1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

cj5 or cj6

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by jeepfreek, Aug 26, 2009.

  1. Aug 26, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi.picked up a 1973 cj5.when i bought it the owner who is around 80 told me it was cj6.i knew better.it didnt have the 20 inch longer body.i didnt argue because he was adament .he bought it new.has 23000 miles.got the title from him.it states its a cj6.low and behold i checked the vin plate and the yellow sticker on the dash and its a cj6.when they made the jeep at the factory they put it as a cj6 when in reality its a cj5.serial no j3f835ta74108.just a little bit of trivia.regards jim.
     
  2. Aug 27, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Hi Jim - that's a CJ-5 VIN, regardless of what the title says.

    J = Jeep
    3 = 1973
    F = 3-speed manual transmission
    83 = CJ-5
    5 = open body
    T = 3750 GVWR (CJ-5)
    A = 1V 258 cid engine
    74108 = sequential serial number

    Somebody at the dealership types the title app. I'd say they goofed.
     
  3. Aug 27, 2009
    Colorado_Baja

    Colorado_Baja JEEPS!!

    Fort...
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2006
    Messages:
    304
    Yep easy to hit 6 instead of 5 at the DMV.
     
  4. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi.when you look up 1973 jeep vins the t denotes cj6 @3750 ibs.regards jim.
     
  5. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi guys.just checked again and the letter p in 1973 vin no designates cj5 @3200ilbs.the letter t in the vin designates the cj6 model.regards jim.
     
  6. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    j-americanmotors
    3-1973
    f-toledo
    83-universal 84inch
    5-open body
    ta-cj6
    74108-serial no.

    that is what i came up with.regards jim.
     
  7. Aug 28, 2009
    Colorado_Baja

    Colorado_Baja JEEPS!!

    Fort...
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2006
    Messages:
    304
    I just double checked Tim's assessment with my 1972 FSM and he is correct.

    If it were CJ-6 the seventh VIN character would be R (4750 GVW) or V (3900 GVW), again according to my 72 FSM.
     
  8. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi.the jeep is a 1973.regards jim.
     
  9. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi.i looked again on the site for surplus city jeep parts.they have a cj5-cj6 model serial no charts that show all the different years.breaks the vin no from year to year,regards jim.
     
  10. Aug 28, 2009
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    The 83 is the series designation, which is the important part. 83 is always CJ5. Regardless of what the T designates. T is just the weight designation. If it says 83 in the VIN and looks like a CJ5, you've got yourself a CJ5. So what's all the fuss about? If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck it's not a duck?
     
  11. Aug 28, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    The differences between the '72 and '73 model are few and minor. I can list them if you are interested.

    It's possible that there is a significant difference in the VIN syntax between '72 and '73, but it is more likely that the online VIN decoder you used is in error. Having owned a '73 CJ-5 in the past, my memory says that the '72 VIN syntax is the same as '73. If you want to follow up on this, I suggest you buy the reprint of the '73 manual and check there. That will be the ultimate authority.

    The parts book for that era will also break down the VINs. The earliest parts listing I have is for 1974. In 1974, the VIN syntax changed at mid-year, at serial number 100000. I expect the early syntax is the same as for 1973. I also expect your VIN decoder is not accounting for this change.

    Yes, "83" means CJ-5, regardless of the GVWR ratings, and regardless of which year. The CJ-6 is a model 84.

    Sorry to beat this to death - I have a few resources and quite a lot of background to draw on about this stuff, and can spew out a lot of facts and figures.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2009
  12. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi pathkiller.what i was getting at is when the jeep was bought new the gentleman bought the jeep as a cj6.the title states it as a cj6.i own quite a few jeeps.been collecting for over 30 years.when i look up in 73 data the t desinates a cj6.all i was trying to say is that the factory made a mistake .i know its a cj5.regards jim.
     
  13. Aug 28, 2009
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,785
    have you check the VIN on the frame to see if it matches?
     
