CJ vs YJ
When talking about jeeps, the first names that come to mind are the wranglers CJ and YJ. The CJ and YJ jeeps, which are categorized as Sports Utility Vehicles, have specific differences.
When considering their manufacturing, the YJ jeeps came after the CJ jeeps. The YJ wranglers replaced the CJ in 1987, after the manufacturers stopped its production. The first CJ jeeps were introduced in 1944.
The YJ has more added features than the CJ jeeps. Although both the CJ and YJ jeeps have a leaf-spring suspension, the springs of the YJ are much wider than those of the CJ jeeps.
When considering their handling, the YJ is known to be better. Unlike the CJ jeeps, the YJ is equipped with trackbars and swaybars, which give it better handling capabilities.
Another difference that can be noticed between the YJ and the CJ, is that the former has rectangular headlights, and the latter has rounded ones. One can also see that the YJ jeeps have a wider wind shield than the CJ jeeps.
Another thing that can be noticed, is that the YJ has a newer design than the CJ vehicles. Unlike the CJ vehicles, the YJ has a longer wheelbase, and less ground clearance. When considering their interior comfort, the YJ is more comfortable than the CJ vehicles.
Another difference that can be noticed between CJ and YJ vehicles, is their steering knuckles. The CJ vehicles have their steering knuckles on ball joints, whereas the YJ has them on axle housng. While the YJ vehicle has a unit bearing assemble, the CJ has a spindle and wheel bearings.
Summary:
1. The first CJ jeeps were introduced in 1944. The YJ wranglers replaced the CJ in 1987, after the manufacturers stopped its production.
2. Although both the CJ and YJ jeeps have a leaf-spring suspension, the springs of the YJ are much wider than those of the CJ jeeps.
3. Unlike the CJ jeeps, the YJ is equipped with trackbars and swaybars, which give it better handling capabilities.
4. The YJ has rectangular headlights. Moreover, YJ jeeps have a wider wind shield than the CJ jeeps..
5. Unlike the CJ vehicles, the YJ has a longer wheelbase, and less ground clearance.
6. The YJ vehicles have more comfortable interiors than CJ vehicles.
7. The YJ and CJ vehicles have differences in their steering knuckles.
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I would like to provide some coorections to this article…
First the YJ’s windshield is “taller” not “wider” than the CJ. Second, the YJ’s wheelbase is exactly the same as the CJ7 since they share nearly the same tub (main body) and frame (chassis). The CJ7, introduced in 1976, has a 10″ longer wheelbase than the CJ5, which is closer to the original WWII Jeeps. The fuel filler for the YJ was moved to the driver’s side from the passsenger’s side on the CJ, and a couple of the body to frame mounts were moved on the YJ. Another difference is that the YJ bodies were galvanized to prevent rust which is why they have lasted much better than their CJ predecessors.
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Hello Alex! i was reading to your reply and i just wanted to confirm that you are saying cj and yj or tj series have the exact same frame ,so in that case a yj or a tj body will fit without alteration on a cj’s frame.pls advise thanx.
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hi, my all brothers specially ASIM. alex is totaly right and article writter also, you r going in some mistake. cj7 chassis is equal in length to yj, but yj chassis is 4 inch wider than cj7. rear and front too.. if u want alter the bodies on yj,cj,tj, to theres orignal shape on chassis its require some major alteration, as YJ body fitted on cj7 chassis its become 5 inch higher than yj genuien hight to axels. thanks
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I want to point out something. Don’t throw the TJ into the mix with the CJ and YJ. The suspension is on coil springs and not leaf springs making them not compatible without cutting and welding.
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There is a lot of confusion about Jeeps out there since the internet became common and lets anyone write anything. This site is no different. A simple check into factual history of the Jeep shows there is no connection of the two vehicles beyond similar looks. In fact the Wrangler has much more in common with the Cherokee than the Jeep (either series). AMC went out of their way to make this known, since the Wrangler was a new design for an suv from the ground up. Every model from Willys, Kaiser, AMC, Chrysler, etc that wears the trademark name of Jeep (same name as the model) has a 7 slot grille. Beyond that the similarities are it’s an open topped 4wd with a similar shaped body, initially anyways. Even Chrysler Jeep will tell you it’s a different lineage. This is why it was given a different model name and model number. It had no relation to the iconic Jeep.
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Greg, so is a 1980s cherokee frame same as a 1987 yj wrangler?
My 87 frame is rusted through. And no one will give me a strait answer on cost to fix. So im looking into a frame swap.
Im currently looking at a cj5 with no drive train but after reading comments it looks like i cant swap.
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Not correct the CJ doors fit my YJ the tailgate fits my YJ a lot of the body parts fit the YJ the windshield fits the YJ the hard doors fit the YJ if you’re looking into a swap look on YouTube and there’s there’s a whole process but you can actually mount a YJ onto a CJ frame now the CJ5 you’re going to have to stretch at 10 and 1/2 in and move a couple body mounts
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Not correct the CJ doors fit my YJ the tailgate fits my YJ a lot of the body parts fit the YJ the windshield fits the YJ if you’re looking into a swap look on YouTube and there’s there’s a whole process but you can actually mount a YJ onto a CJ frame now the CJ5 you’re going to have to stretch at 10 and 1/2 in and move a couple body mounts
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A slight mistake in the article is the year the CJ was introduced. It was 1946, not 1944. The original standardised military jeeps, the Willys MB and Ford GPW didn’t cease production until August 1945. After that, Ford production ceased and Willys then introduced the civilian version, the first being the CJ2a (CJ literally standing for civilian jeep).
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