Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1983 Am General Dj-5m Mail Jeep Postal Jeep on 2040-cars

Year:1983 Mileage:47831 Color: Ford Wimbledon White matte coat
Location:

El Portal, California, United States

El Portal, California, United States
Advertising:
Transmission:Automatic
Engine:2.5L AMC Straight-4
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:Gasoline
For Sale By:Private Seller
VIN: 1utuf00b0ds191793 Year: 1983
Exterior Color: Ford Wimbledon White matte coat
Make: Jeep
Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: CJ
Trim: Utility truck 2-door
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Drive Type: Two-Wheel drive
Mileage: 47,831
Sub Model: DJ-5 M
Condition: UsedA vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections.Seller Notes:"Used and formerly in US Government service. Not a show car, but in good shape and runs/drives well. No known significant engine/transmission/body issues. See vehicle description for information on known minor issues."

An American icon!  The DJ (Dispatcher Jeep) series was built for the U.S. Postal Service from 1955 to 1984. This 1983 DJ-5M has reportedly lived its entire life in central California, and drove a mail route from 1983 to 2009.  The previous owner was a USPS rural route driver, and when the Government sold the vehicle around 2002, he purchased it and continued to use it to deliver mail until he sold it to me.  This one was built under Government contract by AM General (the company that made Humvees), but is identical to the DJ-5's manufactured by Jeep.

The DJ-5 line was discontinued in 1984, so this is one of the newest models of DJ-5 available, and it shows.  Many DJ-5s were worked into the ground, rusted out, and were scrapped; this one is comparatively new, has lived a dry California life in the San Joaquin Valley, and was well taken care of.  It's in great shape.  I grew up in New England, where salt rusts away cars over five years old, so it still surprises me to see how little rust this 1983 model has.  

Features: 150 cubic inch 2.5L AMC Straight-4 engine with a Chrysler 904 transmission, both running strong. Previous owner worked over the engine in 2008; I'm not sure of the extent of the work that he did, but I have had no significant issues with the engine.

Passes smog testing in California (fully rebuilt catalytic converter in 2011).  All tires are in good shape with plenty of tread. Paint in good shape, very little surface rust on exposed surfaces; the paint is Ford Wimbledon White in a matte gloss, recently touched up.  No body damage is known, and all sheet metal is smooth and undented. There are a couple of holes in the floorboard under the pedals due to wear, but they do not constitute a safety hazard.  New battery. 

Issues: 1. Runs at low idle on cold startup, air intake probably needs adjusting. Warms up quickly and stays at correct idle afterward. 2. Slow oil leak from oil pan gasket (no fluid leaks from engine).  3. Speedometer and odometer not functioning (odometer reads 47K+ miles, but that's inaccurate - actual mileage not known).  I tried to put "Unknown" in the mileage box for this auction, but eBay wanted a number, so I put the displayed odometer reading in. 

There may be additional mechanical issues present of which I am unaware; I am strictly an amateur mechanic.  This description is complete to the best of my knowledge; no warranty or other statement of material fact regarding the vehicle's condition is expressed or implied.

This vehicle was built for utility, not luxury, so it's simple and sturdy.  There is one seat for the driver, a mail-sorting tray, and a cargo area, and little else in the passenger compartment.  If you want to add a passenger seat, it's easy - the holes for seat bolts were factory drilled.  Just get a seat (jcwhitney.com Jeep parts, or from a salvage yard) and pop it in.  There is also a radio under the mail tray; it would work for FM reception, but I never bothered to hook up the power wiring, so it is currently unpowered.   

Included is the official USPS service manual for the DJ-5M.  It's incredibly detailed, and tells you how to fix virtually anything.  Loaded with exploded diagrams, the manual has made it easy for me to work on the vehicle.  The Jeep also comes with all the extras shown: magnetic US MAIL signs, parking sign, extra mirrors (the USPS originally put a LOT of mirrors on it to avoid accidents), cool mailman jacket!

I have clean California title in hand, in my name.  Delivery of the Jeep is not available; you'll have to come pick it up.  Fortunately, I live literally right next door to Yosemite National Park, so if you come here to get the Jeep, I'll be happy to give you a pass to get into the park.

