'75 CJ5 Renegade sat 15 years in a Backyard!

by Rick Lewis
(Marysville, WA)

Just picked her up July 2009

Just picked her up July 2009

My dad had purchased this 1975 CJ5 Renegade Levi Edition with a 304 V8 AMC engine in 1976. It only had 1100 miles on it. He only drove it to and from work for several years. After awhile he bought a van and drove that instead of the Jeep. It was used occasionally to haul a trailer to the dump.


Finally in 1994, the last year it was registered it sat in his back yard for the next 15 to 16 years. He would cover it and when the cover would wear out he would re-tarp it. I finally asked if he was going to sell it and he said that I could have it.

There is some surface rust and slight damage to the rear panel. I got it running after replacing all the filters and plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. My plan is to restore her to her original condition. My wife and I go back and forth on whether I paint it the same color or a different one.

Larry's Comment: Good start to a great project Rick! My opinion (for what it's worth) is to keep the same paint scheme..especially if you are planning a complete original restoration.

Comments for '75 CJ5 Renegade sat 15 years in a Backyard!

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Great Jeep
by: Anonymous

Great Jeep. Great Project. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.

good job
by: koolwinder

great vehicle bro... a good paint job will make the jeep look amazing.......

Nice
by: Anonymous

I have the same Jeep 1975 CJ5 Renegade Levis Edition. Mine has a 4 inch lift and 3 inch body lift. I am working on restoring mine also but can't find all the parts I need. Anybody know were to find parts??????

Jeep paint
by: Anonymous

Put it back the original color.

HELP!!
by: Aunt Nettie

I have CJ-5 Levi Edition...My family hates. I am in money trouble and need help! Is there anyone out there who understands the LOVE of a JEEP?!!

Thanks
by: Anonymous

I love all the comments. I am having lots of fun restoring this Jeep. It is good to hear that there are other 75 CJ5 Levi editions still out there.

I would love to hear from you about what engine size you have because I am having engine trouble and need help with the vacuum lines.

To the Aunt with the Jeep. If you still have it and want to be rid of it let me know. To get your family excited about it just take them for a ride in the summer. Too much fun.

Lots of luck to everyone!

Great project
by: radgsxr

Looks like a great project.... I too have that same Jeep. I have been in the restoration process for about 5 years. You're right about finding parts - pretty hard. I have all but given up on a blue denim top to bring that back. Good luck....

Your Jeep
by: David C.

Hi there, nice Jeep, hope the restoration is going good for you. I'm actually about to buy the exact same Jeep, same color same everything. Mine's already built for off roading, but it still needs some work like with the paint and wiring. I'd like some tips or info on these problems if you can help I'd appreciate it. Email me if you have anything streetballdav@yahoo.com Thanx.

TO THE AUNT (NETTIE)!
by: Anonymous

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOUR JEEP! LET ME KNOW IF YOU STILL HAVE IT!

JEEP CJ5 75,77,78 AND 79 AND 00 LIMITED
by: Anonymous

I HAVE HAD AND CURRENTLY HAVE SEVERAL JEEPS, AND WORKED AT A JEEP DEALERSHIP FOR YEARS. HAVE THREE JEEPS NOW AND HAVE HAD 12+ OVER THE YEARS. NO OTHER COMPANY BUILDS ANYTHING THAT COMPARES TO THEM AND NEVER HAS. CONVERTIBLE, V8, 4X4, GO ANYWHERE. ENOUGH SAID. I HAVE PLENTY OF JEEP PARTS AND THEY ARE ALL ORIGINAL, NEVER KNOW WHEN SOMETHING MIGHT BREAK. THEY ARE USED AS THEY WERE BUILT FOR.

Jeep parts
by: MAKA

I have some original Jeep parts and have friends in 4 wheeling club that buy, swap, and trade. One has an original CJ5 with auto trans. and low miles. I have a tan back seat and a two barrel factory carb off of a 304. Gauges. Knobs. Tailgate. In the garage..

Tan rear bench seat
by: Mike

I have a '78 CJ5 Levi Edition. Looking for a rear bench seat. Thanks

Need new top in blue or white
by: Anonymous

Looking for a new top in blue or white for my 1975 CJ.

'75 Renegade Levi Edition
by: Scott Cody

For those with wire problems there was a recall on the wire loom in '77; at least I received mine then. Updated electronic ignition is a plus. At the moment I have a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 with the V10 . Willing to trade for a '75 Jeep Renegade. Love to relive the thrill of my past.

Found mine!
by: Jeepseeker

Wow! One month ago I found a 1975 Renegade with 304 V8 the same color and decal as the author of this page. We could not get it to run right! It only has 42K actual miles. Yesterday my buddy and I were at the end. We had put on new, distributor, timing set, water pump, fuel pump, like new factory rebuilt carburetor, and ignition box. It still would idle fine but anything above idle it would pop, skip and backfire.

We decided to return ignition box for swap and put on a new coil. As my buddy was removing the coil he exclaimed, "This condenser is on the wrong coil terminal!" He swapped it over and we fired her up. No more popping, skipping or backfiring! It ran like NASCAR!

So it had been in a shed since 1984. I realized that at that time someone worked on it and put the condenser on wrong so it would not run right and they put it in the shed only to be sold 34 years later. My 1975 CJ5 with 24K miles was because of a mistake.

Brakes and fuel tank next week then the highway!

Looking for one
by: Russell

Just lost my '75 CJ5 Renegade to a head-on collusion. I had it for 40 years. Looking for another and am fighting with Geico for money, or a replacement one.

Mine was a blue Levi Edition and I was repairing and/or replacing whatever was needed. I have new denim material for the top, decals and was getting ready to paint her.

Good luck with your restoration.
Wrecked in NM

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