Jeep History

[Voyager]

I know there are many Jeep Lovers on this site who often love to have some info about Jeeps. Here is the good news for them. I am just going to put here the history of the Jeeps since its first Pilot Model “ Bantam 1940”.

I will be posting 1 by 1.

1940 Bantam Pilot Model:



Using the term that has become generic in the English language, this is the undisputed first "jeep." Built by the American Bantam Car Company of Butler, Pennsylvania, it was delivered to Camp Holabird, Maryland, on September 23, 1940.

[Voyager]

1950 X-98:



The Jeep bearing the experimental vehicle number X-98 had flat fenders, but with a grille and hood not unlike the eventual CJ-5 grille. It may have been the first F-head-powered Jeep utility, built in 1949 or 1950 under Willys Engineering Release 5607. It had civilian features such as a tailgate, side-mounted spare, and "WILLYS" stamped on the hood.

[Voyager]

1950 CJ-4:



This is the "missing link" between the CJ-3A/3B and the CJ-5. Only one unit was built in 1950, and it was one of the first prototype Jeeps to carry the new Willys "Hurricane" F-head engine. It combined the rear of a CJ-3A, the hood that would be seen on the MD model, and a unique grille and skirted fenders on an 81-inch wheelbase. Mechanically, it was pretty standard Jeep.

[Voyager]

1950 CJ-4M:



The CJ-4M military prototype had the same front end design (never used on a production-model Jeep) as the CJ-4, with skirted fenders and a unique front clip. Blackout lamps replaced the marker lights, and headlamp guards as on the M-38 were also fitted. This pilot for the M-38A1 (model MD), probably built in 1950, has also been referred to as the M-38E1.

[Voyager]

1952-1971 M38A1 (MD):



This was the first appearance of the "round-fender" Jeep that would eventually become the CJ-5. The M38A1 was quite different than the CJ-5, having a stronger chassis and reversed front spring shackles, in addition to the military accoutrements such as standardized GI instruments and 24-volt electricals. Some 101,488 units were produced by Willys during the 50's, some of which went for export.

[Voyager]

1952-1971 M38A1C:



M38A1C was the U.S. military designation for an MD modified to carry a rear-mounted 105mm or 106 mm recoilless rifle. Surplus examples would have been sold with the large weapon removed, but distinctive features that might remain include: a windshield with a center gap to allow the barrel of the rifle to rest horizontally, a cowl-mounted spare tire to provide clearance for the breech of the rifle and storage for shells accessible from the rear, and an M75A1 or M79 mount.

[Voyager]

1953 BC Bobcat:



The Bobcat, or "Aero Jeep" as it was going to be officially called, was designed to be a 1500 pound Air Borne Combat Vehicle which would share as many parts as possible with the M-38 and M-38A1. The frame was apparently derived from the MB frame tooling to save costs, and the prototype weighed 1475 pounds.

[waseem]

Very Interesting...
God job done @ Voyager..

[Voyager]

1954 DJ-3B:



Little is known about this right-hand-drive delivery version of the CJ-3B, produced under Engineering Release 10233. Photographed in March 1954, it was painted red with a white Koenig hardtop. There is no evidence that Willys actually gave it a DJ designation. Under a 1958 Engineering Release, six additional prototypes were produced for the U.S. Post Office.

[Voyager]

1954-1983 CJ-5:



Nearly 30 years in production, the CJ-5 outlasted all the other Jeep utilities by a comfortable margin. All told, 603,303 were manufactured, making them the most plentiful CJ by a bunch. Many special editions existed for the CJ-5, including the 1972 Super Jeep and the 1977-83 Golden Eagle. The CJ-5 has been the basis for countless trail buildups, and probably logged more trail miles than any other Jeep. Shown here is a '73 Renegade. This package featured a 304cid V-8 (the first V-8 in a short-wheelbase utility, in 1972), mag wheels, and a host of other goodies that included a Powr-Lok rear limited-slip.

[Voyager]

1954-1964 M170:



Although the M170 is often referred to as the "military version of the CJ-6," it would be more correct to call the CJ-6 a civvy M170. As with the M38A1, this new Jeep configuration was developed first for the military. Only about 6,500 four-cylinder M170's were produced over ten years, many outfitted as field ambulances. One unique feature is the mounting of the spare tire inside the body on the passenger side, to allow stretchers to extend over the tailgate where the spare would normally be on a military Jeep. As a result, the unusually large passenger side door opening is partially blocked, particularly when a jerry can is mounted in front of the spare. The driver's side door is the same as an M38A1.

[Voyager]

1955 Air Force Dispatcher:



This two-whel-drive version of the M38A1 was built for the U.S. Air Force under Willys Engineering Project 11323. It retained the 24-volt electrical system of the M38A1, and body features such as the recessed headlights and battery box, but most of the heavy-duty accessories were apparently removed. A rear-mounted gas tank was filled from the right side, and the full hardtop had sliding doors. Powered by the Hurricane F-head four.

