The Experimental Generation
1960-1969

This step-van featured sliding doors that were easy to enter from either side. Maximum use of front windshield glass permitted “all-points” vision for the driver thanks to its cab-over engine design.

The slightly longer FJ-3A featured a long overhang with an overall length of 154-inches (vs 135 inches for the FJ-3).

In 1962, the Jeep® brand introduced the Wagoneer — the father of all luxury 4x4 SUV’s. Replacing the Willys utility wagon lines, the Wagoneer was designed to provide passenger-car styling, comfort, and convenience with the advantages of four-wheel drive (4WD).

Styled by the famed industrial designer Brooks Steven, the Wagoneer captured the public imagination with its modern styling and good looks. The entire line of “Senior” (SJ) vehicles included the Gladiator and J-Series Trucks, Wagoneer Station Wagons, Panel Deliveries, and early Cherokee models.

The Wagoneer was renamed the Grand Wagoneer in 1984 to coincide with the introduction of the downsized Wagoneer and Cherokee (XJ) models.

The Gladiator was available in either 120-inch (J-200) or 126-inch (J-300) form, and featuring a Dana 20 transfer case and Dana 44s front and rear. A tougher independent front suspension was available on half-ton trucks until 1965 but used a beefier 44IFS front differential.

In late 1965, the J-200 and J-300 Gladiators became known as the J-2000 and J-3000 respectively. The Gladiator name was dropped in 1971, after which the pickup line was known as the J-Series through 1987. In 2005, a new Gladiator concept vehicle was introduced as a prototype for the possible direction the Jeep brand might take in the near future.

Tuxedo Park IV models included a chrome front bumper, hood badges, windshield hinges, tail lamps, hubcaps with “Jeep” emblem, and column shift, four-wheel drive and a 160 horsepower V6 engine option. Jeep CJ-5A Tuxedo Park’s were used in Lyndon B. Johnson’s inaugural presidential parade in 1965.

The J-Series Truck featured two great engines: the now standard Jeep® Hi-Torque 6, and the optional Vigilante V-8. You can get the Turbo-Hydra-Matic® automatic transmission along with a new, improved 4-wheel drive shift system and dual-range transfer case, new improved steering, optional full-time power steering, variable-rate rear springs … plus spirited new paint and trim options.

The J-4000 Series pickup featured a new front clip, along 131-inch wheelbase. This brute featured a 19 spline Dana 44 front axle with D44, D53 or D60 rear. The standard powerplant was the 232 V6 engine. Engine options included the AMC 360 V8 and AMC 401 V8. In 1971, the Jeep Gladiators were the only U.S. pickups to have four-wheel drive as standard and were completely at home in the toughest roughest country. Available options included a power takeoff, dumper body, snowplow, wrecker package, and front-mounted winch.

In 1965, the Jeep® brand introduced the refined Super Wagoneer – a true luxury 4x4. Also known as the “Super Custom,” the upscale Wagoneer was designed for the prestige buyer who desired rugged versatility with sedan comfort. It featured a single-speed transfer case for all-weather capability.

With this high level of standard equipment, Super Wagoneer paved the way for the burgeoning luxury Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) market of today. The $5,943 MSRP was almost double that of the base Wagoneer, which set it apart from the masses.

The M-715 series 1 1/4-ton military Jeep® vehicle was designed to replace the Dodge M37 series 3/4-ton vehicles that had been in military service since 1951. The M-715 was an adaptation of the Gladiator pickup truck, becoming the first tactical vehicle built primarily from civilian components.

The front grille fenders, hood, doors and cab were stamped from Gladiator dies, with modifications to the upper part of the cab and doors as well as the fender cutouts. The cargo box was an entirely military design.

During the late 1960s, Kaiser detected a growing interest in leisure time use of 4x4 vehicles and capitalized on it with the introduction of a new series called Jeepster Commando. Kaiser Jeep borrowed the names of the Willys Jeepster and the Willys Commando Fire Truck for this sporty vehicle, designed to compete with the Bronco and Land Cruiser.

The C-101 (101-inch wheelbase) was built on a CJ-6 chassis with four body options – roadster, pickup, power-top convertible, and station wagon (8705F).

Two versions were built: the 1967-1971 Jeepster Commando (C-101) and the AMC-inspired Commando (C-104) of 1972-1973 (dropped Jeepster from name). Several special editions of the Jeepster Commando were produced. The Jeep brand produced the SC-1 or Sport Commando in 1971, which came standard with a V6 engine and included a special “Butterscotch” paint job and “speed stripes.” A similar version with revised sheet metal was offered in 1972 as the SC-2.