Willys, Kaiser, and AMC Jeep CJ-5s and CJ-6s produced from 1955 through 1975 are the main focus of this website. 1967-1973 Jeepster Commandos are also covered. Due to the nature of overlap between models flatfender owners and many later CJ owners can find good information and are welcome here as well.

Special emphasis is placed on the Buick designed 225 CID Odd Fire “Dauntless” V6 that was used by Kaiser from 1966 until AMC discontinued use in 1971. The Willys designed 134 CID “Hurricane” 4 cylinder F-head is also documented here as it was used from 1955 through 1971 and many of our community’s members remain quite fond of theirs.

What is an Early CJ-5?

Early CJ-5s are what we typically think of a a Jeep manufactured between 1954 and 1971 by Willys Motors (as a subsidairy of Kaiser), then Kaiser Jeep Corp. (1964) and lastly by AMC (Feb. 1970 – 71). They are short wheelbase (81″) Jeeps based on the Military M38A1 designed by Willys to replace the M38.

The CJ-5 drivetrain originally was a four cylinder F-head, Borg-Warner T90 three speed transmission, Dana/Spicer 18 transfer case, the front axle was a closed knuckle Dana 25, later a Dana 27, the rear axle was two piece Dana 44 with the differential offset to the right of the Jeep. The steering on these Jeeps is the familiar Ross steering that was used in Jeeps since 1941 with the steering box behind the front axle. In 1965 Kaiser introduced the 225 CID Odd-fire V6 as an option greatly increasing the Jeep’s “funpower”.

In the early to mid-60s a Perkins diesel was also offered as an option and throughout the production of the CJ-5 four speed transmissions were also optional.

The CJ-5 continued on in much this same fashion from 1955 to 1971. In 1972 AMC (American Motors Corporation) finally able to exert full control over the product line made changes that usher in the era of the Intermediate CJ-5.

What is an Intermediate CJ-5?

Intermediate CJ-5s are thought to be Jeeps made between 1972 and 1975 by AMC. These Jeeps are a short wheelbase (84″), but 3″ longer than the Early CJ-5 due to the AMC inline 6 that was used as the base engine. The front of the Jeep was stretched 3 inches in the frame, hood and fenders. The drivetrains were the AMC 232 or 258 inline 6 or the 304 V8, the first V8 put in a Jeep. Base transmissions remained Borg Warner 3 speeds. The transfer case was the quieter Dana 20 which also standardized the transfer case across the product lineup. The front axle was upgraded to an open knuckle Dana 30, the rear axle was still a Dana 44 but with a centered differential. The steering on these Jeeps is the more desirable Saginaw style steering with the box mounted in front of the front axle.

In 1976 AMC made major changes to the CJ lineup and introduced the CJ-7 at the same time. The CJ-5 continued on in production until 1983 making it the longest running Jeep model with a production run of 603,303 CJ-5s made.

Information about me

My name is Adam Sparks, I’m known to my friends as sparky, I usually go by “earlycj5″ on the web. I am currently a Ph.D. candidate at Kansas State University in Plant Pathology. For more about my research see my personal page, http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~asparks/. Please do not use my work e-mail address to contact me about this website. If you have questions pertaining the website please use, website@earlycj5.com, I prefer that technical questions about your Jeep be posted in the forum as I don’t have all the answers. We have a very helpful and friendly forum, I’m happy to help you get signed up if you need help.