This 1964 Jeep CJ5 sports the rare half-cab option, which should make the vintage SUV a bit more pleasant to drive if you live somewhere that the temperature dips down into the cold zone on occasion. Of course, beyond the hardtop-enclosed cabin, this CJ5 is also said to be a healthy runner with very minor rust. The Jeep also comes with some desirable upgrades, including the functional winch and a relocated gas tank, which should put some drivers’ minds at ease when taking this Jeep on longer drives or with heavy traffic. Find the clean CJ5 here on eBay with an opening bid of $3,500 and no action yet.
There’s a reasonable Buy-It-Now of $6,000, and I’m surprised no one had lodged a bit yet. There’s still six days in the auction, so that could explain the lack of activity, because there’s not much that worries me in the listing. The four cylinder engine is said to run well, and the manual gearbox works as intended with no slop in the mechanism. The bodywork appears largely sound as well, with the seller noting that rust is limited to the running boards and nothing worth mentioning in the floors.
The interior is surprisingly tidy. I say surprisingly because a Jeep interior isn’t exactly the kind of space you worry about keeping in mind condition, especially the soft top models. Perhaps that’s another benefit of the half cab design, as the seats and floors can actually be protected while the Jeep is parked outside. The upholstery isn’t original but that’s OK; it’s in great shape and no immediate work is required unless you want to go back to an OEM-style design. The painted dash is in great shape, too.
The roll bar give the Jeep some added toughness, while the steel wheels and hubcaps preserve the OEM appearance. Of course, I wouldn’t be opposed to some slightly larger wagon wheels painted white and mounted on some more aggressive rubber, and some quick photo searches on Google reveal that some upsized wheels would look quite good. The half cab design isn’t what I’d call attractive, but it is a rare option that I’m sure more than a few CJ5 fans have spent some time searching for. With no reserve, that opening bid could make this Jeep a bargain if bidders remain quiet.
This was THE residential plow truck when I was a kid. The half-cab does indeed stay warmer than a full cab would, and that tiny “short bed” was perfect for storing the shovels for clearing sidewalks.
yes, what he said. lived near lake michigan and the local school system used them to plow the sidewalks, driveways and the paved area in the playground. The beds were filled with bags of salt and sand and they were totally rusted out when I remember seeing them in the early/mid seventies.
Provo, Utah. Other than the Great Salt Lake and the Bonneville Flats there’s not much around there to threaten this ol’ girl!
That 4 banger would be great around town and around the woods/desert..
Oh, I see what’s going on here, taunting me with this stuff. 1st, 5 figure squarebodies, and now this, just kidding.,,, This is it, though, vehicle wise, hopefully my last vehicle while on this rock, but a little math shows, Provo is about 430 miles from me, and since it can’t be driven on the highway, it’s going to have to be towed. I see a tow dolly in the background, probably how it got there. And don’t EVEN get me started on the “car shipping fiasco” these days. Gas both ways with the gas hog squarebody, (keep that in mind, btw, when buying one) plus a Uhaul trailer and a motel ( hey, I can’t hammer out 900 miles in a day like I used to) I’m looking at least $600 bucks, if I toast the truck motor, then what? Once here, I don’t need anything more than this. Price is right in there, DANG. Thanks for the posting, however. Tells me they are out there. The half cab is a great feature, personally, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year here, I want a soft top. With it’s simplicity, it will be my giant middle finger to the present automotive scene.
And zero bids,,,that’s a good thing,,,see? Today, a vehicle like this falls on deaf ears. I’ve been looking, I swear, this country, everything has to be lifted this, and mud swampers that, a very small group of people actually want these, as is. For anything off road, a modern ATV has all this, and more, and with todays travel, this is horribly out of date,,,,BEAUTIFUL!!!! It doesn’t even have a cigare,,,oops, I mean,,,a “power port”,,,and with the manual transmission and front lockouts, it’s almost theft-proof.
I’m with you, I absolutely HATE lifted vehicles. Keep them stock!
Hey Howard, Go for it! Drive 2 lane home and take it easy. With those front hubs you can go 50ish with a bit of caution…..How do I know? Back in about 1972 I bought a 1963 Willys CJ5 with a full cab. Used it to make money in Chicago plowing snow. I lined the cab with shag carpeting and foam padding I got at a carpet warehouse I also worked at…..Lots of fun. Other than keeping it greased up I put a rebuilt carburetor on it and used it as a daily driver for a year or so. Coincidentally sold it to a guy who was moving to Colorado. Was a hard working machine and I got pretty good with those 3 sticks……Have fun buddy……BTW, when you’re ready for another bike I’ve decided to sell my 1983 Honda FT500….only 6k and as new runs perfect. For you it will be a deal you can’t refuse. I’ve got that and one original 1965 305 scrambler to sell, then I’m looking for a a Honda trail-90 or 110 to use close to home……the end of a long era of motorcycling for me.
Hi Gregg, IDK, I’m just about “adventured out”. Besides, sure as heck, I drag it home, and one will appear down the block. Besides, I have no way of getting there, aside from the pickup. I’m in no hurry, and I’m going to advertise the GMC as a possible trade, see where that goes first.
As for the cycle, the DRZ pretty much was my last motorcycle. I know what I said, but it really wasn’t that much fun. I figure a Jeep with the top off and windscreen folded flat, could give me the same fun, and I won’t have to worry about getting killed, as much. Plus I can use it year ’round. Thanks anyway.
That’s the way I’m feeling about motorcycles too, I’m gonna get a small Honda trail just to keep my legs, but my Corvair convertible is replacing my last 2 bikes. I’m out in the West all this winter and really enjoying the warm dry weather. I’m also considering selling my lake house in Hayward and investing in a small place somewhere warm. Times they are a changin for sure…………good luck in your endeavors……
The filling station around the corner from me had a pair rusty ones of this model. Used for plowing and stuff.
I have a 64 that I beat the hell out of off-road basically stock with just the shackle lift and stock tires it will climb anything. Mine came with the power lock rear axle and 5.38 gears I cannot hit 50 miles an hour. I’ve climbed a 4 foot tall waterfall no one else could. I have a tow bar on mine, unlock the front hubs and disconnect the rear driveshaft whenever I’m taking it out to play. It weighs absolutely nothing and can easily pull it with my Tacoma
Howard A, fly out to get it and drive it home. Where in the ad does it say you couldn’t? Not on the interstate, but I’m assuming you have some free time to take the now “back roads” home.
Hi Kenn, well, 1st, I have no way of flying out, and you know how these things go, you need half your tools for WHEN it breaks down on the way home. Being in a western locale, much of our roads are 2 lane,( or the dreaded 3 lane) but not all. I’d at some point, have to take an interstate for some amount of time, and like Trevor says, 50 mph in these is about it, and even that is tense. And you’re right, all I have is free time now. :)