This Jeep CJ-8 Restomod Proves Old-School Cool Never Dies

The Long-Legged Classic

When Jeep introduced the CJ-8 Scrambler in the early ’80s, it stretched the CJ-7’s formula to create something more versatile. With a 103-inch wheelbase – 10 inches longer than its sibling – the CJ-8 offered a smoother ride and the added practicality of a small pickup bed. It was rugged, useful, and very much a Jeep at heart. While it never reached huge sales numbers, its rarity and dual-purpose design have made it one of the more desirable CJ variants among collectors today.

Among the surviving examples, few have been treated to the rebuild this one has received. Dubbed as ANV-JS2, this 1984 Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler by Blacksmith Garage is a complete frame-off restomod that manages to look original while hiding a long list of modern upgrades. It’s designed to cruise comfortably on the highway, crawl through rocky terrain, or simply make a run for ice cream on a sunny weekend – all without breaking a sweat.

Built With Purpose

The project began with a rust-free frame, which was stripped, blasted, and coated in Raptor Liner for durability. A new steel tub from Rugged Ridge was added, then finished in PPG Porsche Python Green paint. Underneath, a 3-inch lift and Skyjacker shocks give it the right stance, while black 15×10 steel wheels wear 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain tires.

Under the hood, a rebuilt 4.2-liter inline-six gasoline engine resides, fitted with a Comp Cams camshaft, new cylinder head, and Mopar Performance multi-port fuel injection. It’s then connected to a custom stainless-steel exhaust with a Magnaflow muffler and a compliant catalytic converter.

Power routes through a 700R-4 automatic transmission, a refurbished Dana 300 transfer case, and heavy-duty 4.56 gears in both axles – the rear upgraded to a Ford 9-inch with a spool locker. Everything electrical was replaced with a Painless Performance wiring harness, and braking is now handled by a rear disc conversion.

Hitting the Block

Inside, the Scrambler takes a premium turn. Full-grain leather with green stitching covers the seats, dash, and door panels. There’s a Retro Manufacturing stereo paired with Rockford Fosgate speakers, Dakota Digital gauges, modern air conditioning, and a Bestop soft top that easily converts to a bikini setup.

Blacksmith Garage’s Jeep CJ-8 Scrambler ANV-JS2 will hit the auction block on October 25, 2025, exclusively hosted online through Ascent Auction. The unit is currently located in Utah, standing as a rare, no-nonsense example of a classic Jeep reimagined.

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