1978 Jeep CJ-7, Levi's, Automatic, 96K, V8, Very Original, Autumn Red, 3rd Owner

Description

Rare chance to get a low mile nice, un-restored, CJ-7. Only selling to to age of owner (me) and low use. I call her Rosebud, and it is one nice Jeep! Buy it now is $6000 less than a similar Jeep I sold to a man in Italy 7 years ago. Better than a 401 K, this 401 you can drive!!
1978 Jeep CJ-7. I purchased from original owner (68 at the time) from Colorado in 1993. I then owned it for the next 14 years, until 2007. I then sold it to a man in Texas and stayed in contact with him, repurchasing it in 2012. It is now for sale by me, again. I know Jeeps inside and out, and repurchased it as I know how special it is. First no rust. No excuses. Second reason is engine. Original 304 replaced in 1990 with a AMC 401. Stock manifolds, it all looks like Factory, most would never know until you drive it. Very quick, loads of torque if you want it. Drive anywhere, do anything Jeep. Plus it had been only in Colorado and Texas, inside garages. I also know where it has been while I have owned it for 18 years.
Jeep starts, runs and drives great. I removed plastic floor covering from Jeep when I got it, and repainted the interior floors the original color. Also over the years the hood was faded and I repainted it. Most of the rest is original autumn red metallic, a rare color. It has always been garaged. I usually leave the top off in the spring/summer/fall, and replace it before winter. The last couple of years I have left it on as it is starting to get a little stiff. It is an original Kayline top, so no snap holes drilled in body. Doors are two piece, all window plastic is clear and not brittle. Doors look perfect.
Winch is a working Ramsey winch, has a Warn Zeon Cover, just because it fit on it. Winch was there in 1993, I have tested it, works fine, has remote cable, but never needed to use it.
Fuel gauge reads low, and temperature gauge does not work most of the time. I have replaced the gauges once, I believe it is a unresolved ground issue. Levi seats are near perfect, 2 buttons have come loose, I have correct buttons with backs for the seats. Levi's dash pad is perfect with no flaws. Seat belts were replaced with aftermarket ones in 2005, other ones were becoming unusable. I am pretty sure I have correct seat belts for a 1978. Floors are all solid and need nothing. I don't leave carpet or anything on floors to hold moisture. Rear fender wells are perfect as are roll bar mounts.
Has air lockers front and rear. On board air is AMC A/C unit converted to a onboard air compressor. Just flip a switch, 2-3 seconds pump fills cylinder for air lockers. 4x4 works perfectly, has lockouts on front hubs. Also has onboard air if you need it with a fitting by front bumper.
When I drove it from Colorado to Kansas City in 1993, I noticed a quarter sized wet spot underneath from transmission when I got home and parked it. I think in 1994 or 1995, I had the 400 Turbo transmission rebuilt to fix the leak. Leak is back in last few years, a sign of sitting un-driven in the garage for months at a time. Again it only has 96K from new! Not a big deal almost everyone that has these in muscle cars say they leak a bit, so I don't really worry about it.
I had the original wheels polished in 2006, they still look great 10 years later. Tires are very good 33X12.50X15 BF Goodrich, they are at least 15 years old, but have hardly any miles on them. Ride fine at 70MPH, a complete purist would most likely want to replace them due to age.
Headlights are halogen, turn signals, brakes, all work fine, as does horn and wipers. Heater, fan, etc. all work perfectly as do all dash lights. Has new in the last year Optima battery. It never had a radio when I got it. I installed a Jeep looking head unit that fits in dash without cutting anything, has an ipod jack if that's your thing, looks like stock radio, speakers are wedge units in back, no holes drilled to mount anything, you can remove it all in about 5 minutes. I would rather listen to engine and dual exhaust sound then radio anyway!
Short, low quality, video showing me driving it...
https://youtu.be/1csjmwZpC9c
Frame has no issues or any rust whatsoever. I am sure Jeep had a small lift installed at some point, maybe a 1.5 to 2 inch lift max. Drives like a stock Jeep, other than great V8 power.
Also to answer some of the questions from people, the floor mats, winch, seats, etc., are only available if you buy the Jeep. You get everything in pictures, also (2) 2 piece doors and windows, right and left side. I ran out of picture room to show them. I also have the Jeep listed locally, I may choose to end the auction if I sell locally, but ONLY if I do not have bids from Ebay.
$1000 deposit PayPal within 24 hours of auction end. Even though Ebay says $500, you will need to send $1000. The balance in cash or wire transfer only, within 7 days. I can store the Jeep for up to 2 weeks after it is paid for. I also can provide a shipper locally, and provide a number for you to get a quote to WINNING BIDDER ONLY.