Jeeps have come from the factory with everything from three-speed trannies to three-cylinder diesels, and some of these parts are still in them. Did you ever wonder what engine, transmission, transfer case, and axle options your Jeep could have come with from the factory? Let us shed some light.
Since many Jeeps from before the '70s have been built, butchered, or restored, we'll start with 1970, when American Motors Corporation started changing the drivetrains. In February 1970, AMC bought Kaiser, and within four years production doubled. Remember that many of these rigs may have been modified where some to all of these stock parts may now be in a junkyard, or under a pile of leaves in your backyard. In addition, whenever we set numbers and dates in stone, some yahoo shows up with an all-stock rig with some weird parts that just shouldn't be there. So check and verify that these parts are indeed in there, and don't be surprised if they are not.
Little Jeeps-CJs, YJs, And TJsCJ-5 ('70-'83) The start of the round-fendered CJs came with the CJ-5 in 1955. With its S-shaped door and 81- to 83.5-inch wheelbase, no model lasted longer, nearly 30 years! As we explore the options from when AMC bought the Jeep name, we notice that the CJ-5 is also the first time small Jeeps came from the factory with a V-8. Those glory days of big power and short wheelbases from the factory may never be seen again. We define good cheap fun as a rusty abused CJ-5 with a 304.
| CJ-5 Engines | CJ-5 Transmissions | CJ-5 Transfer Cases | CJ-5 Axles |
| 134ci inline-four ('70-'71) | T-14A three-speed ('70-'75) | Dana 18 ('70-'71) | FRONT | REAR |
| 151ci inline-four ('80-'83) | T-98 four-speed ('70-'71) | Dana 20 ('72-'79) | Dana 27 ('70-'71) | Dana 44 ('70-'75) |
| 225ci V-6 (’70-’71) | T-18 four-speed (’70-’79) | Dana 300 (’80-’83) | Dana 30 (’72-’83) | AMC 20 (’76-’83) |
| 232ci inline-six (’72-’78) | T-15 three-speed (’72-’75) |
| 258ci inline-six (’72-’83) | T-150 three-speed (’76-’79) |
| 304ci V-8 (’72-’81) | T-176 four-speed (’80-’83) |
| SR-4 four-speed (’80-’81) |
| T-4 four-speed (’82-’83) |
| T-5 five-speed (’82-’83) |
CJ-6 ('70-'75) Ah, the CJ-6, another ugly Jeep based on a great idea. The longer 101- or 104-inch wheelbase allowed for more interior space and certain trail benefits, but the CJ-5 style door always seemed out of place with the extra length tacked on behind them. Lifted they look cool, but stock they sure are lanky. Give us one stock with a good frame and body; we'll swap in what we want.
| CJ-6 Engines | CJ-6 Transmissions | CJ-6 Transfer Cases | CJ-6 Axles |
| 134ci inline-four ('70-'71) | T-90 three-speed ('70-'71) | Dana 18 ('70-'71) | FRONT | REAR |
| 225ci V-6 (’70-’71) | T-14A three-speed (’70-’75) | Dana 20 (’72-’75) | Dana 27 (’70-’71) | Dana 44 (’70-’75) |
| 232ci inline-six (’72-’75) | T-98 four-speed (’70-’71) | | Dana 30 (’72-’75) | |
| 258ci inline-six (’72-’75) | T-18 four-speed (’72-’75) |
| 304ci V-8 (’72-’75) | T-15 three-speed (’72-’75) |
CJ-7 ('76-'86) The CJ-7 started the silhouette of the next three body styles. With the squared-off door bottoms and 93.5-inch wheelbase, this body style started a trend that has not yet ended. In addition, the option of a straight-six engine and Dana 30 front axle can still be picked up at a current dealership under a new Jeep. There really isn't a bad version, plus you can most likely find something to add on if you are holding this magazine. We'd take any CJ-7 out there and just put the top down and go.