1980 Jeep CJ7

Description

You may have noticed a trend on the Streetside Classics website: Jeeps are red hot. We can't seem to keep vehicles like this 1980 Jeep CJ7 in stock. Is it a newfound interest in off-roading adventures? The back-to-basics fun of a vintage CJ? Or is it that this Jeep CJ7 represents the ideal blend of daily-driver utility with go-anywhere functionality, all at an affordable price? Can it be all three?

This Jeep isn't trying too hard to be something it's not. From the basic CJ box shape to the tasteful black color scheme, it has a no-nonsense look that's a big part of the Jeep's appeal. The black paint is neither new nor old and deteriorated, but does have a ready-and-willing look that actually works rather well on a vehicle designed to brush up against rough stuff now and then. The bodywork is in good order with none of the usual trouble spots showing any signs of going south and it's kind of refreshing to see a CJ7 that isn't brown and covered with orange and yellow decals. Instead, it has some unique pinstriping reminiscent of something you'd see in Tron, but it was expertly applied and looks very much of the era. Diamond plate body armor adorn the rocker panels and rear flanks, so you know you can hit the brush without too much worry. Tubular steps on the sides give it a tough look that's entirely appropriate and are actually helpful for climbing in. Add in the rubber fender flares and winch mounted on the tubular push-bumper and you have a Jeep that gets the basics exactly right without resorting to questionable modifications.

You already know Jeep interiors are basic, but that's just the way enthusiasts like it. High-back black vinyl buckets from Bestop are supportive enough for knocking around in the rough stuff and offer durability and hose-it-off utility. A matching center console means you have at least one place to stow your gear where nobody can get it at and black carpets offer a modicum of civility in an otherwise pretty bare-knuckle experience. Adding to those conveniences, you will find a tilt steering column and a Pioneer AM/FM/CD head unit in the factory dash slot. The original speedometer is joined by a couple of auxiliary instruments and a dash-pad mounted tachometer for monitoring the engine, and a 4-speed manual gearbox means that it's a blast to drive. Weather equipment includes a soft top and hard top, so you'll be ready for any condition that Mother Nature may throw at you.

AMC's torquey 360 V8 is a good powerplant for the CJ, providing plenty of giddy-up and low-end torque to conquer most any situation. Thanks to an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and Edelbrock intake, it's still rather thrifty and makes the kind of torque that you need for off-roading. An open-element air cleaner and a finned valve covers offer a bit of dress-up in the otherwise functional engine bay, but you can see that there's lots of modern conveniences, including an MSD ignition, aluminum radiator with an electric fan, and a red top Optima battery. The 4-speed transmission spins a 2-speed transfer case and factory axles, which sit on a mild suspension lift (reversed shackles) to give it a great Jeep stance. That lift also helps with the rolling stock, which consists of shiny aluminum bullet-hole wheels and positively giant 33x12.50-15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain off-road tires.

Fun to drive no matter what's under the tires, the Jeep CJ7 is still a perennial favorite for Jeepers around the world. Call today!