Jeep CJ Overview

Updated on Jan 11, 2024

Written by

Tyler Coolidge

Without a doubt, the Jeep CJ is one of, if not the, most iconic vehicles to ever grace the United States consumer market. As the original civilian Jeep, the Jeep CJ immediately captured the hearts and minds of Americans, which it still possesses to this day, made evident by the countless Jeep retailers, forums, blogs, and thriving aftermarket support, dedicated to the nearly eighty-year-old model.

But just what makes the Jeep Wrangler CJ such an iconic chassis? In this article, our experts answer this question and more, digging into the history, specs, and popularity of the Jeep CJ that wheelers know and love.

To begin, let’s take things back to the post-war United States, 1945 to be exact.

History

The Jeep CJ, or “civilian Jeep”, began life as a civilian version of the acclaimed Willys MB that scoured the war-torn landscapes of Europe during WWII. The MB was Willy’s submission to a U.S. military bid, which required a small, lightweight, and cable reconnaissance vehicle to transport troops during the war.

Over 600,000 Willys MBs and Ford GPWs (Willys MBs manufactured by Ford to meet production numbers) were produced during WWII, and any surviving chassis were auctioned to civilians and troops after the war. Seeing the popularity of the MB and the demand for a civilian equivalent, Willys hatched a plan to produce a nearly-identical version for the general public, and thus, the CJ-2A was born!

The Jeep CJ went through numerous production and ownership changes throughout its over 40-year run, leading to the CJ-3A, CJ-3B, CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7, and CJ-8 Scrambler. During the model’s lengthy run, the Jeep brand transferred between three different parent companies, including Willys (1944–1952), Kaiser (1953–1969), and AMC (1970–1987); however, each contributed to the massive success of the Jeep CJ, as well as the countless generations of Wrangler to follow!

Jeep CJ Models and Specifications

Throughout the years, the Jeep CJ experienced numerous generational updates; let’s take a closer look at each generation, including an unreleased concept dating back to 1950!

Jeep CJ-2A (1945–1949)

The Jeep CJ-2A, known as the Willys CJ-2A for its first five years of production due to a trademarking debacle, is the first Jeep bearing the CJ namesake. This chassis is essentially a Willys MB with a few minor tweaks, including a glossy paint job, slightly improved interior trimmings and comfort, an operational rear tailgate, a new stamped steel grille featuring seven slots (vs. the MB's nine), and bulbous round headlights.

Jeep CJ-2A Specifications

Jeep CJ-3A (1949–1953)

The Jeep CJ-3A is Willy’s second iteration of the CJ chassis, sharing several similarities with the wildly-popular CJ-2A. The CJ-3A shares the same overall tub, frame, suspensions, drivetrain, and powertrain, featuring only minor variances, like different motor mounts, an updated one-piece windshield, a different starter, increased legroom, and a slightly cushier interior. Still, the CJ-3A was largely intended as an agricultural vehicle and features few amenities.

Jeep CJ-3A Specifications

Jeep CJ-3B (1953–1964)

The Jeep CJ-3B marks a transitional period in Jeep’s heritage. Not only does this generation mark the last of the flat-fender Jeeps but also the end of the Willys-Overland era, seeing as Kaiser purchased the company in 1953. While there aren’t many significant changes to the chassis, the CJ-3B sports a taller hood to house the all-new Hurricane four-cylinder engine–a remarkable improvement over the previous L-Head engine.

CJ-3B Specifications

Jeep CJ-4 (1950–51)

We know what you’re thinking, “there’s no such thing as a CJ-4!” Well, you’re both right and wrong on that one. While the CJ-4 was never officially produced, Willys did have a concept for the model in 1950–1951; however, it was never mass manufactured. There are, however, some prototypes that escaped destruction!

Jeep CJ-5 (1955–1983) & CJ-6 (1955–1981)

The reveal of 1955’s CJ lineup saw arguably the CJ’s most significant upgrade of its forty-year run. The newly debuted CJ-5 and 20-inch longer CJ-6 did away with the classic flat fender design, instead utilizing larger, rounded fenders for a far different aesthetic. The new CJ also grew considerably, utilized a heavier-gauge steel tub, and featured optional rear seats.

