CJ, YJ or TJ
This will help you identify
different models. Sometimes I'm surprised to find out owners of Jeeps
don't even know the difference between CJ's, YJ's and TJ's.
CJ3B's also know as "Flat
Fenders" or "Flatties", they are rare and were produced from 1953 to
1968. You may wonder what happen to the CJ-4, well there were proto
types built but the model never went in to production. At least one prototype still exists waiting restoration by
it's owner. The CJ5 basically stayed the same from 1954 to 1983
although they had some changes. The CJ-5 was the longest produced
model. The CJ-6 was made from 1955 to 1975. The CJ-6 was essentially a
CJ-5 with 20 extra inches of wheelbase (101 inches total), the CJ-6
offered the storage space of a small pickup and the mobility of a Jeep.
The CJ-7 offered a compromise between the CJ-5 short wheelbase and the
long wheelbase of the CJ-6. The CJ-7 was made 1976 to 1986 and are one
of the most common Jeeps seen on the road today. The CJ-8 had the
longer cargo area. The YJ was made from 1987 to 1995 and can easily be
recognized by the square headlamps. The TJ was redesigned to include
coil spring suspension and have been produced from 1997 to the present.
The TJ model also went back to the traditional round headlamps.
CJ
If you own a
CJ-5, 7,or 8, and your not a regular down at the local off-road toy
store, your vehicle has a 3 or 4 speed manual transmission, front &
rear leaf springs, most likely a Dana 30 front axle, & an AMC model
20 rear axle. Most transfer cases in the later models were Dana 300's.
Earlier vehicles had T-18's or T'20's.
We recommend: For
stock vehicles it's a good idea to upgrade the shackles and hangers for
strength and safety. Steering can be improved with a shackle reversal
kit, and steering box support. Also the factory U-bolt plates are a
common weak point, and should be replaced with a heavy-duty U-bolt skid
plate which also provides U-bolt & shock protection.
Recognizable features: Round headlights, leaf springs,
& rust (just kidding!). Lug nut pattern is 5 on 5.5".
YJ
If your pink
slip says Wrangler you have a YJ ('87-'95). It came stock with. either
a 5-speed standard or a 3-speed automatic. Like the CJ it has leaf
springs front and rear. The front axles were Model 30's (with vacuum
operated disconnect), and the rears were Model 35's, with a 44 upgrade
available. The transfer cases were called Command Trac (N.P. 231).
Command Trac means you have a choice between 2 wheel drive & 4 high
or low.
We recommend: For stock vehicles it's a good idea to
upgrade the shackles and hangers for strength and safety. Steering can
be improved with a shackle reversal kit, and steering box support. Also
the factory U-bolt plates are a common weak point, and should be
replaced with a heavy-duty U-bolt skid plate which also provides U-bolt
& shock protection.
Recognizable features: Square headlights, leaf springs,
& swing-out tail gate. The Wranglers were lower than the CJ. Lug
nut pattern is 5 on 4.5".
TJ
If you
purchased your Wrangler in 97 or later it's a TJ, and comes with
5-speed standard or 3-speed automatic.The TJ has a four link coil
suspension front and rear. Four link means there are 2 upper and 2
lower control arms front and rear. All come stock with Model 30 front
axle, and Model 35 rear axle with an optional 44. Like the YJ, all
models come stock with Command Trac (N.P. 231)
We recommend: The TJ comes from the factory a very
capable off-road vehicle, however we highly recommend a gas tank skid
plate. Also a sway bar disconnect will significantly increase
articulation (keeping all tires on the ground).
Recognizable features: Round headlights & coil
springs. Lug nut pattern is 5 on 4.5".
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