1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 4x4, 4.2L I6 12V Manual 4WD

As the compact pickup truck market began to grow, Jeep made a decision to design and build a “convertible pickup truck.” Two feet longer than a CJ-7 with a 10-inch longer wheelbase, the CJ-8 allowed for a smoother ride and for Jeep to create its own compact truck for not much money. This example is one of 8,355 CJ-8s made in 1981, the truck’s debut model year and was made in AMC’s Toledo, Ohio factory (VIN code T).

This Jeep comes from Texas since new and was purchased from a Air Force member who used the Jeep to drive back and forth to the base.

Dressed in black, this Jeep has paint and trim in very good condition overall, a solid body and a contrasting gold Acme full hard top and hard doors that have been restored. The engine bay is very tidy, the battery looks good and the black bumper in front looks great.

This Jeep rolls on radials, size 235/75R15 at all four corners. Each tire is mounted to a steel wheel topped by a full factory wheel cover. The tires are in very good order while the wheel covers are in satisfactory order. CJ-8s are suspended by leaves at both ends, four in front and five in back. There’s a 104-inche wheelbase and a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,150 pounds.

Under the hood is AMC’s 258 CID straight six-cylinder engine (VIN code C) with a two-barrel carburetor and electronic ignition, backed by a four-speed, synchronized manual transmission (VIN code M). This Scrambler has part-time four-wheel drive with manual locking, free-wheeling front hubs, courtesy of a Dana 300 two-speed transfer case with a 2.62:1 low gear. Driver convenience features include power steering and power disc/drum brakes.

Inside, the black bucket seats look great while the rest of the interior is in good, original order, the headliner, three-spoke steering wheel, tan doors and floor-mounted shifter but the fuel gauge is inoperable. In the dash is a modern stereo with AM/FM and Bluetooth capabilities.

The Jeep Scrambler CJ-8 was a long-wheelbase version of the CJ-7, introduced in 1981 and manufactured through 1986. It featured a 103.5-inch wheelbase and a removable half cab, creating a small pick-up style box instead of using a separate pickup bed. CJ-8s used the traditional transfer case with manual front locking hubs to engage the four-wheel drive. Most had either a four- or five-speed manual transmission but a three-speed automatic transmission was an option.

The term “Scrambler” comes from an appearance package with which many CJ-8s were equipped, which included tape graphics and special wheels. Former President Ronald Reagan owned a Scrambler “CJ-8” and used it on his California ranch.

A full-length steel hardtop CJ-8 was made for the Alaskan Postal Service, using right-hand drive and automatic transmissions. Instead of the rear tailgate, the steel hardtop used a hinged barn-door opening to the back. Only 230 were produced and sold in the U.S. It was also widely sold in Venezuela and Australia as the CJ-8 Overlander, with small differences, including full-length rear windows on the Overlander. Steel hardtops used on these postal Scramblers and Overlanders were known as “World Cab” tops.

Four-wheel-drive competition to this Jeep in 1981 included Chevrolet’s LUV and S-10, Dodge’s D50, GMC’s S-15, Isuzu’s P’Up, Nissan’s 720 Pickup and Toyota’s Pickup.

VIN: 1JCCM88E9BT048144

This Jeep is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 98,422 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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