[Voyager]

1955-1975 CJ-6:



The only common complaint among early Jeep utility owners was the lack of room. This call was answered in the form of the CJ-6. Essentially a CJ-5 with 20 extra inches of wheelbase (101 inches total), the CJ-6 offered the storage space of a small pickup and the mobility of a Jeep. The demand was not great for the stretched CJ but they stayed in production from 1955 until the advent of the CJ-7 in 1976. They continued in production for export until 1981.

[Voyager]

1955-1964 DJ-3A Dispatcher:



The Dispatcher was the first two-wheel drive Universal Jeep, recycling the CJ-3A body with the L-head 134 engine, as a recreational and delivery vehicle. It was offered in soft top, hard top, and "surrey gala" versions, and was available with or without a tailgate. The rear axle was a Spicer 23, similar to the front axle of other Jeeps of the era, although the differential was centered, not offset. Other distinguishing characteristics were the four-bolt wheels and the steering-column gearshift. There was a special model manufactured for use as a postal truck.

[Voyager]

1955-1968 CJ-3B Long:



A long-wheelbase CJ-3B was never produced by Willys in North America, but is often seen in the form of versions made by several licenced manufacturers around the world. A few Willys 3B's were even lengthened before being assembled by importers in Sweden and Australia. The version in the photo, produced by EBRO of Spain as a "CJ-6", had a 101-inch wheelbase and was available with a Hurricance F-head or a 4-cylinder diesel engine. Mitsubishi of Japan used the F-head in their CJ3B-J10 (1955-61).

[Voyager]

1959-1962 M422:



The Mighty Mite was designed by the Mid-America Research Corporation, as a combat vehicle suitable for airlifting and manhandling. It was originally prototyped starting in 1946, and was further developed during the fifties by a team including four of the original Bantam developers. Starting in 1959 some 3,922 were built by American Motors. The M422's unique features included aluminum body, differential-mounted brakes, and an AMC V-4 air-cooled engine. At over $5000 per unit it was relatively expensive.

[Voyager]

1959-1978 M151:



Tested and protoyped by Ford through most of the fifties, the M151 MUTT ("Military Unit Tactical Truck") went into production in 1959 and became the principal combat Jeep of the Vietnam era. It was produced by Kaiser Jeep, AM General and General Motors, as well as Ford. It had a four wheel independent suspension of unsophisticated design which was responsible for somewhat unstable behavior on bends -- the later A2 version adopted a semi-independent rear suspension to improve stability. There was also an M718 ambulance version with a rear body extension. The M151 was thought dangerous for civilian use on the road, so the Army used surplus MUTTs for parts, and the stripped vehicles had the frame and rear suspension cut before being offered for sale as scrap metal.

[Voyager]

1960-1968 M606:



The little-known M606 was basically the CJ-3B straight off the assembly line, with the available heavy-duty options such as larger tires and springs, and a few special-duty add-ons including blackout lamp on the left front fender, blackout tail-light covers, and trailer hitch. The M606 used the standard F-head four-cylinder, and although it had its own Kaiser model number, serial numbers were in the regular CJ-3B series.

[Voyager]

1964-1967 CJ-5A/CJ-6A Tuxedo Park:



The Tuxedo Park was first offered in 1961 as a sporty option package for the CJ-5. This is one of the first times where a Jeep was targeted as a recreational rather than a utility vehicle. In 1964, the Tuxedo Park models were given given their own model numbers, CJ-5A and CJ-6A. They had a column-shifted T-90 transmission, 60/40 bench seat, wheelhouse cushions, 2-stage variable rate springs for a smoother ride, chrome plated hood hinges, outside mirror, taillights and a center mounted license plate bracket. By 1965, a V6 was standard along with bucket seats.

[Voyager]

1965-75 DJ-5:



The two-wheel drive DJ-5 Dispatcher 100, almost identical to the CJ-5 but using a Dana 27 rear axle, finally replaced the DJ-3A Dispatcher in 1965. The F-head engine was standard, with the V6 optional in some years. The Dispatcher 100 used a column-shift T-96 and later a floor shift. An I-beam front axle was replaced with a tubular unit in 1968, and the Dana 44 replaced the Dana 27 in the rear in 1969.

[Voyager]

1967-75 DJ-5A:



The DJ-5A postal version of the DJ-5 Dispatcher 100, is immediately recognizable by its extended grille with only 5 slots (although the earliest version had a standard DJ-5 front end). It also had an extra large doorway, sliding door, and right-hand steering. Kaiser used a Chevrolet four-cylinder engine and Powerglide automatic transmission.