Most people with a pulse know what a CJ is. Some have heard the term TJ. Not too many have heard of a VJ. And then just when you start to get the XJ, YJ, ZJ, and whatever-J designations down, Jeep goes and throws you a curve with the WK, the JK, and the XK? Are you joking? Nope. So to shed a glimmer of light on the subject, here is a little cheat sheet of which designation goes with which model. But don't go patting yourself on the back if you memorize it 'cause it changes again for the foreign market. Don't believe us? Just ask an Australian Commander owner about his XH.
MilitaryModel Designation: BRC-60Vehicle: Bantam pilot jeep prototypeYears Built: 1940Fun Facts: Models include the company's "Old Number One" pilot vehicle - the first jeep ever.
Model Designation: BRC-40Vehicle: Bantam pre-standardized jeepYears Built: 1940-1941Fun Facts: Pre-standardized jeep. Of the 2,605 built, most were shipped overseas for combat duty.
Model Designation: MAVehicle: Willys-Overland pre-standardized jeepYears Built: 1941Fun Facts: Most collectible of all the early jeeps since only 1,555 were built.
Model Designation: GPVehicle: Ford pre-standardized JeepYears Built: 1941Fun Facts: Most likely to still be found in a barn somewhere. Look for F-Script markings on all the components.
Model Designation: MBVehicle: Willys-Overland standardized jeepYears Built: 1941-1945Fun Facts: Early models will have rare slat grilles built with flat stock before the more common 10-slot stamped grilles introduced.
Model Designation: GPWVehicle: Ford standardized jeepYears Built: 1942-1945Fun Facts: Most '42 models have "Ford" stamped in lower rear of body before the army told them to stop it.
Model Designation: GPAVehicle: Ford floating flattieYears Built: 1942-1943Fun Facts: It's basically a WWII jeep with a body shaped like a boat and a propeller in the rear. It could crawl, drive, and swim.
Model Designation: M-38Vehicle: Willys-Overland post-war flattieYears Built: 1950-1952Fun Facts: A militarized CJ-3A. Marks the first use of 24 volt electrical system in a Jeep or jeep.
Model Designation: M38A1Vehicle: Willys Military JeepYears Built: 1952-1957Fun Facts: It's the first Jeep with the familiar round fenders and bulgy proportions that would soon be introduced to the CJ lineup.
Model Designation: M-170Vehicle: Military ambulanceYears Built: 1953-1957Fun Facts: The ambulance version of the M38A1 with a wheelbase stretched from 81 inches to 101 inches. Had an elongated passenger-side door opening and holes in the tailgate for stretcher handles.
Model Designation: M-715Vehicle: Kaiser 11/4 ton pickupYears Built: 1967-1969Fun Facts: Not actually the only Jeep to come with a Dana 70 rear axle.
Model Designation: M-725Vehicle: Kaiser Army ambulanceYears Built: 1967-1969Fun Facts: The only production military Jeep on which the windshield doesn't fold down.
Civilian Utility JeepsModel Designation: CJ-2Vehicle: Willys-Overland Agri-JeepYears Built: Late 1944-1945Fun Facts: Willys basically took the MB, stuck PTO attachments to the T-case, added farm tires and a tailgate, and sold them to farmers after the war.
Model Designation: CJ-2AVehicle: Willys-Overland Jeep "flatfender"Years Built: 1945-1949Fun Facts: CJ stands for Civilian Jeep. The 2A marks Jeep's first 7-slot grille, designed to use larger headlights.
Model Designation: CJ-3AVehicle: Willys-Overland Jeep "flatfender"Years Built: 1949-1953Fun Facts: Windshield glass no longer flips out for ventilation like the 2A but Willys added a vent in the center of the redesigned windshield frame with 1-piece glass. Rear axle upgraded from Dana 41 to Dana 44.