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Is it a Renegade? Maybe even a Levi's?!?

CJBC

CJBC

BC
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
I bought a 1975 CJ5 about a year ago and I've been slowly piecing together information from a variety of websites and sources ever since. It's actually been very exciting trying to figure out what I've got. I've read a lot of previous posts on this forum and I'm very impressed with the depth of knowledge on these vehicles so I'm hoping you all can help in the quest.

The VIN: J5F83AH062685

1975 CJ5, came with 304 V8 and 3 speed trans.

I've gleaned from other sources that the models that year that came with the optional 304 had the T-15 transmission with the Dana 20 transfer case, many of which were Renegade packages. Which led me to believe this might be an authentic Renegade.

It has had a 258 w/ 2BBL (1979, Engine Casting # 303C17) dropped in at some point but still retains the T-15 (Casting #13-07-065-90, pax side) and Dana 20 (Casting #C18-15-24-6, Tag #300596-97 5351087)


Axles: Dana 30, open knuckle, disk brakes up front, Dana 44 with Drums (11x 2) in the back.

Paint Codes: (just above vin on data plate) 12 585 500

12 ???

585 = Renegade Blue, had a hard time with this one but spoke with the touch-up paint shop I found on the forum here and he finally dug up the Renegade Blue color name but had no paint chip. That matches up with the original paint color of light blue (4 different colors deep!). I also found "Renegade Blue" decals on a vendor website for 1975-1976 Renegades along with a great pic of what my Jeep probably looked like new.

500 I believe is the trim package number but I need help deciphering. I can't dig up any info on this number. The pic of the Blue Renegade with decals also appeared to have the "Levi" logo on the side which makes me wonder if this was a Levi's version. How would I know?

Any further info would be greatly appreciated. It's a long term project and while I'm not crazy about the light blue it seems a shame not to take it back to original specs if it really is a Levi's Renegade.

Thanks for reading my novel, sorry so lengthy.
 
Honestly by 75 Renegade didn't mean a whole lot. It was mostly just some vinyl stickers by then. If you want it to be a Renegade, buy the repro stickers and call it a Renegade. The Levi interior was an option for any level of CJ, not just Renegades. It could be had in either blue denim or khaki. The seats would have been as special "denim" vinyl with Levi's buttons.

Since Renegades were just an appearance package by 75, and not a special order limited edition, they don't really add that much to the value of the Jeep.
 
Renegade Blue should be a Renegade. By '75 you could get a Renegade in any of the factory colors, but I believe you could only get the Renegade colors with a Renegade. Jim gave you the trim code ... pretty sure that the Levis trim was not required for the Renegade in '75, but it was an upgrade from the standard black or buff vinyl.

You should have a solid back panel, gauges, heavy duty springs and shocks (10 leaves front and back, IIRC), HD cooling (fan shroud?), stripes and special wheels. If you want to put it back to original, that would look cool. But there's nothing in the Renegade package that you could not get from the regular option list ... except for wheels, stripes and the special colors.
 
That's all great info.

Lessons Learned:
1) It seems that it is a Renegade with Levi's options.

2)That's not a big deal for this year model. Good to know.


I agree that it would be cool to go back to the original configuration but it doesn't sound like it would a be real boost to the value of the jeep. And, as I said earlier, I'm not to fired up about "Renegade Blue" in and of itself.

Being new to the obsession I have to ask--do you guys think it would be an afront to the intermediate CJ5 community to just go with some tasteful primary color? It doesn't sound like a 75 Renegade is necessarilly worth the time and expense to go back stock unless I had some strong personal attachment to it otherwise (which I don't).

About the leaf springs, I've got 6 leafs each (SUA), it has a 1.5" body lift, looks home made. I just got a set of daystar 1.5" greasable shackles but they are a little longer than the ones currently installed. Will it matter?

Sounds like the front axle is newer than 75 or has been converted to disks, any way to tell which one?

Thanks, BC
 
-do you guys think it would be an afront to the intermediate CJ5 community to just go with some tasteful primary color?
Click to expand...
Here's my opinion... It's your Jeep, you should paint it the color you want it..;)
 
Well...I'm painting my 74 Renegade an orange color...this from the original Renegade Plum. I don't think anyone will know.
 
