One Family Owned: 1986 Jeep Renegade CJ-7
The Jeep franchise is one of the most successful in all of automotive history. From Willys-Overland’s commercialization of its military jeep for civilian use in the 1940s to the modern-day luxury Jeeps by Stellantis (formerly known as Fiat Chrysler), millions have been sold. The endurance of a model through decades and multiple manufacturers is a strong endorsement of the Jeep’s appeal. Multiple owner’s clubs can be found in every one of 48 states as well as D.C. (in Nebraska or Iowa you’ll have to start your own club). The CJ-7 was a result of competitive pressures emphasizing comfort, a trend that Ford and Chevy were already addressing in the truck market. AMC knew it had to evolve the CJ-5. A 10″ longer wheelbase with an upgraded suspension for improved driveability gave the new CJ-7 a more civilized demeanor. Its wider doors and optional hardtop enhanced the package. Here on eBay is a 1986 Jeep Renegade CJ-7 owned by one family, used regularly, and showing 74,000 miles. Spirited bidding has reached $14,200 and there is no longer a reserve. This Jeep can be driven away from Groveland, Florida.
The Renegade package was first offered in 1970 and through the years included, variously, a range of higher-performance engines versus the base four-cylinder, all-terrain tires, beefier suspension, and special graphics. This Jeep has the AMC 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder with a five-speed manual and Dana 300 transfer case. The seller indicates that the motor starts and runs without smoking, the transmission shifts well, and the four-wheel drive mechanism works as it should. I could wish for a spiffier engine bay, but the new buyer has to have something to do.
The interior is in fine shape. Minor wrinkling here and there and one tear in the passenger seat are the only flaws. The seller says the top has never been off, and the glass is clear. The dash shows off the 85 mph speedometer, about all this vehicle can muster on the road. Unfortunately, the original radio has been replaced by a Clarion. The seller indicates that all gauges and lights work.
The underside is as clean as my own 2018 Jeep, maybe cleaner. The seller doesn’t say but the exhaust looks new. The original paint is said to be in excellent condition for its age, with just a couple of small blemishes. Finding an unmolested original example of any CJ is akin to stumbling upon a unicorn as many of these have been customized, driven to death, or at least lost many factory parts. Prices for nice CJ-7s can reach tens of thousands, as this example illustrates. What do you think it will take to win the bidding on this one?
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Comments
“Stellantis”, pfft, I’m reminded of the Simpsons episode where Homer designs a car. His half brother Herb( Danny DeVito) is appalled by the names his college eggheads come up with. It’s a nice Jeep, no doubt, and don’t kid yourself, it’s not like ’64 GTOs, there are a LOT of Jeeps. Many bought on a whim, or towed behind the “Ultimate Behemoth”, and the front gears still have the nubs on the ringset, and the 4wheel drive lever froze,,meaning it was never used. Naturally, I’m a YJ person, and the CJ7 was almost there. It still had roll tendencies and the wider track of the YJ helped a lot. This was the last gasp, and the YJ, which was an AMC creation, not Chrysler, like I thought, came out in ’87, but was being developed before that. No disappointments here, I doubt you’ll find a nicer one. I’m tired of preaching, you pay what you want for one.
I had a CJ7 and everything that you said is right! I almost rolled mine & got rid of it. If anyone wants one, good luck!
Nice.
Lorenzo Lamas, Renegade.
“The listing was ended by the seller because the item is no longer available.” A nice CJ7 and probably sold outside of the ebay listing. Michelle is right—clean, original, unmolested CJ7’s are not easy to come by.
Not easy to come by at all. Let’s hope the new owner keeps this one that way.
Hi NHDave, well, not here( Colorado). You know how it is, when you have a Jeep, you notice all the Jeeps. CJs are quite plentiful, mostly 5s, a couple 7s, even a 6, I’ve seen. There’s a dealer in my town that rents Jeeps and has several CJs, but you are right, not many 7s. The reason, we have to remember, the CJ7 by 1986 was pretty dated, and everyone knew a the Wrangler was on its way, and sales were poor, VERY poor, even though, it was the most refined CJ. The ones that are around, have been turned into mud slingers and rock crawlers, so to see one like this is rare.
I didn’t think they made an ’86, I thought it went from ’85, alright to ’87??? I could be wrong, but I had an ’85, and loved the hell out if it!!!
I didn’t think they made an ’86, I thought it went from ’85, alright to ’87??? I could be wrong, but I had an ’85, and loved the hell out if it!!!
Yes, they made ‘86s.
The white roof is nice for heat reflection. My JK “had” a black uninsulated roof and I could feel my head baking in the summer. I rattle-canned the freedom panels white and it made a night n day difference