cj5

The Jeep CJ models are a series and a range of small, open-bodied off-road vehicles and compact pickup trucks, built and sold by several successive incarnations of the Jeep automobile marque from 1945 through 1986. The 1945 Willys "Universal Jeep" was the world's first mass-produced civilian four-wheel drive car.
In 1944, Willys-Overland, the primary manufacturer of the World War II military Jeep, built the first prototypes for a commercial version – the CJ, short for "civilian Jeep". The design was a direct evolution from the war jeep, but the most obvious change was adding a tailgate, and relocating the spare wheel to the side. Also, besides adding basic civilian amenities and options and legally-compliant lighting, the CJ required a sturdier drivetrain than the war jeep, because the targeted rural buyers would work the vehicles hard and expect years of durability, instead of mere weeks as during WWII.
From then on, all CJ Jeeps consistently had a separate body and frame, rigid live axles with leaf springs both front and rear, a tapering nose design with flared fenders, and a fold-flat windshield, and could be driven without doors. Also, with few exceptions, they had part-time four-wheel drive systems, with the choice of high and low gearing, and open bodies with removable hard or soft tops. A few stand-out changes during 42 model years were the introductions of round-fendered vs. flat-fendered bodies (1955 CJ-5), straight-6 and V8-engines, automatic gearboxes, and different 4-wheel drive systems. The 1976 CJ-7 stretched the wheelbase by 10 inches (25 cm), and made doors and a removable hardtop common items.
After remaining in production through a range of model numbers, and several corporate parents, the Jeep CJ line was officially ended after 1986. More than 1.5 million CJ Jeeps were built, having continued the same basic body style for 45 years since the Jeep first appeared. Widely regarded as "America's workhorse", the CJs have been described as "probably the most successful utility vehicle ever made." American Motors VP Joseph E. Cappy said the end of "CJ production will signal an end of a very important era in Jeep history." In 1987, the Jeep CJ-7 was replaced by the first-generation Jeep Wrangler. Looking very similar and riding on the same wheelbase as the CJ-7, it carried over some important components, including its use of leaf springs.
The similar model the DJ "Dispatcher" was introduced in 1956 as a two-wheel drive version with open, fabric, or a closed steel body in both left- and right-hand drives for hotel, resort, police, and later United States Postal Service markets.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. 1

    Wiring Random wires coming from bulkhead; any advice would be helpful

    So I have this single black wire with a female bullet terminal coming from the bulkhead: Any ideas? Got one of them laminated color schematics but it is not perfect. The other wire or wire harness is coming the right side of bulkhead near the quadratrac/kickdown connector. See below: First...
  2. T

    Electrical 79 CJ5 258 no spark

    I have a 79 CJ5 258 that the engine would not shut off when the key was put in the off position. It was sporadic and didn’t happen every time it was run. I replaced the key ignition cylinder, ignition module, coil, plug wires. I bought a new distributor, but don’t want to replace if it’s not...
  3. will111t

    Wiring Electrical Tape?

    I recently purchased a ‘73 CJ5 and all of the wiring under the hood is wrapped with electrical tape. I have never seen this before on any car except those who have been re-wired by some “mechanics.” Funny thing is, the wrapped wiring goes through the factory (I think) hold-downs, the off white...
  4. K

    Misc Hello everybody , i'm just wondering if anybody has an experience swapping out with a second jan dodge front axle.

    So I have a second generation dodge that i'm parting out, but the front axle is day of forty four , and i'm wondering how much trouble it would be to put that on my 78CJ5, anybody has an experience or knowledge of this, I'll really appreciate any input.Thanks , look forward to hearing from you
  5. N

    Lift Kits Intermediate cj5 lift/tires

    Hello all, I’m trying to figure out what I want to do with my worn out stock suspension on my ‘74 cj5. The look I think I’ve settled on is a small lift (2.5”) and slightly larger than stock tires, basically a stock look turned up 1 or 2 notches if that makes sense. I want to keep the classic...
  6. G

    Electrical QUESTION

    Hello all! I inherited my grandpas 78 CJ5 AMC 304 V8. I am in the process of fixing it up and have run into a snag. In my efforts to get the instruments back lights and tachometer working I seem to have messed up the wiring to the ignition coil. The jeep will start but then immediately dies...
  7. I

    Misc. Does anyone know what this connection set up is for on the front bumper of my CJ5?

