CarBrandLogos archive · Jeep · 1945

JeepCJ

The war-surplus runabout that turned into a forty-year production run.

Photo: David Berry from Rohnert Park CA, USA · CC BY 2.0

The story

A defining chapter in Jeep history.

Explore the ideas, engineering and context that shaped the Jeep CJ, then continue into its specifications and place in the marque's lineage.

Origins

Willys-Overland began building civilian Jeeps before the war ended. The CJ-2A of 1945 was the MB with a tailgate, a side-mounted spare, larger headlamps and a power take-off — sold not as a leisure vehicle but as a small agricultural tractor that could also drive to town. The early advertising was aimed squarely at farmers.

1975 Jeep CJ extended pumper fl · CZmarlin — Christopher Ziemnowicz, releases all rights but a photo credit would be appreciated if this image is used anywhere other than Wikipedia. Please leave a note at Wikipedia here. Thank you! · Public domain

Design and engineering

The line then ran, in one recognisable form, for four decades. The CJ-3B of 1953 gained a taller bonnet to clear a new F-head engine, giving it a distinctive high-hooded profile, and was built under licence in India, Japan and elsewhere long after American production stopped. The CJ-5 of 1955 adopted the rounder body of the military M38A1 and became the definitive Jeep for a generation, staying in production until 1983. The CJ-7 of 1976 stretched the wheelbase enough to allow an automatic gearbox, a proper hard top and steel doors — the point at which the Jeep started becoming a vehicle people bought for pleasure rather than necessity.

'46 Jeep CJ · Bull-Doser · Public domain

In production

Ownership changed repeatedly, from Willys Motors to Kaiser Jeep and then American Motors from 1970, and each owner kept the CJ largely because it cost little to keep making and sold steadily. AMC contributed its own straight-six and V8 engines and considerably better axles.

1963 Willys Jeep Universal · Renzo Maia;cropped and adjusted by uploader Mr.choppers · CC BY 3.0

Legacy

The end came from outside. In 1980 an American television news programme ran a segment showing a CJ-5 rolling over in handling tests, and the resulting publicity and litigation applied pressure that a short-wheelbase, high-centre-of-gravity design could not answer with a facelift. Production ended in 1986 after more than 1.5 million vehicles, and the Wrangler that replaced it kept the format while widening the track and lowering the centre of gravity.

At a glance

The facts that define it.

Produced

1944–1986

Technical specification

The CJ, in detail.

Production: 1944–1986; More than 1.5 million
Class: Compact sport utility vehicle
Body style: doorless / 2-door Sport utility vehicle; SUV ; doorless / 2-door convertible ; 2-door pickup truck
Layout: Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Assembly: United States: Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Complex); United States: Maywood, California; Argentina: Santa Isabel, Córdoba; Santa Isabel (Industrias Kaiser Argentina; IKA); Australia: Rocklea, Queensland; Brazil: São Bernardo do
Manufacturer: Willys-Overland (1944–1953) ; Willys Motors (1953–1963) ; Kaiser Jeep (1963–1970) ; American Motors Corporation (Jeep) (1970–1986)