The Jeep was invented to serve the military in World War II. It remains fundamentally the same vehicle in many ways. You will, during the course of a day, run across Jeeps from as far back as 1944, and soon you might see the new Jeep Wrangler TK, the latest model due out for 2007. Learn to identify them, and learn what is on the showroom floor and the differences between them.

TJ: 1997 - Present

There are several different Jeep models on the market. This site is concerned with the Jeep Wrangler. This vehicle has been referred to within Jeep as CJ, YJ, or TJ models. My Jeep, the one in the web site logo, is a Jeep TJ. The TJ model was introduced in 1997 under the marketing name "Wrangler", and is still in production as both the TJ and the TJ unlimited. Many Jeep enthusiasts are less than keen on the marketing of the vehicle as a "Wrangler" for one reason or another. Perhaps it is because other models were also marketed as Wranglers, and so the name Wrangler doesn't tell you which model it is, really. Most autoparts stores and even some Jeep salespeople don't know what a "TJ" is, though, so I find myself saying "Wrangler" to them, even though I think of it as a TJ.

The Jeep TJ is identifiable from other models by the round headlights, the wide stance, and the flat blinker lights set wide on the front fenders. There are, of course, many other differences both interior and within the mechanics of the Jeep, but that's the quickest way to eyeball this model. More mechanically inclined enthusiasts also notice very quickly the coil spring suspension, but previous models can be modified to have this suspension. TJ supposedly stands for "Today's Jeep."

The TJ is currently sold in the following models: SE, X, Sahara, Rubicon, and Unlimited.

YJ: 1986 - 1995

Jeeps were not produced with a model year of 1996. Perhaps when they started overhauling the YJ design to create the TJ, they got confused and couldn't put it back together again?

"Your Jeep", which is what I am told YJ stands for, had square headlights, square turn signal lights mounted on the front bezel under the headlights, and other than that, cosmetically it looks like a TJ. However, its leaf-spring suspension and other insides are very different from the TJ. The 1997 model year forward are a serious overhaul of previous Jeep models. The YJ is more of an older Jeep placed inside the TJ's wrappings with square headlights.

There are quite a few Jeep YJ's on the roads today. Jeeps are vehicles that tend to keep running well beyond 100,000 miles.

The Girlfriend is a Jeep YJ with some serious modifications making it an outstanding off-road vehicle. Note the square headlights and the leaf spring suspension indicative of a Jeep YJ. The fenders have been cut away, huge tires tube bumpers, fog lights, and custom paint have turned this plain-jane Jeep into one man's personal expression of "Jeep as Art".

CJ: 1945 - 1985

What we know today as a Wrangler was known before as a Jeep CJ, and the previous models were CJ2, CJ5, CJ6, and CJ7. With each successive model number, the length of the wheelbase, the suspension, transmission, axles, and creature comforts of the vehicles themselves were improved. There are still many CJ class Jeeps on the road today. Know a CJ by the round headlights with round turn signal lights under the headlights beside the engine grill.

When I see a Jeep CJ go by, the thing that strikes me first about them is usually how narrow and tall they seem compared to YJ's and TJ's. Even when boosted up on big wheels, TJ's and YJ's have a nice, low center of gravity. The CJ models look more narrow. Also, the paint jobs are generally beat and the body has little dings and dents in it everywhere.

There are a terrifying number of Jeep CJ's running around the highways and trails of the United States. One day, during my rather long commute to work, I counted the Jeeps I passed and waved to on the road. I passed a number of Jeep CJ's. These cars were built to last.