Jeep DJ

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Jeep DJ
Jeep DJ5D
ManufacturerWillys/AM General
Also calledMail Jeep
Production1955-1984
ClassSUV
Body style(s)3-door SUV
LayoutFront Engine Rear Wheel Drive
PlatformJeep CJ
Engine(s)Various
Transmission(s)Various Manual and Automatic
Wheelbase80 inches (2,032 mm) - Most
Curb weight2,200 lb (998 kg)
RelatedJeep CJ
ManualsService Manual
1965 Surrey Gala

The Jeep Dispatcher, or DJ, was a two-wheel-drive variant of the CJ series. Production started in 1955 by Kaiser, which became Kaiser-Jeep in 1963, and in 1970 American Motors (AMC) purchased Kaiser’s money-losing Jeep operations establishing AM General, a wholly owned subsidiary, that built this model through 1983.

DJ-3A

The DJ-3A was introduced in 1955. It used the body style of the older CJ-3A, along with the L-134 engine. Unlike the CJ-3A, it came with either column shift or top loader three-speed T-96 manual transmission. It was offered with many different body options including a soft top, hard top, or even a full van body.

In early-1959 Willys introduced the Jeep Gala to the export market and gained wide popularity as a "fun car" at resorts in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean area. Complete with fringe on its top and brightly trimmed in pink, green, or blue candy stripes. In fall of 1959, a similar model called the Jeep Surrey was introduced in the U.S. market. The primarily target market were resort hotels and vacation centers. It also served as a low-cost rental vehicle for their guests. The Surrey came with a standard striped fabric top, as well as a matching fabric cover for what was advertised as a "Continental tire mount."

DJ-5 and DJ-6

The DJ-3A was replaced by the right hand drive DJ-5 Dispatcher 100 in 1965. It was based on the CJ-5 and used the Hurricane and Dauntless engines. A 20-inch (508 mm) longer wheelbase DJ-6 model was built from 1965 to 1973 alongside the CJ-6.

DJ-5A through DJ-5M

The DJ-5A was introduced in 1967, beginning the lettering system indicating changes within the series.

The DJ-5A used a standard CJ front end, with a 4-cylinder Chevrolet Nova engine and 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. In 1971, this was changed to a unique 5-slot grille without turn signals that was used only on postal Jeeps. This allowed more room for the AMC Straight-6 engine and radiator. While resembling the CJ series, these were built as a completely-enclosed, rear-wheel drive vehicle, with sliding doors (which could be opened while driving), and a swinging rear door. Most models only had the driver's seat and a mail tray where the second seat would normally be located. One improvement over earlier Jeeps was mounting the rear springs outside of the frame rails, thus providing greater stability for the vehicle with its top-heavy enclosed cargo area, especially at highway speeds. Most models were also equipped with a limited slip differential and a heavy-duty steering gearbox.

AM General used a variety of powerplants during production. DJ production was ended in 1984 with the DJ-5M, which used the 150 cu in (2.5 L) AMC Straight-4 engine.

Current day

Even though this vehicle was discontinued about 10 years before the eagle logo for the United States Postal Service was changed to a blue and white envelope shaped like a bird head, some surviving DJs on the USPS fleet had the new logo painted on the doors.

Model numbers

  • DJ-3A (1955-64): 134 cu in (2.2 L) Willys Hurricane Straight-4 L-head engine, three speed manual
  • DJ-5 (1965-67): 134 cu in (2.2 L) Willys Hurricane Straight-4 L-head engine, three speed manual
  • DJ-5A (1968-70): Chevy four cylinder, Powerglide automatic
  • DJ-5B (1970-72): 232 cu in (3.8 L) AMC Straight-6 engine, BorgWarner T-35 three speed automatic
  • DJ-5C (1973-74): 232 cu in (3.8 L) AMC Straight-6 engine, T-35 or M-11 automatic
  • DJ-5D (1975-76): 232 cu in (3.8 L) AMC Straight-6 engine, 727 TorqueFlite automatic
  • DJ-5F (1977-78): 232 cu in (3.8 L) or 258 cu in (4.2 L) AMC Straight-6 engine, 727 TorqueFlite automatic
  • DJ-5G (1979): AMC (Audi) 121 cu in (2 L) four cylinder, 904 TorqueFlite automatic
  • DJ-5L (1982): GM Iron Duke engine 151 cu in (2.5 L) four cylinder, Chrysler 904 transmission
  • DJ-5M (1983-84): 150 cu in (2.5 L) AMC Straight-4 engine. Chrysler 904 transmission

References

Links