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1987-1995 Jeep Wrangler (YJ): change comes to the CJ
The Jeep CJ (Civilian Jeep), an icon based on the American Bantam military vehicles, ceased production in 1986. Around 1.6 million CJs built by Willys, Kaiser, and AMC over the course of four decades, starting with the 1946 Jeep CJ-2A. The first hardtop came in 1972. Each new CJ model was larger and more popular than the one before it, but none were hot sellers, with U.S. sales between 10,000 and 60,000 per year.
In late 1983, twelve prototypes had been built for testing; they had a new chassis and powertrain. By spring 1984, nine prototypes with final sheet metal were tested for durability. Packaging bucks were built to check design clearances, comfort, the tops, and instrumentation. About 600,000 miles total were acquired through all the testing.
The Jeep CJ (Civilian Jeep), an icon based on the American Bantam military vehicles, ceased production in 1986. Around 1.6 million CJs built by Willys, Kaiser, and AMC over the course of four decades, starting with the 1946 Jeep CJ-2A. The first hardtop came in 1972. Each new CJ model was larger and more popular than the one before it, but none were hot sellers, with U.S. sales between 10,000 and 60,000 per year.
In late 1983, twelve prototypes had been built for testing; they had a new chassis and powertrain. By spring 1984, nine prototypes with final sheet metal were tested for durability. Packaging bucks were built to check design clearances, comfort, the tops, and instrumentation. About 600,000 miles total were acquired through all the testing.
CJ-5 | Jeep CJ-7 | Wrangler | |
---|---|---|---|
Wheelbase | 84.0 | 93.5" | 93.4" |
Overall Length | 138.9 | 153.2" | 152" |
Width | 71.7 | 71.7 | 66" |
Height (hardtop) | 69.5 | 71" | 69.3" |
Front/Rear Tread | 55.8"/55.1" | 58" | |
Running clearance | 8.0 | 8.0 | 10.0 |
... at axles (min) | 6.9 | 6.9 | 7.5 (rear) |
Weight (I-4) | 2,600* | 2,700* | 2,910-2,943 lb |
* Depending on source, CJ5 is 2,200-2,660 and CJ-7 is 2,600-2710. |