• The TJ Wrangler style returned to round headlights like the original CJs.jeep rouge 2 image by Jerome Dancette from Fotolia.com
  
  Jeeps have been made since World War II and have undergone several major model changes along the way. The first jeeps, "civilian jeeps" or CJ models, were made from 1953 to 1986. The YJ replaced the CJ, and had square headlights. It was produced until 1996, when it was replaced by the Wrangler TJ that is in production to this day.
  
  

Early CJ Jeeps

• Early CJ models had a flat front fender like this earlier military model.Voiture Jeep image by foxytoul from Fotolia.com
  
  The first jeep designated "CJ" was built by Willys. There is no definitive record of a CJ-1, but the CJ-2 was built in 1944 and 45 and said "Agrijeeps" on its data plate. The CJ-2A was built in 1944 and 1945. The CJ-2A was built from 1945-49. The CJ-3A was built from 1949-53 and the CJ-3B was built from 1953-68. All of these jeeps can be easily distinguished by their flat front fenders. Instead of curving over the front wheel, the front fenders were flat and horizontal. The CJ-4 exists as a single model prototype built in 1951--it also has flat front fenders.
  
  

"Modern" CJs

• CJ-5s and higher had curved front fenders.military truck image by Ian Danbury from Fotolia.com
  
  The CJ series continued with the CJ-5, CJ-6, CJ-7 and CJ-8. All CJ-5+ models came standard with a three- or four-speed-manual transmission and front and rear leaf-spring suspension. They had round headlights, and their front fenders curved over the front wheels, unlike the flat front fenders of earlier models.
  
  

YJ Jeeps

• The YJ Wrangler had square headlights.YJ image by Freya from Fotolia.com
  
  The YJ series were Wranglers. They came with five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmissions. The YJ series offered transfer cases named Command Trac that allowed you to choose between two- or four-wheel drive. The YJ series is easily distinguished by its square headlights and swing-out tailgate. Like the CJ, the YJ also used leaf-spring suspension front and rear.
  
  

TJ Jeeps

• The TJ series began production in 1997 and retained the name "Wrangler." All models produced since 1997 are TJs. The TJ reverted to round headlights and sported a new suspension. Each wheel has an upper and lower control link with coils instead of leaf springs. The TJ series came stock with a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission. Command Trac for selecting two- or four-wheel drive was standard.