Vehicle 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
frame-off restored 1982 Jeep CJ-8 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. With an upgraded 4.0L fuel-injected Inline 6, a
smooth-shifting 5-speed gearbox, a go-anywhere lift and upgraded
suspension package, and killer good-looks inside-and-out, this is
one of the finest Scramblers we've ever featured. And with these
unique Jeeps soaring in value each year, this may be your last
chance to get in on the ground floor of something great.
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 bright white,
which is arguably the best possible color 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 excellent; it's a fresh repaint (only 83 miles on
the entire build!) that was finished to a very high standard and
has a shine and luster that turns heads everywhere it goes. It's
about as nice of a paint job as you'll ever see on a Jeep, and
because it's white it hides nothing underneath, meaning the
sheetmetal is straight as-can-be as well. If you wish to show your
Jeep, this is a great candidate. The two-tone 'Scrambler' decals
look great against the shiny white paint, and we absolutely love
that they ran them all the way down the flanks like the factory
would've, giving this rugged truck a period-perfect look. The
painted roll bar out back adds a touch of fun and emphasize this
Jeep's 4x4 DNA, as does the paint-matched grille, straight front
bumper with mounted Warn winch, fender flares, and heavy-duty
full-size spare tire carrier out back all say "Jeep" loud and
clear.
The tan-and-white interior is fresh, super clean, and put together
with high-end materials - that means waterproof durability and easy
maintenance. All-weather front bucket seats and a matching rear
bench look brand new and are very comfortable, and they're split by
a Tuffy Box center console in the middle and padded door panels at
the flanks. The floors were painted white to match with durable,
textured paint over the sheetmetal, so no heavy maintenance
required there, and the removable black mats add some civility
without affecting it's no worries demeanor. The original dash was
painted to match and includes a black grab bar, along with an
original-style Jeep tilt steering wheel with a clock to the left
and tachometer to the right that show that this CJ-8 was likely
also born as a top Laredo trim model. Chrome rings around the
gauges brighten the Jeep's rather simple dashboard and with an
under-dash A/C system in tow, this Scrambler is about as loaded as
they come. The tall shifter for the 5-speed manual falls easily to
hand, while the matching shifter for the 2-speed transfer case is
just a short reach away. 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 set
of steel doors, and the multi-point YJ-style roll bar provides
added safety for everyone inside.
A strong-running and uber-dependable 4.0L Inline-6 makes the power
and it's plenty adequate for the Scrambler. Likely borrowed from a
Cherokee, the fuel-injected 4.0L Straight 6 is a very popular swap
for those that prefer horsepower over low-end torque (although
believe me, it's still PLENTY torquey as well), making this big
Scrambler better equipped to handle the modern road than most
builds. It's not about huge speed, it's about reliability, and this
fully sorted Jeep nails it. The fuel-injected 4.0L really did the
impossible as it replaced an already venerable motor (the 4.2L this
Scrambler was born with), 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. 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 is welcomed addition, and
the power front disc brakes help it stop effortlessly. The 5-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 hopefully shouldn't be as much of a hassle to get it
registered if you need still need smog tests in your state
(although now that it's over 40 years old, most states won't
require one). The longer wheelbase really makes a difference in
ride quality, which might be why the Scramblers are so popular, and
with that big lift, upgraded suspension, and those giant 35x12.5-15
BFGoodrich A/T tires and Laredo-spec wheels give it just the
perfect stance.
This is a shockingly clean Scrambler that is turn-key, ready to go
anywhere, and with only 83 break-in miles on the frame-off build,
it's essentially brand new. Call now!
