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HOURS: Call for Appointment
614-203-1947
Rudy's Classic Jeeps LLC
19095 State Route 568
Findlay, OH 45840
ph: 614-203-1947
alt: HOURS: Call for Appt
Welcome to
Rudy's CJ's
Selling some of the best ORIGINAL sheet metal Jeep CJs and original used CJ parts left in the world.
We have more used 76-86 CJ PARTS than anyone HERE.
NOTE: Most photos on the site can be enlarged by clicking the plus sign bottom right of each photo!
GOD BLESS THE USA AND THOSE SERVING US during this crisis.
SITE UPDATED 1/9/2021
Coming Soon:
Rot Free 84 CJ7 Laredo Auto
Rot Free 85 CJ7 Beach cruiser w stroker 6 cyl and EFI
SOLD to a caller 1/2/21
Always Rot Free Original Paint 42k Mile Jeep CJ5 Renegade
One of my personal favorite Jeeps of all time sold to a Nashville country musician 12/22/20
(he called me to check inventory and inquire)
Always rot free 100% original paint and extremely straight Sherwood Green 1981 Jeep CJ7 Laredo.
So many people these days want a CJ that looks like it was never played with. I love a CJ that wasn't ever rusty and lived a Jeep life....and can still live a Jeep life. I've built arguably 'perfect' CJs and never enjoyed one of them. It was fun to build for myself. Terrible to build for someone else (stressful as to whether it was good enough vs cost)...which is why I haven't done that in about 7 years. The ones I built for myself I always sold directly after building them as they weren't fun to live with.
My opinion based on decades of experience and hundreds of Jeeps.
The best Jeeps are healed...not built.
Looks like some other old school Jeep people agree with me like the experienced buyer of this Jeep who could afford to buy one that was gold plated.
This look and Jeep could not be recreated.
Jeeps have always been about doing your own thing...freedom to choose.
This new day of Jeep CJs being critiqued and scrutinized with a fine tooth comb by people who want to make a science out of an AMC product isn't enjoyable for me.
AMC made bad products in my opinion but dang, a CJ with the top and doors off on a sunny day with a tool kit behind the back seat is a good day.
Remember, there are drain plugs in the floor to let the water out
The core of my business is and always has been about good original sheet metal. The rest of it sorts itself out. Original is good. Shiny is good. Dents have character. Modified to your liking isn't a sin. Little tires handle better, brake better and are safer. Big tires go more places and look tough. Better engines make sense.
Fuel injection and carburetion is the equivalent of a calculator vs an abacus.
Simple vs better.
Everything breaks.
12/20/20
1986 Always rot free original paint CJ7 w Dana 44 sold to a caller from Nashville.
I insisted this buyer come see this Jeep in person to review all its character in person. I appreciated him making the trip in these challenging times. This is the kind of Jeep I often sinfully part out for people who buy "deals" and need sheetmetal or more. As a parts Jeep, this sells easily as everything on this Jeep is better than most Jeeps people own...but it isn't shiny.It may be a sin to take a Jeep like this apart but its very hard to sell assembled. People want to know if it leaks, or if the dash has a crack, Maybe a gauge doesn't work or it has a dent.
All I care about it that it is original paint and was never rusty. If it was never rusty, I can make it as nice as i want to. If it is original paint, I can walk into a body shop and they can give an honest estimate. Once a Jeep goes to one of the glam dealers and gets a shiny coat of paint, this changes. When the body work starts to fall out, you can't estimate the paint work without stripping it. At that point, the expenisve shiny Jeep t may need a tub...and more.
Heard it a thousand times. I only paid $2500 or similar....maybe it was even free. A free Jeep might be worse than lighting money. At least lighting money isn't hard work.
"It runs great. All I need is a tub." Then they get the tub off and they need a frame....or they patch it up. Then they need all brake and fuel lines....and a fuel tank...and fenders, and a grill....and a windshield frame. 2 years later, a bunch of busted knuckles and $25k later, they have a pieced together CJ that may be built on one of the crappy Phillippino tubs....No matter who sells it, all tubs all come from the same place over seas. You might even pay extra to get one that comes closer to fitting on the frame.
A Jeep like this only needs some drilled holes wlded shut and a few dents fixed and then paint if you want it shiny
The buyer and myself appreciate the original, used full of character, cooked look.
I recenly had a not ideal interaction with a prospective buyer. For anyone who's done business with me, they know I don't like to text until we are on the same page.
Texting is not the best form of communication. Emailing isn't much better.
There is no email address to be found on my website. I have more business than I could even need or do and used things need honest discussion...not typing so that misunderstandings can be minimized and satisfaction achieved. If satisfaction is achieved, you get what you were expecting and I get to keep doing what I do.
This fellow insisted on texting after we talked and couldn't understand why my personal Jeep was priced at $20k....as shown here.
He stated something like "your prices sure have gone up as recently that price would get you something from a magazine cover'.
