body indentation by driver's door

[gillmore]

What's the purpose of the indentation on a '79 CJ5 on the driver's side? Since it isn't on the passenger side, I'm assuming it isn't just a design feature.

 

[CJ]

HUH? I can't tell by the pic but the was never an ID there...

Are you talking about the fuel space? That is classic CJ....

EDIT:

I'll edit my bone head response! DUH

Early CJ's had fuel openings there...

Early CJ's had a fuel opening for under seat tanks.

The tradition of the indention carried over in the body style for years... Up to '75 you will see the same indention... Beyond 75 (I think) AMC changed the body work. But since your is a 79 - I'm sure I'm wrong about the exact dates...

- Either way - the pic you showed is where the fuel filler was for the early CJ's....

 

[CJ]

I confused myself!

How about you!

 

[gillmore]

ahhh...tradition!

 

[BajaEdition]

At one time the fuel tank was under the seat, untill 68 I think when they made a law saying it could no longer be in the passenger department.
Jeep being very conservative, and still selling jeeps overseas, did not change the body tooling just for the USA and left the tub alone, just moved the tank.
My 67 and my 70 both have the indent, just the 67 has a under seat tank and the 70 has a under body tank in the rear.

 

[BrockGrimes]

my '79 has the body with no tailgate and it also has the dent by the driver door, like where the old fuel filler was.

 

[Outdoor Jack]

I absolutely love the looks of older jeeps and their designs. So they used to still make that indentation after they moved the tank. I find it interesting how they change things around, but keep the style the same.