For Sale: 1981 Jeep CJ7 in Cleveland, Ohio

Desirable CJ7 with hardtop. 350 Chevrolet V8 with 5-speed manual transmission. Recent wheels and tires. Nice red paint over factory steel bodywork. Runs and drives well. A sturdy Jeep 4x4 that's in the perfect condition to go out and get dirty! The CJ7 is the archetypal Jeep. Just the right size, with the right Jeep look, it's the design that accurately reflects every Jeep built since World War II. It's also the one with the most dedicated fan base, a group of guys who understand that the hardware is more important than being pretty. That's not to say that this 1981 Jeep CJ7 isn't appealing, but the bright red paint isn't the most important part of the puzzle. It definitely gets attention, with the cheerful bright red finish giving the Jeep a can-do attitude and you'll note that it's all factory steel, not fiberglass. There's no evidence of rust or rot in the usual spots above the rear wheel wells, and finish quality is just about right for a Jeep you'll be pleased to own but which will see more than it's fair share of fun off-road. That is, it's not perfect. A few details stand out, including the 'Mr. Horsepower' decals on the front fenders, chrome hood hardware and mirrors, tubular steps, and the rear-mounted spare tire. The fiberglass hardtop is a nice extra and it includes a set of matching red steel doors, so it seals up nicely with no canvas flapping in the wind (there is no soft top, sorry). There are a few chips in the fiberglass along the mounting edge, but nothing that stops it from being effective. That's pretty much this Jeep's story: effective. The interior is bare-bones so you can hose it out after a day of fun in the dirty. Gray vinyl bucket seats are supportive enough for regular use and they look fairly recent. The floor is covered in spray-in bedliner, so it's durable and weatherproof, and a locking center console provides some security for valuables. The three-spoke wheel is a nice addition, adding a bit of civility to the no-nonsense interior, and as usual, all the gauges are mounted in the center of the dash, with aftermarket oil pressure and temperature gauges added. There is no radio, but that means you can add the unit of your choice (or not, because if you're doing it properly, this Jeep is plenty entertaining by itself). Look closely and you'll see that the shifter knob still shows four forward gears, but underneath there's a new Tremec 5-speed whose overdrive gear makes living with this Jeep a whole lot easier. The other lever manages the 2-speed transfer case, one of the critical pieces of any serious off-roader. There's seating for two in back and a bit of cargo space behind the seat, so go ahead and have an adventure in your CJ. The engine is a warmed-over Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8, which is a big step up in the horsepower department over the original inline-6. Every bit as reliable and easy to service, it makes this Jeep feel downright quick on the street and very capable when you're just crawling along. The engine swap brought a lot of new hardware, including a big aluminum radiator, a new power brake system, and a set of long-tube headers feeding a rumbling dual exhaust system. Other welcome upgrades include power steering, a 4-barrel carburetor on an Edelbrock aluminum intake manifold, and a new alternator and wiring harness. The aforementioned 5-speed manual gearbox is attached to the original transfer case, which feeds power to stock axles front and rear. The undercarriage is original and a little grungy, but isn't that the point? Clean Jeeps just aren't quite as cool. There's no rot or structural issues, the frame is solid, and the suspension is just as competent as ever. It sits right with enough ground clearance to be useful but not so tall that it takes a ladder to get in, and those cool black American Racing aluminum wheels carry big 31x10.50R15 Dick Cepek off-road radials. Jeeps are the Swiss army knives of the automotive world, and with the huge aftermarket supporting them, this bright red 4x4 represents a great opportunity to join the party. Enjoy it as-is or upgrade it into something totally unique, either way the foundation is solid and it has an awesome look that still attracts attention. At this price, what have you got to lose? Call today!Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.