Jeep CJ-5 / CJ-7

The CJ is where the Jeep legend lives. The military MB won World War II; the civilian CJ brought that go-anywhere capability to everyone else. The CJ-5 ran for 28 years with relatively minor changes — a testament to the design's rightness. The CJ-7, introduced in 1976 with a 10-inch longer wheelbase, added practicality without sacrificing capability. These were the Jeeps that crawled Moab before Instagram. The AMC inline-6 engines that arrived in 1972 are bulletproof and still run daily. The CJ is the original recreational 4x4 — every Wrangler since has been chasing this formula.

CJs develop honest patina that looks appropriate for their purpose. Original Olympic White, Renegade Yellow, or Mellow Yellow with surface rust tells a story. The body panels are simple steel and easy to repair or replace. Watch for frame rust — especially around the spring mounts and body mounting points. The tub floors rust from water intrusion and mud accumulation. A CJ with a solid frame and rusty tub is salvageable; a CJ with a rusty frame is a parts vehicle. Check the leaf spring mounting points and shock towers carefully.

The CJ aftermarket is enormous. Companies like Quadratec and Morris 4x4 Center have complete catalogs. The AMC 258 inline-6 is the best engine choice — reliable, torquey, and supported forever. The V8 options add power but also complexity and heat. The short wheelbase makes the CJ-5 tippy on highway — the CJ-7's longer wheelbase is more stable. Most CJs have been modified for off-road use; finding an unmolested original is increasingly rare and valuable. These are not comfortable highway vehicles, but that's not the point.