Body and Frame
Body FAQ
- How do you tell what year a CJ-5 is?
- Did that “4 Wheel Drive” tailgate logo come on all CJ’s? Were the tailgate “Jeep” letters painted to contrast the body color?
- Windshields
- Where are the data plates located on my CJ-5?
- What model year tops are compatible with my Jeep?
- I am having trouble fitting my top. Why?
- Will a 72-75 tub fit my 55-71 Jeep and vice-versa?
- Will a ‘76+ tub fit my 55-75 Jeep and vice versa?
How do you tell what year a CJ-5 is?
The best thing to do is to visit the Earlycj5.com Spotters’ Guide.
Did that “4 Wheel Drive” tailgate logo come on all CJ’s? Were the tailgate “Jeep” letters painted to contrast the body color?
I hung around the local dealer’s quite a bit in the mid-’60’s. The ’66’s had “4-Wheel-Drive” silkscreen-painted on the right quarter of the tailgate — no “Jeep” lettering on the tailgate at that time. (The embossed “Jeep” lettering did not appear on the tailgate until AMC took over.) The embossed “WILLYS” lettering disappeared in 1963, not long after the Wagoneer came out. For years, there was simply a blank rectangle in the middle of the tailgate where “WILLYS” had been — it looked mighty odd.
What color was my windshield frame originally?
A semi-gloss black from 1955 through at least 1974. After the 1974 model year started some members have reported having a body colored windshield frame.
My CJ-5 has a split windshield, I thought this wasn’t an option?
CJ-5s up to 1959 had the option of buying a split windshield as a factory option. CJ-5’s for export were commonly if not always equipped with split windshields that fold out, much like the M38A1. It is possible to swap the windshield frames between the two models too. So your CJ-5 may have an M38A1 windshield frame on it.
Split windshield from outside
Where are the data plates located on my CJ-5?
For CJ-5s manufactured from 1955 through 1975, The vehicle serial number is stamped on a metal plate located on the firewall, under the hood, on the driver’s side. There is or was a paint and trim plate on the passenger side of the firewall too.
Illustration of the data tags in the picture bank.
How do I improve the operation of my vacuum motors?
Vacuum windshield wiper motors work using a leather or rubber flap which is sealed with grease in the casing. Since these motors are usually 40+ years old, the grease can dry up. If the flap itself is not rotted or worn out, you can often get a vacuum motor working again by following these steps:
- Remove the wiper motor from the car.
- Find a clean spot and lay out paper (to catch small parts)
- Remove the screws (sometimes special square-headed) that secure the top plate to the half-round main body. Make sure you note the position of any hardware, sliding parts, etc.
- Lift the top plate off and set it aside.
- Examine the flap. If it is rotted or obviously damaged, you need to get it rebuilt. Hemmings Motor News lists several services that rebuild wiper motors.
- Use brake cleaner to remove all old grease from the inside of the half-round main body.
- Apply a thin layer of smooth, NON-DETERGENT grease to the inside. DO NOT use wheel bearing grease. Detergent grease will eat up the flap.
- Reassemble and reinstall the vacuum motor. If it still doesn’t work, send it off to be rebuilt or replace it. To lube the vacuum motor, I use graphite in an alcohol base.
- It is watery thin so gives good penetration to the moving parts, and then the alcohol evaporates and you have a non- sticky lubricant. I got real tired of cleaning off the dirt and stuff that was attracted by oil type lubes.
What model year tops are compatible with my Jeep?
- 1955-1975 tops and Jeep windshield frames interchange
- 1976-1983 tops and Jeep windshield frames interchange
The top fitment is determined by the windshield style only. The year of the Jeep does not matter. If a windshield frame has been swapped, e.g., 1976 frame onto a 1965 CJ-5, a later style top should be used on the 1965 Jeep.
For help determining the year style of your windshield see the “Windshield Differences Page“.
I am having trouble fitting my top. Why?
Remember, tops should only be fitted when warm… COLD tops will NEVER FIT properly. They need to be stretched. Perhaps the bows you have were made to fit another top, and MAY need to be adjusted ( shortened or lengthened ) BUT NOT ON A COLD TOP. Find a car dealer who will let you put your Jeep in over night, with the top loose. Then go in on a Saturday if they will let you, and fit the top, and adjust the bows. I have had good luck fitting tops that way. You will also need some support rods or whatever, going from the front bow to the windshield, inserted in the black strips on the underside of the top.
Will a 72-75 tub fit my 55-71 Jeep and vice-versa?
YES! There were no major changes in the tubs for those years, just cosmetic.
Will a ‘76+ tub fit my 55-75 Jeep and vice versa?
The answer is a definitive MAYBE. The frame rails on a 76 are wider apart in the rear, up to 75, they were parallel.
Therefore, the mounting points will be different. The floor of a 75 is mostly flat. 76 up are high and low in places. Your 75 seat brackets won’t work.
Will it be structurally sound? Will it be for your use only? I would never buy from ANYONE a vehicle that had the wrong year tub rigged onto it.
Is it a fiberglass tub or a steel tub that you are looking to buy? Steel would work better, IMHO. Fiberglass is reinforced in the areas that the tub bolts to the frame. Wrong frame beneath it might not bolt through the right spots.
So, yes, it is possible, but probably more expensive to make a frankenjeep. So what if the aftermarket only supports 76+? You really don’t need chrome windshield hinges. Revel in the fact that you own one of the last true Jeeps, and put a 72-75 tub on it.
Specifically, there are a lot of changes between 1975 and ‘76. The external sheet metal of the two bodies is the same, but interior and floors changed. The dashes are different. The floors were changed to eliminate the tool box and to accomodate a new frame design. The seat mounts were changed.
You could make it work if you either change the floors to the pre-76 style, or if you move the mounts around and adopt the ‘76-on interior style. If you need new exterior sheet metal, and the ‘76 tub is cheap, it may be easier to replace the floors and dash in the ‘76 tub (making it into a ‘75 tub) than to repair a ‘55-’75 tub. Otherwise repair your existing tub.