• 1972 and 1973 have a black stripe down the center of the hood, along with a straight black stripe with white “Renegade” lettering along the side of the hood extending to the cowl, where it ends.
• 1974 and (first half of) 1975 have a black stripe down the center of the hood, along with a straight black stripe with white “Renegade” lettering along the side of the hood extending to the cowl, where it turns downward 90 degrees and passes through the Jeep logo, ending directly below it.
• 1975 (second half) and 1976 saw the removal of the center hood stripe and the introduction of the single-piece decal that stretched across the hood from side to side.
• 1977 and 1978 introduced a large hood decal with separated “Renegade” lettering on the sides of the hood.
• 1979 and 1980 featured a much more complex decal arrangement. The center hood stripe returned, which was connected to progressive stripes that slightly changed in color and thickness. The “Renegade” lettering stood alone and a gradient stripe went under the door and behind the rear wheel.
• 1981 and 1982 changed the multi-colored striping to a tri-color design that created a U-shaped stripe over the hood with “Renegade” lettering on the sides of the hood. The tri-color stripe also went in a straight line below the door to the rear of the Jeep.
• 1983 and 1984 have a further change, where the multicolor hood stripe was only on the raised center section of the hood in a U-shape. The “Renegade” lettering was in all caps on the side of the hood, and there was a side stripe that went from the rear, under the door, and finally ended behind the front fender in a stacked-looking stripe.
• 1985 and 1986 were the final years of the CJ Renegade, and the hood design remained similar to the 1983 and 1984 style. The side stripe was changed to start at the rear of the front fender and curve over the rear fender, ending in the rear. ■
Another iconic ad from the 1974 Jeep Renegade model. The slight variation of the black side stripe and black hood decal only survived partway through the year. This Renegade look still remains a favorite today, where Wrangler JK versions of the same stripe are still made in the aftermarket. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
The new striping on the 1975 and 1976 combined the entire decal into one piece that stretched from one side of the hood to the other. The 1976 model year was the first year of the CJ-7 and the last year to offer factory aluminum slot wheels. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
The 1977 and 1978 scheme was a bit tamer than the prior years but still offered a look that made the Jeep stand out. The massive decal covered a large percentage of the Jeep’s hood. (Photo Courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
The gradient color striping on the 1979 and 1980 CJ is another favorite scheme. The light blue 1979 Jeep with blue-themed gradient striping made a look that still seems to work today.
The final years of the CJ-7 Renegade featured a thinner hood stripe and capital letters on the side of the hood. The optional chrome grille finished the look of this 1985 white CJ-7 Renegade.
Choosing the Right CJ
Any of the three CJ models in any of the years discussed here makes an awesome off-roader, but each offers its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of these traits can be the source of debate among Jeepers and that could probably fill a volume on its own. For this book, I home in on a few of the key advantages (pros) and disadvantages (cons) of each to establish the baseline of the ingredients to building a CJ for maximum performance on- and off-road.
CJ-5
Pro: The short wheelbase of the CJ-5 is an advantage off-road when it comes to maneuvering through tight trails. The low breakover angle makes clearing obstacles that might high-center the Jeep easier. In more recent years, the CJ-5 has had a distinct advantage over the 93½-inch wheelbase found in the CJ-7, Wrangler YJ, and Wrangler TJ that are so popular on the trail by allowing the 83½-inch wheelbase to not get stuck in the 93½-inch worn trail obstacles.
Con: The short wheelbase can be a small disadvantage on hills because it causes the front to become very light from weight shift, resulting in poor traction. Perhaps a larger consequence of this short length is the lack of interior space. The CJ-5 offers so little interior space that Jeepers usually need to get very creative to find a space to stow all their gear. This is made worse when the Jeep has no tailgate. It is common to see CJ-5s on the trail with no rear seat to make way for storage.
Driveline modifications can be a challenge in the CJ-5. The short length can cause high driveshaft angles when longer transmissions or higher lifts are installed. These high angles can lead to vibration and universal joint failures.
CJ-7
Pro: The size of the CJ-7 is nearly perfect. Its longer wheelbase makes it more stable and its increased interior space gives more room for people and gear. Perhaps a favorite characteristic of the CJ-7 is a doorway that one can actually enter. The added wheelbase is a bonus for the rear driveshaft for its added length that makes it less prone to vibration when the Jeep is lifted. The CJ-7 was also available with an automatic transmission that is preferred by some off-roaders. Swapping transmissions and transfer cases is much easier in the CJ-7 thanks to the added wheelbase.
Because the CJ is known for its ability to rust effortlessly, a rusted CJ-7 body can be replaced by a substantially newer Wrangler YJ body with minimal modifications. These bodies are relatively easy to obtain and are often in good shape because rustproofing has improved in the years following the AMC era.
Finally, much of the aftermarket caters to the CJ-7 because of its popularity. Most components are interchangeable across the CJ line, but items such as tops, seats, and body protection are often aimed at the CJ-7. The CJ-7 and Wrangler YJ share many interior and body components including tops, doors, and roll bars.
Con: Because so many Jeeps run this similar wheelbase, tough spots on trails are frequently even worse with a CJ-7 because the ruts are usually the exact same size as the wheelbase of the Jeep. The CJ-7 is the dominant Jeep of the AMC era, so if you are the type of person who likes to stand out with a unique Jeep, a CJ-5 or Scrambler may suit you better.
CJ-8
Pro: The pickup truck style of the Scrambler gives you much more room to carry gear. The added wheelbase helps on the hills and improves street ride quality. The longer wheelbase reduces driveline angles to reduce vibration from high lifts. The Scrambler production numbers were low, making this Jeep increasingly rare. Scramblers often gather more attention from Jeep fans than other AMC-era Jeeps.
Con: The increased wheelbase creates a larger breakover angle that increases the chances of high-centering the Jeep on an obstacle. Larger lifts and/or tires help with this. The Scrambler has a large rear overhang, which can be trouble off-road. The addition of a substantial aftermarket rear bumper helps prevent body damage. People occasionally “bob” a Scrambler to remove the excess body.
The Scrambler was designed to be a two-seater, which limits interior room. Adding a full roll bar can be a challenge when the small cab’s hardtop is retained.
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