Factory Tach and clock

[RajahSC]

Hey guys! Just got a new to me CJ7 today. Its a 78. It has a factory tach and clock. I've not seen this on a cj before (Im certainly no expert) but I was wondering if it was rare or was it part of a certain package (appearance group or the like)?
Are they as notorious for not working as the rest of the guages?

It also has what looks like factory underdash lighting. Neither of my 79's have this. 'Course they were pretty ragged when I got them but this puppy is in much nicer shape!

Have I stumbled onto something, or did I just get a nicely optioned jeep?

Thanks for any and all replies. I tried the search feature multiple times but it does not work for me. Don't know whats wrong there.

Have a great evening!

Thanks!
-Chuck

 

[elwood blues]

Hi Chuck,

My '78 also has a tach & an analog clock as well as the under dash lights. The tach and clock were options that were standard on some of the AMC packages, Golden Eagle (mine), Renegade and the later Laredo & Limited models.

I'm not 100% on the under dash lights as they seem to be a bit more hit and miss.

 

[RajahSC]

Thanks for the reply! I guess I was hoping I had found that very thing you have, a Golden Eagle . Mine has had a terrible repaint (red) and it is coming off in big chips all over it but it is originally brown and with those options I was kinda hoping... oh well. It has the AMC 304 and 3 speed .It has vinyl seats (don't know if they're original but they match the back seat) and those aforementioned options. Is there any way to tell if it was a Golden Eagle for sure?

Thanks again for answering questions!

-Chuck

 

[Hedgehog]

Yeah know, there isn't anything really special about the various packages. It's mostly paint, stickers and seat finishes. There isn't anything wrong with any of those things. Some of them are quite nice. But if you have an older CJ that has been repainted, the seats are toast AND you have the driveline package you want or need you are reality no further ahead by having a named CJ. .... I suppose there might be a higher blue book value in a named CJ, but in reality the $ value of your older CJ is in the way it was taken care of. For a while it was thought that a named CJ would be better taken care of than a base model CJ. Therefore worth the extra money. I'm sure that in the beginning that was true, but in the 40 or so years since the CJ has been manufactured life has taken its toll on both named and base model CJ's.
It sounds like you have a decently set up CJ. A big engine, extra gauges a decent Transmission . Tires, rims, seat package, a coat of paint and a sticker package are about all that stands between a base model and a Golden Eagle .

 

[Neuner]

Mine is/was a Laredo and it has the under dash lighting. Shocked that it still works especially after the PO butchered so many other things.

About the only thing left of mine that is still Laredo is the yellow cracked plastic label on the glove box lid. Took out the clock to try and repair with no hope so possibly looking at putting in an aftermarket fuel gauge instead.

 

[RajahSC]

Thanks for the info guys! Well, even if it isn't a Golden Eagle it is still the nicest of the 3 CJ's I have acquired so far. My plan is to take the 3 jeeps and mix and match the best of the parts to create
- :drool:-My CJ7 with all the good stuff and my favorite drivetrain.
Then take the rest and build another for my son. He's helping out with labor and then he gets a free jeep!
Then probably put together the rest of the parts to make a partial jeep and sell it or just part it out but it's parts would be the worst of the 3 so I don't know if it would be worth very much. We'll see

Thanks again for the replies. Tryin to make it on here more often but life just gets in the way. lol

-Chuck

 

[elwood blues]

Is there any way to tell if it was a Golden Eagle for sure?

Unfortunately, no. There's nothing in the VIN that designates option packages on the CJ series. Unless you have a build sheet, or dealership stickers, you're kind of just guessing.

It sounds like you've got a good plan, with lots of options ahead of you, make sure you document it in a build thread