Info on 1983 Jeep CJ7

[TxBowHunter]

Hey guys, new to the forum and possibly to off-roading in general. I've always wanted a Jeep, but just couldn't justify ever purchasing one, at least not as my daily driver.

My neighbor has an old 1983 Jeep CJ7 that has sat up for the past 6 years. I hit him up today about purchasing the Jeep from him, and he responded by saying to make him an offer. Of course I'd love to pick it up for $500 bucks, but I'm not foolish enough to think that will happen. I don't have a ton of information on the Jeep, and have yet to look under the hood or really check it out yet.

A little information on the Jeep:

* Sitting on 35" Cooper Discoverers
* Lift kit installed (unknown if body or suspension or what size)
* Blown engine (was told it threw a rod)
* Has been driven at the beach and shows minor rusting as proof
* Clear coat is peeling on hood
* Comes with soft top only
* Seats and interior appear to be in good shape
* Front winch installed (unknown size or whether it functions)
* Possible hole in gas tank (he said a relative punctured it while driving it last)


I will try and get additional information on the Jeep tomorrow, and some additional pictures. But I was hoping you pro's could give just a ball park idea of what I should offer the guy for the Jeep.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

WELCOME
If it's been sit'n on that flat for long, that tire is dead.
When you own a Jeep, you really need to know how to wrench-it.
Do you wrench?? I don't mean just do'n an oil change-
You need to price a new engine(if it did 'throw a rod' it may not be rebuildable.
What tranny does it have?
Get the VIN number and you can GOGGLE how to de-code it to see what it left the factory with.
Have the mice gotten to the wiring?
Need more info before anyone can SWAG a price.
LG

 

[caveman]

I noticed the paint is bubbling in the usual rust areas. Just in front of and behind the door. Check inside the tub where the bubbling is and see if it has gone through the metal. They can be repaired, But it can be a point in considering the price.
With all the problems that you mention and the obvious ones in the pics I wouldn't think the price would be very high.

 

[hole]

If it were my neighbor I'd sit down with him with a 12 pack of his favorite beer, and after drinking them all I'd offer him $500. You might be surprised at the outcome, and at least have a starting point. I wouldnt go more than $1k. Be prepared to drop $2500- $5000 depending how far you want to fix everything.

 

[Woolyworm]

If I ever move in next to hole I'll make to be paying attention when he brings beer over [emoji6]


Wooly

 

[jdcaples]

Welcome to the forum!

Check out craigslist.org for prices in your area, just to get an idea of what they're going for in their various states of restoration/(dis)repair.

If you're going to make it your daily driver, you'll want to know it from bumper to bumper - all of its weak points - to have confidence in it and be able to affect repairs as needed. While parts are cheaper for CJs than modern vehicles, they aren't free and aren't always of the best quality (check out the threads of instrument cluster gauges for instance).

I recommend reading as much as possible, esp www.junkyardgenius.com

<snip>
When you own a Jeep, you really need to know how to wrench-it.
<snip>
LG

Now he tells me.

-Jon

 

[thunderlizard66]

I recently purchased an 83 CJ7 I paid 700$ it wasn't running, has rust issues, interior was roached and tires were bald, cracked.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Any updates from the OP??
LG

 

[hdgapeach]

Any updates from the OP??
LG

Wondering the same thing.......

Reckon he was a victim of the "new member lockout" syndrome that seems to prevail on this site? I've seen a bunch of posts lately from users that keep having to re-register with a new name and password after their initial post.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

IF that is the case-WHY can't that c'it get fix'd?
How many folks do we have to loose for no reason----------
I would love just to rec. Email notice for responses.
LG

 

[hdgapeach]

IF that is the case-WHY can't that c'it get fix'd?
How many folks do we have to loose for no reason----------
I would love just to rec. Email notice for responses.
LG

Yeah, me too! Been so long since I received any email notification, I completely forgot about having it once upon a time.