A mud-caked CJ-7 hardtop on big mud tires, with a roof light bar, parked on a riverbank below a mesa

JEEP CJ-7 · AMC ERA · 1976–1986

Jeep CJ-7

CJ-7AMC 258 4.2 I6DANA 30 · AMC 20DANA 20 / 300 · QUADRA-TRAC93.5 IN WHEELBASE

“The CJ-7 is the classic Jeep that still makes sense: a longer wheelbase, real doors, AMC's unkillable 258 six and a gear-driven transfer case. It's also a 40-year-old steel tub on a frame that cracks by the steering box, so bring a magnet and a hammer when you go to look at one.”

PART 01

Overview

Where it came from, why it matters, and how it changed year to year.

The story

American Motors bought Kaiser Jeep in 1970 (for $70 million by Wikipedia's account; Jeep's own history says about $75 million), and in 1976 it gave the little CJ-5 a bigger brother. The CJ-7 sat on a 93.5-inch wheelbase, ten inches longer than the CJ-5's, and Jeep says the extra length was there to make room for an automatic transmission. The side openings were squared off to take doors, and for the first time a Jeep CJ could be ordered with a molded plastic hardtop and steel doors. It ran for eleven model years, and Wikipedia counts 379,299 built.

THE AMC RECIPE

Under the tub, the CJ-7 has two parallel C-section frame rails, stepped outward at the rear so the springs and shocks sit closer to the body, with leaf springs at both ends. The front axle is an open-knuckle Dana 30. At the back is AMC's own Model 20, which has a big 8⅞-inch ring gear but thin 29-spline shafts, each made of two pieces: a hub keyed and nutted onto the shaft. Wheels use the old CJ bolt pattern of 5 on 5.5 inches.

The engines came from AMC. Early trucks had the 232 straight six as standard, with the 258 optional until it became the base six for 1979. The 258 is the one owners talk about: cast iron, seven main bearings, hydraulic lifters and enough low-end torque to idle up a hill. Offroaders.com lists it at 110 hp and 195 lb-ft in 1979–81, then 115 hp and 210 lb-ft from 1982 with a computer-controlled Carter BBD two-barrel. The 304 V8 was offered until 1981, choked by smog equipment to 125 hp by the end. From 1980 a GM 151 'Iron Duke' four was standard, rated at 82 hp. JeepCJ.com's buyer's guide tells you to skip it.

GEARBOXES, TRANSFER CASES AND QUADRA-TRAC

Early trucks (1976–79) got a three-speed T-150 or the Borg-Warner T-18. From 1977 the T-18A had a 6.32:1 granny first, and Offroaders.com calls it the best transmission the factory ever put in a CJ. Behind it was a Dana 20 with a feeble 2.03:1 low range. The alternative was Quadra-Trac, a Borg-Warner 13-39 chain-drive full-time system bolted to a TH400 automatic. It had a vacuum-operated 'Emergency Drive' lock and an optional bolt-on low-range unit (2.57:1). Jeep had introduced Quadra-Trac on its full-size trucks in the early 1970s (the 1973 model year, by Wikipedia's dating), years before the Grand Wagoneer name existed.

For 1980 everything changed. The Dana 300 arrived with a 2.62:1 low range, and Novak Conversions calls it the 'gold standard' of transfer cases. It came with lighter Borg-Warner gearboxes: the SR-4 in 1980–81, then the T-4 and five-speed T-5 from 1982. Novak's verdict on those is 'essentially a small car transmission in a truck'. The tougher choice was the Tremec T-176 four-speed (1980–86), and a Chrysler TF999 three-speed automatic replaced the TH400.

WIDE TRACK, GOLDEN EAGLES AND LAREDOS

In 1982 the axles grew. The narrow-track AMC 20 measured 50.5 inches wheel to wheel, and the wide-track version 54.5 inches, which made the CJ-7 noticeably more stable. AMC also understood showroom bait. The Renegade ran the whole production life. The Golden Eagle (on the CJ-7 from 1977 to 1980, tied to the 304 V8 per Wikipedia) added a tachometer, a clock and the big Golden Eagle decals; a white 1980 CJ-7 Golden Eagle named 'Dixie' became famous as Daisy Duke's Jeep on The Dukes of Hazzard. The Laredo (1980–86) brought high-back leather seats, a tilt wheel and a chrome package.

The collectible ones are the Limited, built in 1982–83 (2,500 of them), and the 1982 Jamboree. That was 630 numbered CJ-7s, each with the 4.2-liter six, built for the 30th anniversary of the Rubicon Trail.

LAST OF A GREAT BREED

The CJ's reputation took a hit in December 1980, when 60 Minutes aired an IIHS rollover demonstration of a CJ-5. AMC green-lit a replacement in 1982, and the Wrangler YJ was designed to be more comfortable on the road and harder to flip, with track bars and anti-roll bars. It was unveiled in February 1986 and went on sale on 13 May 1986. The last CJ-7s carried a dash plaque that read 'Last of a Great Breed', and by then AMC 20 supplies had run so low that some 1986 trucks left the factory with wide-track Dana 44 rear axles.

The CJ-7 has outlived its replacement's reputation. AMC was working with Renault by the end, and Chrysler took over Jeep in 1987. The CJ-8 Scrambler, the YJ and the TJ all owe it something. Against its 1970s rivals, the FJ40 and the Series Land Rover, the CJ-7's case in the US was cheap parts, easy modification and a huge aftermarket, and that case still holds: almost every part is still reproduced.

SIDEBAR · THE CJ-7 AMERICA NEVER GOT

Isuzu diesels and Canadian Army Jeeps

From 1980 to 1982 AMC built an export-only CJ-7 diesel in Ohio. It had Isuzu's 2.4-liter C240 four, a T-176 gearbox, a Dana 300 (Wikipedia says some reportedly got a Dana 20) and, typically, narrow-track axles with 4.10 gears.

In 1985 the Canadian Army took delivery of 195 militarized CJ-7s, codified as Equipment Configuration Code 121526. They were a stop-gap between the retirement of the M38A1 and the arrival of the Bombardier Iltis, so the CJ, born of a military Jeep, ended up back in uniform.

