Explain to me

[o2bnkc]

I'm new to the Jeep world, even though I did own a Dodge Nitro. (part Jeep) I figured out what a JT is, obviously, but what does a JK, JL, J-whatever stand for? I mean, I know they are Jeeps, but.........

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[Alabama Mud Machine]

It's just alphabetical model numbers to distinguish the different generations.

CJ stood for "Civilian Jeep", but after that they started using alphabetical designations to distinguish the different models.

Also, a fun-fact... The word "Jeep" comes from a slang military term back when they still used Kaisers and they were designed for paperwork as a "GP" (or GPV), or General Purpose Vehicle. Eventually it was slanged down to the phonetic pronunciation of what GP sounds like, and that's Jeep. I always found that a cool story.

It's good to see another guitar player on here. I do a lot of guitar stuff on my YouTube channel, along with some Jeep stuff, and other random nonsense.

 

[canderson]

They are just the manufacturing codes that are used to distinguish between generations. Even Grand Cherokees (WK2) and the Renegade (BU) have them lol. Wranglers started with the YJ -> TJ (97-06) -> JK (07-17/18) -> JL (present).

 

[Troybilt]

JK'S are from 2007-2018
JL's 2018-presant
JT is the truck

Then you have your JK/JL is the 2 door JKU/JLU are the 4 doors.

 

[o2bnkc]

Thanks for the replies you guys. I have been schooled a little today

 

[Klutch]

Is there a reliable chart for the Jeep codes? Every time I think I'm getting there, I see codes I've never heard of.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

Easiest way to tell JK from JL on front glance is the JL headlights bleed into the grill bars, JK do not.

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

Also, a fun-fact... The word "Jeep" comes from a slang military term back when they still used Kaisers and they were designed for paperwork as a "GP" (or GPV), or General Purpose Vehicle. Eventually it was slanged down to the phonetic pronunciation of what GP sounds like, and that's Jeep. I always found that a cool story.

This is speculative. It's one of several cool stories but even Jeep doesn't know the real origin.

 

[BLK HOLE]

This is speculative. It's one of several cool stories but even Jeep doesn't know the real origin.

As a veteran I can tell you I tend to believe that “Jeep” comes from soldiers saying “GP” (general purpose) as a word more than any other story. Just like the word “Humvee” is derived from the military use of “HMMWV” along with a 100 other examples. As you said it’s a speculative situation but it definitely fits with history.

 

[RedTRex]

Is there a reliable chart for the Jeep codes? Every time I think I'm getting there, I see codes I've never heard of.

Of course: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jeep_vehicles

 

[RedTRex]

JK'S are from 2007-2018
JL's 2018-presant
JT is the truck

Then you have your JK/JL is the 2 door JKU/JLU are the 4 doors.

More to that fun fact, the U is for "Unlimited"

 

[Gobi-Wan Kenobi]

JT 2020+ Gladiator
JL late 2018+ Wrangler
JLU late 2018+ 4 door Wrangler
JK 2007-early 2018 Wrangler
JKU 2007-early 2018 4 door Wrangler
TJ 1998-2006 Wrangler
LJ 2003-2006 Long wheelbase version of TJ
YJ 1987-1997 Wrangler
CJ pre Wrangler Jeeps

People often refer to the Rubicon versions by adding an R to the end (JTR, JLR,...)

There are codes for every Jeep, not just the Wrangler based ones. The letters don't actually stand for anything usually. CJ was Civilian Jeep, U stands for Unlimited, but most letters have no meaning.

 

[jurfie]

JT 2020+ Gladiator
JL late 2018+ Wrangler
JLU late 2018+ 4 door Wrangler
JK 2007-early 2018 Wrangler
JKU 2007-early 2018 4 door Wrangler
TJ 1998-2006 Wrangler
LJ 2003-2006 Long wheelbase version of TJ
YJ 1987-1997 Wrangler
CJ pre Wrangler Jeeps

People often refer to the Rubicon versions by adding an R to the end (JTR, JLR,...)

There are codes for every Jeep, not just the Wrangler based ones. The letters don't actually stand for anything usually. CJ was Civilian Jeep, U stands for Unlimited, but most letters have no meaning.

Unofficially: YJ = Yuppie Jeep, LJ = Long Jeep, TJ = Trendy Jeep.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

This is speculative. It's one of several cool stories but even Jeep doesn't know the real origin.

How can a company not know the origin of its name? Maybe some folks at Jeep now days don't know, but that's not to say the whole company doesn't have a clue where it's name came from.

 

[Mr._Bill]

How can a company not know the origin of its name? Maybe some folks at Jeep now days don't know, but that's not to say the whole company doesn't have a clue where it's name came from.

It started out as a wartime military vehicle produced by multiple companies. One company continued production after the war on a civilian model. Anyone who knew the real origin of the name is long gone by now.

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