Rebuilt 1980 CJ-7 daily driver?

[SuSpence]

I need a 4wd daily driver vehicle and found this CJ7 on craigslist. Newer vehicles in my price range have pretty high miles. Would a rebuilt CJ be more reliable than a 150K+ mile newer vehicle? Here is the craigslist description:

"I have a 1980 Jeep CJ7 that i have restored over the years. Jeep is hugger orange. The body is nearly perfect and has no rust. Under the body and frame is undercoated black. I have custom rocker steps made out of tubing and are powder coated black. Wheels and tires and 31-10.50-R15 Pro Comp Mud Terrain. Also wheels are original jeep wheels but powder coated black. It has a custom roll cage that is orange as well. It has a diamond plate dash that matches the interior door panels. We did an engine conversion from GM 151 4-cylinder to a 305 small block chevy. Engine is completely balanced and runs smooth. It has an edelbrock aluminum intake with a 4-barrel carb. It has a mild cam and and engine is painted chevy orange and black. It has black edelbrock valve covers with matching air breather. Jeep has matching hard doors with black hard top with tinted windows. Too many things done to list."

http://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_eBzo4JUgcA1_600x450.jpg
http://images.craigslist.org/00x0x_3hQdVLPlK05_600x450.jpg
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/4411742481.html
http://images.craigslist.org/00404_3GvCiNmqu4r_600x450.jpg

 

[mtnwhlr]

If I was in need a 4WD d.d. I would get a Cherokee with a 4.0 they are not expensive and a lot more dependable for a d.d. IMO

 

[Torxhead]

If I was in need a 4WD d.d. I would get a Cherokee with a 4.0 they are not expensive and a lot more dependable for a d.d. IMO

and one that was not custom modified by someone off craigslist.

 

[Neuner]

^^ x2!!

I went through this thought several years ago and gave up on it after serious consideration. Thankfully my wife encouraged me to have both. Even though my CJ was in great condition and the PO did a decent job with it, there are still things that go wrong and I've been left stranded several times. Was always very happy to have a backup. I recently traded in the high-mileage car but I trusted it a helluva lot more than my CJ.

Mine will always be a WIP to keep it my DD and that's just the nature of this vehicle.

 

[Old Dog]

The idea of a rust free jeep from the rust belt has to make you wonder.
Fresh paint and engine swaps are kinda scary to me too.
I would always prefer to build my own, at least that way I know what's going on with it, and how it was built.

 

[Petescj]

If I was in need a 4WD d.d. I would get a Cherokee with a 4.0 they are not expensive and a lot more dependable for a d.d. IMO

For a daily driver the Cherokee is a great 4x4.

The idea of a rust free jeep from the rust belt has to make you wonder.
Fresh paint and engine swaps are kinda scary to me too.
I would always prefer to build my own, at least that way I know what's going on with it, and how it was built.

Id find myself that daily driver Cherokee and then do this.