CJ5 1955 to 1971

[BajaEdition]

Early Stock CJ5, notice the cutout area for a snorkel on the hood
(Google Pictures)
This next picture also has the snorkel cutout on the hood but is missing the metal plug that should cover it.

Another easy way to spot these early CJ5s is the access plate in front of the windshield in the above picture. In the military M38A1 this gained access to the battery compartment. In the civilian CJ5 this is welded in place and the battery is under the hood.

Renegade with a hard top
(pics4us.org)

My 1967 CJ5 at Calico, CA
(Authors private collection)

 

[BajaEdition]

The CJ5 is the only CJ built under 3 Jeep owners, Willys introduced it in 1955 and a month later merged with Kaiser. They continued to use the Willys name for some time but eventually took the Willys stampings off the Jeep, replacing them with Jeep stampings. Jeep was sold to AMC in the early months of 1970.
The CJ5 was the longest running of the CJ family, it was produced in 3 generations, the First was this, the "short nosed CJ5, so named because the next generation they added close too 4 inches to the Jeep, all in the engine department.
The CJ5 was developed from the Military model, the M38a1, following the military model by 2 years to go into production. It seems it took this long to convince the military to allow Willy's to use the platform the Military had paid to develop. It is very closely related to the M38a1, with very few changes. Features like fuel tank size, low range ratio are a few of the changes. Willys even took a few years to delete some items like the cut out for a snorkel in the hood die. However they did use a one piece window for this Jeep ( a 2 piece window was an option at first).
The frame size and pattern of tabs are extremely close to all earlier jeeps.
Being the first of the non flat fender Jeeps of the CL line it broke ground in the "Streamline" range, if a Jeep could actually be so.
It was introduced with a Dana 25 closed knuckle front axle, a Dana 44 tapered 2 piece semi floating rear axle, the D18 transfer case was geared at 2.43 to 1. the original transmission was the T 90 3 speed, they used this transmission behind the 4 cylinder engine through 1971. The original engine was the 75 hp F head 134 from the CJ3b.
Softer seat, and softer springs were things Jeep told the public made this a better jeep than other models
The CJ5 specs are as follows:
Wheelbase, 81 inches
Length 135.56 inches
Height 67 inches
Width 71,75 inches
Tread 48.44 inches
Front overhang 22.56 inches
Rear overhang 32 inches
Front/rear axle clearance 8.62/8 inches
Approach angle 45 degrees
Departure angle 30 degrees
Break over angle 30 degrees
Tires were 6.00x16
Curb weight of 2274 pounds (in the F134/T90 form with no options)
GVW of 3750 pounds
Axle ratio, 538. to 1 (Base model)
D 18 transfer case with a 1 to 1 high range and a 2.43 to 1 low range
T 90 a gear ratios (1953 to 1962) 1st 2.79, 2nd 1.55, 3rd 1, reverse 3.79
T 90 c gear ratios (1963 to 1971) 1st 3.34, 2nd 1.84, 3rd 1, reverse 4.53
T 86 aa gear ratios (1965 to 1967) 1st 2.79, 2nd 1.68, 3rd 1, reverse 3. 79
T 14 gear ratios (1967 to 1971) 1st 3.10, 2nd 1.61, third 1, revers 3.10
T 98 gear ratios (option behind the F134) 1st 6.40, 2nd 3.09, 3rd 1.69, 4th 1, reverse 7.82
T 18 gear ratios (option behind the V6) 1st 6.32 2nd 3.09 3rd 1.69 4th 1. reverse 7.44
134 F head (1955 to 1971) 75 hp at 4000 rpm, 114 pounds of torque at 2000 rpm
2 heads were offered with this engine, a yellow painted one with 7.8 to 1 compression ratio for high altitude use and the standard engine had a black painted 7.4 to 1 compression head.
225 V6 (1965 to 1971) 155 hp at 4200 rpm, 235 pounds of torque at 2400 rpm

It is interesting to note that at the beginning of the production of the CJ5 it was mainly a work vehicle. Sales were strong to agriculture and industry. By the time 1971 came around this vehicle had a strong sporting reputation and was a favorite among the off road and sportsman crowd. More and more units were being sold as secondary vehicles to be used in the back country while exploring or while fishing and hunting. The utility vehicle was morphing into the Sports Utility vehicle and more Brands were entering the market for their share.
The CJ5 was a nice competition to it's contemporaries.
The Warn overdrive was an option giving you 25% more gear ratio in any gear, and a PTO was offered that came directly off the transfer case and operate a winch or a large selection of farm implements. Several fire fighting implements could be bought to match the PTO as well as construction tools, this was a very versatile vehicle.

