1973 Jeep CJ5
An early version initially called the "Willys Overland" morphed from military GP, (general purpose), vehicle to the mass-produced CJ, short for "civilian Jeep." More than 1.5 million CJ Jeeps were built, having continued the same basic body style for 45 years since the Jeep first appeared. Widely regarded as "America's workhorse", the CJs have been described as "probably the most successful utility vehicle ever made." The word Jeep is an acronym of the letters GP.
The call of the wild, the great outdoors, into the great wide open, getting a little mud on the tires, all representative of this 1973 CJ which has undergone a full restoration and with its original V8 engine and transmission can take you anywhere, anytime, but only as long as the weather is nice, as there are no doors and only a bikini top. You decide, the wild is your oyster...(sic.)
Exterior
A quick glance clues us in...all like new and fully fresh, from the fiberglass body tub to the fiberglass hood and fenders, right down to the bezels on the dash knobs, it's all like new. A neon green, almost Sublime Green coats the entire fiberglass body as well as the iconic front end and is set off nicely with black fender flares. Up front gives the perfect backdrop for the simple and long lived grille and black bezel headlights with a twin tube black steel bumper below. A slight lift kit is noted and this off roader does sit high thanks in part to the like new polished lip, drilled, and blacked out center wheels and aggressively knobby tread design Hankook Dynapro tires which present in 31x10.50R15LT form. A texture finished black framed windshield and black canvas bikini top is all that separated the occupants from the great outdoors around them. On the back is a simple smooth panel, no tailgate here folks, with utilitarian style round taillights and a basic fuel filler cap with another twin tube black steel bumper below.
Interior
Black vinyl covers the front buckets with smooth bolsters and broad tuck and roll inserts provide the seating and float above an all weather spray-on bedliner coated floor. This black spray in liner coats the rear storage area as well which includes the rear seat and also covers the rear wheel tubs. The body matching green dash sports all factory gauges and a passenger dash mounted glovebox door. Fronting the dash is a clean Jeep logoed 3 spoke steering wheel. No stereo here, just the sounds of mother nature in all her glory to keep your auditory senses pleased. 2 shifters sprout from the center of the floor one for the transmission and the other for the transfer case and the 4-wheel drive modes. No doors are attached and with an easily removable top you are free and easy to enjoy all the sights you pass by.
Drivetrain
The original 304ci mill in more neon green sparkles inside a pristine engine bay. No runs, no drips, no errors here with the chrome valve coverings and a chrome air cleaner topping the Edelbrock aluminum intake and 4-barrel carburetor. A Borg Warner T15 3-speed manual transmission is bolted to the back along with a Dana 20 transfer case. Dana 30 and Dana 44 axles, front and rear respectively, are loaded with 3.73 gears and give you the capability to climb any mountain you may encounter. We note the addition of an electric cooling fan to keep the temps in check and some extra dress up is on the firewall in polished diamond plate form.
Undercarriage
Clean and mean would be the best way to describe the underside with its black frame, structural components, and suspension. All nonstructural areas such as the floor pans, and underbody are also painted black and we note a spattering of surface rust on the untreated steel parts. A small body and suspension lift is seen, 4-wheel drum brakes are noted, as are leaf spring suspension both front and rear, as well headers and Cherrybomb mufflers for the exhale.
Drive-Ability
A little bit of a climb for this low to the ground writer, but all good once in and I felt safe and secure, particularly in the low back buckets. She fired right up, and it was off to the test track where it had decent acceleration, good stopping, and fine cornering. Although we didn't brave the wilds and mountains of Morgantown, PA we did test the 4wd and it engages flawlessly. All worked and was in working condition, and there is a nice tire song when you get it up to cruising speed along with some wind noise.
You don't have to be Bear Grylls to venture outside and enjoy the country up close and personal. You don't even have to be Smokey The Bear to have outdoor adventures. This Jeep is a well built tool to take you where you would not normally venture in a vehicle. High ground clearance, large gripping tires, and a tough engine and transmission, will move you up on the survivalist ladder, and have you feeling a Rocky Mountain high!
J3F835TH41132
J-Jeep Corporation
3-1973
F-Toledo, OH Assy Plant, 3 Speed Manual
83-CJ5
5-Open Body
T-3750 GVWR
H-304ci V8
41132-Sequential Unit Number
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