Then & Now: A History of the Civilian Jeep

Updated on Jul 18, 2023

Written by

Tyler Coolidge

Though auto-enthusiasts all tend to think of the Jeep as an American legend, it’s a bit odd to consider that the civilian model, as we know it, is coming up on its 80th year in production–and that’s not even counting the military precursors.

Throughout the years, there have been significant changes to the iconic Jeep, ranging from the model’s adorning the Wrangler namesake to a wide array of technological and safety advancements that’d make John North Willys roll over in his grave!

In this article, we’re looking back at the civilian Jeep's iconic roots to compare the early CJs to their current-generation counterpart: the Wrangler JL. Throughout this journey, we’ll cover the various generations, each's key contributions to the modern Jeep, and even some speculation regarding the model’s future. Now, let’s get rolling!

Jeep History: From Battlefields to Dirt Roads to Parking Lots

As most of us know, the original “Jeep” was never intended as a road-going civilian vehicle. Originally, the Jeep (then known as the Willys MB/Ford GPW) was a lightweight, four-wheel-drive reconnaissance vehicle collaboratively engineered by the American Bantam Car Company, Willys Overland, and Ford Motors. The model was born from necessity, as the U.S. government required an easily transportable, reliable, and capable vehicle to traverse Europe’s war-torn landscape during the Second World War.

Willys CJ (1944–1986)

After the fall of the Axis Powers, surplus Willys and Ford “Jeeps” were offered to military personnel for pennies on the dollar; any additional Jeeps were sold at military auctions and surplus stores.

However, Willys noted the demand for a civilian variant after the supply of surplus military Jeeps ran dry. So in 1944, Willys debuted the CJ-2A. Then, in 1950, Willys acquired the “Jeep” trademark, which began the official run of production Jeeps.

After countless revisions, including the CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7, and CJ-8 scrambler, as well as numerous buyouts–including Kaiser and AMC–the Jeep CJ chassis was discontinued to make room for Jeep’s newest revision: the Wrangler YJ.

Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987–1995)

The Jeep Wrangler YJ burst onto the scene in 1995, sporting a new set of square headlights, a beefed-up chassis, an updated interior, a new rear tailgate, and a series of other technological advancements to bring the model up to date. And, for the first time, a Jeep featured the “Wrangler” name.

While originally packing AMC’s 4.2L inline 6-cylinder, the model acquired AMC’s far-superior fuel-injected 4.0L inline 6-cylinder in 1991. Though manual transmissions were still available, automatic transmissions became increasingly popular during this generation, helping to pave the way for modern powertrains. This generation continued until 1996, when production ceased to make room for the Wrangler TJ.

Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997–2006)

1997 marked the first model year of the Jeep Wrangler TJ; though production had begun the previous year, Jeep marketed these models as “early release” 1997s. The TJ featured the single most significant redesign since the CJ-2A grew into the CJ-5, featuring an entirely new tub, fenders, chassis, suspension, and interior.

The Wrangler TJ marked a significant transitional period in the Wrangler’s history, being the first coil-sprung, multi-link suspension-equipped Wrangler. This new suspension technology drastically improved on and off-road capabilities, allowing for superior articulation in challenging terrain but a smoother, more compliant ride on the street.

This generation also introduced Jeep enthusiasts to the legendary Rubicon package, which features oversized tires, Dana 44 axles front and rear, factory-installed lockers, and more! This recipe still exists today, albeit with better tech.

Jeep Wrangler JK (2007–2018)

At the time of this article, the Jeep Wrangler JK remains the best-selling Wrangler generation of all time, selling over 2 million units during its 11-year production run. The Wrangler JK featured a complete redesign from its predecessor, bolstering comfort and amenities.

The JK sported a new 3.8L V6 (replaced by the 3.6L Pentastar in 2012), a significantly updated interior, all-new sheet metal and chassis, and an all-new sub-model: the Wrangler Unlimited. While the Wrangler TJ also featured an Unlimited model, it was essentially a modern CJ-8, featuring the same 2-door design with an elongated cargo area. By contrast, the JKU (JK Unlimited) featured four doors for the first time in the Wrangler’s history.

The JKU introduced the Wrangler platform to an entirely new demographic. No longer was the Wrangler just an off-roader or a sporty chassis for bachelors and bachelorettes, but a family vehicle. After over a decade in production, the JK generation gave way to Jeep’s current Wrangler: The JL.

Jeep Wrangler JL (2018–Current)

Jeep marked the end of its hyper-popular Wrangler JK in 2018 to make room for its successor: the Wrangler JL and JLU. The current-generation Wrangler originally launched with the JK’s familiar 3.6L Pentastar; however, that’s where the similarities ended. The JL features all-new body panels, a plush interior, and a redesigned chassis for superior comfort and aesthetics, furthering the Wrangler’s progression into a modern vehicle.

After a few years in production, Jeep launched several new powertrains, including the 2.0L Hurricane inline 4-cylinder turbo, the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6, a 392-cubic-inch HEMI V8 in the Rubicon 392, and even a plug-in hybrid, known as the 4xe. At nearly six years in production, we can’t help but wonder: what might the future generations of the Wrangler hold in store?

How Will Jeep Evolve in the Future?

If the timeline of Jeep generations has taught us anything, it’s that technology evolves and relatively fast. Even modern Jeep Wrangler accessories can help transform any ordinary Wrangler into an all-terrain vehicle capable of tackling any off-road angle.

Carburetion turns to fuel injection, which paves the way for hybrid-electric powertrains. Glorified lawn chairs turn into high-back buckets, which transition into heated and cooled power seats. Even analog gauges transform into fully-digital displays, so what’s next?

While anyone’s to say, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a fully-electric, zero-emissions Jeep Wrangler in the semi-near future. Companies will continue research and development to meet increasingly stringent regulations, especially with California’s ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales after 2035 (a measly 12 years away).

Will an EV Jeep have the same soul as the original Jeeps that powered through the Western Front? Likely not, but then again, does a fully-loaded Wrangler JL? Regardless of which side of the aisle you’re on, whether blissfully supportive of technological advancements or rampantly opposed, one thing's for sure: progress doesn't stop! And frankly, we’re excited to see what the next decade or two have in store for our beloved Wrangler.

Jeep Then and Now: A Visual History

We get it, some people are visual learners. Feel free to check out our image gallery contrasting the iconic Jeeps of the past with their modern counterparts. While several changes have occurred over the civilian Jeep’s nearly eight-decade run, it’s arguably more important to focus on the similarities, like that trademark seven-bar grille.