Cj7 vs scrambler.

[CJcountryboy]

Hello, new here so try to work with me. I am about to get my first car soon(about to turn 15), and I am stuck between a CJ7 and a scrambler. Its going to be my daily driver but I would also like to go offroad. Does the scrambler have any disadvantages offroad? Can you put a back seat in a scrambler? Which one will be better for me? Thank you.

 

[mtnwhlr]

The Scrambler will be harder to find and cost a lot more because the are a lot more rare. But if you can find one at a good price they do better off road because they have a longer wheelbase. I love to see a young man wanting to get into Jeeping I wish you luck in finding a good one.

 

[jeepboy45]

Jeeps are a little "quirky" at best. They drive a little differently than any other vehicle I've ever been in. Because you are 14, I'd caution you (or your parents) not to have this be your first vehicle. I dont know your driving experience, but to be honest, this is NOT the safest vehicle to have an inexperienced driver in.

My CJ7 was my first car I owned. But I was 19 and had been driving my parents cars for several years. I hate discouraging anyone from owning a Jeep, but I have a 16 yr old, and there is no way I'd support putting him in a Jeep as a daily driver as his first car.

And, as Mtnwhlr said above, the Scrambler is much harder to find than a CJ5 or CJ7 . All 3 have back seats. They get longer from the 5 to the 7 to the 8 (Scrambler) with a little more room in each.

Just my 2 cents..

good luck, be safe
brian

 

[KenB]

Can't speak to the advantage/disadvantage of a CJ7 or a Scrambler, since I've never had a Scrambler. Yeah, Jeeps are a different drive, but that's part of the appeal. The newest one you'll find is at least twice your age, so expect wear and tear. Expect to spend some cash on repairs, not to mention modifications if you decide to go there. And the gas mileage is usually pretty poor, so fuel cost will be a factor. The advantage, IMHO, is that they are basically a simple vehicle, and an excellent introduction to basic mechanics. Safety? No air bags, no crumple zones, no ABS, etc., so you are the biggest safety feature. Choose well, and enjoy.

 

[PaRenegade]

If you can find a decent Scrambler, get it. Merely because they are so few and far between and if you can pump new life into one and keep it going, that's great. Although I kind of do agree with jeepboy. A Jeep can be dangerous if not treated with caution and respect. theres not a lot of room for error.

 

[wondernad]

I bought a CJ7 for my first car when I was 15. I think it'll teach you some basic mechanical skills because odds are you won't find one that someone who knew what they are doing owned. Probably from someone who just knew enough to be dangerous and since it will be at least an 86 you will probably be repairing things here and there. As for it being your first car I think its a good choice and will teach you to always be alert since they aren't like new cars today that basically drive themselves. Good luck with which ever you decide to get. Either way you will love your jeep.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

 

[Manhattan]

Stock vs. Stock - a CJ7 will perform better than a CJ8 . The bed is the 8's Achilles heel. CJ7 guys will stretch the wheelbase, CJ8 guys bob the bed. You see where this is going.

I'd suggest a 7 for your first CJ (whether it's your first car is up to you and your parents). Here's why...
1. For the money, you can get a MUCH nicer, lower mile CJ7 . Yes - if you search diligently and patiently, you can find a deal on an 8. But, that same tact will net a better deal on a 7.
2. 7 Comes with a back seat.
3. 7 will already have some type of top for all 4 passengers - add $1,000 to cover the backseat passengers in the 8.
4. For the money, you can get a MUCH nicer, lower mile Jeep. Yes - if you search diligently and patiently, you can find a deal on an 8. But, that same tact will net a better deal on a 7. (this point was worth repeating )

 

[CJcountryboy]

Thank you for the info. I have been driving on our farm for a long time. I pull trailers, haul hay,etc. We have had at least 6 jeeps in the last 12 years. My dads first car was a CJ5 . Also I am a very careful diver, I have had ATV's for a long time and have never wrecked. Im not like a lot of other people, I take good care of all my stuff. There is a CJ8 that is in good condition about 40 miles from me at 9,900. But there is a CJ7 about 3 miles from me for 8,500. I would like to be able to have the back seat so I could have at least one more person. How hard is it to put a back seat in a CJ8 ? I am still kind of stuck here.