Throughout the CJ-5 and CJ-6’s nearly 30-year runs, the models went through numerous changes to the drivetrain and body, adopting the 3.7L Dauntless V6 in 1965, and replacing all powertrains with AMC products in 1972, after AMC acquired Jeep from Kaiser. The AMC acquisition brought about several iconic engines–including the 4.2L inline 6-cylinder and the 5.0L V8–both required the hood to be lengthened and heightened for added clearance.

In 1976, a significant tub redesign occurred, meaning several accessories, including the top, were no longer interchangeable between early and late-model CJ-5s and CJ-6s. As a final significant update, the 1980 model received a “Hurricane” branded variant of GM's "Iron Duke" 4-cylinder to replace the base engine option.

Jeep CJ-5 & CJ-6 Specifications

Jeep CJ-7 (1977–1986) & CJ-8 (1981–1986)

With the CJ-5 and CJ-6 setting the tone for future Jeep styling, two additional models debuted within the last decade of CJ production: the CJ-7 in 1977 and the CJ-8 Scrambler in 1981. Like the CJ-5 and CJ-6, the CJ-7 and CJ-8 are nearly identical, aside from the CJ-8’s extended wheelbase/cargo area. They’re also aesthetically similar to their predecessors, aside from their squared door cutouts and longer wheelbases; the differences are far more apparent beneath the tub.

The new CJ-7 featured a widened rear frame section to mount the leaf springs and dampers further outboard, thus improving stability and overall handling. Other differences included the CJ’s first-ever optional automatic transmission, an optional full-time four-wheel-drive system, called “Quadra-Trac,” and an optional hard top with steel doors.

The CJ-7 originally debuted as an addition to the CJ lineup, coexisting with the CJ-5 for nearly seven years and the CJ-6 for nearly 5. However, the CJ-7 eventually replaced the CJ-5 altogether in 1983. And in 1981, AMC released the CJ-8 to replace the poorly-selling CJ-6.

Jeep CJ-7 & CJ-8 Specifications

Jeep CJ Colors (By Year)