A dark green CJ-7 with a soft top and front winch climbing a rocky ledge, its front tires high on boulders — CJ-7 · ROCK LEDGE

A CJ-7 with a bikini top and diamond-plate corners climbing a dusty forest trail — CJ-7 · MT HOOD NATIONAL FOREST

Year by year

What changed, model year by model year. Sweet spot Beware

1976CJ-7 launches on a 93.5 in wheelbase with doors, optional molded hardtop and steel doors, and optional full-time Quadra-Trac (with the TH-400 automatic). Dana 20 transfer case, narrow-track Dana 30 / AMC 20 axles
1976–1981AMC 304 V8 available (3.55 axles); it goes away after 1981, leaving the 258 six as the top engine
1977Golden Eagle package (304 V8) arrives, running through 1980
1979The 258 six replaces the 232 as the standard engine; last year of the Dana 20, Quadra-Trac, the T-150 and the T-18
1980Dana 300 transfer case replaces the Dana 20 on every CJ-7; Laredo trim debuts; Golden Hawk sticker package for one year. Export-only Isuzu C240 diesel runs 1980–82Sweet spot
1982Wide-track Dana 30 front and AMC 20 rear replace the narrow-track axles; 630 numbered Jamboree Editions and the 1982–83 Limited (2,500 built)Sweet spot
1985Canadian Army takes 195 militarised CJ-7s as a stop-gap between the M38A1 and the Iltis
1986Final year; some late trucks get a wide-track Dana 44 rear in place of the two-piece AMC 20 as supplies run out, and the last run wears the 'Last of a Great Breed' dash plaqueSweet spot

PART 02

Specs & capability

How it’s built, what it can do, and what fits under it.

How it’s built

The CJ-7 is old-school body-on-frame: a steel tub on six body mounts, leaf springs at all four corners, a part-time gear-driven transfer case (or the full-time, chain-drive Quadra-Trac option until 1979), a Dana 30 front axle with locking hubs, and AMC's Model 20 rear axle. Everything bolts together with hand tools, and almost every part is still made.

CHASSISTwin C-section rails, 93.5 in wheelbaseThe rear section is stepped out to bring springs and shocks closer to the body. Check for cracks around the steering box.

FRONT AXLEDana 30, open knuckle, 5 x 5.5 inDiscs were optional in 1976 and standard from 1977. Six-bolt hubs to 1980, a weaker five-bolt Warn hub from 1981 to 1986.

REAR AXLEAMC 20, 8⅞ in ring gear, 29-splineKeyed two-piece hub-and-shaft design. Narrow track until 1981, wide track from 1982; some 1986 trucks got a Dana 44.

TRANSFER CASEDana 20 → Dana 300 (1980)Low range is 2.03:1 in the Dana 20 and 2.62:1 in the Dana 300. Quadra-Trac (BW 13-39, full-time, chain) was optional from 1976 to 1979.

ENGINESAMC 232 / 258 I6 · 304 V8 · GM 151 / AMC 150 I4232: standard six 1976–78. 258: optional, then the base six from 1979; 110–115 hp from 1979, carbureted throughout. 304: until 1981. The four was standard from 1980.

TRANSMISSIONST-150, T-18, SR-4, T-4, T-5, T-176, TH400, TF999The T-18A granny four-speed (1977–79) and the T-176 (1980–86) are the strong ones.

Variants & engines

YEARS	PLATFORM	ENGINE	OUTPUT	WORTH KNOWING
1976–1979	CJ-7 (narrow track)	232 I6 (std to '78) / 258 I6 / 304 V8	232: 100 hp / 185 lb-ft · 258: 110 hp / 195 lb-ft ('79) · 304: 150 hp ('76–'78), 130 hp ('79)	T-150 or T-18/T-18A with Dana 20 (2.03:1 low), or TH400 with Quadra-Trac BW 13-39. The 258 became the base six for 1979.
1980–1981	CJ-7 (narrow track)	GM 151 I4 (std) / 258 I6 / 304 V8	151: 82 hp / 125 lb-ft · 258: 110 hp / 195 lb-ft · 304: 125 hp / 220 lb-ft	Dana 300 arrives. SR-4, T-176 or TF999 auto. Last year of the 304 is 1981.
1982–1986	CJ-7 (wide track)	151 I4 ('82–'83) / AMC 150 I4 ('84–'86), 258 I6	258: 115 hp / 210 lb-ft (computer-controlled BBD)	Axles 4 inches wider. T-4, T-5, T-176, TF999 or TF904 auto. The 258 is the only six.
1982–1983	CJ-7 Limited	258 I6	As above	2,500 built. In 1982 there was also the Jamboree, 630 numbered trucks marking the Rubicon Trail's 30th anniversary.
1980–1982	Export diesel	Isuzu C240 2.4 I4 diesel	—	Built in Ohio for export only. T-176, Dana 300, 4.10 gears.
1986 (late)	CJ-7, last builds	258 I6	As above	AMC 20 supply ran out and some trucks got a wide-track, 30-spline Dana 44 rear with flanged one-piece shafts (Offroaders.com puts the change between serials ending 049379 and 054173).

Capability numbers

Wheelbase93.5 in (2,375 mm)

Curb weight2,707 lb (1,228 kg)Wikipedia figure; varies with engine and top

Axle ratios3.55 (304 V8) · 3.73 (258 six and 150 four) · 4.10 (diesel)Wikipedia's figures; Offroaders.com gives 3.54 (1976–79) and 2.73 (1980–86) as the common ratios, so read the axle code

Wheels & tires

FACTORY TIRES

205/75R15235/75R15

Bolt pattern5x139.7 (5x5.5")

Center bore108 mm

Lug thread1/2"-20

LIFT	BIGGEST TIRE	WHAT IT TAKES
Stock	31x10.50R15	Jeep-CJ.com consensus on a 15x8 wheel; one owner reports 32x11.50s with 'very little rubbing', but 32s generally need tired springs. Stock gearing and brakes feel it
2.5 in	33x12.50R15	Fits for mild use; reset the steering stops or the tires hit the leaf springs at full lock, and expect contact when the suspension is stuffed
4 in	33x12.50R15	The comfortable trail setup for 33s (one 4 in owner still wanted more stuff room); regear from the stock 3.55 or 3.73 ratios

Forum consensus, not a guarantee: wheel offset, tire brand and suspension wear all change clearance. Confirm before you buy.

