page_title: Jeep DJ
section_title: DJ-5A through DJ-5M
hierarchical_section_title: Jeep DJ / DJ-5A through DJ-5M
caption_attribution_description: Former South Bend Studebaker plant bought by AM General in 1967, three years after closed by Studebaker. Many of these remained in service for over 20 years, by which time they were in very shabby condition. Picture is from an unusual AM General advertising brochure, for the USPS. Individual offices did not buy vehicles, so why was this piece found in a post office? There are about 8 photos, on Kodak paper, bound into this piece.
context_page_description: The Jeep DJ was a two-wheel-drive variant of the four-wheel drive CJ series. Production started in 1955 by Willys, which was renamed Kaiser Jeep in 1963. In 1970, American Motors purchased Kaiser's money-losing Jeep operations and established AM General, a wholly owned subsidiary that built the DJ through 1984.
context_section_description: The DJ-5A was introduced in 1967, beginning the lettering system indicating changes within the series.
  The DJ-5A (Kaiser Co.) used a standard CJ front end, with a four-cylinder Chevrolet Nova 153 cu in (2.5 L) engine and two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, with a T-handle shifter located on the floor next to the driver's seat.  The main body was a single unit, resembling the earlier Jeep when equipped with the metal Extreme Cold Weather Enclosure hard top.
  The models used by the United States Post Office had right-hand drive (without power steering), and were built in a lighter, less durable design than the standard Jeep.  These changes included the use of C-channel frame rails (as opposed to the box rails of the CJ-5) and, while the hood was the same dimensions as (and interchangeable with) the CJ, it did not have the reinforced design of the original. Also, the standard configuration had only a driver's seat and a letter tray installed. This decreased curb weight, combined with different leaf springs than other models, allowed carrying more cargo weight behind the driver.
  The metal side doors were also designed to slide open and closed, and could be locked open while driving.  They were supported by ball bearings, which ran in a channel just under the rain gutter, and a plastic retainer ran in a small channel along the body.  A worn, damaged or lost retainer would allow the door to swing outward, fail to engage the rubber stop on the rear bumper, and slide all of the way off of the channel (and the vehicle). A single, hinged rear door gave access from floor to the bottom of the hard top, and was the width of the open area between the wheel wells. 
  There were no cutouts in the body for the rear wheels, which made tire changes more difficult, as even when the frame was jacked well off the ground, the axle did not fall enough for the tire to clear the body.  The DJ-5A used standard 15-inch passenger car tires, with no provision for carrying a spare.  While the front bumper was of the standard CJ design (though thinner and lighter than the original), the rear bumper was a unique design, a single stamped part which ran the full width of the vehicle.  At each end was a rubber stopper for the sliding doors.  The 10-gallon fuel tank was under the rear body, just ahead of the bumper.
  In 1971, a unique five-slot grille without turn signals that was used only on postal Jeeps was introduced. The 1971 model actually has the grille extend past the front of the hood edge. This allowed more room for the AMC Straight-6 engine and radiator. Like the DJ-5A, while resembling the CJ series, these were built as a completely enclosed, rear-wheel drive vehicle, with sliding side 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.  Other improvements include a vent in the roof and cut-outs around the rear tires.
  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.
caption: DJ-5 on the AM General production line
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