Considered “the gold standard of the SUV market”After its own market research convinced AMC that the future lay in compact SUVs, the automaker pumped $250 million into the design and production of the new compact XJ Cherokee and Wagoneer sports wagons. This model had the Isuzu C240 engine, T176 transmission, and Dana 300 transfer case, although reports of some being produced with the Dana 20 exist. It was also widely sold in Venezuela and Australia as the CJ8 Overlander, with small differences, including full-length rear windows on the Overlander.The CJ-6 was derived from the 1953 military M170, typically an ambulance.The CJ-2s were built in two main batches, but even within the two groups, each was a little different, as they evolved and were modified for various types of work. The Base model had a higher level of trim than the Cherokee XJ models, but less than the top-of-the-line Limited. ( Disclosure 1986 Jeep® Cherokee Chief. Mechanically, the Wrangler had more in common with the Cherokee than the CJ-7. Additional color combinations added in mid-1946 were: Princeton Black with Harvard Red or Sunset Red wheels, Michigan Yellow with Pasture Green, Sunset Red or Americar Black wheels, Normandy Blue with Autumn Yellow or Sunset Red wheels, and Harvard Red with Autumn Yellow or Americar Black wheels.
The mighty XJ introduced many industry firsts, including: the first compact four-door SUV, first uniframe construction, and first full-time 4x4 system with shift-on-the-fly capability.A second energy crisis in 1979 spurred the development of a smaller 4x4 wagon–the All-New JeepThe Laredo package was offered in the CJ line from 1980 to 1986 but because the CJ-5 was discontinued after 1983, it was pretty rare in that line.
It was built with a revolutionary uniframe instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame.
The typical package included a chrome grille, bumpers, wheels, hood emblem, and trim.Since then, the Laredo name has carried on in several Jeep® Brand models until the current day, and has come to represent an upper-middle trim package with stylish accents. All this made it a very “civilized” Jeep® Wrangler. Some CJ-2s also had an "AgriJeep" plaque fixed to the dash.Foster, Jeep: The History of America's Greatest Vehicle, p, 102.Jeep Overlander CJ-8 Specifications and Dimensions.
In 1980, the Laredo was first fitted with an AMC 20 rear axle until mid-1986, when it was equipped with a Dana 44, and all 1980 and newer CJ-7s came with the Dana 300 transfer case. After remaining in production through a range of model numbers, and several corporate parents, the Jeep CJ line was officially ended in 1986. Most had either a four- or five-speed manual transmission, but a three-speed automatic transmission was an option.
Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was popularly seen driving his Blue Scrambler at “Rancho De Cielo” ranch.The Scrambler was replaced by the similarly-sized Jeep® Commanche Pickup Truck. The engines were provided by General Motors, the owners of Isuzu Motor Cars.
The Wrangler YJ had square headlights, which was a first (and last) for this type of Jeep vehicle. Later, Barcelona Red was added to the mix. From 1976 to 1980, the CJ-7 came equipped with a Dana 20 transfer case, Dana 30 front axle (27- or 31-spline), and a 29-spline AMC 20 rear axle, while later years, Laredo packages added tachometer, chrome bumpers, tow hooks, and interior upgrades including leather seats and clock. The term "Scrambler" comes from an appearance package with which many CJ-8s were equipped, which included tape graphics and special wheels.
It was available as the short-bed Comanche Sport Truck and the long-bed Comanche Chief. Until 1988, the Cherokee was the only compact SUV to offer both two- and four-door models. Originally fitted with the choice of a 2.5L four-cylinder engine or a 2.8L V6, the venerable 4.0L inline-six engine debuted in 1987.There were 14 trim models throughout the years: Base, SE, Wagoneer Limited, Briarwood, Pioneer, Pioneer Olympic Edition, Chief, Sport, Country, Classic, Limited, Laredo, Freedom and 60th Anniversary Edition.The Jeep® Comanche (also called the MJ) was a pickup version of the XJ Cherokee. In 1965, when the CJ was given the all-new Buick V6, Jeep saw the need for something similar in Australia. 1982 Jeep CJ 7 $25,000 . Instead of the rear tailgate, the steel hardtop used a hinged barn-door opening to the back.