1976 CJ7 Renegade Levis

Thanks for such a great site. Also let me pre thank the people who read this and help with any input.

Been looking at many ads and E-Bay listings for a Jeep...read online and purchased a book on Jeeps...CJ, YJ, TJ...sorting it all out. Bottom line is I bid on a Jeep advertised with free delivery within 60 miles. It was a CJ6Renegade with some obvious rust spots bulging. I wanted a Jeep to drive the less than one mile to work, take me in the woods and to plow my eventual new driveway. Well anyway my bid of $1026 made me a new owner, I drove there, paid by check and he followed me to my pole barn on a beautiful Saturday. So here's where you come in...comments are welcome as many of you are THE experts.

1976 Renegade Levi edition, black, 304, TH 400 auto, Quadramatic
Options: PS, PB, tan Levi edition, Warn winch (with Warn Accessory plate on dash), padded dash, rear tire carrier, roll bar...as a Renegade it has the tach, clock, etc. New tires, slotted aluminum rims.

No leaks on motor although it has 137K.

My questions; is it worth restoring as a Levi edition or do I sell the visors, door panels, and rear seat to someone doing a Levi restore and replace them with maybe black vinyl normal trim?

What's the value on an excellent original Warn winch and plate? $300..more?

I started grinding down the rust and found that the spots of concern were at one time bondoed and probably are swelling due to Bondo being water soluble. Tonight I patched one spot with fiberglass resin filler and did some spot touches with red oxide primer. I replaced the plugs (only smashed one nail with the socket), cap and rotor and set idle up a bit.

The radio wasn't working and a light was out in a gauge above the radio...I determined the radio had to have been installed with the dash off, so I removed 4 screws from the bottom of the padded dash yet it won't come off...are there screws from the backside yet?

That comes off before I get to the dash panel

Secondly, one of the rectangular dash lights (heater I think, had a light out...). Is there a bulb inside that I can change or do you just replace the whole unit? I got it out but wasn't sure.

Oh and before all this, I removed the hardtop and doors....seems I have Jeep fever and a real original CJ7. By the way the previous owner had it for 20 years.

If all goes right, I'd like to paint it white and add the black decals that was on the 1971 Renegade....looked way better to me than the 1976.

Thanks for your time reading this...Earl in Michigan.

Comments welcomed!

 

welcome to the site
post some pics of your Jeep for us
the radio comes out thru the bottom
if you have a/c, you have to drop that down first
a little tugging/pulling/finessing it will come out
removing padded dash gets the padded dash removed, that's all
and you have to drop the windhsield to get to all those screws...

 

Welcome from Ohio (that's BUCKEYE country ).

Sounds like a great eBay deal! Love to see pics. 8)

FYI I've got a semi-complete spare dash from a '76 in the garage. Lemme know if you need anything from it.

 

I go to bed and wake up to help. Thanks guys!

Thanks for the padded dash procedure on taking down the windshield.

THAT radio is wedged in there though I swear...

I will be taking pictures and I have a photobucket account so stay tuned.

 

sorry earl i got my levi with 24 thousand miles everybody says the only thing worth any thing is seats but still great fun

 

Hi Earl,
Great find on the Jeep.
Here is a pic of my 77' Levi that I have slowly transferred to White/Black.
Good luck with the prodject! you have definatly found the right place for support!
Donnie

 

Welcome from middle Tennessee. Sounds like you got a great deal on it. I myself would restore it back as a levi but it all depends on how much $$ you are willing to spend on it. Either way, it will still be a great Jeep and this will be the best site for info on it.

 

E-Bay BEFORE pic...I have more but going easy on the server

 

forgot to mention that your dash light/lamp is serviced as an assembly
also the Quadra Trac is considered high maintenance by todays standards
you also have a CV joint on your front driveshaft that needs to be lubricated faithfully every 5,000 miles or so; there are 5 zerk fittings on the front driveshaft; don't stop till you have lubed all 5; you may need a needle type adapter to reach all on the CV joint; this is normal.
if you hear high pitched squeaking/suqealing related to wheel/shaft revoloutions, don't drive till it's repaired; front shaft breaks and takes out the tranny case at the same time; $$ to repair !
I would advise obtaining a factory service manual so you can learn about the Q-Trac

 

Welcome from NJ. Sounds and looks like you got a great deal. Your problems seem minor compared to others hear. Have fun and enjoy.

 

Hey northernmich, hang on to those wheels. They look like factory renegade mags and are probably worth a bit of $$$. Especially to someone who is doing a resto. '76 was the first year for the CJ7 but since the QT is hated by so many people (so far mine has been great - it's converted to p/t) they don't seem to be too desirable but I can't help but thinking that they may be worth something someday!

76' CJ7 Levi 304/TH400/QT

 

Picked up some things at the junkyard...I have a Jeep book, maybe I'll look for info but...I swiped some things off an old flat fender CJ...year??

Clue---had one piece windshield, wiper on TOP and yes ONE wiper motor, drivers side only!

Once identified, let me now what small parts you need..today I got the rubber-capped starter switch out of dash and the two on/off switches above that and the original shifting ball. It's in rough shape but there is still a rear round light lense and a red plastic rear brake light. I don't want to sell them just trade for...I dunno...lol or maybe just the great advice here.

Thanks for the info on the Quadra Trac...today I got a historical plate-
($30 for ten years!) I also got some sun driving it 50 miles....worked on a chicken coop and moved nine birds, disced my new deer plot with the CJ in low... Gardened till the mosquitoes told me it was time to go home.

Have a great weekend.