  14. Aug 28, 2009
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    No, what everyone is telling you and you are still not getting, is that the T does not designate CJ6, all it designates is the 3750lb GVWR. Here is yet another source: http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/tech_vincj.htm

    If you want further proof, here is my own VIN for my 1974 CJ-5: J4F835TA74908

    Guess what? Mine has a T also! And I know it's not a CJ6. As I said and others have repeated, the 83 is the model designation, which is undoubtedly CJ5.

    The previous owner was apparently confused and the title is wrong. By the VIN you clearly have a 3750lb GVW CJ5 and nothing in your VIN indicates a CJ6 whatsoever.
     
  15. Aug 28, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    Vin Numbers for 1973 CJ's (All)
    Character
    1st J = Jeep American Motors Make
    2nd 3 = 1973 Year
    3rd A = Toledo - Auto - LHD
    B = CKD - Auto - LHD
    F = Toledo - 3 Speed - LHD
    G = Toledo - 3 Speed RHD
    J = CKD - 3 Speed - LHD
    K = CKD - 3 Speed RHD
    M = Toledo - 4 Speed - LHD
    N = Toledo - 4 Speed - RHD
    O = CKD - 4 Speed - LHD
    P = CKD - 4 speed RHD Plant - Transmission - Drive
    4th & 5th 63 = Universal 81" Wheelbase CKD
    64 = Universal 101" Wheelbase CKD
    65 = Universal 81" Wheelbase
    CKD 4 x 2
    66 = Universal 101" Wheelbase
    CKD 4 x 2
    83 = Universal 84" Wheelbase - 4 x 4
    84 = Universal 101" Wheelbase 4 x 2
    85 = Universal 84" Wheelbase 4 x 2
    86 = Universal 104" Wheelbase 4 x 2
    87 = Jeepster Commando
    88 = Jeepster Commando
    89 = Jeepster Commando Series
    6th 5 = Open Body
    H = Half Cab - Metal
    F = Full Cab - Metal Body Style
    7th O = Standard Wagon 5400 lbs
    P = CJ5 3200 lbs
    R = DJ6 4750 lbs
    S = DJ5 4500 lbs
    T = CJ6 3750 lbs
    U = Commando 4700 lbs
    V = Commando 3900 lbs Body Type - GVW
    8th A = 258 Six Regular
    B = 258 Six L/C
    E = 232 Six Regular
    F = 232 Six L/C
    H = 304 V8 Regular
    R = 134 four Regular
    T = 134 Four L/C Engine
    9th - 13th ###### SSN
    (Sequential Serial Number)this is what i looking at.regards jim
     
  16. Aug 29, 2009
    nwedgar

    nwedgar Now with TBI!

    Newnan, Georgia
    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2005
    Messages:
    1,785
    Just looked in my 74 Manual and the "T" is definately CJ5 and "V" is CJ6. I wonder if your build date is close to 74 model changeover, and your 73 VIN got the 74 VIN letter designation. Otherwise it looks like a simple mistake.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2009
  17. Aug 29, 2009
    jeepfreek

    jeepfreek New Member

    arnprior ontario...
    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2009
    Messages:
    13
    hi.nwedgar.1974 is a different model breakdown as 1973 on the serial no.regards jim.
     
  18. Aug 29, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Jim, this is an error. 3750 is the standard GVWR for the model 83 (CJ-5), not the CJ-6.
     
  19. Aug 29, 2009
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    According to my sources, that's not correct. Serial numbers before 100000 have the same syntax as the 1972 and 1973 models. Only serial numbers above 100000 are different, and then only by one letter.

    Above 100000, the GVWR goes away and the engine designator moves to the #7 spot. Regardless, the model designations are the same.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2009
  20. Aug 29, 2009
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    Source? This info seems to be incorrect and contradictory to most sources, including the FSM, which is definitive.
     
New Posts