Vehicle Description
Hard to have more fun on four wheels than with a Jeep CJ-7,
especially one as dialed-in and ready to go as this 1982 CJ-7. With
a bright red paint job and a venerable 258 inline-six engine mated
to a 5-speed manual transmission, it likely hasn't seen as much as
a gravel road, let alone serious off-roading, but it's ready,
willing, and able to tackle just about anything you throw at
it.
We're finally getting to the point where these CJs are legitimate
collector's items, but you'll probably discover that very few are
preserved/restored to this level, with a few choice aesthetic
upgrades and a moderate lift that's left it ready for all elements.
It was repainted not long ago to a solid driver-quality level and
still has a great glossy shine atop very good bodywork that
suggests this Jeep has always been loved while it's spent the vast
majority of its life in sunny Texas, under the tutelage of the same
owner since 1992. The CJ's shape is unmistakable, especially with
the YJ-style half doors and soft bikini top in place, and with that
very bright red paint job, oversized flares atop the original
fenders, and off-setting bright lower-body trim and chrome step
bars between the wheels, it looks awesome. Thanks to good
workmanship throughout, it feels tight and fits together quite
well, and while a lot of these CJs led hard lives, this one has
obviously been taking it easy since it left the original
dealership. Heck, some Jeep guys might scoff at how bright and
shiny this one is, but with that tough roll bar, heavy-duty front
bumper with a mounted Warn winch in the center and LED lights at
the flanks, tow hitch mounted to the heavy-duty rear bumper, step
bars, and swing-away spare tire with a matching chrome rim, I don't
think anyone will question its off-road credentials.
The interior has been neatly redone, and it's no longer full of the
familiar low-maintenance Jeep stuff that one might expect. Instead,
you get sporty, high-back Corbeau racing buckets covered in fresh
red-and-black upholstery, a stock rear bench wrapped in the same
pattern, and neatly finished door panels adorned with black
bedliner material and diamond-plate accents. The floors are covered
in tan carpeting, a sign of sophisticated refinement that's rather
rare for a Jeep of this vintage, and they're further protected with
heavy-duty black floor mats with Jeep logos. The dash features a
crack-free black pad up top that matches the floor mats, and it's
been painted red to match the body and further accented with chrome
around the gauge bezel and grab bar above the glove compartment.
Entertainment comes from the big Alpine touchscreen media player
mounted in the center of the dash that powers upgraded speakers
throughout the cabin, a locking center console that splits the
front buckets and adds a bit of security and features a CB radio
inside, and the thick-rimmed, 3-spoke Momo steering wheel matches
the color theme inside. Those colors are continued with the rather
unique shifter handles that manage the 5-speed manual and 2-speed
transfer case, respectively, and they match the sporty race pedals
at the floor of the cockpit. Overhead there's a robust 4-point roll
cage wrapped in padded vinyl, and seatbelts remain fore and aft for
added safety inside.
The venerable 258 cubic inch inline-6 (aka the 4.2L) standing by
underneath the hood is one of the most reliable powertrains ever to
be built, and off-roaders and weekend-warriors alike have trusted
it to carry them through any situation for decades. The engine bay
has been neatly detailed, with primer-gray on the firewall and
inner fenders, neatly organized components, and a bright red valve
cover that matches the exterior paint. An aftermarket
fuel-injection system was added for great reliability and better
responsiveness out on the road, and the cone air filter and
cold-air intake system it works with helps the block breathe easy.
The well-maintained straight-6 pairs with a highly desirable
5-speed manual transmission that extracts maximum performance from
its output, and even though it's not a burner off the line, it's
plenty peppy with a great torque curve in every gear. 4-wheel drive
agility is activated with its lever within easy reach of the
driver. In keeping with Jeep's intention to arm the model with good
road manners on asphalt and more rugged terrain alike, the featured
power steering makes for easy navigation, while power front disc
brakes provide low-effort, fade-resistant stopping ability. This
sharp looking classic rides on a bright set of 15-inch chrome
wheels outfitted with beefy 33x12.5x15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter
off-road tires.
Ready for the daily grind and/or weekend dirt? You'd better believe
it. Not many CJs are presented and ready to go at this dialed-in
level, so when you find one this nice, don't hesitate. Call
today!