 

[BajaEdition]

Notable changes to the CJ5 over the years were as listed below.
In 1961 to 1965 a Perkins 62 hp, 192 CI engine was available. I am having trouble finding out what transmission this used, sorry.
From 1965 to 1971 a Dauntless 225 CI 155 Hp v6 was available with a T 86 or T14 transmission standard.
In 1966 they dropped the fake battery box cover on the side cowl.
The snorkel cut out on the passenger side of the hood was dropped in 1965.
In 1970 the side gas fill and under seat gas tank was moved to the rear of the vehicle under the tub with the fill on the passenger rear panel. Tank size was increased to 15 gallon.
In 1965 they offered a single stick transfer case sifter.
The rear axle was upgraded to a flanged Dana 44 in 1970 and the front one was upgraded to the D27 during the 1960 model year.
Side markers were on the hood in 1969 and on the front fenders starting in 1970.
Transmissions were the T90 with the 4 cylinder, with a 4 speed T 98 sometimes found, the V6 got the T 86 till 1967 when they switched it to the T 14 a stronger transmission. A few were produced with the T 18.
The windshield and frame were changed in 68 with the wipers going to the bottom, the motor is also outside under a cover.
Somewhere in the 1968 to 1969 time frame the started using a dual cylinder Master cylinder instead of the single cylinder one they had used before that.
In 1971 they replaced the old linkage style clutch mechanism with a cable pull system.
In 1957 they went from a 6 volt to 12 volt system.
In 1956 the shackles on the front springs were moved from the rear to the front mounting point.

As seems to be a Willys tradition, many of these changes took place mid year with no announcement. They would do some the new way and others the old way till parts of the old way would be used up.

With the CJ5 there came the first of the "Editions" for the Jeep with the Tuxedo Park Park, 462, Renegade, and Renegade 2 being notable Editions.
The hard top was redesigned for the CJ5.

 

[BajaEdition]

In 1955 one of the main markets for the CJ line was agriculture and industry and the options for the CJ5 reflects this.
A PTO was a popular option as it allowed a multitude of tools to be used with the Jeep. Willys offered them from the factory and many dealers also offered them from the dealership. Koeing and Ramsey were just 2 of the brands offered. A winch was a popular add on as was the belt pulley drive and the hydraulic lift. This lift allowed a multitude of farm implements to be used behind the Jeep. A engine governor was available for ease of use. Front bumper weights were an option when using the Jeep for heavy work.
Other Options for the jeep were a passenger seat, a 2/3-1/3 bench seat for the front, rear bench seat and rear wheel cover pads. Both a hard half top and a hard full top were offered as was a soft top. A hood catch, passenger safety rail, glove box door and access steps were options for creature comfort, a pintle hook was offered for towing convenience.
For hot weather use a high pressure radiator cap was on the option list and for high altitudes they offered a high compression head. Directional signals, a rear reflector, under hood light and fog lights could be ordered. If you loved your engine, get the optional gas filter. Dual horns were offered so you could be heard. High output alternator and a heavy duty battery set you up for high output accessories.
Options were added during the early years and it can be hard to find what year an option was first offered.
By 1966 they were offering 4 speed transmissions, a T98 behind the F134 and a T18 behind the V6, also listed that year were Warn Hubs. 4 Axle ratios were offered, 4.27 and 5.38 with the F head and 3.73 and 4.88 with the V6. The Trac lock Differentials were offered.
By 1971, the last year of the Early CJ5 the option list was well filled out with ways to beef up the suspension, cooling , and engine, creature comforts and safety all being addressed.



Base Price
1955 $1,496
1956 $1,577
1957 $1,886
1958 $1,979
1959 $1,976
1960 $1,979
1961 $1,980
1962 $2,055
1963 $2,109
1964 $2,211
1965 $2,211
1966 $2,284
1967 $2,681
1968 $2,683
1969 $2,823
1970 $2,930
1971 $2,886

During this write up I sourced information form several places,
Jeep, Illustrated Buyers guide, Jim Allen
Jeep CJ, 1945 to 1983, Robert Akerson
Jeep Standard Catalog of, Patrick Foster
www.EarlyCJ5.com
www.Novak-Adapt.com
www.cj-jeep.com
Interview with George Richardson Las Vegas Nevada
Personal experience with Jeep CJs

 

[elwood blues]

unknown year CJ5 w/ Koenig full hardtop, half hardtop & doors.








pictures via thisoldjeep.com

 

[Petescj]

***