Production & special editions

Eleven model years of production, ending with a dash plaque that called it the last of a great breed.

Total built379,299 (1976–1986)

Military195 militarised CJ-7s for the Canadian Army, 1985 (Equipment Configuration Code 121526)

Golden Eagle1977–1980304 V8 package with eagle decals

Golden Hawk1980One-year sticker package, shared with the CJ-5 and Cherokee

Laredo1980–1986Highback leather buckets, tilt wheel, chrome bumpers, grille cover and mirrors; later trucks add a tachometer and clock

Limited1982–1983Luxury model, 2,500 built; 258 six with T-5 or automatic

Jamboree Commemorative Edition1982630 numbered trucks marking 30 years of the Rubicon Trail Jamboree: 560 Topaz Gold Metallic, 70 Olympic White

Last of a Great Breed1986Final trucks carry a collector's dash plaque

PART 03

Buying one

What to pay, what to check, and how to tell a good one from a clone.

What they cost

The busiest classic-Jeep market on Bring a Trailer. Original-engine Laredos and Renegades with the T-5 or T-18 and honest tubs set the pace, and swapped V8 and LS builds sell well if they're done right.

Project / needs work$5k–12k

Driver$13k–26k

Excellent / low-mile original or quality restomod$28k–58k

Compiled from Bring a Trailer CJ-7 results in October 2026 (about 83 sales, median around $19,000, middle half roughly $13,500–26,500). Swapped 401-, 5.3L- and LS-powered builds cluster in the mid-$30k to low-$40k range. Recheck current results before relying on these figures. Prices move; checked October 2026. See live listings below.

What to check before you buy

01
Frame first, everything else secondJeepCJ.com's buyer's guide starts with the frame. Probe the front and rear spring-shackle mounts, where mud blocks the drain holes in the boxed rails, the area behind the rear wheels, and all six body mounts. The guide says to check them with a hammer and screwdriver.
02
Look for cracks around the steering boxThe guide says the area around the steering box is one of the most common places for a CJ frame to crack, especially on lifted trucks or trucks on big tires. Look for fresh paint, weld beads or splice plates and ask what was done.
03
Tub, floors and windshield frameCheck the rockers, rear corners, wheel wells, the area under the roll bar and the floor; lift any carpet. The bottom of the windshield frame and its hinges rust, often from a leaking defroster. On 1982–86 wide-track trucks, check the front-fender shock towers, which trap water.
04
Know which gearbox you're buyingA T-18A (1977–79) or T-176 (1980–86) is what you want. The SR-4, T-4 and T-5 are light-duty Borg-Warner boxes that Novak says suffer from sheared splines and stretched cases behind the 258. Check the casting number on the driver's side: 13-32 or 13-40 for an SR-4, 13-51 for a T-4, 13-52 for a T-5.
05
Inspect the AMC 20's two-piece shaftsOn a stock CJ rear axle the hub is keyed onto the shaft and held with a big nut. If the nut loosens, the key shears and that wheel stops driving. Look for one-piece axle shafts in the receipts, or budget for them. Read the gear-code stamp on the housing to the left of the cover.
06
Quadra-Trac trucks need a testOn gravel, try high and (if fitted) low range and listen for chain noise. The JeepCJ.com guide says the chain stretches, possibly to the point of jumping teeth, if the oil level wasn't kept up. Quadra-Trac trucks have drive plates instead of locking hubs, and the vacuum 'Emergency Drive' control locks the center differential; check that it engages.
07
Listen to the carburetorStumbling and stalling at idle usually means a Carter BBD with clogged idle tubes, and its tangle of emissions vacuum hoses is the other usual suspect. Not a deal-breaker, but price in a clean-up or a Weber or EFI swap.
08
Electrics and emissions bitsDuct-tape splices, wire nuts, Scotch-locks and foil-wrapped fuses are warning signs, and most CJ electrical faults come down to rusty grounds. If your state inspects 1980s trucks, check that the TAC air cleaner, EGR, PCV and air-pump hardware are still there; the guide notes air-pump pulleys and brackets are hard to find.

Spotting the real thing

CJ-7s have been re-engined, re-axled and re-badged for 40 years, and plenty of 'Renegades' and 'Laredos' are sticker jobs, so trust the VIN, the axle tags and the body measurements over the decals.

ID
Body and wheelbase93.5 in wheelbase, 55 in windshield, about 81 in from the door hinge to the rear of the tub, and a 'U'-shaped door opening rather than the CJ-5's inverted 'S'. A CJ-8 looks the same up front but has a 103.5 in wheelbase and a longer rear.
ID
VIN format1976–80 trucks carry a 13-character Jeep VIN; 1981–86 use the 17-character federal format. On 1981–86 VINs the 4th character is the engine (B = 151 Iron Duke, C = 258 six, H = 304 V8, U = AMC 150 four, F = Isuzu diesel), the 5th the transmission/transfer case, characters 6–7 read 87 for a CJ-7, and the 10th is the model year (B = 1981 … G = 1986).
ID
VIN plate locationsMain riveted tag on the driver's side firewall near the master cylinder; a partial VIN is stamped on the passenger-side frame rail above the rear wheel. Make sure the tag and the frame stamping agree: a mismatch can mean a swapped tub or a salvage rebuild.
ID
Axles1976–81 narrow-track Dana 30 / AMC 20; 1982–86 wide-track versions; a factory Dana 44 rear only on some late-1986 trucks (and, per Offroaders.com, on some Quadra-Trac trucks as a narrow-track, offset Dana 44). Any other Dana 44 under a CJ-7 is probably an aftermarket swap.
ID
Special editionsThe 1982 Jamboree has a numbered dash plaque (630 built: 560 Topaz Gold Metallic, 70 Olympic White) and, per Wikipedia, is the only numbered AMC Jeep. The Laredo added highback leather buckets, tilt wheel and chrome bumpers, grille cover and mirrors; Golden Eagles were 304 V8 trucks.

