No matter where you want to go, chances are good that this 1979 Jeep CJ5 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 here at Streetside 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 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 very solid coat of gray paint that looks very presentable as-is. That sinister disposition is perfect for the heavy-duty CJ, and includes a newer set of black 'Renegade' decals on the hood along with "Jeep" decals on the front fenders, just for effect. Tough-looking fender flares were installed, so you can go from merely big to some large (or even huge) tires if you'd like. There are heavy-duty bumpers fore and aft, with an incorporated push bar attached up that protects the grille and can pretty much mow over anything it wants. All the little stuff is nice, too, including mirrors, antenna, hood latches, lenses, and lights, all of which give this 40-year-old Jeep a very up-to-date look. The matching gray vinyl interior is as low-maintenance as you can get this side of a tree stump next to a campfire. The buckets are actually in good condition and the durable materials that make up the seat covers will keep them looking good for years to come. The entire interior of the tub was painted to match the exterior, which is a fairly high-end featured on a Jeep that exclaims that this CJ5 is proud to show off it's original, clean floors, rather than cover them with bedliner. The driving position is pure WWII, with an original Jeep steering wheel on a long, skinny tilt column and a long, straight shifter for the 3-speed manual gearbox juts out from the floor right next the transfer case selector; 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 Sony AM/FM/Cassette stereo radio for entertainment out on the trails. The padded roll bar not only looks great, but also provides some roll-over security, and a full Bestop soft top and soft doors, along with a sporty bikini top, offer full-weather protection that means you can drive this Jeep regardless of what's going on inside. The engine is the same robust 258 cubic inch inline-six that powers most of our favorite CJs and it's a lot nicer looking than you'd expect for a rugged 4x4. Fresh blue engine enamel on the valve cover and distributor cap really brightens the engine bay, and with original details like the snorkeled air cleaner and downdraft 2-barrel carburetor in place, it runs pretty much the way it has for decades: superbly. The machine is simple and easy to maintain, which is key when you're someplace remote and goes about its business with vigor. The 3-speed manual transmission and 2-speed transfer case feed a set of pretty burly axles, and everything hangs on a slightly lifted suspension, so it can go just about anywhere yet rides and handles well enough to be driven every day without really beating anyone up. Flashy aluminum "bullet-hole" wheels add a sporty countenance, and they carry 32x11.50-15 all-terrain tires that are aggressive enough for just about anything you're going to do. Very nicely freshened but not so perfect that you're never going to have fun in it again, this cool gray CJ5 is just right for off-road fun. Call today!
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