Jeep Wrangler: whats the difference between the CJ,TJ...etc.?

Question

I have the 2002 Jeep Wrangler X

Answer 1

CJs have round headlights and blinkers on the grille. YJ are just like CJs but are smaller and have square headlights and blinkers. TJs have round headlights but the grille is smaller and the blinkers are on the fenders. JKs (2007 Jeep Wranglers) are just like TJs but are bigger and the blinkers are on the grille like the CJs and YJs.

CJs (Civilian Jeeps) were the civilian version of the army Jeep made from 1940 to 1986. In 1987 When the Humvee was invented and replaced the Jeep in the U.S. army they changed the name to Wrangler (codenamed YJ) and gave it square headlights. Then people were complaining about the square headlights so they changed the headlights back to round again in 1997 (TJ). In 2007 they will come out with the JK which will be bigger than the current version.

So it seems that they change the wrangler every 10 years although not very much, since the JK looks almost exactly like the CJ to me.

Answer 2

CJ, YJ, TJ, etc. are all different models of the Wrangler. CJ's are the original civilian models that carried Jeep in to the 1980's. CJ models followed with a designation number from 2-7, I believe. (CJ-2, CJ-5,etc.) In the 80's the model switched to YJ, which are the ones with the square headlights. The current model is the TJ, 1997 to 2006. They've redesigned the Wrangler again for 2007, so we may be seeing another change in name again.

The other Jeeps (like Cherokees) also have model letters, XJ, KJ, etc.

Answer 3

Original Jeeps - made by Willy's and Kaiser were tha M1-A, CJ2A/B/C - late 40's - 50's. Next was the AMC Jeeps from early 60's - 86. These are the CJ3 - CJ8. All Jeeps have ROUND headlights to this point. In 1987 Chrysler bought AMC and Jeep. This was the first "Wrangler" the YJ - it had square lights. In 1999 the TJ was released - again with round lights. The main differences are technology - carb vs. fuel injection, leaf springs vs coil springs, etc. More info -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep

Answer 4

Well, they are just different iterations of the Wrangler. I dont remember exact years offhand, but the CJ's were the ones with the square headlights, made in the late 80's until 1996. In 1997 they redesigned them and went back to the round headlights, that new redesigned model was the TJ. So its really just a way of differentiating the different redesigns of the Wrangler,

Answer 5

not to much difference i have been a jeep lover since i was a little girl i have owned 3 jeeps my first was a 1994 it has square head lights, then now i have a 1999 jeep wrangler tj sport it has the original round head lights you will never see a 1996 wrangler becasue jeep was in the process of changing back form the square light to the round head lights, jeep now days also have a wider wheel base so there not so tippy anymore

Answer 6

MB = The original WW2 Military Jeep
CJ2-7 Variations of the old MB with newer engines and bodies. Still had leaf spring suspension.
TJ The Wrangler. Front coil suspension lower ride height, a lot more creature comforts.

Answer 7

heres the deal if you want a wrangler and dont do excessive off roading and you are cheap go with the x but if you want to spend a little more and get some better options go with the sahara if you want to impress yourself and evreyone else and be amazed evreytime you look at your jeep let alone drive it go with the rubicon, i have a 07 and love it. rubicons have 44 front and rears all others have 30s in front and 35 in rear unless you upgrade for extra cost. rubicon has locking axles front and rear no other model has this option and if you get a 2007 you can disconnect the sway bar and have more articulation.

Answer 8

Those are model designations based on the production year. CJ=older, TJ=97 and newer.