Jeep SUVs are some of the most modified vehicles on the planet. So many owners customize the hood graphics, upgrade the wheels and tires, and install equipment such as rooftop tents, racks, and even onboard water tanks for overlanding. Jeep itself offers plenty of options to make its models stand out. As our Pick of the Day shows, it’s been doing that for a long time. You can find this 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Laguna Beach, California. It comes with body-color steel full doors.
Back in the 1979 model year, there were two major ways to dress up the Jeep CJ-7: the Renegade or the Golden Eagle Package. Opting for the latter got you features that included a “Golden Eagle” hood decal with black and gold lettering, body side and grille pinstriping, gold styled steel wheels with black accent striping, swing-away spare tire carrier, “Tan Denim Vinyl” front bucket and rear bench seating, matching soft top, roll bar, and tachometer.
That was a long time ago — especially for an off-roader like this CJ-7. Fortunately, after it was purchased by the previous owner in 2020, it received a comprehensive restoration/customization, which now has less than 4,000 miles on it. According to the selling dealer, “The factory steel tub was repainted in basecoat/clearcoat Wimbledon White after which a replacement windshield, black fender flares, side mirrors, lighting, decals, and a Kentrol front bumper were installed.” A tan bikini-style Bestop soft top and removable soft half-doors keep out the elements.
Of course, the build process also included a 2.5-inch suspension lift, which consisted of Fox shocks and Old Man Emu components. A set of slotted 15-inch wheels with 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires help this bird fly over trails.
The selling dealer adds, “The interior was painted white during the refurbishment, after which beige Bestop front seats were installed along with a fold-and-tumble rear seat, color-coordinated carpet, VDP center console, seat belts, and replacement glove box and sun visors. The truck has a heater along with a Jeep-branded digital stereo wired to front and rear Kicker speakers.”
You could get the ’79 CJ-7 with a 304ci V8, but you can’t get one in this particular rig. Why? Because it was replaced with a rebuilt 360 V8 that’s equipped with upgrades such as a three-row aluminum radiator, Howell fuel injection, Hedman ceramic-coated headers, and 2.5-inch exhaust system with Borla mufflers. The refurbishment process also covered an overhaul of the three-speed manual gearbox and the Dana 20 dual-range transfer case.
You can make this 1979 Jeep CJ-7 Golden Eagle look and perform however you want it to, but first, you have to make it yours. You can do that for $62,500.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