Yep, IMO the original color can be inspiration, but isn't a contract.

Original springs have been replaced.

Re the front axle, it could be a different Dana 30, or someone could have been swapped from the knuckles out. There's nothing other than the Dana 30 that comes in the factory width other than the 30, except for a downgrade to a closed-knuckle axle or an expensive custom axle. Just make sure the ratios are the same front and rear ... been known to happen.
 
Thanks for all the good info. It's destined to stay the same color it is now for some time to come anyway, for financial reasons, but it certainly helps plan and prioritize the projects for the future. The little guys don't seem to care what color it is, they just like to ride around in it! I'm sure I'll post more questions to the forum in the future, Thanks again for your input.
 
The trim codes are in the parts book, but no 6HG for '79, or '78 or '80.
Right format but no listing.

What does this have to do with the original post, which is regarding a '75?
 
Per the 1975 Sales Material. Standard features for the 1975 Renegade include:
- 304 2bbl V8 Engine
- Forged Aluminum Style Wheels
- H78 X 14 WSW Polyglass Suburbanite tires
- Padded Instrument Panel, Color Key Levi's Seat Material
- Heavy Duty Cooling System
- Solid Back Panel and Rear Mounted Spare Tire
- Wheel-Lip Extensions
- Passenger Safety Rail
- Spare Wheel Lock
- Ashtray & Cigar Lighter
- Rear Bench Seat

My 1975 Renegade I bought off the showroom floor had all of these features. It did not have the heavy-duty suspension. My current 1975 Renegade (second owner) has all the same features plus 10 leaf HD suspension. Both have power steering, one has power brakes and the other has Trac Lock limited slip.
 
chevy71super said:
Per the 1975 Sales Material. Standard features for the 1975 Renegade include:
- 304 2bbl V8 Engine
- Forged Aluminum Style Wheels
- H78 X 14 WSW Polyglass Suburbanite tires
- Padded Instrument Panel, Color Key Levi's Seat Material
- Heavy Duty Cooling System
- Solid Back Panel and Rear Mounted Spare Tire
- Wheel-Lip Extensions
- Passenger Safety Rail
- Spare Wheel Lock
- Ashtray & Cigar Lighter
- Rear Bench Seat

My 1975 Renegade I bought off the showroom floor had all of these features. It did not have the heavy-duty suspension. My current 1975 Renegade (second owner) has all the same features plus 10 leaf HD suspension. Both have power steering, one has power brakes and the other has Trac Lock limited slip.
Click to expand...
H78 14s? Not 15s?
 
Yeah, 15" wheels.

I would be interested in seeing the 1976 sales literature that excludes the 304 from the Renegade equipment list.
Over the years, the featured equipment evolved both with exclusive Renegade equipment moving into the regular option list, and regular options becoming available with the Renegade package.
The availability of the sixes with the Renegade stripes and wheels would be an example of the latter.

I would point out that Jeep was flexible about such things - if a special order customer wanted to delete the 304 in favor of a 258, Jeep likely would have allowed it.
 
Last edited:
chevy71super said:
Per the 1975 Sales Material. Standard features for the 1975 Renegade include:
- 304 2bbl V8 Engine
- Forged Aluminum Style Wheels
- H78 X 14 WSW Polyglass Suburbanite tires
- Padded Instrument Panel, Color Key Levi's Seat Material
- Heavy Duty Cooling System
- Solid Back Panel and Rear Mounted Spare Tire
- Wheel-Lip Extensions
- Passenger Safety Rail
- Spare Wheel Lock
- Ashtray & Cigar Lighter
- Rear Bench Seat
Click to expand...
My '75 Renegade Levi has that list plus:
HD suspension
4.27 gears
Jeep brand under-dash AM radio (factory?)
Didn't come with PS, PB or limited slip though.

Still sporting the original Levi seat material and dash pad but I lost the radio in a move.
 
Your right. Typo on my part. 15 inch wheels not 14. My bad.

The original owner bought the Jeep with the under-dash AM radio and a steering column tach. Both installed by the dealer and both still work!

I added the Whitco "carpet" kit and the swing away spare tire carrier that held 2 five-gallon gas cans. Both were available as a dealer installed option.

I am currently restoring mine.
 
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