    Does anyone know what this connection set up is for on the front bumper of my CJ5? To use for towing would be my guess, but no idea of the set up. Also, I want to connect a shackle. One seems to thin and would be too much play on the shackle. Shackle won't fit between or outside both...
  8. Иate

    Misc. Maintenance / First Time CJ-5 Owner

    Hey all, I'm getting my first CJ-5 in the next week or so from this listing , wondering if anyone has opinions regarding what maintenance I should be looking at first for this bad boy. Will post some photos once I have them but I want to make sure to keep this Jeep in tip-top shape and thought...
  9. G

    Diff Need help with Locker ID - 72 CJ5

    Hello everyone. New here. I have a 72 CJ5 chassis. Newly acquired and opened the rear diff for a look. Can someone enlightened me on this helical locker (I assume)? I can't match it to anything on Google.
  10. B

    Steering 1979 CJ5 Steering Issue

    New to my CJ5 and the forum, but I have a little bit of a drag link clearance issue. The front end has YJ springs over axle swap, and the drag link is hitting the bottom of the leaf spring when turning to the right. There's a drop pitman arm and the drag link has a S shaped bend, but still...
  11. B

    Diff 1979 CJ5 Drive Train Questions

    So, I recently was gifted a1979 CJ5 by my brother. I'm an extreme newb to this era of Jeep, what's compatible, etc. He bought it from someone that had allegedly done a YJ front leaf swap on it, but really that's all he knew. The VIN is J9F83EHXXXXXX. Using the VIN decoder here on this site...
  12. B

    Misc. 76-83 CJ5 OEM (Whitco) Top Bow Dimensions

    Folks, Looking for a kind member that would be willing to provide height measurements (from bottom of the vertical legs to the top of the horizontal bow) for both the front and rear (including the extension) for a 77-83 CJ5 Whitco soft top. All help appreciated.
  13. B

    Members CJs 78/79 CJ5 New Member from Oregon

    Officially my 3rd jeep, originally had a 67 CJ5, then a 1990 YJ, and now inherited this 78 or 79 CJ5 from my brother (he couldn't remember and just moved and needs to unpack to find the title). I know I could do a VIN search, but just haven't gotten around to it. This is going to be very fun...
  14. 1

    Wiring 1979 CJ-5 random cut wire

    Hey guys I have a thick gauge wire Red w/ white tracer that’s cut behind my dash. Would this have been for the radio? If not, then any ideas?
  15. I

    Misc. Fuel Tank Mounting on 1973 CJ5

    New to the site and new to automotive (though am mechanically inclined - woodworking, construction, electrical, electronics on medical devices, can read instructions and search for videos). Working on 73, CJ5, V8, 304, that had been sitting in heated garage for 8 years when I purchased. Have...
  16. R

    Members CJs This is our 77 CJ5 43,000 original miles

    New member thanks for the add..... This is daisy, 1977 cj5, 304 V8, 3spd manual. Yes original miles is 42,965 , 304 v8 Upcoming plans... Painless Harness twin stick shifter levers new gaskets all new tires... the tires in the pictures only have 3500 miles on the but they are 23 years...
  17. L

    Build Thread 1973 CJ5 Build for all around use.

    1973 CJ5, 258 4.2, Dana 30/40 4.27 gears, Detroit rear locker, single barrel YF carb. Joined the forum recently. I'm sure all the information I need is there once I start to really search. But any help with my questions will be much appreciated. The CJ5 will mostly be on the trails between lake...
  18. L

    Members CJs 1973 CJ5, New member, Socal, ready for dirt

    1973 CJ5, 258 4.2, Dana 30/40 with 4.27s and rear locker. Recently picked up this CJ, new to the group and loving it. It hasn't been driven much the last 5 years. Has new gears, rear locker, fuel tank but everything else is a bit rough and needs to be gone thru. I plan to make it my...
  19. N

    Trans Considering doing a transmission swap on my CJ5

    I recently finished a re gear on my 1976 CJ5 that I’ve been building for some light river crawling. After completion I decided to start changing fluids on the rest of the powertrain and I was greeted by my transmission having at least a half gallon of water in it and no oil. I then decided to...
  20. G

    Members CJs New to me CJ5 Laredo.

    My new project 1981 CJ5 Laredo. Long ways to go.
Back
Top Bottom