Is the '69 Unique?

I have been looking at new tubs online. It appears that the tub years go from 52-68, then 70-71. The '69 is made by itself. Anyone know what makes the '69 body unique? Also, since I am having trouble finding one, will a '70 front grille fit on the '69?

 

The only difference in tubs is rear location of the fuel tank on the 1970 and 1971 models. The 52-68 tub is what you want when using the gas tank under the seat. The radiator might be bigger on the 1970 grille than on the 69 but the 1970 grille will bolt up. You might have to use a 1970 radiator

 

IIRC 69 is the crossover year where some got the rear tank and whatnot. Probably the reason Retailers don't count it is because if you have one body you go with X if you have the other go with Y. If they sold the 69 as one or the other they will be wrong at some point and have to deal with customers who are not happy with being sold the wrong product.

 

FWIW, I've had a '69 and two '70's, all had under seat gas tanks.

 

Aside from the gas tank issue, I thought all tubs were the same 55-75.

 

I don't know the details but in the '68-'72 time frame there where side marker light variations. Older jeeps don't have the lights. Newer jeeps have the front/side lights on the fender and rear/side down low. In between the front/side was on the hood (behind the latch) and rear/side was up high.

 

X2 The lights are the difference. Pete's a March 1970 Build with the underseat tank and side markers on the fenders up front, down low in the rear.

 

70 was the mid year split on the gas tank.

 

ok will the flares on a 75 fit a 66?

 

Yes but the front ones will look funny cause they have a cut out area for the reflector that your 66 doesn't have.

 

Actually every vintage and model of Jeep is UNIQUE in one way or another.
One should realize that the Jeep was in a constant state of change called progress.

Concerning the "body" one must observe it as individual components.
The TUB, the HOOD, the GRILL, the FENDERS, the WINDSHIELD, and the TAILGATE.

Some notable examples for 1969 CJ-5:

The 1969 tub itself is mostly like those built 1966 through 1969.
It has no rear marker lights like the 1970 / 1971 nor the rear fuel access like the 1971.

The hood will not have the snorkel access like most pre 1969 CJ-5' s.
Note that the non snorkel hood began use as early as 1966 yet still remained as late as 1968.
The 1969 hood will not have holes for mounting the 1970 reflectors.

The grill does not have the safety hood latch like the 1971 has.
Yet the parking lamps are larger than the 1968 parking lamps.
Only 1969 and 1970 grills will correctly interchange.

The fenders will not have reflector indents like those found with some 1970 and all 1971 models.

The windsield has the high arched glass and the low mounted electric wipers that were used from 1969 through 1971.
Pre 1969 will have straight cut glass and high mounted vacuum wipers except 1968 which is high mounted electric wipers.

And obviously the tailgate will not have "WILLYS" logo.

 

The Daughter's CJ-5 is an early to mid year '69 by the serial number with '70 title. It has the reflectors on the hood, center safety hood latch, larger Intermediate style turn signals, under seat gas tank, and was a tapered axle rear Dana 44, low mount wiper motor with the arched glass. The W/S could have been changed but the rest all had matching factory paint. I've seen others like this also.

I've also run into '68's and '69's with the arched glass and low mount wipers, factory. Some '68's did have the flat top glass. I've owned a couple w/shields like this and I know one came off a '68. The other came off a '67 but have not been able verify whether it had been changed.

 

Thanks guys... my 1969 CJ-5 observations are +- 1/2 year at best.
This is due to Kaisers "persistant anomily policy".
The 1969 / 1970 is probably my all time favorite CJ-5.
The 1969 and 1970 built Renegade I scoring an excellent overall rating for a classic stock standard Jeep.

I would expect most 1969 CJ's to have the arched glass and low mount electric.
The late 1969 could surely have hood reflectors but not the fender indentations.
I have seen a September 1969 Renegade I with the flanged axles.
Had hood reflectors, arched glass, large park lamps and drivers fuel tank etc.
No rear body reflector, just the typical 1969 / 1970 features.

 

My 69 had arched glass, under seat tank, and no markers. No hood latch.

 

My '69 has the flat top glass with the low mounted electric wipers. Of course I can't be sure it is the original windshield frame.
From the serial number 8305C17355049 I guess it to be early '69 Canadian production.
Does anyone have a Canadian serial number close to this with the VIN decal still on the dash showing the production month?

Don

 

My 69 has the arched glass, wipers on the bottom, hood latch, hood reflectors, and tank under the seat. I also have the rear body reflectors.

 

my 69 has arched glass, wipers on the bottom, no center hood latch, no hood reflectors, no rear body reflectors, has under seat tank. fenders are 70's version with reflector cutouts.

 

Regarding whether or not the grille will fit from a '70 on a '69. The answer is "it depends".

Where is the battery tray? If it is on the firewall, then the grille will fit. If it is on the frame in front, then the grille will not fit without taking a cutting torch to the battery tray. If the jeep had a frame mount battery tray, you will need a new "different" radiator.

For the most part jeeps had almost all parts in common from 55 - 71, but there are many small differences that vary between years, engine models, transmission models, and gasoline tank position. None of them are problems that cannot be solved, but they certainly are annoying.