Older amateur restoration of a pre-AMC Jeep CJ5. Runs and drives great, recent top and doors, upgraded stereo. Nice color combination on a traditional Jeep. If you have somewhere remote to go and want to have fun doing it, this Jeep is the answer.

The restoration was finished in the ‘80s, so it’s not fresh, but you can tell this Jeep has been loved. It’s not perfect, of course, but it has clearly been used as intended: having adventures in remote places. We have a fairly large stack of receipts on the restoration, and they covered all the big stuff so it’s in good order. The paint has a decent shine and the bodywork is Jeep-appropriate—not perfect, but not at all rusted. Sure, there are a few signs of use, a few dings here and there, and plenty of off-road scars, but that’s how a Jeep should look, isn’t it? Perfection is over-rated and perfect Jeeps never get to have any fun in the mud. Instead, this one delivers fun all out of proportion to its price tag and the low-worries cosmetics mean that you can head out into the wilderness without guilt. The traditional Jeep styling cues are all there, from the seven-bar grille and round headlights to the folding windshield to the spare tire mounted out back. As I mentioned, there’s no critical rust or rot in the tub and it has that charming Jeep look that has been loved for decades. This is an affordable, easy way to get into the Jeep lifestyle.

The interior is bare-bones, make no mistake. If you want comfort and luxury, a Jeep isn’t a smart choice. But if you want the ability to go anywhere and just hose it out when you’re done, this is a great vehicle. The seat covers are in great shape and the tan upholstery is a nice contrast to the burgundy paint job. Rubber mats on the bare metal floors mean getting dirty shouldn’t be optional, and the three-spoke steering wheel probably dates to WWII. A full complement of gauges are arrayed ahead of the driver, along with a set of toggle switches for auxiliary functions like lights and wipers. There’s also a heater control unit under the dash and an ‘80s Alpine AM/FM/cassette head unit in the dash with speakers at either end. The shifter features a chrome knob, and controls a 3-speed manual transmission, with auxiliary levers for the transfer case and front axle. Seat belts were added during the restoration, which is probably not a bad idea, and the back seat looks almost completely unused. There’s also a recent tan top and doors which are easy to remove for the open-air Jeep experience.

Power comes from the familiar Kaiser/Willys 134 cubic inch “Hurricane” 4-cylinder engine. A powerhouse it isn’t, but it’s bulletproof reliable and it was built by guys who understood what a Jeep was designed to do. It starts easily with a gruff 4-cylinder bark from the tailpipe and there’s decent low-end torque to make it feel peppy around town. With plenty of gear in the transfer case, particularly low range, it’s still potent off road and will get you anywhere you need to go. There are lots of cool features, too, including the remote air filter that helps with deep water fording, a big heater unit on the driver’s side firewall, and a thick radiator designed for slow-speed work. The 3-speed transmission shifts nicely with light clutch action and in low range this thing has the moves of a mountain goat. The undercarriage is a bit grungy, but that only means it has been used for its intended purpose and again, there’s no serious structural rot that should cause any concern. Leaf springs ride reasonably well and offer surprising axle articulation, and the no-frills hardware means that low maintenance is the word of the day. 4-wheel drum brakes are plenty powerful for the Jeep’s modest performance and light curb weight, and it sits on familiar 15-inch steel wheels with ancient retro-cool L78-15 off-road whitewalls.

Extras include an Army service manual and a massive stack of receipts covering the last four decades.

Fun on a budget has always been Jeep’s strong suit, and this neat little CJ5 asks for very little in return for the smiles it delivers. Not perfect, but perfect for going on an adventure, it’s a great way to get into off-roading without a major investment. And no matter where you go, this little 4x4 generates smiles and good memories, so you’ll always be a celebrity when you drive it. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.