1980 Jeep CJ5

Description

Some Jeeps are more Jeep than others, and if you want real go-anywhere capabilities with a big dose of performance, this 1980 CJ5 definitely delivers. Seriously, putting 350 horsepower in a lightweight Jeep with 4-wheel-drive makes some pretty interesting things possible.

The CJ5's shorter wheelbase makes it popular for the serious off-roaders and combined with classic Jeep good looks, it makes for a great all-around vehicle. Paint it bright red and you have a party on wheels. The professional paint job is fairly fresh and looks fantastic, and if this 4x4 has been in the brush since it was completed, I'd be surprised. The shine is brilliant, the color is just the right shade of red, and the bodywork underneath (admittedly, there isn't much of it) is in excellent condition. The usual Jeep problem zones above the rear wheels and in the corners of the tub are excellent, mostly because the tub is all-new fiberglass. It's obviously got some proper off-roading credentials, starting with the giant Warn winch on the custom front bumper, which is also augmented by a pair of Hella off-road flamethrowers. There's another pair of flood lights on the windshield and protective screens on the headlights and turn signal lenses, while out back there's a heavy-duty tire rack, more protective screens, and a high-mounted luggage rack to keep your gear out of the wet. Nice!

The interior got the same off-road-ready upgrades, starting with a set of fresh Bestop bucket seats. Covered in a breathable yet totally weatherproof material, they're ideal for playing in the sun yet retain a hose-it-off functionality that makes open Jeeps so great. There's a locking console between them and once you're behind the wheel, you'll be surprised by how upscale everything looks. There's a tilt steering column, a shiny billet aluminum instrument panel with VDO gauges, and plenty of chrome accessories. Remarkably, this Jeep also includes fully functional air conditioning and a powerful AM/FM/CD stereo with speakers in a special enclosure on the transmission tunnel. Weather protection comes from a black folding top and removable doors, so open-air motoring is only a few seconds away and when it's closed up, it's actually pretty weather-tight. And it's obvious everywhere you look that someone spent a lot of money here.

A 350 cubic inch Chevy crate engine makes this Jeep move like a muscle car. It's a nice fit in the CJ's engine bay, which was ostensibly designed for an AMC V8, and with a lot of polished billet aluminum and chrome, it looks far better than it has a right to. A big 3-core aluminum radiator keeps it cool even at the low speeds seen off-road and the important system like the alternator are up high and out of harm's way. A hydraulic clutch links it to a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive, which in turn uses a 2-speed transfer case to put the power to the axles. A dual exhaust system gives it an awesome V8 rumble and with a 4-inch lift and Bilstein shocks, it never feels like it's getting out of control. Big polished Mickey Thompson Classic II aluminum wheels are fitted with fat 33x10.50-15 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A radials.

Fully restored from the frame up, there are very few Jeeps that can compete with this one in terms of quality and off-road capabilities. We sell a lot of Jeeps here at Streetside Classics, and this is one of the best we've ever seen. Call now!