I can only recall driving a Jeep CJ5 once. It was in a former U.K. colony where you drive on the left side of the road and I was commandeering a left-hand drive Jeep. I wasn’t concerned about tipping the short-wheelbase buggy over, no, my biggest concern was trying to avoid doing a grille plant into an oncoming vehicle. Oh, and this Jeep had no doors and very rusty seatbelt buckles that hadn’t been clicked in many moons. Well, this was so long ago, I don’t really remember the experience with clarity but perhaps this 1974 CJ5 will refresh my memory. This ready-for-anything 4X4 is located in Sacramento, California and is available, here on craigslist for $12,500. Thanks are due to T.J. for this tip!
Right off the bat, the seller pushes what would seem to be this Jeep’s stand-out feature which is its winch described as a “Functioning and rare AMC Jeep-branded factory option Warn 8274 winch“. I can’t say that I’ve seen one like it before but it appears to be way more adequate than this lightweight CJ5 would ever need – it could probably pull all 2,600 lbs. of it straight up a shear wall!
Supporting the overall tough-going image is this Jeep’s basic stance and “experienced” look. It’s in pretty decent shape but it displays evidence of actual use with some dings and scratches – nothing serious of course. It’s the seventies, so brown was in but I would suggest that this is a more pleasing shade of brown than some hues that I can recall from the era. This Jeep, unlike the one from my misguided travels many years ago, actually has a full top and sides though the seller states, “The fit on the top is not perfect, as the hardware kit was put together from used parts, and the body-snaps do not conform perfectly to this top“.
A 110 net HP, AMC 258 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine provides this Jeep with plenty of torque for off-road maneuvers. Originally equipped with a three-speed manual gearbox, this CJ5 is now sporting a four-speed manual transmission. The seller adds, “Great oil pressure. Rebuilt carb. Auto-choke removed, so can be a bit cold-blooded BUT ONLY IF NOT RUN FOR A WHILE. Starts right up and RUNS GREAT“.
When it comes to CJ interiors, there’s not much one can say, they are as utilitarian an environment as you’ll find. The front and rear floors display quite a bit of surface rust but none of it looks invasive. The tough vinyl upholstery, both front and back and designed to take outdoor abuse, has withstood the test of time. I’d have to say that this Jeep’s seatbelts look about as useable as the ones in my long ago rental but at least they’re present and I seriously recommend using them when traveling in open-side mode – there’s lots of bouncing around that goes on.
I am amazed at how well modern Wranglers hold their resale value. My daughter bought a three-year-old one and six months later, the salesman called her and wanted to buy it back for more – people go ga-ga for them. But… will that all-things-Jeep demand transcend the years and generations and apply to older examples like this CJ5?
Ahhh, one of the last of the “real” Jeeps… Love it!
Please tell what a real Jeep is???
Stupid question!!!
What’s the answer to the stupid question Rocco?
Good question!
To Rw: CJ’s were the last real Jeeps, ending in ’85.
My opinion is the XJ was the last real Jeep, mine had the straight 6, not the V6 crap you get now.
Torque beats horsepower any day.
To Jake, 1986 not 85
Love those push -pull heater controls. Simpler is better.
8000 lb winch
Nice looking CJ-5! :-)
& yes, that period-correct Warn winch is very desirable!
$12500 seems a little “steep” for a CJ-5 in this “slightly worn & bruised” condition.
But given that it is a 1974 model it is EXEMPT from smog testing requirements in CA, so that is a HUGE PLUS for any California-based buyer.
(I can’t count the number of Horror Stories of late-70s Jeep owners who have had difficulties getting their vehicles to pass the strict smog-check requirements of CA. Many just give up eventually, & then either sell their Jeep to an out-of-state buyer OR find a friend or relative in a different state who doesn’t mind “loaning” their address for registration purposes OR just make it an “off-road only” vehicle.)
…
The cost of living in CA is also significantly higher than it is for most other states, so perhaps the potential buyer will think “Hmmm… It is equivalent to 3 or 4 months of rent. What a deal!!” :-)
Ahh, memories, my dad had a CJ5, but the V8 version, go anywhere, I recall his never had doors or a roof of any description, didn’t need it.