Recalls & service bulletins

Open recalls follow the VIN, not the model. Run yours through NHTSA before you buy, and ask the seller for dealer records showing recall work.

Check a VIN at NHTSA ↗

Notable recalls

Steering gear ↗1976 · NHTSA 76V-034Campaign on the steering gear box of 18,858 1976 CJ-5 and CJ-7s; NHTSA's online record names the component but carries no defect summary.

Electronic ignition wire connectors ↗1976 (campaign covers 1975–76 Jeeps) · NHTSA 78V-065Connectors could not carry enough current for the electronic ignition control.

Transmission adapter-plate seal ↗1976–1978 · NHTSA 78V-039A mis-seated seal could let gear oil migrate from the manual transmission into the transfer case; 96,933 CJs covered.

Intermediate steering-shaft coupling ↗1978 · NHTSA 78V-049Oversized serrations could stop the coupling clamping properly to the steering-gear shaft, causing free play.

Tie-rod adjuster clamp bolts ↗1979 · NHTSA 78V-243Loose clamp bolts on the connecting-rod adjuster tube could shift the steering-wheel position and risk loss of steering.

Transmission-to-transfer-case gasket ↗1979 · NHTSA 79V-070Wrong gasket could block lubricant flow and damage the manual transmission.

Rear seat-belt buckles missing ↗1981 · NHTSA 80V-158Some Jeeps got two tongue-end rear belt halves and no buckle, so the rear belts could not be fastened.

Automatic throttle-control rod spring ↗1981 · NHTSA 81V-015Improperly installed spring could make the throttle close slowly.

Manual transmission first-gear lubrication ↗1982 · NHTSA 82V-125Factory-fill gear oil might not protect first gear; covered 1982 CJ-5, CJ-7, Cherokee, Wagoneer and J-trucks.

The one you’ll own someday

For sale now

1976–1979 · USCJ-7 narrow track · Dana 20 / Quadra-Trac

AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗

1980–1981 · USCJ-7 narrow track · Dana 300 · last 304 V8s

AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗

1982–1986 · USCJ-7 wide track · Laredo, Renegade, Limited

AutoTempest ↗Bring a Trailer ↗

PART 04

Owning one

Baseline service, the repairs you’ll actually do, and where the manuals live.

Post-purchase baseline

After you buy it

Assume a 40-year-old CJ-7 has had nothing done unless there are receipts, and remember that three owners ago someone probably swapped the gearbox, carb or axle. Identify what you actually have first (Dana 20, Dana 300 or Quadra-Trac; which transmission; narrow or wide track), because the fluids differ. Then change every fluid, repack the front bearings and grease every zerk.

Engine oil & filter (258 I6)About 6 qt including the filter, per a 1984 CJ-7 owner's manual quoted on JeepCJ.com · ExtremeTerrain lists 5W-30 or 10W-30 for CJ enginesThen every 7,500 mi or 7.5 months after a first change at 5,000 (1981 Jeep factory schedule). Many owners use 3,000–5,000 mi on an old carbureted six

Owners report 5 to 5.5 qt reaching FULL depending on the pan and filter, so fill to 5, run it, then top up on the dipstick. The 304 V8 takes 5 qt and the 2.5 four takes 4 qt (ExtremeTerrain). The MFK16 and MFK18 kits below are for 304 and 2.5L trucks, not the 258.

Parts

Oil filters and oil, 1983 CJ-7 4.2LRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown MFK16 master filter kit (oil, air, fuel), 75–81 CJ 304 V8Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown MFK18 master filter kit (oil, air, fuel), 80–83 CJ 2.5LQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Air filter & thermostatic air cleaner (TAC)Paper element in the factory TAC housingInspect at every oil change

Check the TAC flapper and its vacuum hose while the lid is off: the BBD and its emissions plumbing run poorly with a stuck flapper or split hoses.

Parts

Air filters, 1983 CJ-7 4.2LRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Fuel filterIn-line filter, 4.2LReplace now; the 1981 factory schedule replaces it at 12,500 mi, then every 15,000 mi

Rust from an old tank clogs the filter and the BBD's idle circuits, which is often the real cause of a 'carb problem'.

Parts

Crown J3229443 fuel filter, 74–90 CJ/YJ 4.2LQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Spark plugs, cap, rotor & wiresPlug part numbers change by year: Crown 4318137 for 1978–80 4.2L, 4318138 for 1981–90Replace now, then every 30,000 mi (1981 Jeep factory schedule)

Fresh ignition parts are the cheap first step before blaming the carb.

Parts

Crown 4318137 spark plug, 78–80 CJ 4.2LQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown 4318138 spark plug, 81–90 CJ/YJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Distributor cap, rotor & wires, 1983 CJ-7RockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Coolant, hoses & thermostat50/50 conventional (IAT) green coolant · 258 (4.2): 10.5 qt · 304 V8: 14.5 qt · 151 Iron Duke: 7.8 qt · AMC 150: 11 qt (ExtremeTerrain)Flush now. The 1981 factory schedule changes coolant at 12,500 mi or 12.5 months, then at the start of each winter season, keeping a 50/50 mix

Old CJs run warm with partly blocked radiators. Flush the block, replace both radiator hoses and the thermostat, and pressure-test the cap.

Parts

Fairchild FCH1025 upper radiator hose, 80–83 CJ-5/CJ-7Quadratec (Fairchild) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Fairchild MCH1043 lower radiator hose, 75–86 CJ-7 4.2LQuadratec (Fairchild) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Thermostat & gasket, 1983 CJ-7 4.2LRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Drive beltsBelt type depends on year and accessories [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]Replace now if cracked or glazed

Inspect the air-pump and power-steering belts too; air-pump brackets are hard to find, so don't lose them.