1948–1949	1950–1951
Autumn Brown Poly Black Clear Maple Emerald Green Fiesta Yellow Harbor Blue Poly Luzon Red Mahogany Brown Michigan Yellow Normandy Blue Pacific Blue Poly Pine Green Poly Potomac Gray Shasta Green Sportsmans Green Poly Tunisian Red	Beach Sand Bermuda Blue Black Campus Red Canyon Glow Cherokee Red Poly Chesapeake Gray Copper Bronze Poly Cyprus Green Poly Desert Beige Hampshire Green Poly Horizon Blue Mediterranean Blue Poly Midnight Cloud Poly Nassau Cream Shadow Gray Poly Surf Gray Poly
1952	1953
Bamboo Ivory Black Duchess Gray Hatteras Green Gray Inverness Green Poly Oxford Gray Poly Riviera Gray Smoked Ruby Suntan Poly	Admiral Blue Poly Cadet Gray Poly Coronado Sand Hermosa Red Jasper Green Pacific Blue Princeton Black Raven Black Saber Rouge Swan Gray Willow Green Poly Woodstock Green Poly
1954	1955–1956
Arctic White Aztec Orange Beryl Green Bristol Red Coral Rust Poly Coronado Sand Gale Gray Poly Glenwood Green Metallic Granada Green Poly Gulf Blue Poly Raven Black Royal Blue Metallic	Blue Comet Poly President Red Steel Glow Gray Poly Concert Ivory Julep Green Poly Transport Yellow Pine Tint Diamond Blue Cherokee Orange Arena Yellow Glacier White
1957–1960	1961
Amber Metallic Arena Yellow Autumn Wheat Coral Mist Foam Green Fountain Green Metallic Glacier White Glenwood Green Metallic Jade Tint Steel Glow Gray Metallic Omaha Orange Palm Beach Ivory Peacock Blue Plantation White President Red Raven Black Rosewood Metallic Royal Blue Metallic Transport Yellow	President Red Omaha Orange Peacock Blue Jade Tint Cerulean Blue Fountain Green Poly Palm Beach Ivory Tropical Rose Foam Green Steel Glow Gray Poly Coral Mist Plantation White Transport Yellow Autumn Wheat Redwood Poly Glacier White Mallard Blue Poly Amber Poly Arena Yellow Royal Blue Poly Glenwood Green Metallic Raven Black
1962	1963
Amber Poly Black Foam Green Fountain Green Poly Jade Tint Mallard Blue Palm Beach Ivory Parade Blue Peacock Blue Plantation White President Red	Amber Poly Bell Green Champagne Poly GSA Gray Indian Ceramic Jet Line Gray Poly Nordic Blue Poly Olive Drab Omaha Orange Parade Blue Parkway Green President Red #2 Sierra Blue Spruce Tip Green Poly Steel Glow Gray Poly Transport Yellow Tree Bark Poly Brown White Cap
1964	1965
Amber Poly Indian Ceramic Jet Line Gray Poly Nordic Blue Poly Parade Blue Parkway Green President Red #2 Sierra Blue Spruce Tip Green Poly Tree Bark Poly Brown White Cap	Spruce Tip Green Poly President Red #2 Empire Blue Olive Mist Bronze Mist Gold Beige Marlin Blue Glacier White Prairie Gold
1966–1967	1968
Raven Black Spruce Tip Green Poly President Red #2 Empire Blue Indian Ceramic Olive Mist Beechwood Bronze Mist Gold Beige Marlin Blue Glacier White Prairie Gold	Raven Black Spruce Tip Green Poly President Red #2 Empire Blue Indian Ceramic Olive Mist Beechwood Bronze Mist Gold Beige Marlin Blue Glacier White Prairie Gold Olive Drab
1969	1970
Spruce Tip Green President Red #2 Empire Blue Prairie Gold Avocado Mist Champagne White Spring Green Vintage Gold Burnished Bronze	Spruce Tip Green President Red #2 Empire Blue Prairie Gold Avocado Mist Champagne White Spring Green Vintage Gold Burnished Bronze Island Blue Candle Light Yellow
1971	1972
Raven Black Spruce Tip Green President Red #2 Indian Ceramic Empire Blue Olive Mist Bronze Mist Beechwood Gold Beige Marline Blue Glacier White Champagne White Spring Green Vintage Gold Burnished Bronze Island Blue Candle Light Yellow Avocado Mist Baja Yellow Mint Green (Lime) Plum Riverside Orange Sierra Blue	Raven Black Transport Yellow Omaha Orange Federal Gray President Red Marlin Blue Champagne White Avocado Mist Butterscotch Gold Julep Green Jetset Blue Yuca Tan Skyway Blue Canary Yellow Forest Green Renegade Orange Renegade Plum Renegade Yellow Baja Yellow Copper Tan
1973	1974
Raven Black Transport Yellow Omaha Orange Federal Gray President Red Marlin Blue Champagne White Avocado Mist Butterscotch Gold Jetset Blue Olive Drab Avocado Mist Fairway Green Daisy Yellow Fawn Beige Tran-Am Red Copper Tan	Golden Tan Transport Yellow Olive Drab Omaha Orange Federal Gray Champagne White Forest Green Renegade Plum Renegade Yellow Copper Harvest Gold Mellow Yellow Silver Green Jetset Blue Fairway Green Fawn Beige Trans-Am Red Black Marlin Blue
1975	1976
Raven Black Transport Yellow Olive Drab Omaha Orange Federal Gray Marlin Blue Fawn Beige Trans-Am Red Copper Mellow Yellow Pewter Gray Reef Green Apple Green Medium Blue Alpine White Renegade Orange Renegade Blue Copper Forest Green	Sienna (Renegade) Orange Alpine White Medium Blue Metallic Dark Cocoa Metallic Classic Black Sand Tan Silver Frost Metallic Limefire Metallic Firecracker Red Brilliant Blue Nautical Blue Metallic Sunshine Yellow Transport Yellow Omaha Orange 16440 GS Gray Forest Green Reef Green Metallic Pewter Gray Metallic
1977	1978
Alpine White Brandywine Metallic Classic Black Sand Tan Silver Frost Metallic Firecracker Red Brilliant Blue Sunshine Yellow Mocha Brown Metallic Autumn Red Metallic Powder Blue Oak Leaf Brown Midnight Blue Metallic Loden Green Metallic Golden Ginger Metallic Lime Green Captain Blue Metallic Tawny Orange Sun Orange Oak Leaf Brown	Alpine White Pewter Gray Metallic Classic Black Sand Tan Firecracker Red Brilliant Blue Sunshine Yellow Mocha Brown Metallic Autumn Red Metallic Oakleaf Brown Loden Green Metallic Golden Ginger Metallic Captain Blue Metallic Sun Orange
1979	1980
Classic Black Firecracker Red Alpaca Brown Metallic Olympic White Russett Metallic Wedgewood Blue Cumberland Green Metallic Arrowhead Silver Metallic Sable Brown Metallic Saxon Yellow Starboard Blue Morocco Buff Bordeaux Metallic Ensign Blue Mandarin Orange	Classic Black Alpaca Brown Metallic Olympic White Russet Metallic Saxon Yellow Bordeaux Metallic Smoke Gray Metallic Dark Green Metallic Navy Blue Teal Blue Cameo Tan Dark Brown Metallic Cardinal Red Caramel
1981	1982
Classic Black Olympic White Cameo Tan Dark Brown Metallic Montana Blue Moonlight Blue Sherwood Green Metallic Autumn Gold Copper Brown Metallic Chestnut Brown Metallic Vintage Red Metallic Deep Maroon Metallic Steel Gray Metallic Oriental Red	Classic Black Olympic White Dark Brown Metallic Sherwood Green Metallic Copper Brown Metallic Chestnut Brown Metallic Deep Maroon Metallic Oriental Red Mist Silver Metallic Sun Yellow Slate Blue Metallic Deep Night Blue Topaz Gold Metallic Jamaican Beige
1983	1984
Classic Black Olympic White Sherwood Green Metallic Copper Brown Metallic Chestnut Brown Metallic Deep Maroon Metallic Sebring Red Mist Silver Metallic Sterling Metallic Slate Blue Metallic Deep Night Blue Topaz Gold Metallic Jamaican Beige	Deep Night Blue Almond Beige Sebring Red Garnet Metallic Cinnamon Metallic Ice Blue Metallic Champagne Metallic Chestnut Brown Metallic Nordic Green Silver Metallic Olympic White Classic Black
1985	1986
Deep Night Blue Almond Beige Sebring Red Garnet Metallic Sterling Metallic Ice Blue Metallic Champagne Metallic Medium Green Metallic Dark Honey Metallic Dark Brown Metallic Olympic White Classic Black	Deep Night Blue Sebring Red Garnet Metallic Sterling Metallic Champagne Metallic Charcoal Metallic Dark Honey Metallic Dark Brown Metallic Olympic White Beige Medium Blue Metallic Classic Black

