The Jeep CJ-5 is the one that brought the name, and the vehicle, to the front lines of the market for consumers looking for an amazing offroad vehicle. It did not start as that, though. The CJ-5 began its long run as a front-line vehicle during WWII. The Jeep CJ-5 was created out of a need by the War Department to have a vehicle that could quickly get from location to location, regardless of the terrain. The CJ was designed, engineered, and produced quickly to fit the need, but after the war, the soldiers, and their families, were interested in a civilian Jeep that could excel off the beaten path. With that in mind, let's take a walk through the ten things you should know about the Jeep CJ-5.

10 The CJ-5 Was Born To Be "A Civilian Vehicle For The Masses" In 1955

A parked 1955 Willys CJ-5
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After World War II ended, the need for an off-road vehicle that could go just about anywhere became apparent. The carmaker stepped up to the challenge by taking the Jeep that had been produced for military use, making a few changes, and marketing it to the public as "A Civilian Vehicle For The Masses." It may not be the catchiest slogan that a car-producing company has used, but it made the point. The CJ-5 became a Jeep for the average person, not just government officials and troops needing a way to get around.

9 1955 to 1971, The CJ-5 Was Still A Military Style Jeep

A parked 1950s military Jeep
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The first years of the Jeep created by the Willys and Kaiser Motors were not a lot different from what military personnel were driving, except for some additions that catered to what civilians needed. A top was put on the back end and a tailgate was added to make the CJ more user-friendly. Now that a design had been created that seemed to be popular with the general public, the carmaker decided that it was better to leave what was working alone, which is why only a few mechanical and visual changes were made to the CJ-5 from 1955 to 1971.

Related: This Electric Jeep Wrangler CJ Is Proof The Past Can Be Electric, Too

8 The CJ-5 Had A Diesel Engine From 1961 to 1965

A parked but ready to work Jeep CJ
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In the '60s, diesel engines were not often seen in vehicles because the technology was simply unavailable to make them usable to the average buyer. However, Kaiser Jeep saw a way to take advantage of the diesel engine when Perkins created the 4.192 Diesel to fit into the CJ-5. The diesel could almost keep up with the original four-cylinder engines, but could outwork them since a diesel was meant for putting in a hard day's work. Since the Jeep was first offered as an agricultural vehicle to help on the farm, an engine that could work was a huge bonus.

7 1971 Was When The 'Trac-Lok" Took Over

A parked 1971 Jeep CJ-5
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In 1971, GM bought back its rights from AMC to produce the engines for the Jeep CJ-5. A better drive axle system was needed with the bigger, more powerful engines under the hood. The Jeep could effectively launch off the line with some of the best muscle cars, but that was not what the CJ-5 was all about. The company designed and installed the Trac-Lok system that allowed the vehicle to adjust the power to the wheels as needed, without the need for the driver to do anything except continue pushing down on the gas pedal. This system only lasted a couple of years, giving way to the Quadra-Trac system in 1973, which left the Jeep in four-wheel drive all the time.

Related: The 10 Most Off-Road Worthy 4x4s

6 The Sporty Look Was Matched With A Beefy V-8

A parked 1972 Jeep CJ-5
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As with all vehicles, big and small, one of the things that automakers strive to create is a way to place a V-8 under the hood. In 1972, the AMC 304 V-8 was slid under the hood of the CJ-5, offering the eight-cylinder for the first time in the little Jeep. This engine could create around 150 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque. It may not seem like much when looking at today's vehicles, but back then, it was powerful enough to require stronger frames to be designed, which were implemented in 1973 to help prevent twisting and breaking any framework.

5 The Welded Frame Was Introduced In 1976

A parked 1976 Jeep CJ-5
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As power and torque increased due to new engine technology, the frames that had been riveted together were starting to fail. This meant that the company had to develop a better, more stable way of connecting the frame. In 1976, the solution to the problem became a simple switch, from a system of riveting to using a strong weld instead. This change created the foundation for all the new Jeeps today, even though there have been a few issues with it along the way.

Related: Jeep Wrangler vs Ford Bronco: Picking the Right Off-Roader For You

4 1983 Was The End Because Of A Bigger Sibling

A parked 1983 Jeep CJ-5
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New models and trends finally brought about the end of the famous Jeep CJ-5. The CJ-7 was produced and marketed to the public as an off-road vehicle with a wider, more stable stance. It came off the assembly lines with a more modern, aggressive style, which captured the hearts of all Jeep lovers, causing a decline in CJ-5 sales. In 1983, the CJ-5 became a vehicle of the past that would be remembered by many but forgotten by the mainstream buyers gobbling up the bigger sibling CJ-7.

3 Rounded Front Fenders To Prevent Back Spray

A parked 1979 Jeep CJ-5
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The CJ-5 was the model that started the rounded front fenders. The style was used throughout the other CJs' production runs and even in some of the models offered today. The benefits of this front fender style can only be found by taking the CJ-5 into the backcountry and plowing through sand or mud. The debris that will be kicked up will be deflected by the rounded fenders above the wheels, keeping the mud and sand off the windshield. Not only does this make the Jeep safer to drive, but it also makes it easier to jump through mud pit after mud pit without having to slow down for the wipers to catch up.

Related: The Jeep Gladiator is the Most Off-Road Worthy Pickup on the Market Today

2 Longest Production Length Of All The CJs

A parked and on display 1980s Jeep
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Out of all the CJs developed and marketed for sale, the Jeep CJ-5 had the longest run. It first appeared back in 1955 and continued to be sold until 1983. The other models were produced alongside the CJ-5 for many years, offering a new style to the old Jeep that was so popular, but none to this day have matched or exceeded the 28 years of production that the Jeep CJ-5 had. This may not mean that it is the best version of the Jeep. However, it was the most popular choice for many years, and it is still an off-road vehicle sought after by many enthusiasts.

1 Numerous Special Editions To Help Sales Numbers

A parked 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade
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Throughout the years, the Jeep CJ-5 had a base model and some special edition models designed to boost sales by creating an exciting new twist to the original CJ-5. Models such as the 1961 to 1965 Tuxedo Park Series and the Camper in 1969 and 1970. Following that, there was the 462 in 1969, the Renegade series from 1970 to 1983, the Super Jeep in 1973, from 1977 to 1983 the Golden Eagle, in 1979 the Silver Anniversary Edition, in 1980 the Golden Hawk, and then the Laredo from 1980 to 1983. These models were not much different from the base model except for the looks, which propelled sales for the entire CJ-5 line.

FAQ

Q: What year of CJ-5 had a V-8?

Starting in the 1973 model year, the Jeep CJ-5 was offered with an AMC 304 V-8. The motor could push out 150 horsepower and 245 pound-feet of torque, creating a Jeep that could push through any off-road terrain and have fun playing on the strip with the muscle cars of the day.

Q: How many CJ-5s were produced?

The complete production numbers for the CJ-5 come in at 603,303 examples. The CJ-5 had some excellent years and some not-so-good years, but overall, the CJ-5 did very well for the company for the length of the production run.

Q: What is the funny fender on a Jeep?

The CJ-5 had a unique design implemented into the front fenders to help prevent debris from flying up onto the windshield. The rounded front fenders directly above the wheels help maintain the visibility of the driver, no matter how much mud, sand, or snow they are plowing through.

Q: Is the CJ-5 safe?

Unfortunately, the CJ-5 is prone to rollover, even when at slower speeds. Care can be taken when driving one to help ensure this doesn't happen, such as slowing down around corners and never trying to do donuts in the local Walmart parking lot.