Vehicle Description
No matter where you want to go, chances are good that this 1981
Jeep CJ5 Renegade will take you there. All the right hardware is
included and very little beyond the basics, and that's what makes
these versatile 4x4s so popular year after year. We sell a lot of
them and it's because they're a lot more fun than you should be
able to have on four wheels.
There are some Jeep fans who prefer the CJ5's more compact
proportions and shorter wheelbase, partly because it's more
maneuverable and partly because it is more closely linked to the
original. Whatever your reasons may be, this slick charcoal gray
Jeep has a lot going for it beyond the image it presents. First
off, there's the clean bodywork, which hasn't changed all that much
over the years, and it's wearing a recent coat of glossy paint
that's so dark it almost looks black. That sinister disposition is
perfect for the heavy-duty CJ, and includes a brand new set of red
and orange 'Renegade' decals on the hood, just for effect. New
rubber fender flares were installed at the same time, so you can go
from merely big to some large (or even huge) tires if you'd like
and the black front bumper looks recent. All the little stuff is
fresh, too, including mirrors, antenna, hood latches, lenses, and
lights, all of which give this 37-year-old Jeep a very up-to-date
look.
The black vinyl interior is as low-maintenance as you can get this
side of a tree stump next to a campfire. The buckets are new and
the durable materials will keep them looking good for years to
come, and it's impervious to water and mud so go have some
worry-free fun. The entire interior of the tub has been covered in
spray-on bedliner material, and you know that stuff wears like
iron, so no worries about getting a little dirt on your shoes. The
driving position is pure WWII, with a simple Grant GT steering
wheel on a long, skinny column and a long, straight shifter for the
4-speed manual gearbox, proof that when you get it right the first
time, evolution pretty much leaves you alone. The gauges are simple
and give you the information you need and there's a new AM/FM/CD
stereo radio and speakers for entertainment out on the trails. Just
a bikini top and no doors, but do you really need them in a Jeep?
Not if you're doing it right!
The engine is the same robust 304 cubic inch V8 that powers all our
favorite CJs and it's a lot nicer looking than you'd expect for a
4x4. Freshly rebuilt, it wears turquoise engine enamel that really
brightens the engine bay, and there are obviously upgrades
underneath, starting with those finned valve covers and an
open-element air cleaner. For horsepower, there's an Edelbrock
intake manifold and Holley 4-barrel carburetor, long-tube headers
with side pipes, and a lot of new hardware throughout. The machine
is simple and easy to maintain, which is key when you're someplace
remote and goes about its business with vigor. The 4-speed manual
transmission and 2-speed transfer case feed a set of pretty burly
axles, and everything hangs on a lifted suspension, so it can go
just about anywhere. On the other hand, it rides and handles well
enough to be driven every day without really beating anyone up and
it's certainly plenty quick! Flashy aluminum wheels add a sporty
countenance, and they carry 32x11.50-15 off-road tires that are
aggressive enough for just about anything you're going to do.
Recently freshened but not so perfect that you're never going to
have fun in it again, this cool CJ5 is just right for off-road fun.
Call today!