Metallic Purple 1971

Hello folks. Was metallic purple an option for standard CJ5s in 1971? I looked at a '71 this afternoon that appeared to have a base colour of purple (beneath a coat of root beer brown and a top coat of camouflage).

 

Should be a Renegade-only color in '71. Jeep was pretty lax about such rules though, and it's possible it could have been ordered by itself. Did this Jeep have other Renegade features, like oil/amp gauges and solid back panel?

Look at the ECJ5 page about Renegades for some more particulars. http://www.earlycj5.com/history/the-462-renegade-i-and-ii-cj-5s/

 

Thanks for responding, Timgr.

When I went to view this particular CJ5 I was somewhat turned off by some sloppy welding repairs on the chassis. Since looking at the jeep I have read over the Renegade page on this site. I think that I'll have to go back and take a closer look.

 

My 74's original color was a the Purple as well, I assume its a Renegade due to the factory slotted mags,gauges, and had a solid back panel till we added a tailgate. It had been buzzed bombed over for black when we got it, imagine that.

 

A couple of details ...

The first year for the solid back panel on the regular options list was 1973. A 1972 that has not been modified and that has a solid back panel should be a Renegade. After 1972, the only remaining "Renegade-only" option besides the stripes and wheels was the factory-supplied roll bar, painted body color, and it was added to the regular option list in mid-74 as I recall.

In 1974, you could get a Renegade in any of the regular factory colors. You may have also been able to get the Renegade colors (such as the purple color) without the Renegade package - as mentioned, Jeep was lax about such things.

 

Useful information, thank you!

I have not made it back to the seller's home to review the jeep. Aside from what is listed on the Renegade page, do any of you have any additional tips that I might be able to use to identify this particular jeep as a Renegade?

As I recall, this particular jeep has a rear seat and tailgate with a fixed rear tire rack. It also has some ill-fitting rear corner covers (diamond plate aluminum) that look as though they were meant for a CJ7 (? - tighter radius) that are back-filled with expanding foam, presumably to help capture moisture and encourage decay.

 

Hello folks. I finally found the time to have a look at the
camouflage-over-purple CJ5. Click on either photo below
to be directed to additional photos which include shots of
the undercarriage, interior (including reverse of dash), and
engine compartment:





Do you have any further thoughts?

__________________
Chief Junk Jockey
Die Klunkerfarm

 

Based on the photos of the jeep, can one reasonably assume that this one is a Renegade?

 

It's a definite possibility in my book. The number of spring leaves is the strongest indicator. The gauges and placement of the dash ID is accurate as well. The holes for the dash pad appear to be present in the top of the dash.
I can't see the inside of the frame rails to see how much boxing is present. From the looks of the passenger side frame patches, I have to wonder. The rear seat is not a quick release Renegade style. I don't see any hint of the charcoal paint stripe under the leading edge hood picture. Even when this paint is gone from the top of the hood, it usually remains on the underside. So much has been changed on this one, that it might be tough to determine.

 

Gauges are not Renegade, but are in the factory location. Rear spare tire mount is not correct for a Renegade. Renegade would have had a dash pad. From your pictures I could not see any equipment that would indicate it's a Renegade, but then again, most of your pictures weren't of the important locations. Did you look at the tech article to see if it has equipment that matches the Renegade models? Engine oil pan skid plate, roll bar of a certain design, dash pad, visors, etc. Was there a paint / trim tag on it, that would indicate the original paint color.

 

Thanks for responding. I did read the Renegade page.

Yes, it would seem that it was missing quite a bit. Purple was definitely the base finish coat -- probably original (paint on reverse of dash). No, I did not look for a paint code tag. I searched for some sign of stripes but couldn't find any.

Right, it had the 12-leaf spring pack out back.

I think that the combination of defects along with the price is enough to dissuade me on this one.

Thanks again folks!

 

The Reneagade I / II package was the addition of certain equipment, painted certain colors, and stripes added. If you remove most of the quipment and paint it, it's pretty much a non-Renegade again. There was nothing in the VIN to specify Renegade, and even the paint / trim tag wasn't always a true indicator. A picture of the wire harness where it goes through the firewall would possibly shed some additional light on whether this was originally a Renegade. If it's missing most of the equipment, it may be dificult to restore it to a Renegade again.

 

This could be a Ren 1, indeed my best guess is that it's a Ren 1. The Ren 1 came with the Whitco swing-out tire carrier, and I see evidence of holes from that in the inside-rear fender pic. The tire mount in the tailgate has been added.

It seems unlikely that it is not a Renegade, given the gauge locations and the original paint color. I don't see anything that rules out Ren 1.

Lots of problems with this Jeep, however. But for the right price, it might be worthwhile to buy it and "stabilize" to driveable form.

 

Thanks folks. That's food for thought. I'm leaning away from the $2500 the seller wants.

__________________
Chief Junk Jockey
The Clunkerfarm

 

runs and drives?

 

Yes, it runs and drives.

 

I paid just a little more than that for my '71 RII about 3 years ago. Mine has original paint and is in very good shape. The only thing mine was missing were the original wheels and dash pad. I've since replaced those items. I spent over two years looking for a good vintage CJ5 and held out till I found just the right one. Since you haven't bought this yet, I would strongly encourage you to keep looking or get the price cut significantly on this one. The frame patches would be a deal-breaker in my book.