1983 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler

Description

You've undoubtedly noticed that we sell a lot of Jeeps here at Streetside Classics, and that market is red hot and rising each day. And nothing with the Jeep name on it is hotter than this 1983 Jeep CJ8 Scrambler, which has all the rugged awesomeness of the venerable CJ with a longer bed out back, creating a Jeep/pickup hybrid that's rare as well as highly desirable. Featuring a great restoration, a swapped-in 4.0L Inline 6 fuel-injected motor, and a great set of options including cold A/C, this Jeep is ready to take on any terrain that lies ahead.

Ronald Reagan owned a Scrambler that he drove around his California ranch, and it if was good enough for The Gipper, then it's certainly good enough for us. Better yet, this one is red, which is one of the best possible colors on a CJ of any kind. It emphasizes the chiseled upright lines and never looks dated. The Scrambler is easy to spot with its extended rear end, and it makes a notable difference in interior space, especially those of you who like to take a lot of gear with you when you go someplace remote. Finish quality is quite nice; it's a high driver-quality repaint and it's holding up well with a shine and luster that turns heads everywhere it goes. For a Jeep, to find so few imperfections is very surprising, which means that even though it's not perfect, it's certainly been very well-cared for since the restoration. After it was painted, the former owners resisted the urge to install decals, so unlike many of its siblings, there aren't any goofy orange and yellow and brown stickers all over it that were so popular at the time. Instead, the paint does all the talking. The sparer tire mounted in the bed helps emphasize this Jeep's pickup DNA, but the iconic grille, steel bumpers, running lights, roll bar, and oversized fender flares all say "Jeep" loud and clear.

The black interior comes equipped with newer, durable front bucket seats made from super-tough vinyl, and what could easily be the original bench in the back, and that means lots of weatherproof durability and easy maintenance. The floor was treated to a professionally applied spray-in bedliner, so no maintenance required there (although if we're honest, it could use a much more thorough detail to look its best), and the removable rubber mats up front add some civility without affecting it's 'no worries' demeanor. Jeep CJ's always look their best black inside, and that includes the dash pad, door panels, and the locking center console that comes complete with cup holders. Original black-faced gauges pop up against the Jeep's red dashboard and it also uses a modern Pioneer AM/FM/CD/AUX/Bluetooth stereo system and high-end marine speakers for entertainment, both on road and off. There's also an original steering wheel that's easy to grab and the tall shift levers are right where you need them in the rough. Like most Jeeps, this one is best enjoyed alfresco, but in case of inclement weather and to make it more user-friendly if you're in a more urban environment, there's a bikini top and a set of steel doors and windows that were donated from a YJ.

A swapped-in fuel-injected 242 cubic inch inline-6 (aka the famous 4.0L Jeep motor) makes the power and it's plenty adequate for the heavier Scrambler, taking the place of the 258 inline-6 (4.2L) this truck would've likely been born with. The fuel-injected 4.0L really did the impossible as it replaced an already venerable motor, and actually improved on the design, making it more powerful AND more efficient than its predecessor. These motors were so good, and so reliable, they weren't discontinued by Chrysler until 2006. The engine bay is quite tidy, with the engine looking like it really always belonged, which is a good thing. It's not about huge speed, it's about reliability, and this Jeep nails it. There's a big radiator up front to keep things cool, whether you're cruising easily at modern highway speeds, or driving up a mountain, the power steering system was fully rebuilt, and the power front disc brakes help it stop effortlessly. The 4-speed manual and 2-speed transfer case offer the best of both worlds and there's a throaty exhaust system complete with catalytic converter, so it shouldn't be a hassle to get it registered if you need still need smog tests in your state. The longer wheelbase really makes a difference in ride quality, which might be why the Scramblers are so popular, and those big 33x12.5-15 Goodyear Wrangler off-road tires and American Racing wheels give it just the right stance.

This is a shockingly affordable Scrambler that is turn-key, ready to go anywhere. We urge you to call right now while you're thinking about it, because it will likely be gone very soon. That's how hot these are. Call now!