Here's the truth, I don't personally love new built Chinese shiny Jeeps. The above CJ came to me from a new friend in CO that runs a rock crawler shop. He fixed the pumpkin for me this Summer when I was in a bind. He also aided in me getting into this predicament...
The pumpkin is my 06 LJ Rubicon R&D project in case I ever have to jump to newer Jeeps.
Note, I skipped right over the 87-95 flavor.
Anyhow, my green CJ7 Laredo with the cooked hood is a rare sherwood green w a T176, 8" chrome wheels and has zero rot. I can drive it anywhere without worrying about it getting scratched and the bolts will come out without a torch. I could not take any Jeep to any body shop and get that paint job recreated. I believe it is perfect the way it is. Not everyone has had hundreds of Cjs and feels that way and that is ok. I just know that anything I have ever owned that was too nice just wasn't fun. Shiny, not shiny, original or not... I just loathe rust!
BTW...I have never, no ever will put one of my vehicles in a car show for judging unless it get me free better parking to an event. I don't care what anyone thinks of what I own.
Right now some people are nodding their heads in agreement because they've walked in these shoes regarding rusty Jeeps and deals. I didn't always know what I do now. It's been a lot of vehicles to get here.
This Nashvile sold Jeep was a very hard sale. The buyer was reasonable but also expected a lot. He wanted it to be his daily driver which is never a good idea compared to what similar money would get you in a modern vehicle. CJs are bad vehicles made by AMC and went out of business for a reason. I wanted him to have a good experience and genuinely did my very best to talk hum out of buying this. He's a grown man and made his own decision. I've since heard from him and he loves his Jeep. :) He named it Pinto as he was indeed a true cowboy and told me he needed a new horse.
1981 Jeep CJ7 Renegade sold to a caller (referred from past buyer) before listed 11/20/20
Original paint. Clean Body
Never rusted 1985 Jeep CJ7 w 258, 5 speed, rebuilt engine and EFI Available now on tab to left ONLY $15k
Listed 11/3...SOLD 11/4/20 Going to NJ
Sold to a repeat buyer in one day
Always clean stock 35k Original Mile 1984 CJ7 Listed 11/2/20 on Jeep for Sale tab to the left
5 Rot Free CJ7 in process as on 10/23/20.
Parts sales have been taking most my time.
Rot Free 1986 Jeep CJ7 Laredo w Dana 44
Bought back from a past customer from 8 years ago and sold to a caller checking inventory. 10/14/20
Thanks Frank!
1975 Full Converible GMC Jimmy 4x4 High Sierra
Full rotisserie restoration
NEW 425 Hp GM Preformance Crate LS3
Cold AC
Full retro Dakota Digital gauges
All New GM Serviceable wiring and computer
No custom wiring, programming or junk yard hacked up repurposed engine components.
Available 7/31/2020
$75,000
SOLD to a wonderful fellow from Phoenix.
Thank you Kris!! 10/14/20
I believe mine is better than this one which sold for $85k HERE
Last year of the full convertible GM trucks
Your neighbor at the lake doesn't have one of these.
Frame off Build from an Arizona lineage vehicle
Many photos below but even more HERE
New 425 Horse LS3 GM Crate Engine w New GM Performance Harness and ECU for Engine and rebuilt 4l70E Transmission
This truck does NOT have a junkyard engine w a spliced up harness made by some random guys tuning that will be impossible to support.
It is all new GM factory production and easy to maintain.
I've always loathed hearing about an expensive build that starts w a 37k mile engine from a wrecked Camaro and a bunch of spliced wires running a tune frrom a random guys laptop.
The engine, tune, computer and harness on this truck are all NEW from GM performance. Factory plug and play parts right from the catalog. Plug and play with their support at any local GM dealer. Receipts and part numbers included with the sale.
The radiator on this is a $1000 DeWitt unit w dual Spal fans all Made In USA and installed without a bunch of hacking. Optima fluid free battery. Custom air intake. The good stuff.
The interior on this truck would be nearly impssible to replicate. It came from a 27k mile donor truck. It is not all the Chinese stuff available from the catalogs. The seats, door panels, dash and kick panels are all original w more detail than the new Chinese stuff. Zoom in on the scroll work on that door panel trim. Very rich factory saddle interior color.
Carpet is custom snap in and snap out for a truck to use at the beach. Fully lined interior to make this truck useable and prevent rust.
I did this to challenge myself with something new and delve into the LS world. I am now a fan of the engine and Dakota Digital.
They make really nice components to interface with the new components without over complicating the install.
I hate the look of neat old retro cars with hacked in gauges that look like a 1985 Knight Rider dash.
Check out this intsrument cluster
Fully digital analog gauges taking info directly from the GM harness without 47 adapters. It is better than my 2019 Dually as I can program this easily for warning notices, oil changes, colors and dim it. It accomodates the 4 speed overdrive trans with an indicator and all lights.
WOW! About $1500
Oh yeah...this truck has a factory tilt steering column...not some hot rod shiny thing. It has COLD new AC. I even re-installed the 8 track player (not wired) but it comes with the group ELO 8 track that was in the glove box (Electric Light Orchestra).
