The Cj-7

The Cj-7

Petescj

Member
Lifetime Supporter
Posts
23,038
Thanks
147
Location
PA
Vehicle(s)
1982 CJ-7 258 / T-18 / Dana 300 31 in All Terrains.
1978 CJ-7 304 / TH 400 / Quadratrac 32 in Mud Terrains
The last CJ , the CJ-7


_981121.jpg

A clean Renegade model from

img_1139_1024x768.jpg

member Old Dogs modified CJ-7

In 1976 a new model was added to the Cj line , the CJ-7. The CJ-7 would be produced from 1976 to 1986 when the last CJ rolled off the assembly line. The CJ-7 was born out of ever increasing government regulations and AMC wanting the Jeep to appeal to a broader base of customers. It would be the only short wheelbase Jeep offered when the CJ5 was phased out in 1983. Two of the most noticeable characteristics that set the CJ-7 aside from the CJ5 are a slightly longer wheelbase at 93.5 inches along with the larger "U" shaped door openings.
Engines

rdcratemotor_151.jpg
jeep-232-engine.jpg
258_marcaurell.bmp

jeep_304.jpg

There were quite a few factory engine options tucked under the hood of the classic Cj-7 model. Pictured in order are the R D crate motors version of the later 151, the 232 6 cylinder from jpmagazine.com and its successor possibly the most popular CJ engine the 258 from member marcaurell. The 304 8 cylinder from the CJ3b page was also a popular option.


Drivetrain

Since the CJ-7 was born in the 1976 model year transmission options stretching to the 1986 version were abundant. The 3 speed version was the Tremec T-150. From 1976 to 1979 possibly the most prized 4 spd version was offered in the Warner T-18. The Borg warner T-4 and Sr-4 along with the Tremec T-176 round out the rest of the 4 spd. manuals. Also available was the Borg warner T-5.

All those manual transmissions weren't the biggest news drivetrain wise for this new CJ-7 model. For the first time ever a CJ was offered with an automatic transmission. A GM TH-400 with an AMC bellhousing was mated to your CJs engine along with a full time 4wheel drive transfer case from Borg warner known as the Quadra Trac option. The Quadra Trac option was a full time four wheel drive chain driven Borg Warner unit only used behind this transmission. It had an optional four wheel low that was a bolt on unit.

The Quadra Trac lasted from 1976 - 1979. In 1980 two new automatic transmissions were available , the Chrysler TF 904 behind the 4cylinder while the Chrysler TF 999 backed the 258 engines.

From 1976 to 1979 the CJ-7 received a strong gear driven Dana 20 transfer case. From 1980-1986 CJ-7s relied on a more compact but just as strong Dana 300 transfer case.

All CJ-7s used the Dana 30 front axle. All CJ -7s except for a few 1986 models used the AMC Corporate 20. The few 1986 models without the AMC Corporate 20 received a Dana 44 rear axle.

Versatile top options

cj7_acme_top_flea_bay.jpg

acme top from Ebay.com
p1040292.jpg

Soft top hard doors member 4x4 crossboss
http://www.jeep-cj.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=8847&c=3
aa.jpg
Hard top hard doors
after_header_install__4.jpg
Soft top and soft doors by member @Dandee

While hardtops were offered for earlier models the CJ-7 series was the first to receive the fiberglass top we're accustomed to today from the factory. Also new were full steel doors with roll up glass windows. Mixing and matching components gave CJ owners more options than ever before.

General Information

Production numbers by year are as follows: 1976 -21,016 , 1977 -25,414 , 1978- 38,274 1979 - 55624 1980 - 38,183 1981 - 27,767 1982 - 23,820 1983 - 37,673 1984 - 42,644 1985 - 43,315 1986 - 25,929 That puts the total number produced at 379,659

Enthusiasts
1985cj-7springeditionside.jpg


Looking for a restoration or collectors CJ perhaps? How about a Spring Special
that was only available for a few months in 1985 as shown in this ad from Collins
Bros. shop in Texas.

pictures_513.jpg

Maybe a tasteful Resto-mod like member sifd4x4's 83 Laredo?
img_3532.jpg

A clean eye popping green CJ-7 like member 7D8CJ7's?

_958624.jpg
4_jeep_cj7__sam_patton_rock_crawling_petersons_4wd.jpg

You may even want to go all out and build yourself a rock crawling machine like these. Here are 2 CJ-7s from Petersons 4wd Ultimate Adventure. How do you envision your CJ-7 ? Clearly the choice is yours.
 

Jeep-CJ Donation Drive

Help support Jeep-CJ.com by making a donation.

Help support Jeep-CJ.com by making a donation.
Goal
$200.00
Earned
$0.00
This donation drive ends in
Back
Top Bottom
AdBlock Detected

I get it, I'm a Jeep owner and ad-block detectors kinda stink but ads are needed on this site. This is a CJ site, all the ads are set for autos (some times others get through.) I cannot make them just for Jeeps but I try.

Please allow ads as they help keep this site running by offsetting the costs of software and server fees.
Clicking on No Thanks will temporarily disable this message.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks