For not a lot of money, this 1979 Jeep CJ5 offers a lot of 4x4 fun. No, it's not perfect, but it's exactly the kind of Jeep that delivers the most smiles per mile simply because you won't be worrying about fresh paint while you're out on the trails. Sure, everyone says they want a perfect vehicle, but wouldn't you rather have one that's more fun for the driver rather than the spectators?That isn't to say that this Jeep doesn't look quite nice, because it does. It was repainted a few years ago and the shiny black finish is holding up well enough that you'll happily take it to the local cruise night or Jeep Jamboree to show it off. This big, bad, black brute isn't subtle, but then again, not much about the world's most popular 4x4 needs to be low-key. With a look dating back to World War II, it's one of the most enduring icons in motoring and the CJ5's more compact shape makes it a favorite among true off-roading enthusiasts. This one is augmented with a few upgrades, including tubular side steps, new fender flares, and a heavy-duty tubular rear bumper. Other details are Jeep mainstays, from the asymmetrical chrome side mirrors to the rear-mounted spare tire, offer a traditional look that'll never go out of style. The black looks so good, you might think twice about plunging into the brush, but Jeeps like this are always up for fun so no matter what you want to do, this Jeep is ready.The interior offers no-frills motoring, but that's what you want in your Jeep. Have fun in the mud, then take it home and hose it out, the heavy-duty seat materials and spray-in bedliner material lining the inner tub won't mind. Bestop bucket seats offer better support than the original low-back buckets, and there's a matching rear bench for a pair of friends. With a full 6-point roll cage, you don't have to worry about tackling the really rough stuff, and it's been padded so you don't accidentally give yourself a concussion while playing in the dirt There's a new stainless gauge panel on the dash and big, round gauges to keep an eye on things, and you'll quickly find that the controls are simple and easy to use without having to take your eyes off the trail. You'll note there is no radio, but adding one would be easy; however, given the open-air fun this Jeep represents, you probably won't miss it. The engine is AMC's torquey 304 cubic inch V8, which delivers more than entertaining performance in the lightweight CJ5. The engine bay doesn't look like it's seen many off-road excursions and there's a ton of new stuff, including some chrome dress-up to make it sparkle. Thanks to a 2-barrel carb and long-tube headers, it runs superbly and delivers strong performance on or off road. There's a big aluminum radiator, which is a great thing to have when you're grinding along at walking speeds, and all that chrome and fresh green engine enamel really makes it look sharp. The 3-speed manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case give you all the gearing you need to climb any obstacle and the trail-rated Rancho suspension can climb over rocks the size of basketballs without flinching. Handsome aluminum wheels with big off-road radials look great on the sturdy CJ, enhancing the burly attitude.So go out and have some fun in the sun. It doesn't cost much and this Jeep will deliver far more smiles than any show vehicle ever could. Call today!
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