Which cj7 to buy?

[Boomer Richardson]

This is my first post to Jeep CJ forum. I am going to look at a 83 CJ7 , and a 86 CJ7 . I have owned a CJ5 before years ago, but need help with the decision process this time. going to buy one of these this weekend. No internet back then!! Here is a description:
83cj7, AMC 304 2bbl, HEI ignition, headers and new flowmaster exhaust. Not sure on mileage, Speedometer has been changed out
4speed, I assume original.
Owner says very tall gears, 272"s?
4inch lift
New 35x12.5x18 Nitto trail grapplers with new wheels
smittybilt 10k winch
Rampage front/rear bumpers
No rust or body damage, has hard/soft tops and doors. 11k
OR!
Stock 86 CJ7 with 33's on american racing aluminum wheels with hardtop. Garage kept, never off road. Zero rust anywhere.14k
Will use for mild trails, beach and exploring.Thanks in advance and looking forward to having a jeep again.

 

[mriplaybass]

IMHO, First one sounds like a mall crawler. 35" tires w/2.72 gears? Not much good for off roading. I switched to 4.56 gears w/33's, and according to the manufacturer, 33" tires are the maximum recommended for that gear ratio. Even driving on road, any kind of hill will take it's toll on performance with the setup of the first Jeep. 11K? Is this price, or miles? I assume everything is in pristine condition if the 11K is price. Any rust or damage anywhere would make this price, over priced.
The 86 seems a little more friendly for what you want to use it for. Probably has 3.54 gears which is a little tall for 33's, but for mild off road it should be OK.

 

[hagar]

The 86 could have the factory Dana 44 rear axle.

 

[Boomer Richardson]

The 83 is $11k. Called East Coast Gears to get a price on Dana 44 Limited slip complete rear assembly with Disc brakes and re gear front. Will end up about the same money wise as re gearing the 86 and upgrading to disc brakes. Is there anything else I need to consider that I may be overlooking. both are very clean.

 

[mtnwhlr]

The '83 did not come with a AMC 304 in it so that has been swapped and makes me wonder what else has been changed. I just bought a '78 Levi (Edition) with a AMC 304 that is rust free for $4500 food for thought.

 

[Posi]

My gut feeling tells me your leaning towards the 83.

If I'm spending your money, with very Limited info,

Good chance both the 83 & 86 have 2.73 gearing unless the 86 has optional 3.31
The AMC 304 in the 83 is not stock and it's a lot of engine for the light duty 4 speed Transmission (thinking wear, assuming stock T-4 ). Add the component wear running 2.73 gearing with 35" tires and I'd pass on the 83.

I'm assuming the 86 has easy miles on it never wheeled off road. Last year for the CJ. Stock rear 44 as mentioned, garaged, no rust. Completely stock besides the 33" tires. A stock CJ with 33" tires is perfect for your intended use, I'd go with the 86.

Again, not a lot of info, or maintenance records to go by.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Do you have any SMOG testing to be concerned about, for either?
As a Jeep CJ7 owner for over 32yrs-I would look hard at the 86.
That 83 had a V8 transplant.......
That said, BOTH are WAY overpriced!
LG

 

[hole]

Agree with all the above said, would be looking at the 86. Also agree that the prices for both seem high,but the prices here in SoCal are pretty high on CJ's in general as well. The word "rare" gets worked into a lot of CL ads for CJ's

 

[Petescj]

I'd keep looking. I was looking in the Sacramento area for awhile and saw better deals than your mentioning here

 

[Boomer Richardson]

Thanks for the responses. This is going to be a tough decision. I have either found junk or $20k plus show jeeps. I will post what happens. Is there a difference in the 83 vs 86 in chassis/frame?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Both the same-
Get a detailed driveline description of that '86 and post it up here.
Have the seller send you pictures of the driveline also.
LG

 

[Boomer Richardson]

OK, I have looked all day for the best deal i can find on an 86 CJ7 . Here is what i came up with. 86cj7 I6 4speed original with hard top and doors. second owner, never off road, air conditioning, ready to drive. New carb, etc under the hood. waiting on pics of differentials. Basically stock with 33's and aftermarket wheels. $10k. I have found cj's for a lot less, but it seems they are less than desirable or need major work at the least. Not looking for something that needs tons of body and mechanical work. Thanks again and any suggestions would be welcomed.

 

[HackFabrication]

No real differences between the 83 and 86 chassis or body.

The 83 would not have been stock with the AMC 304 V8. Last year for the V8 was 1981. Curious if they pulled a AMC 304 /T-18 /Dana 20 combo and dropped it in, or simply swapped out the I6 for the V8. I'd definitely want to know what the drivetrain was. Stock 83 would have been either an 'Iron Duke' GM 151 I4, or AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l I6. Transmission would have been either a T-4 , or T-176 4sp, or T-5 5 speed. Transfer Case would have been the Dana 300 . 1983 would have been wide track, so if the axles aren't WT, then I'd be thinking something is also 'fishy'.

Either 86 would be my choice.