| Jeep CJ 7 |
| With a continued success nearly 20 years after US production and sales ended, the CJ 7 is still a very popular and sought after vehicle. Not only does it provide a fun weekend vehicle, it can, with some accomodation, provide a vehicle for small families to make commutes as a daily driver. I current own a CJ 7 of which has been in my family since its first purchase. I hope for many years of conitnued success with driving and fun. Hit with a slew of directed attacks the short wheelbase jeeps, more specifically the CJ 5, but also including the CJ 7, a redesign of this legend took place and resulted in the 1987 model Jeep Wrangler. Interestingly enough the early Wrangler shared much of its design features with the CJ series albeit now had square headlights. Looking back on it, I think this was an excellent idea. The YJ, or the first incarnation of the Wrangler, was essentially a CJ 7 with some slight modifications, new axles and bolt patterns, a slightly shorter stance (lower) with stiffer anti-roll bars. This provided a vehicle that was less capable in stock form off road, but did satisfy the vultures yearn for the dicontinuation of the CJ series. Of course I am partial in referning to these people, as the CNN/Datline/60 mintues special (whatever it was) targeted the Jeep CJ series for its roll over tendencies with ignorant drivers or extreme circumstances, while leaving out the more vulnerable Izusu Rodeo/Montero and other similar styled vehicles. This one program helped quickly decline sales enough to cause the expediation of a model revamp. In essence a CJ 7 is a CJ 5 Stretch. Its wheelbase is 10 inches longer (with the CJ 8 being ten inches longer than the CJ 7), with most other things remaining the same. The door opening is more "square", whereas the CJ 5 has a more "S" shaped door opening. The only major model change was the addition of a Wide Trac vehicle (this became the standard) after 1979. Also, this is where the smog equipment showed up (1980). Engines over the years varied with the venerable AMC 258 (4.2L) making its mark. Though not a rev happy or high on horsepower, it was known for it's "brute torque." Its torque peaked at 210 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm, with most of that avaiable right from idle. Though the effective rpm range ended at around 3500 rpms and the redline being posted at 4500 rpm, this jeep remained pretty peppy and a fun vehicle to drive. 80's model CJs (by mid-1980s only the CJ 7 was left) were plagued with the Carter BBD carburator. Connected to this carb is a slew of vacuum lines just waiting to dry rot and cause acceleration and ideling problems. We suffered for years with this problem, though in hindsight, I could have fixed most of it with relative ease (a new carb). Other possible iterations of carb choice is the MC2100 (ford carb used in the 300 I6 and 302 V8). Lifting a CJ is usually relatively inexpensive (at $500 with shocks, pitman arm, etc) and straighforward. Engine swaps are prevelant and readily avaiable as well. |
| My Jeep Comparitive Analysis: Here are pictures I used for comparitive analysis for possible future upgrades, color schemes, etc. I will try to group them accordingly [exterior first, interior second]. I know it is more user friendly to post thumbnails; however, with limited disk space. Every thumbnail makes this page size increase, while still leaving the actual picture file (and its size) counted in the disk space. I can then give more information without having needed file space taken up by thumbnails... whew! Pictures: Patriot Blue CJ ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) 1980 CJ7 mint condition CJ7 4" lift 77 CJ 83 CJ7 3.5" lift 33's ( 2 ) ( 3 ) 85 CJ7 4" 86 CJ7 2.5" 31s 15x8 rims _(2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) CJ7 Garnet Red CJ |
| Transmission Options / Drivetrain Options Stock Upgrades |
| Engine Performance and mods stock engines (with output) How to make more efficient, and more power Tips you can use yourself |
| Suspension and Lifts (tires/wheels) The stock setup consist of 4 leaf springs, two front, two back. This facilitates easy aftermarket upgrades. |
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