Jeep Engines - Oljeep

JEEP HISTORY 131953 Jeep CJ-3BKaiser-JeepIn April, 1951, Willys-Overland was sold to the H[enry J. Kaiser interests for $60 million. The namewas changed to Willys Motors. This would be the beginning of Kaiser’s influence on the future of 4WDsport utility as the company began extensive research and development that would seek to broaden Jeepproduct appeal in this area.Kaiser introduced the 1955 CJ-5 whose production and popularity would reach all the way into the1980s. It was slightly longer and wider than the Jeep CJ-3B, as it had an increased wheelbase. Constantimprovements in power plants, axles, transmissims and seating comfort made the Jeep CJ-5 the idealvehicle for the public’s increasing interest in off-road activities. Although very similar to the CJ-2A thatit replaced, it featured softer styling lines, including rounded body contours.Model year 1956 saw the introduction of the CJ-6 work truck. Though there were many fans of the CJ-5,it was limited by its 81 inch wheelbase. The CJ-6 maintained the CJ-5 powertrain (F-head 134), but hada wheelbase which was a full 20 inches longer, and ,sheetmetal inserts ahead of the rear wheel openings.This made it even more attractive as a work vehicle. Kaiser continued to produce both models mirroringpowertrain changes and upgrades.For 1957, Kaiser released two cab-forward control models, the FC150, and the FC170. Styling wassimilar between the two, but the 170 was slightly larger with a longer wheelbase. It also featured a sixcylinder engine. The 150 received the F-head 134 four cylinder. The powertrains were spun off fromearlier Jeep models, but styling was unique and was aimed at the utility market. Unfortunately, bothmodels yielded only modest customer interest and were soon discontinued.Throughout the fifties production continued on the “Hurricane” engine which was then the mosteconomical and powerful engine in its class. This was the standard engine on the wagon with the“Lightning,” the optional V-6.Also during this time, Kaiser expanded the production Jeep CJ into a truly international symbol. In the16 years of Kaiser ownership, manufacturing facilities were established in some 30 foreign countries,and Jeep vehicles were marketed in more than 150 countries around the world.By March 1963, Kaiser saw fit to change the company name to Kaiser-Jeep. For that same model yearKaiser-Jeep released its first full-sized vehicles.