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

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!