Ready for Adventure: 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle
Jeep shares one trait with many manufacturers: It enjoys a history of releasing various trim packages across its existing model range. One such variant is this 1979 CJ-7 Golden Eagle. It presents well for a largely original and unrestored vehicle of this type and age, and its excellent mechanical health will allow the new owner to indulge in off-road adventure to their heart’s content. The Jeep has generated reasonable interest since the seller listed it here on eBay in Kenmore, Washington. Bidding sits below the reserve at $8,050, although there is a BIN option of $21,000 for those wishing to bypass the auction process.
Jeep produced the CJ-7 between 1976 and 1986, with the Golden Eagle an integral part of the range from 1976 until 1980. Our feature CJ-7 rolled off the line in 1979, and its condition is noteworthy for a largely original and unrestored vehicle of this type and age. It wears its original Alpaca Brown Metallic paint that retains a pleasing shine. It isn’t a mirror shine and is patchy in a few spots, but there is no reason why it requires a refresh unless the new owner seeks perfection. The decals are crisp, with no evidence of checking or other problems. One notable upgrade was the seller’s recent decision to replace the fender flares. These are prone to damage and deterioration, and bolting on a new set has lifted the overall presentation. The best news is the Jeep’s lack of rust problems. The floors feature their original paint, with no attempt to apply a coating that could hide nasty surprises. This classic rolls on its original color-coded wheels with Black stripes, and their condition is as impressive as the rest of the exterior. The seller includes a new Bestop full soft-top and doors, while the bikini top and half doors add to its versatility. Rounding out the package is a functioning Warn 8632 winch.
Some readers may be disappointed to lift this Jeep’s hood and find the engine bay doesn’t house the 304ci V8. That isn’t necessarily bad news because the 258ci six isn’t a bad motor. It produces 97hp and 195 ft/lbs of torque. With both figures peaking low in the engine’s rev range, the 258 is ideal for crawling across harsh terrain. The original owner teamed the six with a four-speed manual transmission, a Dana 20 dual-range transfer case, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller recently installed an HEI ignition, but otherwise, this CJ-7’s drivetrain is as it left the factory. They confirm that the transmission is smooth, the transfer case works as it should, and that the Jeep runs and drives perfectly. For those feeling the call of the wild, this Golden Eagle is ready to take you there.
One attraction of off-roaders like this Jeep, compared to more luxurious models, is that they typically feature low-maintenance interiors. The new owner won’t need to contend with carpet that becomes stained and dirty as mud finds its way inside during off-road adventures. The floors are painted steel, and washing away the muck will be pretty straightforward. One nod to comfort is the Levi’s seat trim, which adds a luxurious feel to an otherwise basic interior. The back seat is original, although the fronts are recently installed aftermarket items. The seller includes another set of correct buckets if the buyer prefers originality. They converted many dash lights to LED operation and fitted a retro-style stereo and speakers. The interior is neat and tidy and has no apparent needs.
Choosing the best candidate for off-road adventures can be challenging, and some enthusiasts prefer to undertake such journeys in comfort and luxury. However, vehicles like that can often isolate the occupants from Mother Nature’s pleasures. This 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle provides a more involving experience, which is why they remain a popular choice. This one isn’t perfect, but its condition still allows it to turn heads. It has attracted thirteen bids, a figure far lower than I would typically expect. The situation may change as the end draws near, but are you tempted to add to the total? With summer fast approaching, I will understand if you do.
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Comments
Oh, I love these posts, makes me proud to say I’m “one of them”. What’s that you say, “one of them”? Our motto is, “if I have to explain, you wouldn’t understand”, and is true, but could apply to many things. I don’t know about you, but anytime I see a “Golden Eagle” Jeep, one actress comes to mind, Daisy Duke. ( Catherine Bach) I believe the 1st shows had the “Golden Eagle” name, but suggestive situations caused Jeep to demand they remove the name, and it became “Dixie”, her catch name for the Jeep instead. No matter, she was the star, not the Jeep. To many, a Jeep may just be a Jeep, but I look at this, and compare it to my highly refined YJ, this is still a glorified army Jeep. Nothing wrong with that, but my advice if you’ve never driven a CJ, go easy. It’s easy to get in trouble with a CJ. Don’t get me wrong, for an army Jeep, it’s a heck of a cushy army Jeep, and the best CJ to come down the pike. Jeeper wannabes, you can’t go wrong here and will find out what that “thing” is. Hey, Toyota Highlander drivers don’t wave at each other,,,.
