Looking back

If memory serves me, (sometimes more & more of late it fails) some one had posted a list of most of the major changes in the production of the cj5. the 81" vs 84", the front Dana 25-27 to the 30, rear Dana 44 to AMC20, T 90/ T-14/ T-18/T176. Drum brakes to disk brakes. Bottom line is I thought I'd "bookmark" it for reference, that didn't happen. Has anyone saved this and can you repost it. Thanks, twcj8

 

you can find a lot of jeep history and ID at these and many other jeep sites:

http://www.jeeptech.com/models/cj-5.htm

http://www.ewillys.com/

 

I can supply some of the dates you ask about.

1955 - CJ-5 model introduced
(could use some details about really early CJ-5s)
1958 - CJ-6 introduced.
1966 - first year for 225 cid Buick V6
1970 - Jeep purchased by AMC, fuel tank moved to rear mid-year
1972 - First major upgrade by AMC - AMC engines (232, 258, 304) introduced. F134 and 225 cid V6 discontinued in USA. New front axle (Dana 30), new transfer case (Dana 20), new brakes (11"x2" Bendix drums), wheelbase extended from 81" to 84", front clip extended by 5". Ross steering discontinued, replaced by Saginaw.
1976 - The "all AMC" design introduced. Almost everything changes. New frame, new rear axle (the Corporate 20). CJ-6 model discontinued in USA, CJ-7 model introduced with optional GM TH400 automatic transmission and Quadratrac (BW1305 or 1339) transfer case.
1977 - first year for optional front disk brakes.
1979 - AMC 232 cid inline six discontinued.
1980 - New transmissions offered. The T-18 and three-speed transmission gone, replaced by the SR-4 and T-176 transmissions. The CJ-7 gets the Chrysler TF9xx transmissions. BW Quadratrac and Dana 20 discontinued, replaced by the Dana 300 in all CJ models. GM 151 cid inline four offered in all CJ models.
1981 - CJ-8 introduced.
1982 - CJ models become wide track (from 53" to 56"), T-4 transmission replaces the SR-4, T-5 5-speed introduced. 304 V8 discontinued.
1983 - Last year for CJ-5.
1984 - GM 151 replaced by AMC 150 cid inline four.
1985 - last year for CJ-8.
1986 - Last year for CJ-7.

 

In regards to 1982-if memory serves, the CJ-5 never went to the wide track axles.

 

Not true. I believe when narrow track axles ran out some wide track axles were used in CJ-5's at the end of the production run. Reason is I built some custom Dana 44 narrow track width axles front and rear for an '83 CJ-5 on the premise they were all narrow track and when the Jeep came in it had Factory wide track axles front and rear. This Jeep was pristine with 47,000 original miles. Had been in the family since purchased new from the dealer.
When it comes to Jeeps, never say never. I learned this the hard and expensive way.



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