You know what the automotive industry is missing these days? Wild model names. Yes, this new-for-1976 Jeep CJ-7 used the alphanumerical nomenclature that we can find on so many Cadillacs and Kias today, but it was a CJ-7 RENEGADE! A renegade is an outlaw, a vagabond. A renegade doesn’t do what they’re told to do; they’re equal parts danger and intrigue. But then, to add a little whimsy, Jeep threw in Levi’s upholstery with every Renegade. Yep, 1976 was a different time in the auto industry, and you can relive it with this fun-looking CJ-7, which offered buyers an extra ten inches of wheelbase over the diminutive CJ-5. It’s here on eBay in Grand Junction, Colorado, and bidding has been brisk, with the current high bid of $15,000 certain to be eclipsed come Sunday when the auction ends.
It’s hard to choose exactly what about this Jeep stands out because there are so many things that stand out; I wouldn’t even label myself a “Jeep guy,” and I’m excited about everything this Renegade has to offer. Its paint is the factory coat of “Renegade Orange” for an authentic ’70s experience. The upholstery is tan Levi’s material in original condition with a “few separated seams” on the front seats that have not gotten worse during the owner’s time with the Jeep. There is “minimal corrosion,” and from my vantage point in the rust belt, this is probably the most solid CJ-7 you’ll find. The seller even suspects that the 64,806 miles showing on the odometer may be original.
Perhaps the best news is up front, where an extremely clean-looking AMC 304 goes about its business, making 150 horsepower and 245 lb.-ft. of torque. Dampening the mood a bit is the automatic transmission (a GM unit in 1976), which was linked to full-time Quadra-Trac four-wheel-drive. The seller points out that someone has added locking hubs for some reason, and they intended to swap those out for factory units but never got around to it. The eBay ad is far more comprehensive than most, and the seller lists all the little maintenance and repair items that have been done during their tenure, including adding an HEI distributor, rebuilding the carburetor, and changing the belts and hoses. The brake booster is also an owner add-on, and the brake pads (shoes) for the four-wheel drums are in good shape.
The Jeep is not perfect; things that are almost 50 years old rarely are, but it’s clearly been taken care of and the seller lists a few things that the new owner may want to do when they get around to it. The original aluminum wheels with come with the Jeep, and you will almost certainly want to reinstall them after getting them cleaned up, because they are slot mags and that is definitely a good thing. The big question is how high will this Jeep go? Its originality and lack of rust make it a Jeep that anyone should treasure, and you certainly don’t have to be a Renegade to own it.
Oh this looks a nice one. Howard its got an autoloader too. Toth as far as the hub conversion it’s a puzzling one. The seller describes not knowing how well they work ? It should be obvious with one trip down a gravel road. If they are Mile Marker hubs, they offered a kit for these FT 4WD Jeeps, that did actually convert into rwd capacity. If that’s what’s on there it’s good news.
Well, it’s like this, see, if it does have Quadra-Trac( not Quadramatic as the seller states), if you put lockouts on the front, in “free wheel” mode, the vehicle won’t move. Ask me how I know. I had a ’78 Cherokee I tried that with.
So,,not a Jeep guy, hey? Well, that would change, as I don’t recall anyone that doesn’t like their Jeep. This is an outstanding example, and as a last gasp for the CJ, the CJ7 was about the best you could ask for, in a CJ, but still prone to roll overs, and still all the comforts of an army Jeep, not many CJ7s, or 6, 8, or 10s,( there was no CJ9 for some reason) for that matter, were sold. $15 grand a bit pricey, makes me feel better, but a Jeep is a Jeep, and one need not go to 5 figures for one.
It’s a Quadratrac, you can see the little shifter on the drivers side of the tunnel. There were in fact a multitude of part time kits available for them back when. They would have had to install one to use the hubs. I’m sure if you dug around enough you could probably still find one.
This is a good looker and has a V8 which is a plus. Get a set of headers and duals to enhance your presence at the stoplight. Nice round the county cruiser or take on a short fishing trip and look cool doing so. I wouldn’t take it on a cross country trip.
A real Icon here. The CJ-7 was so much more accommodating than the “5”. Probably marginally more stable, too. My limited experience with these would be the worn out trade ins. Some requiring three hands to drive so you could shift without taking both hands off the wheel. I will add that I didn’t know the Denim fabric was offered in colors other than blue. Learn something new everyday.