Parts

Drive belts, 1983 CJ-7 4.2LRockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Manual transmissionT-176: 80W-90, about 1.7 L · T-18: 80W-90, 3.25 qt · SR-4: 80W-90, 1.5 qt · T-150: 80W-90, 1.4 qt · T-4/T-5: ATF+4, 2 qt (ExtremeTerrain)Drain and refill now

ExtremeTerrain lists the T-176 as '3.5 quarts / 1.7 liters'; the liter figure matches 3.5 pints, so fill to the plug rather than by volume. Some owners run synchromesh fluid in T-4s. Check the casting number on the driver's side before you buy fluid.

Parts

Yukon 80W90 conventional gear oilQuadratec (Yukon) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Automatic transmission (if fitted)ExtremeTerrain lists ATF+4; the 1981 Jeep factory manual specifies Dexron or Dexron II for the 999 and 904 · TF999/TF904: 3 qt service fill · TH400 (Quadra-Trac trucks): 6 qt service fill · TH400 is a GM unit: confirm fluid type [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]Pan drop, filter and refill now, then every 25,000 mi (10,000 mi in heavy-duty use) per the 1981 factory schedule

A service fill replaces only part of the fluid, so do a second drain-and-fill if the old fluid is dark or burnt.

Parts

Transmission filter & pan gasket, 1983 CJ-7RockAuto ↗ · Amazon ↗

Transfer caseDana 300: 80W-90, 2 qt · Dana 20: 80W-90, 1.6 qt · Quadra-Trac: Quadra-Trac formula fluid, 2.25 qt (ExtremeTerrain). The 1981 factory manual specifies SAE 85W-90 GL-5 for the Dana 300Drain and refill now

Quadra-Trac's chain stretches when the oil is low or old, so don't skip this one. Check the Dana 300's output seals while you're under there.

Parts

Yukon 80W90 conventional gear oilQuadratec (Yukon) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown 300GK Dana 300 seal kit, 80–86 CJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Front axle (Dana 30)80W-90 gear oil (ExtremeTerrain; the 1981 factory manual specifies SAE 85W-90 GL-5) · 1.25 qt (ExtremeTerrain)Drain and refill now

Check the axle U-joints for play while you're at the knuckles.

Parts

Yukon 80W90 conventional gear oilQuadratec (Yukon) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown 8126637BC front axle U-joint, 76–95 CJ/YJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Rear axle (AMC 20)80W-90 gear oil (ExtremeTerrain; the 1981 factory manual specifies SAE 85W-90 GL-5) · 2.4 qt · add 4 oz of limited-slip additive for Trac-Lok (ExtremeTerrain). Late-1986 Dana 44: 2 qtDrain and refill now

Read the gear-ratio and Trac-Lok code stamped left of the cover while it's clean, and check that the hub nuts on two-piece shafts are tight.

Parts

Yukon 80W90 conventional gear oilQuadratec (Yukon) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Yukon OILADD friction modifier for limited-slipQuadratec (Yukon) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Front wheel bearings & hubsRepack with high-quality wheel-bearing grease · inner nut to 50 ft-lb to seat, back off, then set 0.001–0.005 in end play (manual figures quoted in an Off-Road.com thread) · outer locknut 50 ft-lb with the lock-washer lip bent over (1981 Jeep factory service manual)Repack now, then every 30,000 mi (15,000 mi in heavy-duty or off-road use) per the 1981 factory schedule, and after any water crossing deep enough to cover the hubs

Hubs are the weak five-bolt Warn type on 1981–86 trucks. Quadra-Trac trucks have drive plates instead, and hubs shouldn't be fitted unless the case has been converted to part-time.

Parts

Crown SET45 front outer wheel bearing kit, 76–86 CJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Crown SET47 front inner wheel bearing set, 77–86 CJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Brake & clutch fluidDOT 3 for the brake master cylinder and, where fitted, the clutch master cylinder (ExtremeTerrain)Flush now, then per the manual [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]

Rubber hoses on a CJ are probably original. 1982–86 trucks use crimped hose-to-steel-line assemblies, so check them for cracks.

Parts

Crown RT31016 stainless brake hose kit, 82–86 CJQuadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗ · Amazon ↗

Power steering fluidPower steering fluid +4, or ATF+4 if unavailable (ExtremeTerrain)Check now; replace if dark

Watch the steering box as someone turns the wheel. If the box moves, inspect the frame for cracks before you blame the box.

Parts

Search power steering fluid for the Jeep CJ-7Amazon ↗

Grease pointsChassis grease at every zerkAt every oil change

Driveshaft U-joints and slip yokes, steering joints, and greaseable shackles if fitted. CJ leaf-spring pivots that have been neglected squeak first and then wear out their bushings.

Parts

Fishbone Offroad greaseable shackles, 76–86 CJ-7Quadratec ↗ · Amazon ↗

For the hands-on owner

Common repairs

The jobs owners actually end up doing, rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Always confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, and work safely — support the truck on stands, never just a jack. You do this work at your own risk; see the disclaimer. Some parts links are affiliate links.

Convert the AMC 20 to one-piece axle shafts

DIFFICULTY · 3 / 5TIME · ≈ A day, plus tube welding if you do itSHOP COST · Offroaders.com puts one-piece shafts at $350+

SYMPTOMSA clunk under load, a rear wheel that suddenly stops driving, or a hub that wobbles on its shaft. The key between the shaft and the pressed-on hub shears once the big hub nut loosens. Or you've simply bought a CJ with original two-piece shafts and bigger tires.

THE FIXPull the drums, the hub nut and the hub (this needs a proper hub puller), then the backing-plate bolts, and pull the old shafts. Buy the kit for your axle: narrow track for 1976–81, wide track for 1982–86. Install the new one-piece shafts with the bearings and seals supplied (some kits need a special bearing), set the end play, and refit the brakes. While the axle is apart, JeepCJ.com members suggest stitch-welding the tubes to the center section, using three 1 to 1.5-inch welds rather than a continuous bead, to stop the thin tubes from twisting.

