1981 Jeep CJ5

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!