1976 Jeep CJ7 Renegade - review from North America

Faults: Poor heater and defroster, gas hog (14 mpg if I'm lucky), front frame is prone to stress cracks (can be remedied easily with some welding), rear original axle design is poor & prone to twisting axle shafts with hard 4-wheeling (1-piece axles fix this problem & cost about $300.00), shifter is vague & takes some getting used to. My Jeep is completely rust-free, but the old ones tend to be prone to rust.

Overall, an awesome ride. Very reliable with extraordinary amounts of power with the stock V-8 engine. Extremely capable off-road, particularly on narrow, steep trails in the mountains of Colorado. Extremely low-geared with a granny 4-speed transmission, 4:10 gears and factory limited slip differential. Despite the reputation of Jeeps, it actually handles quite well on the freeway and is reasonably comfortable. It performs very well in snow, as long as you don't drive too fast. This Jeep still has the original red paint with the factory Renegade decals and draws attention like no new Jeep ever will. I am constantly approached and asked if I want to sell it. I would never trade my Renegade for one of these gimmicky new plastic & computer-controlled things that Chrysler is calling a Jeep. Old original CJ-7's are getting hard to find, and they keep increasing in value every year. However, the older Jeep CJ's do have their quirks and I recommend that the buyer has a reasonable amount of mechanical knowledge and ability. Old Jeeps are very easy to work on, but a mechanic will charge you a mint to keep the little things working on them. Not recommended for daily transportation, although I have done it for several years.