 

[SrBeaver]

As mentioned the back end of the Scrambler is the worst feature, it's nice to have the extra room, but the rear bumper/tire carrier catches on everything, I've had to get pulled off many hills because of this. I stole mine only cause the PO had no clue what he really had (I didn't have the heart to tell him either). I put the rear seat out of my 7 into the Scrambler, just decide where you want it, mark it, make sure you're clear of anything underneath(gas tank mainly), use the feet off the front of the seat to make backing plates, drill holes, bolt in. Seat belts are basicly the same just make sure they have a good sized plate on the bottom og the bed floor. Really it's not bad can be knocked out in an afternoon easily.

 

[gr8dain]

Been wanting an 8 since I was 16. Got one finally at age 40 a couple of years ago. Added the back seat and it came with a full soft top from a previous owner. The search was the hardest part. And as I have yet to wheel it, the rear has yet to be a problem. I love mine for the looks and the rarity.

I agree that It would not have been a good choice for me as a first vehicle. So in 86 I got an XJ instead of the CJ7 or Scout that I was looking at. But after the XJ and the YJ I had later, I was still itching for a Scrambler. Glad I finally got it.

And I agree you will get a better conditioned 7 for the same money. So if the 8 is not something you crave, get the 7. Be safe and enjoy it.

 

[BlueBeast]

Scrambler all the way boy! Sure you can put a back seat in her, but WHY? I'm a firm believer in a two seater truck. I'm no one's taxi cab.
I do feel they are harder to find. I lucked out on Craigslist. I bought mine @ $8500. It came with a lot of work already done to it and a bunch of add-ons.

I have driven a friends 84-CJ7 and I like the way my 82 Scrambler handles both on and off the road.

I'll take some pictures this weekend and send them your way.

 

[bmflyfish]

Where in LA (lower Alabama) are you from? I am in Hoover and just up the street from me is a guy selling a 82 CJ7 in pretty decent shape for half the amounts of the CJ that you quoted. Here is the link for the craigslist ad. http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/2866840472.html. I would drive a few hours for a deal.

 

[CJcountryboy]

Im in foley, about an hour from mobile. That CJ7 looks pretty nice.

 

[bondo258]

If you plan on going rockcrawling, go with the 7.

The longer wheelbase on an 8, leaves you with more breakover issues.

for a DD, blasting down fireroads and the like, I'd go with the 8.

 

[CJim7]

I've always wanted a Scrambler....but for my style of offroading, it would take some work to alleviate departure and breakover angles to even get it close to what my 7 can do.

...I still want one though :drool:

 

[Petescj]

Hello, new here so try to work with me. I am about to get my first car soon(about to turn 15), and I am stuck between a CJ7 and a scrambler. Its going to be my daily driver but I would also like to go offroad. Does the scrambler have any disadvantages offroad? Can you put a back seat in a scrambler? Which one will be better for me? Thank you.

Id like to hear what "offroad" means to you. What type of terrain are you looking at? You can put a rear seat in a Scrambler. There are holes in the bed to mount a standard Cj stationary seat. You can also get a full top for your Scrambler and even get a 3rd row seat in there if you plan correctly.

 

[fishinfool98]

I have had 4 scramblers already.....building a crawler out of an 8 right now. one tone axels and streched front and rear.

as for the 7 i have 2 one is stock and the other has coilovers with oneton axels

it all depends what you plan on doing

 

[CJcountryboy]

I am not going to be rock crawling, there is not very many boulders in south al. I am mainly going to cruise some jeep trails around here. I will just be going through the woods, over some logs, and a little mud.

 

[Bucks86Renegade]

Although I like the looks of a 7 more, the CJ8 would be more useful and valuable.
I'd guess that the CJ8 would appreciate in value more than the 7
Also, you'd have a lot more room in the bed for hauling stuff and people.
Good luck.

 

[Petescj]

In the tight and twisty trails with alot of trees (like some here in Pa) the CJ7 definately has the advantage. Departure angle is alsoa big thing on some trails that have steep inclines/declines that level out rather quickly. That said you can skid plate the rear area and drag it over some obstacles. If you want the best of both worlds and you can find one grab a CJ6

I am not going to be rock crawling, there is not very many boulders in south al. I am mainly going to cruise some jeep trails around here. I will just be going through the woods, over some logs, and a little mud.