Vehicle Description
With its sharp exterior looking nice and fresh and an eager V8
standing by under the hood to supply plenty of power, this 1981
Jeep CJ7 Renegade holds the promise of all kinds of fun - both on
the asphalt and off. It's a sturdy and able SUV when the call of
more rugged terrain beckons, but also offers nice, civilized road
manners that make it well-suited for frequent driving.
When Jeep introduced the CJ7 a few years before this '81 debuted,
it marked a significant change of direction for the brand. Whereas
previous editions of the CJ line were known mostly for their rugged
dependability and off-road surefootedness, Jeep made a number of
changes to markedly improve the CJ7's suitability for everyday
motoring. It's nearly a foot longer than its predecessors for a
more civilized ride on the highway and the modified cutouts at its
sides can accommodate hinged doors. Sitting at just the right
height to provide ample ground clearance without going overboard,
this Renegade wears a very clean stock exterior. It's clad in black
paint with a deep, appealing shine, accented by signature Renegade
decals gracing the hood that look nice and sharp. It's a great
looking ride in its open-air configuration and a bikini top is
included to provide some shelter during less agreeable weather.
Take a lap around the car and you'll notice that the fender flares
- so often the first area to show signs of both age or abuse - are
in good shape, and the bumpers in front and back are level and
unblemished.
The thoroughly refurbished interior strikes a great balance, in
that its overall look shows the spartan ruggedness fitting for a
task oriented SUV like this, but provides plenty of comfort as
well. Pretty much everything inside the doors is in great shape.
Aftermarket black vinyl front buckets and rear bench seat take the
place of the originals here and they're looking very clean,
bracketing a center console that sports the same condition. Rubber
matting, as opposed to carpeting, lines the floor, an indication
that this Jeep is meant for the most part to be about spirited
off-roading. When you take your place in the driver's seat, with
both the manual Hurst shifter and the lever activating the 4-wheel
drive within easy reach, you'll feel eminently ready for rough
terrain, and the, clear functional gauges in the instrument cluster
will keep you apprised of all essential motoring functions. The
storage compartment in back is protected by spray in bedliner
that's performed its protective duties well.
The 360 cubic inch V8 now lurking beneath the hood with its chrome
air cleaner and valve covers offers substantially more power than
any of the original selections on the Jeep menu when this '81 came
out and it's running in top form, armed with a 4-barrel Edelbrock
carb and intake, and an upgraded ignition system has been added to
the mix to maximize spark. The engine pairs with a 4-speed manual
transmission that's shifting smoothly and precisely, creating a
driving experience you'll actually look forward to, no matter the
environment and the sidepipes add curb appeal and broadcast the
powerplant's rich exhaust tone very effectively. Power steering
provides an ease of navigation that really comes in handy during
driving in closer quarters, while front disc brakes help provide
fade resistant stopping power. This classic mountain goat on wheels
navigates terrain on 15" Bullet Hole wheels outfitted with
substantial Goodyear Wrangler tires.
If you're looking for a sturdy SUV with both vintage appeal and
plenty of power and capability, this 1981 Jeep CJ7 Renegade is
definitely one to check out. Call today!
