Jeep CJ history: CJ-2A to CJ-8, with the CJ-5 and CJ-7

Jeep CJ history

Willys turned the wartime MB into the CJ-2A in 1945, and the CJ — Civilian Jeep — became the working 4x4 of farms, ranches and job sites. The flat-fender CJ-2A, CJ-3A and CJ-3B kept the MB's 80-inch wheelbase.

The CJ-5 of 1955 descended from the M38-A1 military Jeep, the first 'round-fender' Jeep. It stayed in production for about 30 years, sold in more than 150 countries and outlived its builder's owners: Willys, Kaiser and then American Motors, which bought Jeep in 1970 and stretched the CJ-5 to an 83.5-inch wheelbase for 1972 to fit AMC inline-six and V8 engines.

The CJ-7 arrived for 1976 with a 93.3-inch wheelbase, the first major Jeep design change in 20 years, and the first option of a molded plastic hardtop and steel doors. The CJ-5 ended after 1983, and the CJ-7 and the pickup-bed CJ-8 Scrambler after 1986, when the Wrangler took over.[1],[2],[3]

Years and production numbers

Generations and key variants

Engine and drivetrain facts

• The CJ-5 gained Kaiser's Buick-sourced Dauntless V6 (155 hp) in 1965; under AMC from 1972 it used AMC inline-sixes and the 304 V8.
• AMC lengthened the CJ-5's wheelbase from 81 to 83.5 inches for 1972; the CJ-7 rode on 93.3 inches and the CJ-8 Scrambler on 103.5 inches.
• Four-cylinder CJs of the 1980s used GM's 151 cu in Iron Duke and then AMC's own 150 cu in four.

Sources:[2],[4]

What changed over the years

1. 1945 (CJ-2A)First civilian Jeep, built from the wartime MB.
2. 1953 (CJ-3B)Taller hood for the Hurricane F-head four; about 196,000 built through 1968.
3. 1955 (CJ-5)Round-fender body from the M38-A1; the long-wheelbase CJ-6 follows.
4. 1972AMC stretches the CJ-5 to 83.5 inches and fits AMC sixes and the 304 V8; Renegade package from 1972.
5. 1976 (CJ-7)93.3-inch wheelbase, optional molded hardtop and steel doors.
6. 1981 (CJ-8)Scrambler adds a short pickup bed on a 103.5-inch wheelbase.
7. 1983–1986CJ-5 ends after 1983; CJ-7 and CJ-8 end after 1986 and the Wrangler YJ replaces them.

Sources:[1],[2]

What to check before you buy one

• Identify the model from the serial or VIN plate and wheelbase, not the badge: CJ-5 (81 or 83.5 in), CJ-7 (93.3 in) and CJ-8 (103.5 in) are easy to tell apart with a tape measure.
• Engine swaps are common in CJs. If the price depends on an original AMC 304 V8 or 258 six, ask for documentation and check the engine against the VIN engine code on 1981-and-later Jeeps.
• Inspect the frame near the rear spring hangers and the body tub floors for rust and patch repairs.
• Check for lift kits, cut fenders and modified steering; well-done modifications are normal, but they change the value and the inspection.
• On a 1981-and-later CJ, a VIN-based build lookup can confirm the factory engine, transmission and package equipment where data exists.

How to verify a Jeep CJ's factory options

CJ trim packages such as Renegade, Laredo and Golden Eagle were stickers and equipment groups that are easy to add later. For a 1981-or-later CJ-5, CJ-7 or CJ-8, CarWhere checks the 17-character VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, lists the equipment the Jeep was built with. Coverage for 1980s VINs is thinner than for recent vehicles.

Standardized 17-character VINs began with the 1981 model year, so only 1981–1983 CJ-5s and 1981–1986 CJ-7s and CJ-8s have one; earlier CJs carry shorter serial numbers.[5]

For pre-1981 examples, the body (fender or data) tag and engine stampings carry the original factory codes; a VIN-based build lookup does not apply to them.