1980 CJ7 - Buy or not buy

[tcufrog]

I recently found a 1980 CJ7 for sale that is all original. So original, it has the dealership tag on the back. My main concern is the "cancer" on it due to its Colorado life. The floor boards are rusted through, fenders gone, quarters rusted heavily, body mounts are almost gone, and the rear (near the tailgate) is rusted real bad. The drivetrain is actually solid with the inline 6 and 4 speed. Doors and glass are excellent. Even the original hardtop is not too bad. The seller wants $2600 for it and is pretty firm on it; however, I think it needs a new tub to be honest. I am not real sure if I am getting myself into a major rust-oration. The Jeep was placed on a lift, and I did not see any rust holes in the frame, but it looks rusty. However, the rear cross-member is rusted heavily. Is this a buy or not buy situation. Besides the rust in the floor, the interior looks like your walking back in a time machine. This thing was used but garage kept. No rips or tears in the factory seats with instruments working. Thanks for the help.

 

[rr41mag]

First off can you do body work? Are you able to take the tub off and work on it? Your probably looking at a couple grand for the body work. How bad do you want it? I see that your in Fort worth, I think you should be able to find a jeep in good shape.

 

[PaRenegade]

If it doesn't have any rust.... it's not a Jeep! Sounds like it's got some of the common issues with 30+ year old Jeeps, nothing beyond the norm. It depends on how bad you want to own one of the legends. It WILL need some work performed on it but they all do. If your mechanically inclined and have some tools and space it shouldn't be too bad for you. Sight unseen, it doesn't sound too awful high, considering what your buying but it does seem on the high side. You could figure another $2k for bodywork and paint unless you get bit by the bug...... then it could cost you much more depending on your desires!

 

[RubberDuck]

That seems kind high with that much rust but tough to say without pics. I've found pretty solid jeeps in the $2500 range before with minor mechanical issues. I'd rather deal with stuff like that instead of having to disassemble the body tub. I'd look for a jeep that's lived it's life in Texas.

 

[cwacj7]

i pick one up 600 bucks. rusty wisconsin all else was good ran nice 1986 Dana 44 auto 6 all for parts for a 1982

 

[Jimbos76cj]

too high for me.. if you can find a decent tub in the $500 range and fenders average $AMC 150 a pair for rust free metal ones, then look at the cost of repairing or replacing the frame. you looking at about abother $1500 in repair not to mention time of doing the swaps and fixes. I would stay far from it and I buy jeeps in peices.. sounds like your in for a head ache.

 

[mtnwhlr]

If it drives good down the road runs good and has a hardtop and doors with just rust in the tub I would offer him about $2300 max imo

 

[Jimbos76cj]

If it drives good down the road runs good and has a hardtop and doors with just rust in the tub I would offer him about $2300 max imo

He also goes on to say the body mounts ae rotted and rear of the frame by the cross member.. and as we all know theres about 3 times as much that you cant see.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Yea but the hardtop and a good set of doors are about 1200 and if it tracks good down the road the frame is pretty good motor Transmission transfer and axels are in good shape it's sounds like it just needs a tub. Easy fix to find a good rust free CJ7 with a hardtop and doors you are going to pay big bucks.

 

[IOPort51]

find a native Texas jeep. some rust is going to happen but you should not have to replace the tub. spend a bit more and get a lot more, be patient.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Yea but the hardtop and a good set of doors are about 1200 and if it tracks good down the road the frame is pretty good motor Transmission transfer and axels are in good shape it's sounds like it just needs a tub. Easy fix to find a good rust free CJ7 with a hardtop and doors you are going to pay big bucks.

wow.. the price for tops and doors are alot higher in colorado. Ive picked up sets of rust free good working doors here in FL for as low as $75 and never paid more then $AMC 150 . I know of 2 sets going for $100 at the moment. Tops here you may get $300 for. I guess its different depending on market.

my last CJ that I bought that needed new tub, and frame repair I paid $500 for.. As it stands now I have no more then 3000 in it and it looks like this



It should be done in a few more weeks. AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , Dana 300 , J-10 44 front, AMC20 rear, 3:55 gears and locker, 4' lift 35' tires. the axles and family roll bar are not in the picture. maybe Im just more thrifty then other when it comes to buying/building Cj's

 

[PaRenegade]

Hardtops and especially full doors go for a premium in the snowy winter (read road salt) states.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Around here I have seen A good factory hardtop on craigslist for a 1,000 and A good set of doors with no rust for as much as 500. People are willing to spend a lot to keep to cold out in the winters.

 

[tcufrog]

Well, I found a 1979 CJ7 Levi (Edition) edition (white and blue with a tan top). It has a AMC 304 and 81k original miles. The Jeep is actually 100% original - literally - and never beat up or taken off road. A really good find, but I only had it for 4 days until I started tearing it down for a complete frame off.

 

[mtnwhlr]

Glad to hear you found a good Jeep. Keep us abreast on how it's going.

 

[IOPort51]

See, I told you. Buy Texan, you can't go wrong.

Well, I found a 1979 CJ7 Levi (Edition) edition (white and blue with a tan top). It has a AMC 304 and 81k original miles. The Jeep is actually 100% original - literally - and never beat up or taken off road. A really good find, but I only had it for 4 days until I started tearing it down for a complete frame off.