Renegade or not to Renegade?

Hey all, just wonderedif anyone knows how to tell if my 1974 CJ5 came as a renegade or not? I have gone through the VIN#s etc and can't tell. I know it was originally Trans Am red. Not the original Renegade Plum etc. but I don't believe it had to be the special Renegade colors to have the Renegade package. Basically, 33 years later how could I tell?

Stew

 

Hiya Stew!

Great looking jeep! To my knowledge, which may or may not be absolutely accurate (disclaimer), the Renegade II package, offered from 1972-1983 included the AMC 304 V8 (the first V8 ever offered in a small utility vehicle), rear limited slip, decals, possible suspension upgrades prior to 1976, mag wheels, and a sealed tailgate.

Good luck!

 

Renegade II was only offered in 1971. After that, it became just plain ol' "Renegade".

http://www.earlycj5.com/tech/general/Renegade/index.php

 

Stew, there are no numbers on your Jeep that would identify it as a Renegade. In the 1974 model year the Renegade package was available in all colors.

The Renegade I package was offered in 1970. The Renegade II package was offered in 1971 and the package became a regular production option starting in 1972.

Other options that would be included in the Renegade package along with the sealed tailgate, the American Racing aluminum rims and the decals would be a padded dash and a rear seat along with carpeting.

It really is hard to tell if your Jeep was a factory Renegade. These options could be purchased seperately apart from the Renegade package. I believe you could even order a regular CJ-5 with the sealed tailgate.

 

Just read the posting on Renegade identification and have the following comments, based on the 1974 Technical Service Manual
1974 was the first year of the Renegade being a regular production model.
There is really no way of telling whether genuine or not barring finding the build sheet stuck somewhere on the Jeep. With Cherokee and Wagoneer of the era the sheet was stuck behind the panel in the left rear. I don't know where they hid it on the Jeep.
The VIN plate shows the Sales Order Number, SSR&O number and the Paint option number. The SSR&O refers to optional equipment placed at time of manufacture, and makes it easier to get replacement parts, at least at that time. Mine has an SSR&O number of 422. I have never checked others to see if the number is the same on another Renegade. If you had a way to access records relating to the Sales Order Number, the question would be answered.
The Paint Code for Renegade Yellow is 510. I have a list of all the codes and color samples, taken from the DATA Book. Also listed in the parts book.
The real Renegade wheels are Forged Aluminum, and during the time of introduction and use, they cost $128 each at the parts counter. The identification of them is a series of numbers and the word "Forged". These are real collector's pieces.
Check to see if you have the factory ash tray and cigarette lighter. It may come down to that for verification, although this is a bit weak. Also check to see if you have the original spare wheel lock, an interesting lock with an unusual key. You will know if you have one.
While I'm at it, I can pass on a few more tidbits.
The original issue 1974 Renegade is as pictured in the Shop Manual-the black windshield frame and the old style mirrors inside and out.
The model produced after February, 1974, has the interior mirror fastened to the glass, and the outside mirrors are the new style that were used in subsequent years. The next change was done in September, 1974. This change was Jeep CJ wide, which was the moving of the Jeep embossed in the side panel to the lower part, which was carried over to the 1975 model. The Renegade stripes were modified to accommodate the change. I have seen a picture on many different sites of a Jeep alleging to be a 1973 Renegade. The picture is of a late 1974 with the newer stripes.
The 1974 models were produced until November, 1974, due to the imminent changes in the emission standards.
tommycj
I will be posting some pictures as soon as the weather breaks.

 

Interesting post. However, I'm not sure what you mean by:

As stated above, there was a Ren 1 and Ren 2 in the V6 years. Renegades were built for all the years of the intermediates (72-75) and beyond. There's nothing special about the 1974 model production that I know of.

Stated above, the Renegade was available in all factory colors after 1974 - don't know if that's true, but I can't dispute it. In '72 and '73, if you have a CJ-5 that has all the appropriate options and lists one of the Ren-specific paint codes, then it's fairly certain that it's a Renegade.

AFAIK there were Ren-specific paints after 1973, and having one of these paint codes and the right options could rule in being a Renegade, but not having one of these paint codes would not rule it out (according to the claim above). Certainly if you lack the solid back panel or V8 or some of the heavy-duty options (springs, gauges, cooling, alternator) that would rule out the CJ being a Renegade.

I expect there are other things that could rule out Renegade, like Levis trim codes - I don't think you could get the Levis package and the Ren package on the same vehicle.

Note that Jeep built a lot of intermediate Rens - they look good and people liked them (then and now), but they aren't particularly rare. Jeep also sold a lot of Jeeps that were equipped like the Renegades, except for colors, stripes and wheels - my '73 being an example - and you could buy the stripes and wheels over the parts counter.

<edit> Another tidbit - 1973 was the first year that the solid back panel was available as a regular option. So a '72 with a solid back panel should be a Ren, unless someone has messed with it. After that, it's neccessary but not sufficient for Ren status.

 

As usual some great info from the group. Thanks, I really appreciate it. My 74 does have the sealed tailgate and came with the 304, etc. I guess as stated, this doesn't necessarily mean it was a Ren. I have an original sales brouchure and it shows a Red Ren which led me to think it wasn't specific to the special colors. I will look for more plate info somewhere, but I currently have it completely apart (stripped tub separate from frame with engine) and found no other build plates. I'm looking forward to the pics offered.

 

I know for a fact you could get a Renegade + Levis package, at least in 1975.

Mine is, 100% positive.

 

Got a guy here in Lawrence with a later CJ Renegade and Levi's package. Renegade decals on hood, Levi's emblem on lower cowl and seats.

 

FYI
the build sheeet for CJs at that time was stuffed up under one of the front seat bottom cushions, held with masking tape
I removed them when cleaning the Jeeps for delivery, sometimes they hung down or got wet when washing out the interior of the Jeep.
if yours is missing, then you can blame me

 

one point... Limited Slip (trac loc) was not part of the package.. it was an option... power steering was an option....

Purchased a Renegade Yellow new in 1974... options were heavy duty springs, heavy duty cooling, trac loc, 304, etc... and yes, a top was an option also.. whitco...



Windshield was black

Solid rear panel, rear mounted spare ( i do remember the lock... come to think of it)

fender flares

Padded dash was standard. Oil pressure gauge to right of speedometer and amp gauge to left of speeometer, remember a cig lighter also

Carpet was over-the-counter option and was snap in, as was roll bar padding, etc

Wheels on this one were the 'oval' slot aluminum...
stock tires were i think L-78-15 surburbanite goodyears.....whitewalls....
these got replaced quickly by formula Desert Dogs...

Center hood stripe decal, with 'tails' on each side of the cowl vent.

this one had the "jeep" high on the side panel, with the V-8 emblem.. the side hood stripes made a 90 degree turn down and the very bottom of the stripe had a bit of a 'tail' on the trailing edge...

the angled stripe was on the 75 model with the relocated "jeep" stamping... neighbor bought one of those new also then.

in this time frame, around here there were renegades in white, black, ren. purple, ren. yellow, mellow yellow, red, green, orange, i think a brown and a copper color.