The torque of the V8 would climb anything. 2nd gear, low range and it just chugged to the top., he traded it in a land cruiser troop carrier.
That’s a good Jeep.
Oh, what the heck, I suppose no Jeep post would be complete without a comment from me. This may jinx it, but the site seems to be a hummin’ agin, for now and Jeeps are clearly my favorite. I blast the CJ, coming from a YJ perspective, but don’t get me wrong, the CJ and all its offshoots, will go down in history, as the most popular, and “true to form” vehicles, we ever produced. A hefty claim, perhaps, but the Jeep has stood the test of time, and judging by the popularity, has a long ways to go. I don’t think any other vehicle can make that statement.
Oh, but all was NOT well in 1974. The CJ was at the forefront of rollover crashes in ’74, and sales suffered substantially. Only true “Jeepers” bought them. I always thought, Dukes of Hazzard and Daisy Dukes “Dixie” Jeep, was a shot in the arm for CJ owners, but the show did little for sales. The winch, a stout unit, but a bit overkill, and possibly impedes air flow. You wouldn’t want to take this Jeep where you would need a winch like that, trust me. Very nice find. Won’t find many like this, even has the “factory” rust by your feet,,,
I have a 77 cj5, v8, bought it in 82,the 304 was a thirsty one with a few after market parts, better 4 bbl, headers, 411’s, 35×1250-15’s,and a Dana 44 rear end to handle the constant broken axle issue, kids learned to drive in it,the wife loved it, happy wife, happy life, still have it, the Levi upholstery give up decades ago, as did the rest of the Golden eagle graphics etc, yes, they do command a pretty Penney, (too many to count to be honest)
I had a 1981 CJ-5 with the Renagade Package . It was Blue with the Renegade Graphics on the sides , padded Roll Bar , upgraded Bucket Seats , and the 258 ci Chevy inline six with a 4 speed. 1 st gear was granny low It got very decent fuel mileage as well . It had the vinyl roof and doors driving in winter the heater was on high heat all the time . It was by far the most funnest vehicle I had ever owned .
I believe the AMC version to be the end of the “ Traditional” Jeeps The Mopar versions never really had the same appeal IMO.
Always thought about buying another one , Hmm ?
Chevy 258??
258ci Chevy inline six? Not so. This was an AMC produced engine. Far better than any Chevy version.
Oh ok I was told years ago that Chevy supplied the engines for some of the AmMC models thanks for clearing that up!
And Chrysler supplied transmissions!!
Chevy did supply the 4 cylinder engines for thepost office Jeeps…that may be what you were referring to.
I had a 76 CJ 5 with a 258 and a 4 speed. It had been an old man’s hunting rig since new. I cleaned it up, de-rusted it, tuned it up, put new tires and wheels on it (oh, and a sweet sounding Flowmaster) and found it to be impractical, unsafe, uneconomical, too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, and I loved it.
I knew a woman like that lol!!🤣🤣
Incorrect on the Chrysler supplied transmissions. They were manufactured by Borg Warner.
What no reply button!! I stand corrected!! Chrysler supplied automatic transmissions!!
My 85 CJ7 with 258 and a 4 speed would cruise the Interstates at 75 mph at 15 mpg with a 4barrel holley sitting on it. When it had the original carb I would get 18 mpg on the highway.
If Mr. Collins had this the price would be $30k.
I went to work as a service manager in an AMC dealership in 1986. About the third day, I found out the difference in a CJ 7 and a CJ 5. I stepped out onto the service drive to move the customer vehicle, swung my rear up into the drivers seat and with the tiny door opening on the 5 model, quickly caught my tail bone on the tight quarter panel. No permanent damage, hurt like you know what, but I never made that mistake again.
I would be more inclined for that to happen with a CJ-7 where the point is located!!🤷
I own a 74 CJ 5 i bought new in 1974. One thing about this unit is the side Jeep logos. The rear tailgate logo is year correct. However, the side logos are the new Chrysler style logos. Was the tub replaced? Other than that, looks pretty accurate!