Blog - Jeep Identification Guide

JEEP CJ2A
1945 - 1949

While often argued over, CJ stands for "Civilian Jeep". Has flat fenders, two-piece swing out windshield, top mount windshield wipers, side mounted spare tire.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 80" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ3A
1949 - 1953

These early Jeeps are commonly referred to as "flat fenders" because their front fenders were flat across the front, even with the grill. Also made with a one-piece windshield with vent, bottom mount windshield wipers, and side mounted spare tire.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 80" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ5
1954 - 1983

The CJ-5 stayed in production for nearly 30 years, making it the longest running Jeep model. It features round headlights, bottom mount windshield wipers, and near straight up windshield.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 80.5" wheelbase thru 1971, 1972 and later 83.5" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ6
1955 -1975

The CJ-6 is basically an extended version of the Jeep CJ5. It has round headlights, bottom mount windshield wipers, and the windshield is nearly straight up.

100.5" wheelbase thru 1971. 1972 and later 103.5" wheelbase.

JEEP SJ CHEROKEE,
JEEP WAGONEER
1963 - 1983

Originally carrying a SJ designation, it wasn’t until 1973/1974 when the Cherokee name would be used. Full size wagons were available in both 2 door and four door versions and pickups in both long and short wheelbases.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear.

JEEP C101-C104 -
COMMANDO
(AKA JEEPSTER)
1966 - 1971

Available as a truck, convertible, roadster, or wagon, the C101/C104 is identified by its' slanted front and rear and angular rear wheel wells. Known as the Jeepster Commando until 1972, when the name "Jeepster" was dropped.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 101" wheelbase thru 1971, 1972 and 1973 104" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ3B
1966 - 1971

Virtually identical, the CJ3B is a higher horsepower version of the CJ3A. It was designed to use the same Hurricane engine as the CJ5/6, so the grill is slightly taller on a CJ3B than a CJ3A. Additionally, Mitsubishi licensed the CJ3B design and produced it for decades after production ceased in the US.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 80" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ7
1976 - 1986

The CJ-7 is one of the most popular of all Jeeps during its ten year run, and through today. It was made with round headlights, a tailgate that opens down, bottom mount windshield wipers, and factory sport bar.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 93.5" wheelbase.

JEEP CJ8-
SCRAMBLER
1981 - 1985

This is essentially the extended version of the Jeep CJ7, available as mini pick-up half cab, or full cab. It too was made with round headlights, a tailgate that opens down, bottom mount windshield wipers, and factory sport bar.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 103.5" wheelbase.

JEEP XJ-CHEROKEE
& JEEP WAGONEER
1984 - 2001

Jeep introduced this model to compete in the growing compact SUV market. Designed with rectangular headlights, squared classic Jeep lines, available in 2 and 4 door models, and featured curved windshield glass.

Unibody style construction. Coil spring front and Leaf spring rear suspension. 101" wheelbase.

JEEP MJ-
COMMANCHE
1986 - 1992

This is a pickup version of the downsized Cherokee. It is based on the XJ and was made to be available in long and short bed versions, squared classic Jeep lines, and curved windshield glass.

Unibody style construction. Coil spring front and Leaf spring rear suspension. 113" wheelbase w/6ft bed, and 120" wheelbase w/7ft bed.

JEEP YJ-
WRANGLER
1987 - 1995

Replacing the CJ-7 was the YJ, most commonly just called the Wrangler. Made with rectangular headlights, a tailgate that opens to side, and diagonal rear sport bar support.

Leaf spring suspension, front and rear. 93.4" wheelbase.

JEEP ZJ-GRAND
CHEROKEE
1993 - 1998

Introduced to replace the Wagoneer as a mid-size luxury SUV that many competitors would quickly try to imitate. This model sports rectangular headlights, rounded fenders, curved windshield.

Coil spring front rear suspension, unibody style construction.105.9" wheelbase.

JEEP WJ-GRAND
CHEROKEE
1999 - 2004

Curved headlights, slotted tail lamps, V styled grill.

Unibody, coil spring front and rear suspension. 105.9" wheelbase.

JEEP
TJ-WRANGLER
1997 - 2006

This extremely popular model only got some very minor upgrades throughout the years, but still managed to hold strong almost 10 years. Made with round headlights, tailgate opens to side, with spare tire. 55" windshield.

Coil spring suspension front and rear. 93.4" wheelbase.

JEEP KJ-LIBERTY
2002 - 2007

The Liberty KJ, is without a doubt the most controversial Jeep ever produced, for one main reason: it has IFS. Designed with round headlights, rounded flared fenders, a classic Jeep style grill, and curved windshield.

Coil spring front and rear suspension.104.3" wheelbase.

JEEP WK-GRAND
CHEROKEE
2005 - 2010

A redesign from the ground up like its predecessor, the WK features IFS and an optional 5.7L HEMI powerplant. Built with curved headlights, V styled grill, and curved glass.

Unibody, coil spring front and rear suspension.

Jeep JK-Wrangler
2007 - Present

Rounded headlights and grille which angles out toward the top, and then continues in a straight line from the midway point, toward the bottom. Decreased hood length, and increased fender length.

Stability control is a new safety feature for the JK Wrangler. All versions offer off-road tuned Anti-lock braking system and traction control system with electronic limited slip differential. Standard on the Rubicon trim is a new electronic sway bar disconnect system.

Jeep Compass
2007 - Present

Jeep’s first crossover, closely resembles the Grand Cherokee.

Has two electronically controlled four-wheel drive systems: Freedom I and Freedom Drive II, Freedom Drive I is a full-time four-wheel drive system with locking capabilities; Freedom Drive II is based on Freedom Drive I but by using the vehicle's CVT transmission it is capable of a 19:1 gear reduction simulating a low-range usually found in vehicles with dedicated transfer cases.

Jeep Patriot
2007 - Present

Compact crossover based on the GS platform. Similar in style to the Cherokee.

Features two four-wheel drive systems both of which are electronically controlled. The basic four-wheel drive system is called Freedom Drive I. This system is a full-time four-wheel drive system with locking capability. The other system, called Freedom Drive II, is based on Freedom Drive I, but by using the vehicle's CVT transmission it is capable of a 19:1 gear reduction simulating a low-range usually found in vehicles with dedicated transfer cases.

Jeep Grand
Cherokee-WK2
2010 - Present

More aerodynamic body, designed for durability, reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.

Steel unibody with 4-wheel independent suspension.

Jeep Cherokee KL
2013 - Present

Has a 106" wheelbase. Headlights are slanted to the side, the grille and fenders are very angular.

Features three different four-wheel drive systems: Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock. All of these systems come with Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction control system and rear-axle disconnect feature. The rear axle disconnect feature, a first for Compact SUV, disconnects the rear-axle when four-wheel drive is not needed.