Why the overlapping years of production for Willys CJ5 and CJ3B?

I always wondered why production continued on the CJ3B after the CJ5 was developed. I have researched a bunch but never really found an answer.
The Willys CJ3B ran from 1953 to 1964 (all years with the 4-134F motor).
The Willys CJ5 ran from 1955 to 1971 (most with 4-134F and then the optional V6-225)

For about 9-10 years they were both being produced at the same time by Willys Motor Cars/ Kaiser Willys. They both had the same wheel base, diffs, transmission, transfer case etc. What was the purpose? Why wasn't the CJ3B dropped? Military contracts?

 

The CJ3b was actually produced until 1968. Almost exclusively for export and military after 1964 but they were still available for special orders.
The M38A1 actually predates the 3b as they were started in mid 1952 for the Korean war.
Sales of the 3b were much lower after the CJ 5 was introduced in 1955 for civilian sales.
Pretty amazing to see the platform go from 1952 all the way to 1987 as the CJ7 shared the same sight lines and basic overall design.
To many of us, The last "real" Jeeps were made in 1971 though.

 

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Daryl....I agree.....last real jeep ended with the Willys line of 1/4 ton utility vehicles.......everything beyond are just SUVs

It must have been cheaper to stamp out the flat fenders and simple hood on the CJ3B than the more complex curves on the CJ5's hood and fenders. Even though the Cj5 outsold it....it must have had a better profit margin per unit and created a decent revenue stream with export, military and special orders to keep it going.

The CJ3B just seemed like such an odd duck from a marketing perspective....................

 

Don't know if there is any story behind it ... I expect they kept making the 3B as long as there was a market for it, and the tooling held out. No reason to stop if they were making money and it was not taking sales away from the 5. It would be interesting to compare list prices in the same year.

 

It would be interesting to compare list prices in the same year.[/QUOTE]

Tim...I googled the MSRP for various years before and I came up with prices in 1955 on the base models.
CJ3B was $1411 MSRP
CJ5 was $1475 MSRP

(For comparison.....the first year production Corvette in 1953 cost $3490) (in 1955 the average car was $1950 and a US gallon of gasoline was $.29 cents)

$64 dollar difference in 1955 between the Cj3B and the Cj5

 

I agree with Tim. Strictly a profit thing. One thing I have always wondered about was the actual production cost difference. I just can't see it as being too much different, flat metal or not. Other than springs and front end sheet metal, still essentially the same Jeep.

 

Kinda like the Grand Wagoneer and Cherokee of later years that were essentially the same vehicle with different sheet metal on it.

 

Actually, I believe everything on the back is exactly the same. While the CJ 5 heaters leave a lot to be desired, the 3B versions were a lot worse and the defrosters for the B's were definitely an after thought. Having a glove box is nice too. The greatest difference is the longer springs in the 5's. Worth $64? Maybe. Certainly in today's dollars. The first real difference was the 225 but Kaiser must have determined there was no more US market for the B by then. However, it would have made a pretty nice B. Not to mention saving a lot of future owners the time and expense for doing the same.

 

Yes the M38-A1 preceded the CJ-3B by one year.
The CJ-3B went into production as a civilian model and the M38-A1 was stricktly under Military contract.
That's why the CJ-5 did not emerge until 1955.
The 3B was intended to be cancelled after the CJ-5 but apparently there was strong customer demand that led to it's continuation.

The CJ-3B and the CJ-5 models were built on the same assembly line.

Not withstanding overseas sales; know that the CJ-3B went out of US production early in the 1965 model year.
The Dauntless engines went into production in late 1965.

I just cannot fathom that as a mere co-incidence.
I fully believe the 3B gave up it's U.S. existence solely in order to promote the Dauntless engine.

 

UGgg. My Feelings. They are hurt and I am dissapoint. <intermediate owner

 

Think about the classic flatfender style that was by that time well known internationally. Yes the hood, cowl, and grill were taller but the basic styling was recognizable EVERYWHERE by that time and was legendary. The M-38a1 was not. Makes sense from a marketing standpoint to continue selling something reasonably recognizable to the world market. Think about it. Mahindra and Mitsubishi continued the 3b styling in various forms.

 

Thanks OldTime.........that chronologically makes sense.

 

Would love to import an old Mahindra diesel flat fender jeep with the Peugeot engine. Problem is they have to be 25 years or older to be exempt from the US emissions standards and avoid the Federalization............... After 25 years they are pretty much beat to hell in India

 

When you compare the OA frame length and measure the tub width you realize that the CJ-5 is 5% larger than the CJ-3B.
I often get into a lot of really tight places driving in between trees and I much prefer that slight advantage of the 3B.

 

That might be a clue to the overseas market for the 3B style.
Most of the world is accustomed to much smaller vehicles than we are. A CJ5 is a relatively large vehicle in most countries.