Vehicle Description
Looking to get behind the wheel of a ride with maximum visual
impact? Look no further. Imagine the double takes you'll get when
you're seen coming over the horizon in this 1985 Jeep CJ-7 Rat Rod.
Its niche is all about transforming a vintage car into a no holds
barred, one of a kind result, and with a surprisingly comfortable
interior and ever-reliable 350 V8 powertrain, this uber-unique Jeep
(if you can still call it that) delivers as one of the coolest rat
rods we've ever seen.
With its military-themed exterior, long wheelbase and ultra-low
profile, this CJ will stand out in any crowd of modded classics and
conventional rat rods. It captures the spirit of what a rat rod was
intended to be all along, but with an upgraded appearance that's
equal parts hot rod and Mad Max. Picking a Jeep to turn into this
amazing piece of custom machinery took a lot of guts to begin with,
but executing it to this high level required even more skill. The
tan finish is utilitarian to the max and accented with military
decals and body armor add-ons, it's slammed on a custom frame that
has been purposely finished with a patina look on the exposed
sections, and the oversized wheels are spread out at the extreme
corners of the vehicle, mounted outside of the body like all the
first rat rods were. A few traditional Jeep cues remain on the tub,
including the iconic grille and headlight setup, the lightweight
doors, the roll bar, and circular taillights and tailgate, and even
the side pipe exhaust looks somewhat familiar, although follow it
up to the exposed engine bay and you'll quickly see the monster
that powers this ride. Take your time and soak it all in, don't
worry, we can't stop looking at it either.
Inside, it's part Jeep and part rat as well, and just like the
exterior, the completed work is top notch. Low back buckets (like
those commonly found in earlier CJ-5 models) provide comfort for
two, and although dash/window frame set-up from a CJ remains, it's
been augmented with a bedliner sprayed section that continues into
a middle console that houses all the gauges and switches that
manage this beast. The floors have been bedlined as well, and the
B&M floor shifter that manages the TH350 automatic below sits
on a nicely modded transmission tunnel that's an easy reach for the
driver. A sporty Grant steering wheel sits atop a tilt column, the
battery has been relocated and tucked under the dash, and an AM/FM
stereo provides the tunes. With its ultra-rugged overall
appearance, you wouldn't expect comfort, but believe it or not,
this is one of those rare rat rods that you can actually enjoy
driving.
A 350 cubic inch V8 sits in full view inside the compartment with
its long-tube headers fully wrapped and poised as if ready to
strike. It's a well-equipped engine, wearing a pair of M/T valve
covers, a Dart II Sportsman intake manifold and a Holley 4-barrel
carb that sits underneath that killer air cleaner. There's more
than enough power when you consider how little this rod weighs, but
it's not so overpowering that you'll be hanging on to dear life
when you hit the throttle. The 350 pairs with a sturdy 3-speed
automatic TH350 transmission and, with a giant Champion aluminum
radiator and electric fan installed, overheating won't likely ever
be an issue. Front disc brakes provide fade resistant stopping
power, while the custom-made suspension and frame with giant solid
axles and capable shocks and springs set the ride height and make
driving much more pleasurable than you'd ever expect from a rat
rod. It's one seriously head turning ride on its set of staggered
Hostile wheels - 20-inch up front and 22-inch in the back, wrapped
in grippy Nitto Grapplers at all four corners, in case you forgot
that this is actually Jeep.
Sporting plenty of power, looks that will get all kinds of
attention and a surprisingly comfortable interior, this
unbelievable 1985 Jeep CJ-7 Rat Road is a unique find that won't
last long. Call today!
