Description
The J-Series Pickups was produced from 1963 until 1987.
J-Series pickups have used various model designation schemes over
the years. All of the models are what we would consider a full
size pickup today. Early models were know as Gladiator pickups.
From 1963 until 1964 a 3 digit number was used to designate
wheelbase and GVW of the vehicle. Models were available
with a 120" and a 126" wheelbase and most models were
available in Thriftside (narrow box), Townside (wide box)
and cab & chassis models.
J-100 | panel delivery |
J-200 | 1/2T 5000 GVW (120" wheelbase) |
J-210 | 1/2T 6000 GVW (120") |
J-220 | 3/4T (120") |
J-230 | 1T cab & chassis or stake bed only (120") |
J-300 | 1/2T (126") |
J-310 | 3/4T (126") |
J-320 | 1T (126") |
J-330 | 1T cab & chassis or stake bed only (126") |
In 1965 they switched over to a four digit model number except
for the J-100. In '67 the two wheel drive models were dropped.
In 1970, the Gladiators got the same style grill as the Wagoneer,
it's first styling change since its introduction. The 3000 series
was dropped in 1971. The "Gladiator" name was dropped in 1972 and
the J trucks were simply called Jeep trucks.
J-2500 | 1/2T 5000 GVW (120") |
J-2600 | 1/2T 6000 GVW (120") |
J-2700 | 3/4T 7000 GVW (120") |
J-2800 | 1T 8600 GVW (120") |
J-3500 | 1/2T 5000 GVW (126") |
J-3600 | 1/2T 6000 GVW (126") |
J-3700 | 3/4T 7000 GVW (126") |
J-3800 | 1T 8600 GVW (126") |
In 1970 three new Gladiators models were added to the line-up.
J-4500 | 1/2T 5000 GVW Townside only (132") |
J-4700 | 3/4T 7000 GVW Townside only (132") |
J-4800 | 3/4T 8000 GVW Townside, cab & chassis or stake bed (132") |
In 1974 the model designations were changed to only reflect
vehicle load capacity rather than load capacity and wheel base.
J-10 | Model 25 being the 1/2T 119" WB |
J-10 | Model 45 was the 1/2T 131" WB |
J-20 | Model 45 was the 3/4T 131" WB |
J-30 | 1T cab & chassis or stake bed dually |
Drive Train
Engine
Several engine options have been used in the J-Series pickups over
the years including:
- Kaiser 230 OHC I6 "Tornado"(63-66)
- AMC 327 V8 "Vigilante" (65-66)
- AMC 232 I6 (67-70)
- Buick 350 V8 "Dauntless" (67-70)
- AMC 258 I6 (71-end of J truck production)
- AMC 304 V8 (71-73)
- AMC 360 V8 2 bbl. (71-end)
- AMC 360 V8 4 bbl. (74-end J-xx models)
- AMC 401 V8 4 bbl. (74-end J-xx models)
Transmission
Transmissions options included:
- Warner AS-8F 3 speed auto (63 only)
- GM TH400 (64-79)
- Warner T-89 3 spd. man. 2WD & 4WD >5600 GVW (63-?)
- Warner T-90 3 spd. man. 4WD up to 5600 GVW (63-?)
- Warner T-98A 4 spd. granny man. (all J-xxx & J-xxxx GVWs, 63-?)
- Warner T-18 4 spd. man. (?)
- Warner T-18A 4 spd. granny man. (?)
(There were other 3 speeds available during J-truck production, but I
don't have those details.)
Transfer Case
- Dana 20 (63-79)
- Borg-Warner Quadra-Trac single & dual range models (73-79)
Front Axle
Front axles were closed knuckle Dana 44 until the J-xx. (Wagoneers used
Dana 27A's until '74).
Rear Axle
Rears were Dana 44 in 1/2T, Dana 60 in 3/4T and
Dana 70 dually in 1T. Standard gear ratios were 3.90 with optional 4.27
& 4.88 in 1/2 & 3/4T models. 1T models came with 4.88 and had 5.89 as
an option. Powr-Lok limited slips were optional in all models (rear
only)
Production Information
Year |
Serial Number Range |
Production |
1963 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1964 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1965 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1966 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1967 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1968 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1969 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1970 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1971 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1972 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1973 |
xxx - xxx |
ppp |
1974 |
xxx - xxx |
15,524 |
1975 |
xxx - xxx |
13,958 |
1976 |
xxx - xxx |
16,188 |
1977 |
xxx - xxx |
17,252 |
1978 |
xxx - xxx |
20,495 |
1979 |
xxx - xxx |
18,966 |
1980 |
xxx - xxx |
6,839 |
1981 |
xxx - xxx |
8,048 |
1982 |
xxx - xxx |
6,113 |
1983 |
xxx - xxx |
4,705 |
1984 |
xxx - xxx |
3,082 |
1985 |
xxx - xxx |
1,953 |
1986 |
xxx - xxx |
1,515 |
1987 |
xxx - xxx |
1,153 |
Serial Number Locations
Serial numbers are located on the . . .
Contributors
Thanks to Pual Weitlauf for sending me nearly all of J-Series pickup
model, drive train, and production information.