TOOLS & PARTSHub puller · slide hammer · 1/2 in breaker bar · dial indicator for end play · welder (optional) · 80W-90 gear oil.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSCrown RT23007 AMC 20 one-piece axle shaft kit (76–83 CJ-5, 76–81 CJ-7, narrow track) · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Crown RT23008 AMC 20 one-piece axle shaft kit (82–86 CJ, wide track) · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Omix 16536.07 AMC 20 one-piece axle bearing & hardware kit (76–86 CJ) · Quadratec (Omix-ADA) ↗Amazon ↗Omix 16534.03 outer axle seal, AMC 20 one-piece axles · Quadratec (Omix-ADA) ↗Amazon ↗

Repair a cracked frame at the steering box

DIFFICULTY · 4 / 5TIME · ≈ A weekend, or a day at a weld shopSHOP COST · Steel and welding wire; several members recommend paying a weld shop

SYMPTOMSSteering that wanders or clunks, a steering box that moves when someone turns the wheel with the engine running, or a visible crack in the driver's frame rail near the box. Lifted trucks and trucks on big tires crack more often.

THE FIXFind the end of the crack and drill a small hole there to stop it spreading. Remove the box, clean the rail to bare metal and weld the crack. Then add splice plates: one owner cut 1/8-inch plate long enough to extend a few inches past the crack on each side. One member's advice is to weld the top and bottom in intermittent beads (about 1 inch of weld, 2 inches of gap) and leave the plate ends unwelded, because welds concentrate stress. Several owners say their DIY MIG repairs failed next to the welds and a weld shop's held. Add a steering-box brace to tie the box to the opposite rail, and replace any rotted frame sections with weld-in repair pieces.

TOOLS & PARTSDrill and bits · angle grinder · welder (or a shop) · 1/8 in steel plate · clamps · torch for normalizing (optional).

WHERE TO BUY PARTSRust Buster front center frame section, 76–86 CJ-5/CJ-7/CJ-8 (weld-in, 11 ga) · Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗Crown J5363231 power steering box, 80–86 CJ (if the box is worn out too) · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Steering box brace, CJ-7 (search) · Morris 4x4 Center ↗

Clean the Carter BBD idle tubes

DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · ≈ 1–2 hoursSHOP COST · A can of carb cleaner and a pair of venturi gaskets

SYMPTOMSStumbling and sputtering at idle, stalling at stop signs, poor fuel economy, or an idle that someone has turned up to hide the problem. Offroaders.com says the most common cause is clogged idle tubes letting fuel drip from the venturis, so it runs rich.

THE FIXWith the engine idling and the choke open, look down the carb: fuel dripping from the venturi nozzles at idle means the idle tubes are clogged. Engine off. Remove the air cleaner (tag the hoses), the choke-plate screws, the choke-rod clip and screw, then the two screws holding the venturi cluster, and lift it out with its two gaskets. Spray everything with carb cleaner without dislodging the center check ball, clear the idle tubes and nozzles with fine wire, and reassemble with every body screw tight. The article says Jeep once recommended drilling the idle tubes to 0.032 in to stop them clogging again. If it still idles badly, look for split vacuum hoses and intake leaks before blaming the carb.

TOOLS & PARTSScrewdrivers · snap-ring pliers · carb cleaner · fine wire · masking tape for labeling hoses.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSCarter BBD rebuild kit & gaskets, 1983 CJ-7 4.2L · RockAuto ↗Amazon ↗Weber K551-38-S 38-DGES carburetor kit, 72–90 CJ/YJ 4.2L (replacement option) · Quadratec (Weber) ↗Amazon ↗Holley 550-858K Sniper EFI BBD master kit, 71–86 CJ 258 (EFI option) · Quadratec (Holley) ↗Amazon ↗

Replace rotten floor pans and body mounts

DIFFICULTY · 4 / 5TIME · ≈ A weekend or more per sideSHOP COST · Panels are cheap; the labor is in the cutting and welding

SYMPTOMSDaylight through the floor, wet carpet, a tub that shifts on the frame, or body mounts you can push a screwdriver through. The buyer's guide points to the floor, rockers, rear corners and the area under the roll bar.

THE FIXStrip the interior and lift the carpet. Cut back to solid metal, then trim the replacement pan to overlap or butt-fit, and plug-weld it along the factory seams. Seam-seal and paint the inside and out. Replace the rubber body-mount bushings at the same time: loosen all six mount bolts, jack the tub a little at each mount, and swap the upper and lower bushings. If a frame-side mount bracket has rotted, weld in a new one before refitting the tub.

TOOLS & PARTSCut-off wheel · spot-weld drill · MIG welder · panel clamps · seam sealer · weld-through primer · floor jack and wood block.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSKey Parts 0479-221 front floor pan, 76–86 CJ-7/CJ-8 · Quadratec (Key Parts) ↗Amazon ↗Key Parts 1/2 floor pan, 76–95 CJ-7/CJ-8/YJ · Quadratec (Key Parts) ↗Amazon ↗Crown J5462447 upper body mount bushing, 76–86 CJ-5/CJ-7/CJ-8 · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Rust Buster RB1007 body-to-frame mount, 76–86 CJ-7 (weld-in) · Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗

Rebuild rusted rear shackle mounts and replace shackles and bushings

DIFFICULTY · 4 / 5TIME · ≈ A day per endSHOP COST · Repair sections and shackles are under a few hundred dollars

SYMPTOMSA rear end that sits crooked or crashes over bumps, squeaking leaf springs, or a shackle hanger with rust holes. The buyer's guide calls the shackle mounts a common rot spot, because mud blocks the boxed frame's drain holes.

THE FIXSupport the frame on stands and take the weight off the springs. Unbolt the shackle and spring eye, and cut out the rotted hanger section. Weld in a slip-fit repair section, then paint and wax-oil the inside of the rail. Fit new shackles (greaseable ones let you lube the pivots) and new bushings in the spring eyes and frame mounts. Torque the bolts with the truck at ride height so the bushings aren't preloaded twisted.

