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.

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  1. stvincnt

    Misc. Will this canister work

    I live in Florida 0 emissions testing/ I have 79 fiberglass tub cj5 258 w/ motorcraft 2150. I can restore original canister but I'm not concerned about originality . This looks like it would work, There's not much to them. I run my jeep open (without doors or hard top 100% of the time. Not...
  2. 8

    Interior 1981 CJ5 Seat Lowering?

    Does anyone make a lower seat frame for the cj5? It seems to be a common issue, especially when updating to new seats that the frame is too tall. I think I'll remove the slider first to see if that lowers it enough and I plan to add a tilt steering column eventually but it would be nice if I...
  3. 8

    Members CJs New to Forum, new CJ5 in HTX

    Hi all, I just recently acquired this 1981 CJ5 by trading a dirtbike. I previously had a 2008 JK 2dr that I drove for 17 years (upgraded to a 2dr bronco last year) and I have a 2023 Jeep Gladiator. I grew up driving a 1949 willys and a 1980 CJ5 so this is a very nostalgic fun vehicle for...
  4. I

    Misc. Heater System 1973 CJ5 V8

    I can't find a complete discussion on the heater control system for my 1973 CJ5 V8 operation that covers my question. So here it goes.... I would like to make sure I understand how the system works. Let me start by saying that all my control cables and mounts were removed and there were...
  5. B

    Members CJs New to me, well worn CJ5

    I am the new owner of this highly experienced '66 CJ5 V6. It runs but everything leaks and there are no brakes. I've had it 2 days and have started on the brakes and axles.
  6. S

    Electrical Fuel gauge 1977 CJ5

    Hey all, I have a 1977 CJ5. I recently replaced the fuel sending unit and temp sending unit. Of course the gauges are still not reading properly. I’d like to replace just the fuel gauge. Any ideas where to go for an original gauge, really don’t need the entire cluster. Thanks!
  7. M

    Members CJs my New1975 CJ5, 304, 3 speed

    good afternoon all. just bought this 1975 CJ5, 304, 3 speed it's a running car, properly registered and insured... in Baja California I have several tasks ahead of me: motor mounts, gauges, oil and filters, tuneup, etc. previous owner died several years ago, bought it from his granddaughter, so...
  8. C

    Brakes 1975 Cj5 E-Brake Removal From Backing Plate Tips

    Hey fellow Jeepers, I have a 1975 CJ5 that I ended up inheriting, it's in good shape overall from what I can tell: Decent Tub, Decent Frame. But a lot of the parts are fairly old. For example, the tires are from 2008, the hoses are very old, there's very old dirt living all along the under body...
  9. D

    Members CJs New member, old Jeep!

    Hello! I purchased this 69 CJ5 in August 2025 from and old Army buddy, who had it since 1978. She has been well used and loved by his whole family, but for about 20 years she was sitting under a blue spruce tree. Not a lot of cancer, considering the trees and underbrush in the Great Pacific...
  10. Istandalone

    Misc. Accel pedal spring

    Want to get an accelerator pedal spring for 80 cj5. Any leads.
  11. 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...
  12. 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...
  13. 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...
  14. 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
  15. 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...
  16. 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...
  17. 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...
  18. 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...
  19. 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.
  20. 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...
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