I posted a video of the Jeep, including starting and running, at   http://youtu.be/PzcUwivjvcg

This has been my fun cruise-around-town car for the last four years in our little mountain town, and it has performed very well in that role; I've also had it on the freeway, where it did just fine.  I hate to get rid of it, but we're moving from the woods to San Francisco, and of course that means the extra car has to go.  The Jeep is a lot of fun, and really gets positive attention and smiles from everyone you pass. 

Good luck!

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Jeep Cherokee recalled to add power liftgate moisture shield

Fri, Dec 18 2015

The Basics: Jeep is recalling 55,687 examples of the 2015-2016 Cherokee that have the optional power liftgate and have production dates between February 18, 2015, and September 10, 2015. These include 32,784 vehicles in the US, 10,138 in Canada, 924 in Mexico, and 11,841 outside the NAFTA region. The Problem: Water can potentially leak onto the power liftgate control module and cause a short circuit. This is a potential fire hazard. Injuries/Deaths: Jeep has no reports of injuries or accidents The Fix: Dealers will inspect the area for damage and will replace parts as necessary. They will also install an improved moisture shield that will offer better protection. If You Own One: Owners should try to keep the cargo area of these vehicles dry until dealers perform the recall. More Information: Jeep also issued a recall for this issue for 164,003 total examples of the 2014-2015 Cherokee in June. RECALL Subject : Liftgate Module Short due to Water Leak Report Receipt Date: DEC 09, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V826000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , STRUCTURE Potential Number of Units Affected: 32,784 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) JEEP CHEROKEE 2015-2016 Details Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) SUMMARY: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option. In the affected vehicles, water mater leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit. CONSEQUENCE: A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire. REMEDY: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov. Statement: Moisture Shield Upgrade December 18, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 32,784 SUVs in the U.S.

Chrysler recalls 350k vehicles over ignition switches

Thu, 25 Sep 2014

Chrysler has announced a recall covering 349,442 vehicles due to ignition switches that can either become stuck or move without warning. All of the affected vehicles are from the 2008 model year, and were built before May 12, 2008.
The automaker has learned that ignition keys on some vehicles "may not fully return to the 'ON' position after rotation to the 'START' position during engine-startup," the company said in a statement. Additionally, "an ignition key may not fully return to the 'ON' position after rotation to the 'START' position and may inadvertently move through the 'ON' position to 'ACCESSORY' or 'OFF.'"
Chrysler says it is unaware of any related injuries, and notes that while reduced braking, engine or steering power is possible in such instances, the airbags are not affected. The later stands in contrast to General Motors' recent rash of high-profile recalls, and it's an important distinction that Chrysler (understandably) felt necessary to call out in bold print in its press release.

Feds chastise Marchionne over Jeep recall, only 13% repaired so far

Sat, Nov 22 2014

Following the significant outcry surrounding the General Motors and Takata airbag safety crises this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seems to be taking a much more aggressive role in pushing owners to repair their recalled vehicles. In the agency's latest move, it's urging Jeep drivers to get their models fixed. Acting NHTSA administrator David Friedman even sent a letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne pressing him to get more of the SUVs fixed. The problem goes back to the recall of the 2002-2007 Liberty and 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee because of the possibility for the fuel tank to rupture in some rear crashes. The campaign affected over 1.5 million vehicles, but Chrysler initially refused NHTSA's request for a repair campaign. The automaker eventually came up with a fix that involved adding a trailer hitch to provide extra protection to the tank. The feds believe the danger "will be reduced by the remedy now offered by Chrysler," according to the statement. However, this latest push comes out of NHTSA's concern that only three percent of the affected vehicles are repaired, although Chrysler maintains some 13.4 percent have actually been fixed. The agency is asking the automaker to reach out to owners "proactively," and get them to bring the Jeeps in dealers. According to the the feds' statement, the company "has nearly 400,000 parts available" to perform the fixes, and it's still producing more. Friedman's letter to Marchionne goes even further, alleging NHTSA has received reports that dealers are turning customers away who request the recall. He asks the CEO to prove within 15 days that these claims are false. "Given the low rates of repair that Chrysler has reported more than a year after the recall, significantly more aggressive steps are required," says a portion of the note. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler has subsequently promised to speed up the recall work, vowing that all dealers will have at least 12 repair kits in stock by Monday. Further, it has announced plans to ramp up its notification campaign with Facebook ads and public service announcements. Scroll down to read NHTSA's full statement on the matter, and Friedman's letter to Marchionne can be read in PDF format, here.