TOOLS & PARTSJack stands · cut-off wheel · welder · grease gun · bushing press or vise.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSRust Buster rear shackle mount section, 76–86 CJ-5/CJ-7 · Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗Fishbone Offroad 1/2 in greaseable shackles, 76–86 CJ-7 · Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗Energy Suspension Hyper-Flex complete bushing kit, 80–86 CJ-5/CJ-7 · Quadratec ↗Amazon ↗

Service the front wheel bearings and locking hubs

DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · ≈ 2–3 hours for both sidesSHOP COST · Bearings, races and seals [price not sourced]

SYMPTOMSPlay at the top and bottom of the tire, growling that changes when you turn, grease flung inside the rim, or hubs that won't engage. The stock five-bolt Warn hubs on 1981–86 CJs are weak, and Quadra-Trac trucks have drive plates rather than hubs.

THE FIXRemove the hub, the outer nut, lock washer and inner nut, then pull the rotor and catch the outer bearing. Clean everything, replace bearings and races as pairs, and press the new races in square. Seals come in two sizes (2 1/8 in and 2 5/16 in), so measure the old one first. Pack the bearings fully and tighten the inner nut to 50 ft-lb while turning the rotor to seat them, as the manuals quoted in the Off-Road.com thread say. Then back it off (one owner backs off about 1/6 turn), fit the lock washer and torque the outer locknut to 50 ft-lb and bend the lock-washer lip over it (1981 Jeep factory service manual; the inner nut is set the same way there, 50 ft-lb then back off 1/6 turn), and check end play: the manuals quoted there specify 0.001–0.005 in with a dial indicator. If the six spindle bolts come out, replace the needle bearing inside the spindle too.

TOOLS & PARTSHub/spindle-nut socket · torque wrench · bearing packer (optional) · race driver or long bolt · brake cleaner · high-quality wheel-bearing grease.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSCrown SET45 front outer wheel bearing kit, 76–86 CJ · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Crown SET47 front inner wheel bearing set, 77–86 CJ · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Yukon AK F-J01 front axle bearing & seal kit, 76–83 CJ-5/CJ-7 Dana 30 · Quadratec (Yukon) ↗Amazon ↗Mile Marker 470 stainless manual locking hubs, 81–86 CJ (5-bolt) · Quadratec (Mile Marker) ↗Amazon ↗

Reseal a leaking Dana 300

DIFFICULTY · 2 / 5TIME · ≈ 2–4 hours in the truckSHOP COST · A seal kit and 2 quarts of 80W-90

SYMPTOMSGear oil on the skid plate, wet yokes or a drip from the rear output. The Dana 300 holds only 2 quarts, so a slow leak can starve it.

THE FIXDrain the case and unbolt the driveshafts. Hold the yoke and remove the output nut, then pull the yoke. Pry the old seal out with a big screwdriver or small pry bar, and drive the new one in squarely with a seal driver or a large socket (one owner used a 1 1/2-inch socket), tapping gently so it doesn't distort. Inspect the yoke's seal surface and replace it if it's grooved. Many owners take the chance to switch from strap-style to U-bolt yokes. Refill with 80W-90 to the fill plug.

TOOLS & PARTSYoke holder or pipe wrench · large socket for the output nut · pry bar · seal driver or 1 1/2 in socket · 80W-90 gear oil.

WHERE TO BUY PARTSCrown 300GK Dana 300 transfer case seal kit, 80–86 CJ · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Crown Dana 300 rear output shaft inner bearing, CJ · Quadratec (Crown Automotive) ↗Amazon ↗Yukon 80W90 conventional gear oil · Quadratec (Yukon) ↗Amazon ↗

Manuals & documentation

1984–1986 Jeep CJ-7 & Scrambler repair shop manual (reprint, 2 vols, M.R. 252) ↗Page-for-page reprint of the dealer shop manual, from Faxon Auto Literature 1977 Jeep repair shop manual (original, all models) ↗Factory-printed original covering early CJ-7s 1978 Jeep repair shop manual (reprint, all models, 3 vols) ↗Bishko factory-authorized technical service manuals, 1972–86 Jeep ↗Licensed reproductions of the dealer FSMs, sold by Quadratec Jeep CJ Rebuilder's Manual 1972–86 (Moses Ludel, Bentley) ↗612-page unit-repair and restoration guide covering CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7 and CJ-8

Asked on every forum

Jeep CJ-7 questions, answered

What's the biggest tire I can fit without a lift?

A 31x10.50R15 on the right wheel, on a healthy stock CJ-7. Performance Plus Tire's guide says it needs healthy springs and shallow backspacing (about 3.5 in on a 15x8 for narrow-track trucks), and JeepCJ.com owners agree 31s are the practical limit. One member reported 32x11.50s on a stock CJ with very little rubbing. 33x12.50R15s need a lift; most CJs running 33s have about 4 inches of spring lift, though 2.5 inches can work with the right backspacing and some fender trimming. Every CJ-7 used 15-inch wheels on a 5 x 5.5 in bolt pattern, with factory sizes from H78-15 bias-plies to metric radials up to 235/75R15 (Performance Plus).

SOURCE · PERFORMANCE PLUS · JEEPCJ.COM

Should I keep the AMC 20 or swap it?

The AMC 20 has a bigger ring gear (8⅞ in) than a Dana 44, but thinner 29-spline shafts, smaller tubes and, on CJs, keyed two-piece hub-and-shaft axles that shear. On a mild truck, one-piece shafts and stitch-welded tubes fix most of it. If you're running big tires and a locker, the usual swap is a Dana 44, and some late-1986 CJ-7s came with a wide-track Dana 44 from the factory.

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM · JEEPCJ.COM

Which transmission should I look for?

The T-18A (1977–79) with its 6.32:1 granny first is the toughest factory CJ gearbox. From 1980, the Tremec T-176 four-speed (3.52:1 first) is the strong option. The SR-4 (1980–81) and the T-4 and T-5 (1982–86) are light-duty Borg-Warner boxes that Novak calls 'essentially a small car transmission in a truck'.

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM · NOVAK

Dana 20 or Dana 300?

