Manual 1978 Jeep Wrangler Renegade Is a Two-tone Delight
With a stout V8 and a manual transmission, this Wrangler Renegade is a flashy, retro, time capsule.
AMC’s legendary CJ-7 lasted 10 years, from 1976 to 1986. Basically, Jeep kept the good times rolling. An automatic transmission made its way into the lineup. During 10 year run, the CJ-7 also received a host of cool cosmetic and functional upgrades centered around specific trim models. This 1978 Jeep Wrangler Renegade was no exception.
Before the name saw use on Jeep’s subcompact crossover, it served as a stylish trim for the Wrangler lineup. Ultimately, the trim sported some cool graphics and a paint scheme that injected some excellent flair into the Jeep’s already stellar design. This particular Wrangler, with less than 70k miles, recently showed up at Worldwide Vintage Autos. And a lucky buyer is about to obtain an extremely well preserved piece of Jeep’s history.
Chrome Additions
Perhaps the most noticeable aspect of this proudly blue Wrangler Renegade is the large chrome bumper and chrome mirrors. Jeep never installed chrome in Renegade trimmed models, which means these are newer additions. Regardless, they look pretty good, and that bumper adds some nice heft to the general aesthetic. According to the ad, the paint is new, along with the tires.
A side view shows us the excellent blue and white paint job. The white “Renegade” lettering really ties the look together too. And although they might be modern alloys, the wheels look good without spoiling the retro look of this Wrangler Renegade. Compared to the CJ-5, the CJ-7 boasted a 10 inch longer wheelbase. The 93.5 wheelbase proved so popular that Jeep discontinued the CJ-5 in 1983. Customers probably realized that the additional length between the wheels gave the newer model some much needed on-road refinement. The new owner will most likely enjoy that too.
Out back, the Wrangler Renegade also received some chrome, this time in the form of a two-piece bumper set.
Like the exterior, the Wrangler’s interior received new paint. That wasn’t the only thing left untouched either, as the cabin also comes saddled with some newly upholstered bucket seats. Clad in a period-correct off-white, they contrast a bit with the slightly darker center console. Presumably, that console is another aftermarket addition due to the appearance of cup holders, a feature not included in any vehicle until the early 1980s.
There’s a pretty substantial engine under the hood too. A powerplant not seen in any modern Jeep Wrangler. The AMC 304 V8 probably didn’t make too much power when it left the factory, but there’s always room for performance enhancements. A new Edelbrock intake and Holley carburetor have likely accomplished that goal already. Either way, owning a V8 Jeep in 2020 is a pretty unique statement to make, especially when you consider how many subsequent Jeeps were built with V6 engines.
Overall, this is a very well put together Jeep. It hailed from an era that saw AMC outfit their Jeeps with a lot of cool stuff. The Jeep Wrangler Renegade was no different. And as a CJ-7, this particular Jeep represents pretty much the last of the CJ Wranglers. The 304 V8, manual transmission, factory air conditioning, and two tone paint job really help convey that this Jeep come from another time. With just under 66k, it also has a lot of staying power. We suspect its next owner will be quite happy with it. Sadly, it’s already been claimed. But there’s always hope something similar will pop up in the future. Until then, we’ll just have to admire this well preserved beauty in all its glory.
Photos: Worldwide Vintage Autos