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Why shop Jeep auto parts at DIYautoparts.com?
DIYautoparts.com is unique because we are a professional auto repair facility, in business since 1929. All of our Jeep car parts are the same OEM quality parts we use—time-tested—in our 19-bay repair facility. We also provide you with all the free auto resources you need to help with your DIY project.
We offer Jeep auto parts at up to 80% off the manufacturers list price. Call us toll free at 1-800-593-1443 or 1-315-437-7696 between 8am-5pm Mon-Fri EST if you do not find what you are looking for in our online catalog. We are standing by to assist you with Jeep auto parts. Shop for Jeep parts now.
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The History of Jeep
The first jeep prototype (the Bantam BRC) was built for the Department of the Army by American Bantam. This was followed by two other competing prototypes produced by Ford and Willys-Overland. The American Bantam Car Company actually built and designed the vehicle that first met the Army’s criteria, but the Army felt that the company was too small to supply the number needed and it allowed Willys and Ford to make second attempts on their designs after seeing Bantam’s vehicle in action. Some people believe that Ford and Willys also had access to Bantam’s technical paperwork. Quantities (1500) of each of the three models were then extensively field tested. During the bidding process for 16,000 "jeeps", Willys-Overland offered the lowest bid and won the initial contract. Willys thus designed what would become the standardized jeep, designating it a model MB military vehicle and building it at their plant in Toledo, Ohio.
Like American Bantam, Willys-Overland was a small company and, likewise, the military was concerned about their ability to produce large quantities of the vehicle. The military was also concerned about Willys-Overland’s single manufacturing facility—something that would make the newly-produced military vehicle’s factory even more susceptible to sabotage or production stoppages.
Based on these two concerns, the U.S. government required that jeeps also be built by the Ford Motor Company, who designated the vehicle as model GPW (G indicated a governmental vehicle, P indicated the wheelbase, and W referred to the Willys design). Combined production by Willys and Ford, under the direction of Charles E. Sorensen, (Vice-President of Ford during World War II) produced more than 600,000 vehicles.
The jeep was widely copied in countries around the world, including in France by Hotchkiss et Cie, after 1954, Hotchkiss manufactured Jeeps under licence from Willys and by Nekaf in the Netherlands. There were several different versions created, including a railway jeep and an amphibious jeep. As part of the war effort, Jeeps were also supplied to the Soviet Red Army during World War II.
A division of DaimlerChrysler, the most recent successor company to Willys, now holds trademark status on the word "Jeep" and the distinctive 7 slot front grille design. The original 9 slot grill associated with all WW2 jeeps was designed by Ford for their GPW, and because it weighed less than the original "Slat Grill" of Willys, (an arrangement of flat bars) was incorporated into the "Standardized jeep" design.
The marque has gone through many owners, starting in 1941 with Willys, which produced the first Civilian Jeep (CJ). Willys was sold to Kaiser in 1953, which became Kaiser-Jeep in 1963. American Motors bought the company in 1970. The Chrysler Corporation bought out AMC in 1987, shortly after the Jeep CJ was replaced with the AMC-designed Jeep Wrangler or YJ. Finally, Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998 to form DaimlerChrysler.
Jeep vehicles have "model designations" in addition to their common names. Nearly every civilian Jeep has a ’xJ’ designation, though not all are as well-known as the classic CJ.
The Jeep CJ, or Civilian Jeep, was a commercial version of the famous Military Jeep from World War II. The first CJ (the CJ-2) was introduced in 1944 by Willys, and the same basic vehicle stayed in production through 7 variants and 3 corporate parents until 1986. In fact, a variant of the CJ is still in production today under license. The last CJs, the CJ-7 and CJ-8, were replaced in 1987 by the reworked Jeep Wrangler. The CJ-7 is very popular in the sport of mud racing, both with the stock body or a fiberglass replica.
The Jeep Wrangler is a mini SUV from Jeep. It is a successor to the famous World War II GP vehicle by way of the ’Willy’s’ Jeep in the 1950s and later by the Jeep CJ series. The Wrangler debuted in 1987, updated in 1997, and is still popular today. 2004 saw the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ).
The Cherokee name would not come about until 1973/1974 when a sportier 2-door version of the Wagoneer was made and given the name Cherokee Chief (a 4-door version of the Cherokee was available by 1977. A pickup version of the downsized Cherokee, called the Comanche (MJ) was also produced until 1992. The Grand Cherokee (the ZJ series) was introduced in 1993 to replace the Wagoneer as a mid-sized luxury SUV.
Jeep is the only 4 x 4 SUV to be trail rated.
Search for Jeep parts at DIYautoparts.com
DIYautoparts.com carries discount auto parts for 42 vehicle makes—including Plymouth parts, Volkswagen VW parts, and Pontiac parts.
Our website is more than just selling parts, it is intended to be your Online Automotive Resource Center. We give you all the free resources you need to help with your DIY project or problem so your auto repair goes as smoothly as possible. In the Ask the Expert section, our professional ASE certified Master Technicians will answer all your questions. You can also
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