While there has been much well-deserved fanfare and love for the current Jeep Gladiator, it helps to remember where the unmistakable pickup truck variant of one of America's most storied and iconic brands came from. This 1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ8 we have for you today is where it all started. This year represents the inaugural year for the exceptionally practical long-bedded Jeep. Based on the nearly unstoppable CJ-7, this fully repainted black-on-black beauty is highlighted not only by its classic boxy stance but also by its wooden bed rails and big 31-inch BF Mud-Terrain tires.
Inside, we find a traditional CJ-7 interior with two vinyl bucket seats and a utilitarian center-mounted gauge cluster along the dashboard. The big speedometer is flanked by three pull- and two twist-knobs on one side and two modern white-faced gauges displaying volts and oil pressure on the other. And while it has been known by many names, the passenger grab-bar has been upgraded to a stainless-steel piece.
Under the hood, we find a 258 cubic-inch inline-six-cylinder engine that made a respectable 115 hp at 3,200 rpm and 210 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,800 rpm when it was new. That engine then sends power through a tried-and-true four-speed manual transmission. A Dana 30 front axle and AMC 20 rear axle work in conjunction with a gear-driven transfer case, offering a nearly unstoppable 2.60:1 low-range ratio.
*First Year Scambler
*Full Black Repaint
*Wooden Bed Rails
*258 CID I-6
*4 Speed Manual
*Dana 30 Front Axle
*AMC 20 Rear Axle
*Power Steering
*Power Brakes
*Mickey Thompson Wheels
*31 Inch BFG Tires
*Matching BFG Spare
While the modern Gladiator is fun, there is something about an old-school-cool truck like this 1981 Jeep Scrambler CJ8. With its rugged good looks and unmistakable shape, the CJ8 offers up a unique mix of functionality, style, and fun. But there is only one way to truly understand the allure of an original Scrambler, and that is to see and drive it for yourself. Call today!
