This long-wheelbase civilian Jeep was introduced as an extended version of the CJ-5, created to answer a simple demand from early CJ buyers: more room for passengers and gear. It kept the familiar open-body, rugged, go-anywhere character of the CJ line, but stretched the wheelbase to improve utility and comfort without abandoning the model’s off-road focus. The nameplate first appeared in the mid-1950s and quickly became known as a practical, less common alternative to the shorter CJ-5.
Over its run, the vehicle remained close in spirit to the rest of the CJ family while receiving the same sort of incremental updates that marked Jeep’s postwar era. It was offered with a variety of engines and equipment over time, including special trim and export-oriented versions, but its defining trait was always the added space. The longer body made it especially appealing for customers who wanted to carry more people, fit auxiliary seating, or use the Jeep as a small work and recreation vehicle.
By the early 1980s, the model had been phased out as Jeep’s civilian lineup evolved. Although it was never the highest-volume CJ, it earned lasting respect among enthusiasts and collectors for its balanced proportions, simple construction, and usefulness. Today it is remembered as one of the most distinctive members of the classic CJ family and an important step in the evolution of Jeep’s utility-oriented designs.