Guys

i have never quite gotten the grasp of the jeeps naming system. Seems to me they have BJ's CJ's TJ's and some other names... Can someone plz clarify what is what in a jeep? i dont know much about them except that they can make killer off road rigs... and CTD Nut has an awesome one!

Tx

 

Wrangler is what you want if you want a killer offroader. CJ was an older model. Like a CJ5 and later the CJ 7. Then the YJ, those were the ones with the square headlights. Up through this point it was all leaf springs underneath I believe.Then TJ's started brining in coils in stock rigs. They are the newer models with round headlights that came in like '97. Then there is that new ugly long wheelbase Wranglers that most jeep guys around here don't like too much...hopefully I got most of that right. If I didn't I'm sure someone will find my errors.

 

CJ - Civilian Jeeps 1945 to 1986
DJ - "Dispatch" Jeeps from 1952 to 1973
YJ - Jeep Wranglers from 1987-1995
TJ - Jeep Wranglers from 1997-current
LJ - Jeep Unlimited (stretched Wrangler)
XJ - Cherokee 1984(?)-2001
MJ - Commanche 1984-1991
KJ - Jeep Liberty
ZJ - Grand Cherokee 1993-1998
WJ - Grand Cherokee 1998-current
SJ - Full size Jeep Cherokees, Wagoneers, J-series trucks 1963-1996

There are several military models (MB, M38, etc), too.

 

The TJs are about the best out-of-the-box Jeep for off road, but all can be built to perform extremely well, even the full size Cherokees and Wagoneers. It all depends on the type of trails you want to run. I'm really happy with how my '98 TJ does (click on the link in my sig for pics).

A lot of people may not like the looks of the new Wrangler Unlimited, but that extra little bit of wheelbase can really help on steep climbs/descents. Same with the shorter CJ5 compared to the CJ7 - I've seen well-built '5s struggle when moderately modified '7s or Wranglers walked right up a particular obstacle. The Scramblers (CJ8s) were awesome trail rigs because of the longer wheelbase. Again, it just depends on the trail....

 

Yea, you got it right. The new Unlimited's are the re-release of the Scrambler (CJ-8).

The CJ-7 is nostalgic, but an expensive junk heap, imo. the frame is weak, carb'd engine, weak drivetrain mated with a torquey motor. The i-6 is a great motor. I don't know what year the CJ's officially started. I think they ended in 1986. They start from CJ-2, flat-fender. There's the CJ-3, CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7 and CJ-8. All round headlights and 7 slot grille, started the whole image for what you see now.

1987 to 1995 the wrangler was the YJ. Yuppie Jeep. Square headlights, the 258 and around 1989, the EFI 4 liter was introduced as an option. Carried the 231 T-Case, a Peugot 5speed or AX-5 for the weaker motors, and then the Ax-15 for the injected 4.0 Liter. They differed the Roll-Bars around 93, I think, to make it more 'family' oriented. Almost any part on a YJ can bolt onto a CJ, and vice-versa. Same hard tops, soft tops, doors, mostly the same frame, and same engine for awhile. They also got the Dana 35 in the rear, one of the worst axles ever made. The dana 30 had a vacuum hub for 2wd, disconnected the right tire from the differential. It's known to freeze up and not allow 4wd.

1997 to 2005 you have the TJ. Trendy Jeep. A whole lotta plastic, coil springs for an amazing ride and amazing offroad prowess. They started fixing the driveline but left that dana 35 in. The dana 30 got larger wheel joints. Dana 44's are a more common option, and are standard in the rubicon. The soft tops are waaay better, and quiter. The hard tops are better, as are doors. Round headlights again, NV3500 manual tranny.

 

Yj's, the ones with the square headlights built from 1987-1996, are pretty cheap and easy to Mod. up. Tj's, 1997 and up, are all fuel injected, and have coil springs which flex nicely without many mods.

I like my YJ, it is trail rated

[IMG] [/IMG]

 

Hmm, I'm willing to bet the only thing left on that jeep that IS jeep is the body.

make it up the rock?

 

Don't forget about the JEEP WAVE!!!

Unreal.

http://www.jeeptalk.org/jeep_wave.shtml

 

Very good list, but you got one of them wrong:

KJ - Kia Jeep I have it on good authority that it is Mall Rated. Sorry, could not resist no insult intended to Liberty owners.


As for the other comments on the CJs , I really can’t argue as there is not much left on my Scrambler (CJ8) except some of the body, dana 300 transfer case, and most of the frame.

A quote I heard the other day:

“That’s as wrong as square headlights on a jeep.”

 

If you are looking to do a mild build up cheap, don't forget that the YJ cheap to lift due to the leaf springs... Leaves more in the budget so you can get the 500 RWHP. Or put on twins and shoot for 600...

 

Very very true, YJs are a great way to go, easy and cheep to lift, fuel inj, good flex, easy to mod, and can be had for a fairly low price. I am a big CJ fan, but it is mostly due to nostalgia as I have had many of them over the years. If you have the bucks, the current generation jeep is great out of the box (stock) but is more expensive to purchase and modify.

 

i am not much on jeeps, but you all left out the cj10. i have one in the back yard. 6 cylinder diesel with a auto behind it. but they are very low production tow rig stuff. but it would make a killer pick up in the old willis style look.

and nice pic, is that at katempcy, with randy and shane? great palce to wheel, i need to get back don there.

 

Thanks man!!

That is a good list....you even touched on the MB's and M38A1's....

The CJ model list is long and ranges from the ultra rare CJ2 - not to be confused with a CJ2A all the way up to the Aussie exported CJ10 as Gunracer mentioned.

 

Couldn't help but notice the boggers on the rear.......how do you find cut boggers on the rocks?