Fully painted from the rotisserie underside w a welded but band clamped true Stainless exhaust for easy serviceability. Yep, it's an H pipe for performance and exhaust balance.
5 New BFG AT USA made tires and USA made wheels that you'd want to have. If you've followed my site you know I warn you about the builders that throw on Chinese tires after they have the nerve to ask you top dollar. It is the easiest place to look for the a quality build as to what was invested in it.
I learned in doing this truck it is way harder to build a GMC than a Chevy as there were less made and less support. I'm very happy with my end product. I would consider partial Jeep trades...earrly or late. No YJs Please.
FYI, The soft top windows come out and the rear has a screen that can go in for that open air look and feel. Softopper is a small company w a good product!
Original 45k mile 1986 CJ7 w Dana 44 Rear, 6 cyl, 5 speed, original window sticker, wheels, seats etc
A value for for someone who wants a rot free, low mile, better than most, VERY original driver CJ7 w beautiful shiny original floors.
SOLD 5/11/20
MORE DETAILS AND PHOTOS HERE
Original window sticker AND an unused set of keys w original stock number on the dealer key chain.
45,409 Original Miles on an original odometer.
Those Chinese speedometers you see in so many "all new" "Restored" Jeeps are an eyesore as a center piece on a CJ dash. The numbers and lettering look like a Made in China billboard.
Fun fact. 82 and up CJs have 6 digit odometers. This means if they have more than 100k miles it is registered with a 6th digit.
81 and older CJs are 5 digit and Carfax is useless in 80s and to some degree 90s as electronic records were weak.
Did you ever notice how many "low mile" 81 and older Jeeps there are???
Shiny Original paint floors. This Jeep was sold new without a console. No holes drilled for it. I have them for this Jeep and yours if it is something you want
Very original underhood with all the glorious 80's emissions in place. Keep it while it's running right...as it is now, and lessen it if you start having issues. Repair it if you have to for testing or if your'e a masochist and just like doing battle w a Commodore 64 like computer
Original paint on those 34 year old wheels.
More pictures to come if it doesn't sell first. Seems like a no brainer to me for the right buyer.
New guy introduced to the shop 8-3-19
7 weeks old and he has 3000 miles on him already and never puppy hucked.
Meet RANGER!
ALWAYS feel free to call to request parts as we have more used 76 to 86 CJ parts than anywhere I have visited coast to coast...
Most Jeeps left last year that we never listed for sale.
Good products. Good problems!
Thanks for reading.
Rudy
Specializing in HONESTLY advertised,
preferably rot free 1976 to 1986 Jeep
CJs and quality Jeep CJ used parts
since 2002
* SPOT WELDS: Original Jeep CJs have factory spot welds down the sides of them where they were assembled in the factory and is a sign of original metal. Jeep CJs should NOT be smooth when you look down the side of them. Smooth sided Jeeps may have been patched or have body filler due to rust.
** ROT: I am sometimes asked, "No rot, does that mean no rust?" In my best attempt to explain this without splitting hairs, rust occurs when paint is scratched or when brake rotors sit for a humid day. It is for that reason I avoid the word RUST as ALL vehicles, even a new one, has rust. ROT by Rudy's definition is rust on metal that under reasonable circumstances can't be sanded away without leaving a rust hole. Rot can be hidden above gas tanks, underneath roll bars etc but in most places on these Jeeps, it is transparent. I also term ROT as bubbles under the paint and generally we don't sell Jeeps with bubbling, flaky rust. If it has it, we will show it in the photos. Bubbling rust may be sandable but is harder to guess at without actually digging at it. Experience gives me an upper hand on what original metal will hold up and what won't but only sanding it makes it factual. I hope this helps explain some more of the ambiguity out of our language and people's different perceptions of rust and rot in our best attempt to sell the best sheet metal CJs left in the world. I will never sell a CJ that has had a frame patched due to rot.
JEEPS FOR SALE
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CONTACT INFO
CUSTOMER REFERRALS
(BELOW)
Rudy and "the Hippy" his V.P. traveling partner 7/17/2017 (note the Hippy is now being toted but we were at 13,000 feet ;) Hippy now 15 and Rudy 48. Still pursuing freedom over wealth after a decade.
Call us Today for a classic Jeep CJ Investment that you can actually enjoy and won't depreciate!
We stand behind our Jeeps and are glad to buy back any CJ we sell if you take care of it and leave room for us.
click this photo to enlarge and see the Hippy on top of his truck (He climbed up from being set in the bed for safe keeping)...(most photos on the site can be enlarged)
Copyright 2010 Racin' Rudy's CJs. All rights reserved.
CONTACT RUDY: 614-203-1947
Rudy's supporting vendors...
Rudy's Classic Jeeps LLC
19095 State Route 568
Findlay, OH 45840
ph: 614-203-1947
alt: HOURS: Call for Appt