In production until 1984, the CJ-5 was Jeep's longest-lived model by far. The military version remained in service until the late 1970s. In 2002, the Museum of Modern Art purchased an example for its permanent collection.
In the 1970s, the Jeep CJ became popular for more than just its off-road ability. Even among those who never left the pavement, the CJ-5 and the longer CJ-7 were testament to a love of nature and fun.
In the 1980s, as off-road vehicles became increasingly popular for on-road use, concerns arose about the tendency of these high-riding vehicles to tip over during abrupt maneuvers. Jeep, by then owned by American Motors, addressed that issue when it dropped the CJ line altogether in favor of the YJ, better known as the Wrangler.
