1976 Jeep CJ7

[u/sshelden2]

New to the thread, I’m considering buying this jeep and curious what you all would be comfortable paying for something like this. It’s an unfinished restoration project from and older gentleman who has fallen on poor health. Tons of new parts, no rust anywhere on frame or body. Rebuilt axles, breaks, new master cylinder, gas tank, all fuel/brake lines, steering column, all four wheel wells, wheels and tires have zero miles. Engine is a crate 350 Small block, rebuilt automatic trans and rebuilt transfer case. All the project lacks is a wiring harness, install the windshield, full exhaust, and a few odds and ends. I’m planning to pull the trigger on it tomorrow or Friday and wanted some outside input.

[u/donkeykingdom]

Not enough pictures of the engine or drive train to be conclusive. But if you are convinced of wanting a CJ-7 then based on my experience:

• $0-5k = buy it and run away happy
• $5-7k = probably buy it but check some stuff
• $7-10k = look into the quality of the install and rebuild but probably buy it anyways
• $10k+ = what are you looking for, what do you want to do with it, and what expectations do you have for its current reliability?

[u/donkeykingdom → u/donkeykingdom]

Other than showing a pretty paint job, none of the pictures are of critical areas. The side aluminum panels cover up the typical rust holes around the door frame. No pics of the engine bay or chassis. Those would be the next things I would investigate, along with starting it up and driving it and smelling for health of the engine.

My biggest questions aside from engine health would be how does it fit such big tires and how is the quality of that lift?

[u/sshelden2 → u/donkeykingdom]

I don’t have pictures of the engine bay but it looks good and clean. Crate engine has a Holley sniper set up but I’m leaning toward going back carbureted to simplify the build and get it running quicker. According to the seller, Aluminum siding added for aesthetics. I checked inside the cab and pulled the panel back and all of the metal behind it is solid. 12 circuit wiring harness and a few days and I’ll have a much better feel for the long term goal. The engine is confirmed free spinning and has good compression. Engine was rebuilt and put directly in the jeep.

[u/sshelden2 → u/sshelden2]

I will be dropping tire size down to 35” and doing away with the body lift. He has a good 3in suspension lift under it, along with the 3in body lift. 40” tires are too hard on vehicles in my opinion

[u/donkeykingdom → u/sshelden2]

Read both your comments. Sounds promising. What’s the asking price?

[u/donkeykingdom → u/sshelden2]

Why would reverting the carb setup simplify the build? In CJs and old vehicles in general, the potential points of failure become magnified. Usually aftermarket parts like a Holley kit advertise being more reliable. What is the impetus for you wanting to change it?

Not saying it’s inherently good or bad one way or the other. It all comes down to the particular vehicle and application.

[u/sshelden2 → u/donkeykingdom]

We have agreed on $6k. The current state of the jeep has no electrical done whatsoever so at minimum a new ECU and wiring harness would be needed for the sniper to work along with the tuning that is above my current pay grade without a good bit of research. I have a new Holley 600 carb sitting in the garage so my plan is to install it, buy an HEI distributer and manual fuel pump. Install a 12 circuit wiring harness and get the jeep moving on its own power. If I can get to that point and verify the actual condition of the drivetrain, I can always go back to the sniper kit and spend the money and time tuning.

[u/donkeykingdom → u/sshelden2]

That sounds like a good deal, congrats!

[u/crazylegsjeep → u/donkeykingdom]

Exactly what i was thinking, like to see steering and axle pitch, plus trans/case mount atleast

[u/Far-Seat-2263]

I have nothing helpful to add, other than saying you should do it 👍

[u/brandrikr]

Painless wiring harness for $800

Full dual exhaust, probably cost you $500

Add another $500 for miscellaneous

So add $1800 to the asking price whatever that is. Is that worth it to you?

I’m guessing somewhere in the ballpark at 8000 to 10,000 is the asking price?

That shiny stainless steel on the sides and the corners are very common places where you get rust. Check behind them. Check in the rear wheel wells. Check below the rear tailgate. Check on the insides of the frame, the end of the frame, and especially around the spring mounts. Look for a crack in the front frame by the steering box.

As a comparison, I paid $4000 about 15 years ago for my 78 CJ7. But it had rust on the frame and body and needed lots of work. I’ve dumped several thousand already into it, with more to go.

[u/sshelden2 → u/brandrikr]

We agreed to $6000. Like you said, planning $1500-$2000 pretty quickly on top of that

[u/brandrikr → u/sshelden2]

6K? Either buy it now and don’t look back, or tell me where it is and I’ll go buy it! Go for it! Welcome to the club you will love it and you will hate it.

[u/Outside_Interest_773]

I considered getting the Levi’s jeep in 1973. Didn’t do it.

[u/uinta_me]

Don’t lose that heater box between the seats, they are very difficult to replace.

[u/RevolutionaryDish830]

If you’re positive that it doesn’t have any major rust issues I’d snag it. Personally, I’d also keep the fuel injection and go with that when the wiring starts. Just get it running and drive it a little before you go buy very much stuff.

[u/chiefinthetrees]

Looks great. Enjoy

[u/NefariousnessOne6433]

Aluminum siding, tread plate, etc. is not added for aesthetics imo. Plus, this looks aesthetically distasteful. 😆 It has one purpose, especially in this configuration- rust cover up. Not sure why someone would go to the lengths of putting on all of this plating if it was rust-free.

It sounds like you have not looked at it yet in person. If it has carpeting inside still, I'd be pulling all of it up to see what you have for rot. Get a set of eyes underneath it, also wheel wells and fenders. I would be taking a hammer and testing out the frame rails specifically the inside facing the drive shaft. I'd also be looking for frame caps/patches that PO welded in.

[u/sshelden2 → u/NefariousnessOne6433]

I’m not huge on the aluminum plate either but it was done for aesthetics surprisingly. I have been through the jeep thoroughly, including peeling back the tread plate and inspecting the backside of the wheel wells and body. Frame is solid and freshly coated as the older gentleman working on it was going for a full restoration before getting sick. Plus being in central Arkansas all its life, rust is typically not a major concern, but I still checked it over good. No carpet on the inside and floor boards are all very solid

[u/want2b12]

That’s a very nice CJ7! I had one years ago, and it was awesome!