Throwback Thursday: Tastefully Customized 1978 CJ7 Golden Eagle
Slick 1978 CJ7 Golden Eagle took four years to build but the cool 70s vibe results speak for themselves.
It doesn’t get much more Jeep than a CJ7. Tell someone to close their eyes and draw a Jeep and they will likely sketch something that resembles the CJ7. And within that iconic generation is the playful Golden Eagle edition. The CJ7 Golden Eagle was defined by, well, the giant gold eagle on the hood. It also came with some other minor items like auxiliary lights, some body stripes, and a few other cosmetic touches. But the huge bird on the hood was the statement. It was cool when it was released, then a decade later it was looked at as ridiculous but now it is cool again. It is so cool in fact that Brandon Deitz recently spent four years of his life restoring and customizing a 1978 CJ7 Golden Eagle.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this beautiful 1978 CJ7 Golden Eagle. Deitz was recently in Pigeon Forge, TN and caught up with the folks from the Civilian Jeeps YouTube channel. In a video recently posted to that channel Deitz offers us a walkaround of his build as well as the history of it and what his future plans are for it. It is a tastefully done build. It has many modern touches and upgrades but still keeps that 70s vibe that only a Jeep with a large eagle on the hood could get away with.
How Did It Start?
When Dietz found this CJ7 it was in running condition, but it was prone to overheating. CJ7 owners, does that sound familiar? So, the first thing that was done to the Jeep was the install of a set of outside the frame rail headers and side pipes. It helps keep the Jeep cool but also helps it to look cool. That combined with an upgraded radiator took care of the overheating issues. Another major change was the original tub was rusted beyond repair and had to be replaced. The upside to that was Deitz was able to use an upgraded tub with more reinforcements around the doors. That was a good start, but Deitz was not going to stop there.
Suspension
You can’t modify a Jeep and not touch the suspension, right? This CJ7 Golden Eagle now has a 2-inch lift courtesy of a BDS suspension. The lift also allows the 35-inch tires on 16-inch wheels to fit comfortably under the fenders. According to Deitz the Jeep rides so well that he can cruise down the road at 65 mph and control it with one finger on the steering wheel. Not too many other lifted Jeeps from 1978 that can make that claim.
Exterior
The paint is black but Deitz decided to have some gold metal flake mixed in with it, so it looks almost brown or bronze under the light. And we must address the eagle in the room. The decal package came from Phoenix Graphix and it looks fantastic. The headlights have been upgraded to a more modern LED arraignment. Supplementing those are a set of KC Daylighters, so this Jeep should not fear the darkness.
Interior
The inside of this Jeep is immaculate. The tub had to be replaced as we stated earlier but the original dash was retained. In the dash are a set of all new gauges and heater controls. There is no carpet inside, instead Deitz decided to go with a spray-in bedliner for durability and ease of cleanup. The seats are from Corbeau and are comfortable as well as great looking. In the back is a set of custom-made saddle bags for extra storage which is always appreciated in a CJ7.
Engine
Nothing too fancy under the hood. You will find an AMC 360 V8 with the original intake and two-barrel carb. It is hooked up to a T18 manual transmission backed by a Dana 20 twin stick transfer case. No crazy power here, no Hellcat engine or anything nuts. But a nice, functional powertrain that should serve this Jeep well for many years to come.
Any Regrets?
In a word no. Often when a build is complete the owner will say they wish they did this, or they wished they changed that. But Deitz loves this Jeep as it is. He built it exactly the way he wanted, and he would not change a thing. Of course, that is not to say that he is done. A custom build is never really done. He wants to paint the steering column shaft and put some stainless front and rear bumpers on. Other than that, he plans to just drive it. He has no plans to sell it either. Of course, everything is for sale at the right price. So, if you like what you see in the video below maybe reach out to Deitz with an offer. But be prepared to write a big check for this beauty.