Is $10k a fair price for this 1979 JEEP CJ7 Renegade?

[Angus]

Ive been looking around for a "fun car" for ages. Want something short wheel base and do prefer an auto. Not into serious 4WD'ing.

I kind of like the look of the vehicle advertised here:

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/csauth/! ... trans_id=1

Not sure if it is a fair price or not - or even what to look out for.

Only other minor concern is its only a 2 seater. 95% of the time its just me, but I wonder if I should look for 4. I also like the fun factor of a soft top but wonder how much of a pain in the ass it is in reality. ie would such a car be a theft target etc...

Any constructive advice appreciated

Last Updated 03-NOV-2005
Vehicle 1979 JEEP CJ7 Renegade
Price $10,840
Kilometres 6,500
Body 2 door Hardtop
Colour Black
Interior Colour Black/Red
Transmission 3 speed Automatic
Engine 8 cylinder Petrol Carburettor 5.7L (5669cc)
Reg Plate XXX-50X
Reg Expiry NOV-2007
Road Worthy Certificate Yes
Brief Comments 12 months rego, reconditioned engine, 2 bikini and 1full soft top, cd , monza seats
Long Comments Awesome 4wd, URGENT SALE, 12 months rego, pink slip (rwc), full marine carpet throughout, on the floor auto powered by a V8 (363 chrysler)unleaded, power steering, jvc cd detachable face,Monza seats, Momo steering wheel, American racing alloys, 3inch lift, 33inch tyres, full soft top, 2 bikini tops,

[Angus]

Two more pics

[LEXX]

Seems to be OK, really with any car it comes down to what you are happy paying for.

The RWC certificate certainly helps, just make sure it has a slip for the engine change over.

Looks like a nice neat unit, obviously look over it for obvious rust and chassis cracks before handing over the $$$$.

As car is only worth as much as someone is willing for pay for it, this "seems" to be OK but get either the RACV or equivalent to give it an inspection first and then make up your own mind.

But to answer your question a CJ7 of this calibre is worth the $$, but only if it is a good as it is presented if you get my drift.

[AussieCJ7]

on the surface of it this one would appear a better buy but then maybe just a better written add you would need to look at them both

http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales ... istance=25

also depends what you want I prefer to find a less molested CJ myself but if you want a V8 then it has been swapped in and depends on who did the swap

BTW if you can find one latter than 1983 you will get wider track and wont get the quadratrac that can be a problem if not maintained

[Angus]

on the surface of it this one would appear a better buy but then maybe just a better written add you would need to look at them both

also depends what you want I prefer to find a less molested CJ myself but if you want a V8 then it has been swapped in and depends on who did the swap

BTW if you can find one latter than 1983 you will get wider track and wont get the quadratrac that can be a problem if not maintained

Thanks Aussie.

I prefer the raised / shorter look to the one you suggested.

Could you give me a quick overview of what you mean by the wider track vs quadratrac? Ive seen it refered to before but didnt know what it meant.

[AussieCJ7]

wide trac mid 82 up US 83 and up Australia the axles are wider can not remeber by how much right now but in the order of 5" much better stability

Quadratrac late 70' to 80 or 81 ?? is a full time chain drive 4x4 case with manual lock up seems to do well in heavier cherokees but is troublesome in the CJ range was only found behind the auto T400 and can be quickly spotted by the switch in the glove box to activate the "emergency drive" transfercase lock up


From 83 onwards you get lighter duty manual gearboxes but the auto's were pretty good TF999 and you get the D300 which is a great transfer case.

Dont let anyone tell you there was a factory V8 offered in Australia as I am let to have anyone prove it and all doccumentation points to 4cyl petrol 4cyl desiel and the 256 I6 with the six being the most common and the best choice. Any V8 will be a conversion.


as to prefering the lifted look do that part yourself as there is some very ordinary lifts out there and you will most likely have to rework it if it was done for looks only

[Angus]

Thanks Aussie - I will keep looking

[cj5350]

this ones is still up for grabs



http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... light=chev

I miss the old girl

[scout392]

Engine 8 cylinder Petrol Carburettor 5.7L (5669cc)

then

powered by a V8 (363 chrysler)unleaded

5.7 sound like a 350 CHEV

363 cubic inch = 5,948.5042571 cubic centimeter OR 5.9 (360 oversised)

Eric

[Angus]

this ones is still up for grabs



http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... light=chev

I miss the old girl

When you say you miss it, does that mean you've sold it and now someone else is trying to ? Where in Sydney are you ?

