When it comes to Jeep CJ-5s, my personal feeling is many of them have lost that original bare-bones off-roader “vibe” owing to years of either modifications or customizations that strip away the roughneck authenticity it’s known for. It’s an abstract quality for sure, and perhaps it’s based solely on the fact that so many of them no longer retain the original wheel and tire combination. Whatever it is, this 1976 CJ-5 Renegade is as honest as they come and was apparently used at the long-time owner’s vacation property. The listing indicates the Jeep has under 30,000 miles and it’s listed here on craigslist for $26,000.
The seller doesn’t confirm the mileage but the condition certainly lives up to the notion of this being a low-mileage specimen. The Jeep is not only a rarity for being a supposed survivor but also for its equipment packages, which include the Renegade kit and the Levi’s upholstery trim. The Jeep also comes with a host of period accessories, including this very cool two-piece hardtop with sliding windows; a three-piece soft top with removable safari windows; a custom rear bumper with an integrated cargo holder; and a winch and driving lamps on the front bumper. The paint scheme is pretty killer as well and the seller notes will likely come back to life with a good buffing.
The interior is in excellent condition with the vintage upholstery still presenting very well. How many of these CJ-5s are left with the original Levi’s seating surfaces? The painted dash looks to be in excellent shape and the photos showing the gauges in greater detail reveal rich colors on the gauge faces themselves, another great clue the Jeep is a low-mileage original. I bet if we could see the pedal pads we’d see evidence of very limited use. The seller does say in the listing that the maintenance paperwork and the DMV paperwork help provide extra validation that the low mileage is accurate, but obviously, with these old-school odometers, you always want to be careful how much you promise.
The Jeep is powered by a durable 4.2L inline-six that the seller claims fires up and runs well, and the same goes for the manual gearbox and four-wheel-drive system. The Jeep is a smart buy at almost any price as the legions of Jeep faithful will always want to own a survivor like this, and your upkeep costs will basically be nill for as long as you own it. Changs the fluids, belts, and brakes and go on your way. Keeping this one in its stock colors with the original wheel and tire size is a move I would strongly recommend making, as it will make this CJ-5 a standout amongst all of the classic Jeeps that have been overly-modified. Thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for the find.
What? No, no, resolution is such a demanding word, I’d like to call it, image enhancement initiative,,that being, no more complaining about money, really. This is a nice one, however, I’d almost guarantee it was pulled behind a motorhome, with speedo disconnected. To be clear, the seats weren’t actually Levis material, a mix of vinyl and denim, I think, and driving this will exhibit all the characteristics of a military Jeep. That’s not all bad, in the right application. “Renegade”, I hope that doesn’t upset our Native American friends, a group wants Jeep to eliminate the “Cherokee” name, claiming it’s racist,,ugh, no comment from Jeep yet. Most CJ5s are either trashed, adorn some forlorn fence line, or have some ridiculous “rock crawler” motif, I’m a YJ fan, but wouldn’t rip on this whatsoever. This is a great find and a reason they are the longest running type of vehicle. I’m proud to drive my Jeep around, almost patriotic. Not sure a 4Lander[sic] owner can feel the same way.
When the Cherokee was introduced AMC obtained permission from the tribe to use the name.
If they now want to withdraw that permission that would make them, well… In the words of Jerry Seinfeld: “You can’t give something and take it back, that would make you…., uh, a person that uh…, a person that gives something and then they’re dissatisfied, and they wish they had, uh…”
https://youtu.be/WPLnqOx4SlI?t=125
Would be interested in seeing what documentation/accounts you’ve found that indicate AMC approached and received permission from the Cherokee Nation for use of the name on a vehicle.
Apparently, there WAS a pact. This article tells of the 1st Jeep Cherokee was given to the then Cherokee tribe chief, and was considered an honor. I can only imagine it’s their thin skinned kids that are making a stink.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/the-controversy-over-native-american-names-engulfs-the-jeep-cherokee/
Next door neighbor had a new CJ5 with the 304 in it
in 1974.
I got really interested in it to the point of going down
to the local Jeep dealer & pricing one out.As we went down
the options list,& was surprised that almost everything was
an option on them.Here’s they way most of it went (from memory)
“Passenger seat?”
“Top?”
“Spare tire?”
When we were done going down the list,the total was
right around $4,500.I was a little shocked at the price.Of course
I was only making about $1.85 an hour,& still living at home.
I did the same thing, only I was making $2.48 an hour and living at home between college quarters. Took me almost 20 years to get a Jeep and it was a ’73 Commando that I bought from my dad.
In 1983 I bought a 1978 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade with a 304 V8 and hardtop. It had a non functional sunroof which leaked even though I caulked it a couple times. I used to have to put a stack of newspaper on the passenger floor to soak up the rain water. It was a blast to drive and my brother and I easily removed the top often. It was about eight bolts,I think
Is that a Warn 8274 onnthe bumper ?
It’s so cool to have the opening side windows so you can, um, so you can, access the roll bar? Nice Jeep though.
Being of Apache and Comanche blood, I’ve never felt that having the use of “native names or terms” as being racist or derogatory as long as it was in good taste. I was never insulted by Chief Noc-a-homa used by the Milwaukee Braves, nor by the Cleveland Indians, etc. It is too bad that we have become so politically correct that we can’t have fun because someone finds it “offensive”…. so 1 person can ruin it for 1000 others… sorry… I’ll get off my soap box now…
It’s across the board now. No “Uncle Ben”, no “Aunt Jemima”, heck, even Eskimoe Pies are on the hot seat. IDK, I grew up with racism all my life, it took it’s toll, as many will agree. We’ve changed our focus, and that’s a good thing. You think I’M bad, my old man was worse, and HIS old man was worse yet. I tried to break that, with limited success.
And I’m deeply offended by the Redskins
use of the word “Washington”.
I owned one in the 80s. I loved it except in the winter lol….
not bad, nice size esp compaired to the current (JK?) BUT…
gimmie da CJ-8 (w/Overlander, Alaska Postal, World Cab) or even scrambler.