Why Is the Jeep CJ So Popular?

At every off-road park, car show, or off-road event, you’ll likely find a handful of Jeep CJs in various conditions, ranging from restomod builds to unrestored gems. So, just what makes the CJ such a popular chassis even today?

Prestigious Heritage

If you ask us, the CJ is the Jeep of all Jeeps; it’s the model that started the Jeep craze we know and love and the first mass-produced Jeep ever offered to the public. With the brand’s already rich military heritage, as popularized by WWII-era Willys MBs and Ford GPWs, Willys’ civilian Jeeps became an instant success and symbol of freedom, perseverance, and the American dream.

Multi-Decade-Long Production Run

Though Jeep, as a brand, shifted hands numerous times during the CJ’s 40+ year production run, it’s still one of the longest-running models! Especially if you count the decades of Wranglers that followed suit.

Jeep produced over 1.5 million CJs over the model's four-decade-long production run, with most finding homes in the United States. And while paling in comparison to the 2.1 million Wrangler JKs produced, that’s still a lot of Jeeps! As a result, they’re still relatively attainable; it’s not incredibly difficult to find second-hand CJ-5s and CJ-7s in varying conditions in the States. Whether you’re looking for a wheeler, restoration project, or vintage daily driver, there’s a solid selection to choose from!

Community Following

As with any popular chassis, there’s a massive community following to go along with the Jeep CJ. If you find yourself behind the wheel of one, the odds are it’ll spark waves, stares, and lengthy conversations at the gas pump with current or ex-Jeepers. And that’s just scratching the surface!

There’s a wealth of knowledge online in forums, blogs, and social media–entire groups bound together by nothing more than a universal love for your chassis.

Aftermarket Presence

Like all Jeeps, the CJ has a substantial aftermarket presence. From lift kits and exterior upgrades to a wealth of restoration parts, if there’s anything you need, it’s likely only a couple of clicks away.

