CJ7 value

[bcar240]

Hey guys, I have some questions about potentially selling my Jeep. It is a 1979 CJ7 with a 258 and 3-speed manual, and is pretty rough shape. I bought it from my Uncle, who I think gypped me into buying it just to get rid of it (he is very rich.) When I first got it it was drivable, and I planned to fix it up a bit and build it a bit for off-road. I replaced the steering gear and PS pump with rebuilt units and replaced the carb with an MC2100 and manual choke. The engine with the new carb is running pretty good, has an occasional clicking noise I was told “didn’t sound critical,” by my mechanic. Various non-essential emissions hoses and such are disconnected. Did some other misc repair work. However, one day when my brother took it out for a drive one of the rear (stock 2-piece) axle shafts broke.

I will try to summarize the issues it has:
Body tub is in fairly poor, some large rust holes, tree collision in rear corner made tailgate not work well.
Problem in electrical system, fuse for gauges/taillights blows a lot.
Tumbler in steering column is screwed up, doesn’t need key inserted to start.
Starter doesn’t engage flywheel sometimes, just makes a grinding noise.
Axle shaft broken (moves in 4wd only.)
Wear and tear associated with a nearly 30 year old vehicle.


Here is what it has on it I think gives it some value:
Soft top in good condition
Nice 15x10” wheels, finish starting to fade, but could look great (Uncle said they cost over $1000 when new)
Carb, cost me about $175
Power steering parts, cost around $300


So in total, including buying the thing for $1100, I have spent approximately $2k on it so far. At this point my parents, whose house it is at while I am at college, have done everything short of suing me to try to get rid of it. I have had one offer of $500.

First of all, is it worth fixing the rear axle shaft to sell it?

Then what do you all think it is worth, or what could I expect reasonable people pay for it? I mean I know that it is going to require some work, but with all I have fixed or replaced on it I can’t believe its value would go down so much. If $500 is all I can get would it be better just to sell it for parts then junk it?

Thanks you all, I know you have a lot more experience than me in matters like this and I value your opinions! Sorry for the long post.

[flashawk]

I would think you could get much more for it than $500.00, there are 1 peice axle kits for it that aren't that difficult to replace. With the rust you are describing, that would be the major set back and I'll bet you have rust in some old wire splices that are causing you're shorts or bad ground connections. Depending on how bad the rust is and it's location will be the main determining factor as to how appealing it is to a buyer.

Or, consider this a bump.........

[renagade1]

When I was looking to buy my 78 cj7 a guy stopped to look at it too he said it was only worth $500 the guy wanted $1800 I gave him $1500 it had a pretty good soft top but the front drive shaft was out of it so i cdidn't know if the transfer case was good or not and neither did the guy selling it. also the front fender was wrecked not to bad but bent some the floor boards were patched but they weren't great patch jobs. I have the 10 x 15 wheels on mine too and there rusted some. mine also needed a windsheild new lock outs and the transfer case mount had to be welded.
Around here jeeps don't last long I would ask $2000 at least and go lower if they offer less if you want. At least you can tell them what there getting into.

[Indy]

So its not driveable, potential engine problems and has significant body damage? Sounds like a parts jeep to me. For $2000 you can find at least a driver, even if its ugly.

[dos0711]

On the other hand, they haven't made one since 1986 and they ain't making them like that anymore.