Yeah, the Jeep Wave. I am so over that…yeah, I used to be a serial Jeep owner. But time moves on, and so have I.
Jeep had its moment in the sun; and that moment came in time to keep AMC alive for 15 years longer than it otherwise might have lasted. Now it’s just another name, owned by a foreign multibrand maker that seems to care little for its US-based product line.
And the Jeep cult is fading. Partly because the WWII vets (including my own father) who drove and loved the original Willys army jeeps…they’re gone. The 1970s kids, who saw Jeep rebranded as a cool playtoy, rather than a service-station tool…we’re aging out.
This is a piece of history – however rough it is. But who among us are ready to re-live that history? There are some. But our numbers are dwindling.
GLWTA.
Yarrr, tis’ true, matey. To be clear, newer Jeep owners like new Rubycorns and such, don’t wave, but any Wrangler driver will wave at another. Motorcycles and truckers used to be the same way, a nod of approval, but why bother now? I tend to disagree, I always thought Jeep was a thorn in AMCs foot, and had plenty of cars to keep them afloat. People had their fill of CJs, and Chrysler changed all that with the YJ. With the Asian offerings, and Bronco/Blazers, the CJ was horribly outdated, and I remember, you couldn’t give one away in the early 80s.
21000?its a freak8n jeep!
Jeeps go for a lot of money these days.
If I lived closer, I’d go take a look at this CJ. CJ-5 is closer to an M-38, and the CJ-7 has an extra 10 inches of wheelbase over a CJ-5, which helps in the stability department. The roll cage and winch are nice additions. It appears to have a bit of rust beginning by the driver side footwell, which isn’t too bad, considering how CJs are inclined to rust. This might be worth close to the asking price.
If I lived closer, I’d go take a look at this CJ. CJ-5 is closer to a military M-38, and the CJ-7 has an extra 10 inches of wheelbase over a CJ-5, which helps in the stability department. The roll cage and winch are nice additions. It appears to have a bit of rust beginning by the driver side footwell, which isn’t too bad, considering how CJs are inclined to rust.
Twelve inches longer than the M38 and M38A1 (military CJ-5). The military jeeps had 81-inch wheelbases; after 1972, the CJ-5 was stretched two inches to accept the AMC six. The 7 was stretched another ten inches to give room “inside.”
The rust is repairable – worst case is, you can buy a new body-tub, steel, aluminum or fiberglass. You can even replace the frame, either with a similar ladder frame or tubular.
Question is, is a rig needing such work, WORTH $8k
I had a 78 CJ7 with the 304 and 3 speed manual when i was in college back in the early 90s. Miss it.
I had a 79 CJ5 black Golden Eagle with a 304 and a 3 speed in college back in the late 90’s. I daily drove that thing. I kind of miss it, but the way people drive today….I might get over it if I had it back. I bought it for $3500. I had to have the engine rebuilt (burnt valve, but I had them go through the whole engine) and a clutch put in it when I got it. I sold it for $5500 around 5 years later – needed to pay off the house lot and start building. Still have the house, at least!
The 4 speed in this one is most likely a 3 speed with a double low first gear that you’d never use on the road. I much prefer the V8 over the 258 six. I’ve owned both. I always wanted a CJ7, but had two CJ5’s. I owned a YJ for a bit too. I didn’t see the YJ as all that much more refined than a later model CJ7.
I’d still love to own another one, or a YJ, but they’re pricey when they’re in decent shape.
I have to take exception to that last. The YJ was greatly refined over the CJ-7.
Why? The weak points on the CJ were, axle lateral movement on the leaf springs; the height, relative to the axle width; the weight of the engine over the nose.
The YJ used Panhard rods to hold axle position, and what a great improvement. The wider YJ axles (two inches, IIRC) coupled to a dropped frame, made it a lot more stable – and less likely to lift and sway at speed. The then-new Jeep four-cylinder was shoved up against the firewall – and all of the engine was behind the front axle. WIth the six, some of the engine would be forward, true; but perhaps less than with the CJ.
With the four in there, a driver, on-road at highway speeds, really felt the change in handling, over the four.
A different steering gear was probably used, too, although I haven’t looked it up. The old AMC-era CJs with PS used Saginaw variable-ratio steering boxes. Those were always vague on center. The 1993 YJ I had, had none of that feeling.
Nice jeep unlike the crap stellantis makes today