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Engine	4-134 L Head 4-Cylinder
Transmission	Borg Warner T-90 3-Speed Manual
Horsepower/Torque	60 HP / 105 lb/ft TQ
Dimensions (LxWxH)	130 ⅛” x 59” x 69”
Transfer Case	Dana 18
Front Axle	Dana 25
Rear Axle	Dana 41

Engine	4-134 L Head 4-Cylinder
Transmission	Borg Warner T-90 3-Speed Manual
Horsepower/Torque	60 HP / 105 lb/ft TQ
Dimensions (LxWxH)	129 3/4” x 68 24/32” x 66 3/4”
Transfer Case	Dana 18
Front Axle	Dana 25
Rear Axle	Dana 44

Engine	4-134 F Head 4-Cylinder
Transmission	Borg Warner T-90 3-Speed Manual
Horsepower/Torque	72 HP / 114 lb/ft TQ
Dimensions (LxWxH)	129 29/32” x 68 7/8” x 66 1/4”
Transfer Case	Dana 18
Front Axle	Dana 25
Rear Axle	Dana 44

Years	1955–1971	1972–1983
Engine	4-134 F Head 4-Cylinder 3.7L Dauntless V6	2.5L GM Hurricane I4 (1980–) 3.8L AMC I6 (1972–1978) 4.2L AMC I6 5.0L AMC V8
Transmission	72 HP / 114 lb/ft TQ	Tremec T-150 3-Speed Manual (1972–1980) Tremec T-176 4-Speed Manual (1980–1983) SR4 4-Speed Manual (2.5L)
Horsepower/Torque
4-134 F Head I4	72 HP / 114 lb/ft TQ
3.7L Dauntless V6	160 HP / 235 lb/ft TQ
2.5L GM Hurricane I4	82 HP / 124 lb/ft TQ
3.8L AMC I6	100 HP / 185 lb/ft TQ
5.0L AMC V8	130 HP / 235 lb/ft TQ
CJ-5 Dimensions (LxWxH)	138.2” x 68.5” x 67.7” WB: 81”	138.2” x 68.5” x 67.7” WB: 83.5”
CJ-6 Dimensions (LxWxH)	155.5” x 71.7” x 68.4” WB: 101”	155.5” x 71.7” x 68.4” WB: 103.5
Transfer Case	Dana 18	Dana 18
Front Axle	Dana 25 Dana 27 (1961–)	Dana 30
Rear Axle	Dana 44	Dana 44 AMC Model 20 (1976–)

Model	CJ-7	CJ-8
Engine	2.5L GM Hurricane I4 (1980–1983) 2.5L AMC I4 (1984–1986) 3.8L AMC I6 (1977–1978) 4.2L AMC I6 (1982-1986) 5.0L AMC V8 (1977–1981)	2.5L GM Hurricane I4 (1980–1983) 2.5L AMC I4 (1984–1986) 4.2L AMC I6
Transmission	Borg-Warner T-18 4-Speed Manual (1977–1979) Tremec T-150 3-Speed Manual (1977–1979) Tremec T-176 4-Speed Manual (1980–1983) Borg Warner SR4 4-Speed Manual Borg Warner T-4 4-Speed Manual Borg Warner T-5 5-Speed Manual GM TH-400 3-Speed Automatic (Quadra-Trac) TF-999 3-Speed Automatic TF-904 3-Speed Automatic	Tremec T-176 4-Speed Manual (1981–1983) Borg Warner SR4 4-Speed Manual Borg Warner T-4 4-Speed Manual Borg Warner T-5 5-Speed Manual TF-999 3-Speed Automatic TF-904 3-Speed Automatic
Horsepower/Torque
2.5L GM I4	82 HP / 125 lb/ft TQ
2.5L AMC I4	123 HP / 129 lb/ft TQ
3.8L AMC I6	100 HP/ 185 lb/ft TQ
4.2L AMC I6	112 HP / 210 lb/ft TQ
5.0L AMC V8	125–150 HP / 220–245 lb/ft TQ
Dimensions (LxWxH)	148” x 68.5” x 67.7”	177.3” x 68.5” x 67.7”
Wheelbase	93.3”	103.5”
Transfer Case	Dana 20 (1976–79) Dana 300 (1980–86) Borg-Warner #1339 (1976–1979)	Dana 300
Front Axle	Dana 30 Narrow Track (1976–1981) Dana 30 Wide Track (1982–1986)	Dana 30 Front wide track (1982–1986)
Rear Axle	2-Piece AMC 20 Narrow Track (1976–1981) 2-Piece AMC 20 Wide Track (1982–1986) Dana 44 Wide Track (1986)	2-Piece AMC 20 Wide Track (1982–1986) Dana 44 Wide Track (1986)