The reality is that I am probably unlikely to do much 4WD. More want a city cruiser kind of thing that I can do the occasional light off roading in.

Can you email me more pics -> angus @ webdork.com

[Angus]

I guess what I am trying to decide in my own mind is whether I want to get into a 20-30 year old car, or if I should get something more modern and lift it. I do like the shape of the older ones though...

[TOYROX]

That carsales Jeep looks to be powered by a 360.
Chevy's have the dizzy at the rear if I remember correct.

10g would pull me up for it, I know it has been for sale for a long time and started at around 12g. To many TJ's for sale for not much more then that.

It looks good and has had quite some money spent on it, I think it is worth a look at least. .

[Angus]

>> Chevy's have the dizzy at the rear if I remember correct.

Sorry but could you tell a newbie what this means ? A good thing or a bad thing ?

>> 10g would pull me up for it ..

Does this mean you would buy or not buy ?

[Wooders]

IMHO, if you want something for general use and need it relatively reliable, you probably should look at an early model TJ.
Whilst not as "Classic" as the CJ, it WILL be more suitable for those not so "enthusiastic" - especially about working on it

[TOYROX]

Old Jeeps such as this CJ require constant attention to keep the running well, and are best suited to someone with the ability to fix it on the side of the road. (sometimes often) I have a CJ8 and have the spanners out every week end, but I love my CJ (it is a labour of love) and have good ability to fix it and source the parts.
If your mechanical skills are limited you should not venture here.

However do not dispare budding JEEPER!!!
There are some very good buys on TJ Wranglers, and the price seems to be coming down on the older one's all the time. Check out carsales.com
Soft tops seem to be the cheapest and the hard tops harder to find.
A 96 soft top with 100/150k on the clock can be had for about 12k.
Not as Moded as the CJ but more user friendly for yourself maybe.
Hope this helps you out Angus.
Remember-It's a Jeep thing.
Cheers Toyrox.

[Angus]

Old Jeeps such as this CJ require constant attention to keep the running well, and are best suited to someone with the ability to fix it on the side of the road. (sometimes often) I have a CJ8 and have the spanners out every week end, but I love my CJ (it is a labour of love) and have good ability to fix it and source the parts.
If your mechanical skills are limited you should not venture here.

However do not dispare budding JEEPER!!!
There are some very good buys on TJ Wranglers, and the price seems to be coming down on the older one's all the time. Check out carsales.com
Soft tops seem to be the cheapest and the hard tops harder to find.
A 96 soft top with 100/150k on the clock can be had for about 12k.
Not as Moded as the CJ but more user friendly for yourself maybe.
Hope this helps you out Angus.
Remember-It's a Jeep thing.
Cheers Toyrox.

Yeah - thanks for the advice - I am listening / reading everything I can:)

Basically I want a short wheel base lifted soft top. 90% city use. I would like an auto. I do like the look of the CJ7's and not so much a fan of the newer styles.

Heres the story - and maybe someone can point me in a direction

Im currently driving a lowered, suped up Charade which I bought as my first car when I was 20 or so. Its cheap to run, amazingly reliable and I still enjoy driving it. Because its small and has hardened sports suspension its like driving a go cart. Im 34 now and want to go to the other extreme - but I still want a fun car to drive. I started off looking at the Vitaras, but decided they are too small, looked at the Mavericks and they are too big. I then got into looking at SWB softop Pajeros, but Im kinda thinking they are too boring.

I want something that is different and a bit of a head turner - not simply another stock car on the road. I do like the look of the CJ7's (I think), but currently Im now thinking maybe I should get something a bit more practical, and reliable and am looking at the Grand Cherokee's but presume they will be equally as expensive and troublesome to maintain as the earlier jeeps :(

Im somewhat lucky in that money isnt a big issue for the right vehicle, but I want to stay around the $15k or less mark. I have zero mechanical ability as I have always been inner city and in a unit. Id be happy to buy a basic vehicle and say to someone heres what I want it to look like and pay them cash in hand - so if there is a "hobbiest" out there let me know

Anyway - attached are a couple of cars I liked the look of just for variety ...

