• Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The Jeep automobile manufacturing company primarily specialized in light-duty off-road vehicles. After gaining notoriety through their military production utility vehicles, the company focused on the consumer. The Willys CJ-7, or just Jeep CJ-7, was one of 9 utility trucks modeled after the Jeep Willys Military truck from World War II. Each model was labeled with a number after the CJ series, signifying the size of the wheelbase. The Jeep CJ-7 was offered under its Chrysler division from 1976 to 1986.
  
  

Performance

• Over the lifetime of the Jeep CJ-7, six different engines and nine different transmissions were offered. Two 2.5L, inline 4 cylinder engines, one manufactured by AMC and the other GM, were available to consumers. For a bit more performance without sacrificing fuel efficiency, buyers could opt for either a 232 cubic-inch, inline 6 cylinder or a 258 cubic-inch inline 6 cylinder engine, both being built by AMC. Some consumers needed the power of 8 cylinders for heavy trail use, so AMC provided a 304 cubic-inch, 5.0L V8. The sixth engine that was optional to buyers was the diesel powered, 145 cubic-inch Isuzu motor. This was an export-only engine built in the Ohio plant.
  
  

Drivetrain

• Transmission options were a completely separate decision for consumers than were the engine options. Over the 11 years of its production run, the CJ-7 saw 4 different transmissions from Borg-Warner and 2 transmission models from Tremec, while GM/Chrysler offered 3 different automatic transmissions. What gave the Jeep CJ-7 series trucks the durability in extraordinary conditions was the front and rear axle combination. The Dana Holding Corporation has been the leading manufacturer of undercarriage parts for off-road vehicles for decades now, building performance axles for companies like Jeep. The front axle of the CJ-7 was fitted with a Dana 30 throughout its entirety. A Dana 44 rear axle was included only in the 1986 Jeep CJ-7, whereas previously, AMC built its 2 Piece axle for earlier models. From 1976 to 1979, the Dana 20 transfer case came standard on Jeep CJ-7s, while the Dana 300 was included for later models.
  
  

Exterior/Interior

• Even though the Jeep CJ-7 series utility vehicles were initially built for consumer use, its exterior and interior appearance still reflected the classic styling of the military vehicles. The grill of CJ model Jeeps was a small grill in between two round headlights. After 1986, the CJ was replaced by the Wrangler YJ and featured square headlights. The current model Wranglers, or Wrangler TJ, featured smaller, circle headlamps and a larger grill surface than the CJ-7. Also synonymous with the Jeep CJ-7 series vehicles was its removable top and rollbar, mounted behind the front seats. The interior of the Jeep CJ-7 offered little options, featuring the basics like an AM/FM radio, instrument panel and glove compartment for storage. Driver and front passenger seats were bucket style, while the rear bench was fit for two passengers.