The Dana 300 (1980–86) has a 2.62:1 low range against the Dana 20's 2.03:1, and helical low-range gears that make it quieter. Novak says there's probably no real strength advantage, and the Dana 20 is shorter, which helps driveshaft angles. For more crawl, TeraFlex's TeraLow gearset gives a Dana 300 a 4:1 low range; one owner's crawl ratio went from 32.3:1 to 49.8:1.

SOURCE · NOVAK · OFFROADERS.COM

What is Quadra-Trac, and should I keep it?

Quadra-Trac was the optional full-time 4WD in 1976–79 CJ-7s: a chain-driven Borg-Warner 13-39 case paired only with a TH400 automatic. It has a vacuum-locked center differential (the 'Emergency Drive' switch) and an optional bolt-on low range (2.57:1). The chain is known for a short life. Mile Marker sold an overdrive gear-and-chain set that also converts it to part-time, and Offroaders.com names the Dana 18 as a good gear-driven replacement because its outputs line up (it needs a transmission swap too).

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM · JEEPCJ.COM

How do I find my axle ratio?

Look for the code stamped on the AMC 20 housing boss to the left of the cover, near the tube. Narrow-track codes differ from wide-track ones: on a wide-track axle, A is 3.54 open, AA is 3.54 Trac-Lok, H is 3.73 open, and C is 4.10 open. Offroaders.com advises confirming with a tape measure or the front axle's Dana tag, because codes conflict between versions. Offroaders.com gives the common Dana 30 ratios as 3.54 for 1976–79 and 2.73 for 1980–86, while Wikipedia pairs the 258 and four with 3.73 and the 304 with 3.55, so check yours rather than assume.

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM

What's the difference between narrow track and wide track?

1976–81 CJ-7s use narrow-track axles, 50.5 in wheel to wheel on the AMC 20. From 1982 the wide-track axles measure 54.5 in, which helps stability. Both use 5 x 5.5 in wheels. The 1982–86 Dana 30 also switched to pin-bolted calipers and crimped brake hoses.

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM

Which engine is the one to have?

The 258 straight six (1976–78 trucks may have the smaller 232 six, which was standard until 1979). JeepCJ.com's buyer's guide calls it 'a strong, torquey, reliable motor' and says to avoid the GM Iron Duke four (1980–83). The 304 V8 (to 1981) is quicker but was choked by smog controls by the end: 125 hp in 1980–81 against the 258's 110.

SOURCE · JEEPCJ.COM · OFFROADERS.COM

What fluids does it take?

ExtremeTerrain's CJ guide lists 80W-90 gear oil for the Dana 30 (1.25 qt), AMC 20 (2.4 qt; add 4 oz of limited-slip additive for Trac-Lok), Dana 300 (2 qt) and Dana 20 (1.6 qt). Quadra-Trac needs its own transfer case fluid (2.25 qt). The T-176, SR-4, T-150 and T-18 take 80W-90; ExtremeTerrain lists ATF+4 for the T-4 and T-5 and for the automatics, while the 1981 Jeep factory manual calls for Dexron or Dexron II in the 999 and 904 automatics and SAE 85W-90 GL-5 in the axles, the manual gearboxes and the Dana 300. The T-4/T-5 and the TH400 (a GM unit) aren't covered there, so check your manual before filling them [CONFIRM IN MANUAL]. Brakes take DOT 3. The 258 takes about 6 quarts of oil including the filter, per ExtremeTerrain and a 1984 owner's manual quoted on JeepCJ.com, and about 10.5 qt of coolant (ExtremeTerrain).

SOURCE · EXTREMETERRAIN · JEEPCJ.COM

Will Wrangler wheels and parts fit?

Not the wheels. CJ axles use 5 x 5.5 in, and later Jeep Dana 30s use 5 x 4.5 in. Lots of other parts carry over, though: the 258 lived on in the YJ until 1990, and outer Dana 30 parts (knuckle outward) swap between CJ versions, so a drum-brake CJ can be converted to discs.

SOURCE · OFFROADERS.COM

Was there a diesel CJ-7?

Only for export. From 1980 to 1982 AMC built CJ-7s in Ohio with Isuzu's 2.4-liter C240 diesel four, a T-176, a Dana 300 and 4.10 axles. None were sold new in the US.

SOURCE · WIKIPEDIA

PART 05

Building one

Who makes the good stuff, where owners gather, and who to watch.

Common modifications & who does them

SUSPENSION & SPRING SWAPSOld CJ leaf springs sag and ride like a cart. New springs, shackles and bushings cure it. A popular upgrade is to fit hangers that let you run Wrangler YJ leaf springs.

Fishbone Offroad — spring hangers for YJ springs on a CJ-7 ↗Warrior Products — CJ-5/CJ-7 shackle kits ↗Rancho ↗

BUMPERS & ARMORThe factory bumpers are thin. A steel front bumper gives you a winch mount and recovery points, and a rear tube bumper with D-rings protects the tub corners, which tend to rust anyway.

LoD Offroad — CJ-5/CJ-7 front bumpers ↗LoD Offroad — Expedition rear bumper ↗WARN — winches ↗

AXLES & LOCKERSPut one-piece shafts in the AMC 20 before you add a locker, or the locker will find the weak keyed hubs quickly.

USA Standard Gear — AMC 20 Spartan Locker ↗Crown Automotive — AMC 20 one-piece axle kits ↗Yukon Gear & Axle ↗

TRANSFER CASE & GEARINGThe Dana 300 takes a 4:1 low-range gearset, its shifter interlock can be removed for twin-stick operation, and Novak and Advance Adapters can help you swap out a weak T-4 or T-5.

Novak Conversions — Dana 300 guide & parts ↗Advance Adapters ↗

FUEL SYSTEMThe computer-controlled BBD is the 258's weakest link. A Weber 38 kit or Holley's bolt-on Sniper EFI replaces it.

Holley Sniper EFI BBD kit for CJ 258 ↗Weber 38-DGES kit for CJ/YJ 4.2L ↗

TOPS & BODYA new soft top keeps you drier. Officially licensed replacement panels mean even a rotten tub can be saved.

Bestop Supertop for CJ-7/YJ ↗Key Parts — CJ-7 rear corner panel ↗Omix — steel body tub, CJ-7 ↗