This 1979 Jeep CJ7 is built with a clear purpose. It keeps the steel body and original tub, but the setup here is far from stock, with a 350 small block Chevrolet V8 under the hood, Holley Sniper fuel injection, and an SM465 4-speed manual transmission feeding a Dana 300 transfer case and one-ton axles. It is the kind of CJ7 build that leans fully into trail use, with the short-wheelbase Jeep character still intact but backed by serious drivetrain, steering, and suspension upgrades.
The drivetrain and chassis have been outfitted with the right hardware for a rock-crawling style build. It features 4.56 gearing, custom-built and balanced front and rear driveshafts, a front Dana 60 with OX locker and truss, oversized rebuildable steering rod ends, high steer with chromoly links, and a hydro-assist ram. The rear uses Cherokee leaf springs, chosen for their added length over standard CJ leaves, and the front is equipped with hydraulic bump stops inside the coils. A custom spring tower brace was also added and painted to match the Jeep. Disc brakes are equipped at all four corners.
The body and structure show the same focus on function. The original tub is noted as rust free and has been Herculiner-coated inside. It is also boat-sided with rock sliders, the rear tub has been wrapped in 1/8-inch material for added strength, and both the front and rear fenders are custom built. Up front, it wears a custom stubby bumper with a Smittybilt 12,000-pound winch, while the frame has been rehabbed and recoated with VHT epoxy paint. An added rear crossmember further reinforces the chassis.
Inside, this CJ7 is fitted with Corbeau seats and 4-point harnesses along with a custom-built DOM-tubing roll cage. A Bluetooth sound system has been added, and it also comes with a bikini top for open-air driving. An aluminum radiator helps support cooling duties, and the Jeep rides on Grenade Crawl beadlock wheels with 40-inch tires, plus a matching spare wheel and tire. A 50-inch light bar rounds out the exterior.
This is not presented as a restored stock CJ7. It is a purpose-built, V8-swapped Jeep with the right kind of fabrication and trail-minded equipment throughout, built for someone who wants a steel-body CJ7 with serious off-road capability and a lot of mechanical presence.
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