I recently got my hands on an 87 Jeep CJ5. It looks pretty solid overall, but I’m trying to figure out what to do with it. Should I restore it, keep it as-is, or maybe even sell it? Any advice?
That thing looks awesome. I’d take my time and invest in repairs when possible. If it were me, I’d keep it and use it. Maybe I’m a bit biased since that’s my birth year, but restoring it sounds like the way to go!
Don’t get rid of any original parts. Nothing fits quite the same, even if it looks good. You should reupholster the seats and repair the frames if needed. Keep it stock—it’s already great as it is!
It looks like there might be some corrosion under the paint, but otherwise, it’s in good shape! Just know that finding parts for this model can be tricky, so it could turn into a bit of a money pit.
I wouldn’t use it as a daily driver, but it’s got potential. It gets 20mpg, can tow a little, and there are tons of mods you could do. If you sold it, you might get around $6k, but honestly, for that price, you wouldn’t find anything more reliable to replace it with.
It’s not bad at all and seems pretty complete. The doors don’t match perfectly, but they get the job done. Looks like it mostly needs some care. Those CJ gauges are always hit or miss, especially the fuel gauge. The speedometer might just need a new cable—it runs from the transfer case to the gauge. Replacement gauges are easy to find.
I’d deal with the rust before it gets worse. Better to fix the current parts than replace them and end up with mismatched fenders. It has a nice worn-in look. CJ5s aren’t as popular as other models, like the Flatfender or CJ7, but they’re still solid. Since it’s an AMC-era Jeep, many parts are still available. Depending on where you are, it could be worth $4-8k. I’d try to keep it mostly original—it’s a nice piece from its time.
If you don’t want it, I’ll gladly take it off your hands! From what I can see, none of the issues look too hard to deal with.