Bumping along the edge of a dirt road, small bits of gravel spraying away from the guardrail and down to the river below... The Jeep CJ7 peering at the scenic overlook and gazing at the blue skies, fresh breeze, and phenomenal vista... The Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 has been part of the U.S. American freedom feel for over fifty years. When the CJ-5 was first produced during WWII as front-line war vehicle in 1944, it was named CJ for 'civilian jeep'. This mentality was 'to let the civilians feel the freedom our nation protects'. This mentality was adapted and improved in the CJ-7, the last line of the Civilian Jeep (1976-1986), leaving it one of the most popular models made by Jeep.
10 The Model That Led To The CJ-7's Emergence
Jeep offered the CJ line with the Laredo trim package from 1980 to 1986. As of 1973, all CJs came with a 304- or 360 cubic-inch V-8 engine. The CJ-5 Renegade normally offered a 305 cubic inch V-8 engine, a shorter and wider drivetrain, and an upgraded rear differential system. The CJ-5 has logged more trail miles than any other Jeep brand vehicle as it had the longest production run of any other Jeep brand vehicle. It was so beloved that Jeep even made a CJ-5 camper that was marketed as a "unique industry-first detaching system," made to simplify the removal of the camper attachment.
9 What Are The Differences Between The CJ-5 and CJ-7?
The CJ-7 had a longer wheelbase - 93.5 inches long - making it 10 inches longer than the CJ-5's 83.5 inches long wheelbase. This was done to make room for an automatic transmission. It also has squared doors in comparison to the CJ-5's round doors; this distinction is the easiest way to tell the difference between the two models. The CJ-7 also offered molded plastic and steel doors. Both the CJ-5 and CJ-7 were built until 1983 when the demand for the CJ-7 outgrew the CJ-5, and they were discontinued after a 30-year production run, the longest out of any other Jeep brand vehicle.
8 The CJ-7 Is The King Of Off-Road
The added stability and climbing traction in the CJ-7, as well as the chassis and double body and frame kit mentioned above, are a few of the many reasons people go crazy for this vehicle on any trail. Although it is hard to find a CJ-7 that has not been modified or upgraded in some way, the sheer plug-and-play power the stock parts have to leave the user excited to tear up some sand dunes, a rocky trail, or a mountainside logging road.
7 The Wide Range And Power Of A CJ-7
Whether logging hours on a steep mountainside trail with your heart in your stomach peering out of the windshield or you're someone who wants a laid-back joyride on a backwoods logging trail on a sunny day, the CJ-7 is a good old-fashioned, enjoyable American ride. This vehicle is known for its off-road capabilities and that is what leads it to be such an amazing pick for anyone in the off-roading field: the newbie unsure of how to navigate rough terrain, the experienced veteran ready for an intense turn, and the retired hobbyist excited about a joyride on a back road. The safety features of this vehicle allow it to be amazing for long trips, like Mark Smith's mentioned above, encourages those with anxieties to remember to live a little, and protects those who live in the fast lane. It's the perfect wonder beast.
6 The CJ-7 Was A Trend Starter In Many Ways
One of the improvements to the CJ-7 that started a movement was the upgraded chassis system. It improved stability by leaving space for shock absorbers to be mounted onto the car aftermarket. This small inclusion is what we can give credit to for beginning the trend of custom shocks that are so important to the Jeep brand today. This trend starting also gave more credit to Jeep's off-road, earthy branding. Another unique feature of the CJ-7 was that it was produced with a separate body and frame, allowing the driver to swap bodies on identical frames. This made them ideal for off-road use as the cost of repair significantly decreased.
5 The CJ-7's Golden Eagle Package
The Golden Eagle package of the CJ-7 was a $200+ option above the Renegade from 1977-1983 with a 150 horsepower, 304 cubic-inch V-8 engine. This option is regarded as the best year and package level of the CJ-7. This package level comes with a hood-sized eagle decal, larger tires, a soft top, a rear-mounted spare tire, and more. A 1980 Wrangler CJ-7 named 'Dixie' was made famous when driven by Daisy Duke on the Dukes of Hazzard and is now displayed in a museum in Nashville, TN.
4 This Is Why the Jeep CJ7 Is So Popular
The Jeep Wrangler CJ7 is popular because of its capability. It was made battle-tough and trail-ready. This vehicle is so impressive that really the only true way of explaining its power is to tell a story. In 1978, Mark Smith, an off-roading expert of over 25 years and 13 adventures went from Tierra del Fuego, Chile to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in the Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 4x4. This trip was 21,000 miles long, spanning more than 10 countries, and took Mark and his team 122 days to complete. The CJ-7s were retrofitted with 31-inch wide tires, heavy-duty steel bull bars, electric winches, six-point roll cages, and locking hubs.
3 The Quest Of A CJ-7
Using alloy ladders and winches, the team navigated rugged terrain that was not explored by almost anyone back then. This meant that Mark and his team crossed incredibly dangerous terrain, namely the Darien Gap. The Darien Gap is a stretch of the jungle so hostile that it had only been crossed by the British military, with lives lost, previously. Even today, the Darien Gap does not have a navigable road through it. Mark and his team made this journey in their CJ-7s in 30 days and came home with every adventurer they left home with.
2 Jeep Wrangler CJ-7 Costs A Pretty Penny Now
Buyers are really spoiled with choices when it comes to this classic. The Jeep Wrangler CJ7 model after 1985 in quality condition with mild to little mileage sells for between $25,000 and $35,000 online. There have been instances where a CJ-7 has been sold for millions of dollars in efforts to raise money for charity. In this event, the vehicle sold for $1.3 million and was donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping veterans and their loved ones. However, for those of us who want to restore a CJ-7 to its former glory, there are plenty of CJ-7s in less than great condition for under $15,000 found online. Limitless amounts of forums exist with people happy to help troubleshoot in the rebuilding of these vintage beasts; the excitement of this vehicle has definitely not faded.
1 This Is The CJ-7 Model You Should Buy
For vehicles made before 1978, there is a sentiment that things were built to last with more quality materials. However, vehicles made after 1978 have more aftermarket and online support which is really important for an owner of a vehicle. Around 1978, disk brakes, power brakes, and power steering were becoming more common and this makes it much simpler to fix this vintage car when parts need replacement. A consideration to keep in mind is that one would normally prefer to replace the engine in a solid body without further problems than to find a stock V-8 in a 1976 CJ-7 but have a frame that is rusting and a multitude of problems to maintain and remedy.