I've been wanting a converible and a factory 4 speed...and this is both.

 

[RemCharger]

They were plagued with the same 80s stuff as everything else ( shitty carb, emissions crap etc..) but I fixed my buddy's up, put a 600 holley on it lol.
Damn near pick up the front wheels after that

 

[eldubb440]

it's most likely a rot box, don't get your hopes up

make sure it's is bolted securely to the frame

 

[SlingLow]

I have an 80 CJ5 258 6 cy/4-speed. I looked specifically for that drive train. It's an actual car 4 speed and not a granny low with 3 usable gears. I had the engine rebuilt a few years back, then got into quads and mothballed it. It's been in my pole barn for probably 15 years now. I didn't want to put it back on the road until I got the wife's Mustang going for self-preservation reasons. Well, we sold the Mustang this year and replaced it with a convertible. Now it's time to get the Jeep going. There's not much hidden real estate on a CJ and you should be able to tell quickly if it's got any issues. Has it been outside all this time? Soft top? Wrinkles under the doors are quite common and isn't something I'd be too concerned about. I have one under the passenger door from when I tipped it over on the way to deer camp about an hour after I installed a new soft top. Doh! I still have the diamond plate strip I bought to cover it and never installed. Just not important on an off-road vehicle. I don't know about pricing in your area, but $5k should get you a decent runner. Maybe you can use things like worn out top or upholstery to massage the price a bit lower. Good luck!

 

[t.flatt]

I bought an '84 CJ7 at the beginning of the year. Rust free and 300 miles on a rebuild! I couldn't pass it up. The more I drive it the more I love it! The guy said there is nothing wrong with it but I soon found all kinds if **** wrong with it! The headlights were cutting out on the drive home, heater and dash lights didn't work. I had no idea how fast I was going on the interstate. The doors flapping in the wind and tire noise were really loud. It was a white knuckle ride! It was and still is a major distraction from my GTX. That's what I don't like about it. The pile of wires is everything I removed from the engine bay. The frame rails tend to rust out between the rear wheel well and bumper so check there. I wouldn't buy one if it's a rust bucket. Who needs that headache? After months of fixing various things it's a very fun work vehicle!

 

[cr8crshr]

I think your last sentence is the true answer to your question. Save the money because you are eventually going to need it with the way the economy is headed, and their reputation of being a bigger problem once you get it home...JMHO...cr8crshr/Bill

 

[guy gadbois]

You need a Jeep. [as does most everyone actually...] Look closely at the frame and cowl for cancer. Everything is pretty much available and pretty easy to work on. I say get it.

 

[F4R/T]

Definitely check the mounts! I seen a 90s bronco recently that had a rollover and was towed in two pieces separately... the cab fell off the frame.