One of our employees is a 20-year Jeep enthusiast and he’s never seen a nicer CJ-7 than this 1981 Renegade. Hundreds of vehicles pass through our showroom each year, and only a handful are as beautifully restored as this awesome Jeep. It’s the real deal, and while you might argue that you know a better one or your brother had one or you were at a show and saw the world’s best Jeep, our point is only that there are very, very few that measure up to this Jeep’s level. It offers V8 power, two tops, great colors, and a long, long list of upgrades and new parts that add up to a figure that’s probably at least twice the asking price. If you want the best, no questions asked, this might just be it.

The gentleman who restored this southern Jeep did it for his wife, and you can imagine how important it was to get it right. As a result, he started with a 100% original Renegade that’s still wearing all its original sheetmetal—no patches, no fiberglass tub, no replacement floors, just OEM steel throughout. It was all straightened and smoothed, probably better than new, and then covered in 2002 Camaro Sunset Orange paint that just glows in the sun. Black Renegade graphics on the hood were painted on and buried under the clear so it’s seamless, and the windshield frame was painted black for a bit of contrast. With the paint dry, a whole bunch of brand new equipment was bolted on, from a pair of EAG bumpers with built-in tow hooks to new chrome hinges, mirrors, and hood locks, to a heavy-duty spare tire carrier out back. Tubular steps make it easy to get in the slightly lifted CJ and there are new rubber fender flares all around that give it an OEM look. Other upgrades include crystal headlights, KC driving lights, and new taillight housings out back. There is literally nothing bolted to this Jeep that isn’t brand new.

Swing open the cage doors (fabric doors and restored matching steel doors are also included) and you’ll find new high-back bucket seats, a tilt steering column, and another long list of new equipment. The entire tub was treated to spray-in bedliner, so it’s durable and low maintenance—just hose it out after a day of playing in the dirt. And again, almost everything you can see or touch is new: all the gauges (including a tachometer), the steering wheel, the knobs and bezels, even the chrome grab handle in front of the passenger seat. There’s a modern AM/FM stereo powering weatherproof speakers in the dash and perched on top of the rear fender wells, and it’s plenty powerful to sound great even in the open air. The rear bench is new and the cargo area behind it is fitted with a custom rubber mat. Go ahead and look—the only part left over from 1981 is the shifter knob for the transfer case.

The CJ-7’s top engine in 1981 was a 304 cubic inch V8 supplied by parent AMC. It’s quite a bit more potent than the original version thanks to a fresh rebuild with upgrades like a 4-barrel Edelbrock carburetor, an upgraded cam in the middle, and an electronic ignition system to light it up. It starts easily, idles easily with a great V8 burble from the fresh dual exhaust system, and pulls the lightweight CJ around without any effort at all. The supporting staff includes a giant aluminum radiator for keeping it cool even going slow, new alternator, fresh wiring, and both power steering and power front disc brakes. Stock exhaust manifolds ensure durability and it’s dressed with corporate blue engine enamel and chrome valve covers. And if you’re curious about the workmanship, check out how neatly finished the underside of the hood is—nobody was cutting any corners here!

Underneath, it’s so clean that it probably won’t be heading out into the mud anytime soon, although the hardware is there if you want to do it. The AMC-sourced 3-speed automatic transmission is a great choice for a Jeep that you just want to get in and go, and it feeds the original 2-speed transfer case. New driveshafts carry fresh U-joints and there’s a rebuilt Dana 30 front axle and fresh AMC 20 axle out back, filled with 3.54/3.55 gears, respectively. The brakes are fully rebuilt, the dual exhaust system is stainless, and there are expensive Bilstein shocks at all four corners so it rides and handles better than you’d expect. Skid plates give it some off-road credibility and there’s a new gas tank hidden underneath in back. Brand new 15-inch chrome wheels look great and carry fresh 31x10.50-15 Firestone radials.

Extras include an original hardtop with tailgate, painted steel doors, removable fabric doors, a bikini top, and a removable soft top. It also comes with the original valve covers and air cleaner assembly so you can take the engine back to an OEM look. This Jeep also includes a rather extensive file of receipts outlining the entire restoration—we’re not adding up the numbers, but it’s probably staggering.

You couldn’t build a Jeep this nice for less than the asking price even if your labor was free. It’s just over-the-top in every way and the number of used parts can probably be counted on two hands. It’s gorgeous to look at and it drives better than most Jeeps we’ve experienced. With great road manners and equally competent off-road abilities, it’s a Jeep that works well almost anywhere. The CJ is a hot collectable, why not take home the best one you’ll ever see? Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.