[Angus]

This Cherokee is probably what I now most like the look of ...

Anyone able to tell me anything about it and what cost I would be looking at as a guestimate ...

[Angus]

This Cherokee is probably what I now most like the look of ...

Anyone able to tell me anything about it and what cost I would be looking at as a guestimate ...

I know its a WJ, but not sure of year or which of the three WJ's it is.

Couple more pics for reference ...

[Angus]

Also like the look of this one as well. I like the rounded back, but not sure of model or year.

[TOYROX]

WJ 2000 and up.
Will cost more then 15k but.
And if you want big wheels will cost as well.
You would have to keep your eyes open to find one for sale already modded.
Beutiful to drive.
You might get a ZJ Grand for around the money you have.
Lifted and bigger wheels they look great as well.

[Angus]

WJ 2000 and up.
Will cost more then 15k but.
And if you want big wheels will cost as well.
You would have to keep your eyes open to find one for sale already modded.
Beutiful to drive.
You might get a ZJ Grand for around the money you have.
Lifted and bigger wheels they look great as well.

Thanks TOYROX. Im still looking

There isnt really a budget for the right car. I wanted to stay around $15k simply because I dont want a car I am afraid to scratch

[AussieCJ7]

Angus

I am a firm beliver that if you own a CJ you need to be prepared to work on it yourself however I have lived in a unit and paid to get all the big work done with minor fiddley things being done myself

as long as your prepared to pay to maintain it and prepared to do all the research for a mechanic and point him in the direction of what you want you dont have to have the skills just costs more


This CJ would be well worth a look http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... hp?t=58021


Any old car takes a lot of passion to own as you WILL have problems but they can be reliable you just have to pay extra care to maintence and address all problems pronto if you know what your getting you will love a CJ7

[Angus]

Thanks Aussie.

I do understand what you are saying.

Ive been looking around for months now. I think I am stuck on the CJ7's
at this stage. I dont like the look of the newer Jeeps either.

Have looked around and everything looks boring by comparison. I do want
a car that Im not afraid to get banged up a bit. When I was in my mid 20's
I almost bought a lifted FJ40. Always liked the wide short wheel base look.
I think that the Jeeps are probably a classier looking vehicle.

I really do like the look of the WJ Cherokee above, but Im guessing I
wouldnt get much change out of $30k and I would want to look after it.
This might sound dumb, but Im kind of turned off the idea of leather seats
etc. I like the idea of a 4WD that I can hose out at the end of a day

So for now I guess I am looking for a soft-top, black v8 350+ unleaded,
auto, non-quadratic, widetrack 1983 (?) or newer CJ7. Prefer one already
lifted and relatively rust free. Budget up to around $15k.

[AussieCJ7]

to lift a grand cherokee (WJ etc) will cost you considerably more and still not give you the style of vehicle your after

I know of a wide track with 350 chev but it is a manual and red in colour. but it is rust free and a weapon off road with twin air lockers etc it would be within your budget but prob not as clean looking as your after but that is pretty easy to work on let me know if your interested I will put you in contact

[Angus]

Def after auto black, and def doesnt need to be clean.

My Charade has battlescars all over it from places it was definitely not meant to go

[Angus]

This Cherokee is probably what I now most like the look of ...

Anyone able to tell me anything about it and what cost I would be looking at as a guestimate ...

Specs for anyone interested:

1999 Grand Cherokee Limited, I6, non UC
2" Daystar BB with 275/70/16 BFG AT KO's
OME SD40 Steering stabilizer and shocks
K&N Drop in, Husky Liners

[CJ Brad]

or there's mine which I am almost prepared to let go for around the price you are looking at ....

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/sho ... light=1983

[Ian]

m8 have you looked at a TJ Jeep?
15G you will get a stocker. do to it what u want.

[Angus]

I ended up buying a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee v8 - approx 145,000 km with standard accessories for $20k approx.

Have driven it now for 3 weeks - nice car.

Next trick is to work out where to get it serviced.