Jeep CJ vs Jeep Wrangler Off-Road Test: Is New Really Better? 

Difference is, the old CJ still runs after 40+ years, but the newer one won’t last 15 without having to be rebuilt 🤣🤣🤣

Shame Tommy didn’t use his 2 door Wrangler, modern 2dr manual trans vs old. Still a great video though!

Sounds like people keep losing their minds and then getting over it. Wish we could fast forward past the belly-aching and go straight to enjoying them all

That v6 in the new jeep are plaged by head problems

The CJ's ride is only bad because the leaf springs are rusted together after all the decades, and the shocks are clearly bad. New springs and shocks ride pretty good. It is totally wrong to say you can't have a good ride with leaf springs.

Having owned a "73 CJ-5, a '94 YJ, and now a built '76 CJ-7, AMC 360 V8 with lockers front and rear, twin-stick transfer case, and T-18 four-speed tranny with an 8" lift on 35's and one piece chromoly axles with dual Flowmasters out the rear. Armored all the way around, with steel tube fenders and sliders, and a 6-point Poison Spyder cage. I wouldn't trade it for a new Jeep, I have way too much fun in it.

You convinced me. New “Jeeps” are not nearly as good as the old ones.

This channel seems to love comparing apples to oranges! Modern cars lack the souls older cars always had.

I pretty much could fix/repair most things in my old CJ with the 16-tool bag that I kept under the seat. Ditto for a 1968 Land Rover Defender (that one had a 13-tool bag). Nowdays? Yeah, sure. I need a diagnostic computer with a program and a degree in Electronics Technology, and that is after I spend 20 minutes unscrewing engine plastic covers.

I’ve done the Rubicon in a stock open dif CJ5, off road manners were much better than presented here.

Some of these facts are def not correct or comparable..AMC offered a V8 for one. The wheelbase of the that CJ5 is about 2/3 the wheelbase of that 4, door which significantly changed the ride disregarding some worn leaf springs.

You can take a water hose to the entire interior of the CJ. If you did that to the Wrangler, it would cause 10k in damage and that's only if it didn't short out and catch fire.

You pull up at places in the CJ5 and people are going to smile and be happy for you - thats the pleasure of owning a classic car.

Also, you should have compared a CJ6 to the 4 door wrangler. Yes, its still 2 doors but a comparable wheelbase difference.

A fun comparison would be between that JK and a CJ that had JK money spent on it.

People, like me in the 1970s, bought CJs for off road, farm and ranch use. People who buy Wranglers today buy them to appear to go off road, to the farm or to the ranch. 99% of them don't. 2 critical things missing in this evaluation. Here in British Columbia, width is important as our roads quickly grow in when unused. Our government also vandalises logging roads by having them cross ditched with anything from 2 feet to 6 foot ditches with berms under the cloak of "erosion control". The width and wheelbase of the new Wrangler is just too wide and too long to do any serious backcountry exploring here. Lifting them is needed, but it is usually done to impress 14 year olds in the Walmart parking lot. I'll take a CJ anytime over a new Wrangler. But I prefer my Suzuki over both.

CJ is a Real Jeep, and just a better Jeep. Simple and reliable. It can be completely torn down in half a day. The V8 is not bad either. My 73 and 75 Levi's are both 304's. The ride can be softened. Plus, You'll pick up a better class of women in one too..😊

I don't think the JL will be on the road as long as the old school Jeep.

Who could possibly think that an "old Jeep" and a 'New Jeep" are the same. The size, the shape, the interior plastics, the build companies, all vastly different. I daily drove CJs for 30 years and now DD either my CJ8 or my JKU. That 61 is not a good representation of how CJs are as a whole. There is a smaller difference between an 07 JKU and a 18 JKU and then is between that 61 CJ5 and say an 86 CJ-7 with hardtop and doors. A better "old vs new" comparison would be a 2 door JK to a late CJ-7. Show how both have 2 doors but 1 has power lock and windows, both have fold and tumble seats but one is bigger, both have room behind the seat but one is more, both have 6 cyl but one is injected, etc, etc, I can tell you that a late CJ with power steering is actually easier to drive. It requires LESS force to turn the wheel and press down the gas pedal. The JK does have better acceleration and braking. That would be a good comparison video.

CJ7 didn’t come out until the 70’s, there was a CJ6 in the 50’s and 60’s that was the ancestor to the 2dr Wrangler Unlimited and CJ8 scrambler.

Ok so what I learned is that if I want to have fun, keep my ‘76 CJ7. More smiles per mile.

I started out with a 78 CJ5, eventually bought a 93 YJ, which I didn’t keep long & still own an 02 TJ. While I loved the old CJ, mostly because of the V8 engine, I absolutely love my TJ. The JK lost my interest pretty quickly for a myriad of reasons. One being that they offered a Wrangler in 2WD, that is sacrilegious at best. I admire the JL, it looks great & once again had a V8, but I have sticker shock every time I look at one. They have forgotten what gained Jeep its following. I’ll stick with the old TJ, it’s been a great vehicle & the 4.0 does exactly what it’s supposed to.

I believe it was inspector Harry Callahan who said “A man’s got to know his limitations”. Jeep was wrong to question him.

Also good luck trying to put that 4 door on a narrow tight curvy trail . It would get destroyed by the cj in that situation. Yes they are old and rough but very easy to repair and aftermarket support means you can build a cj that would destroy that 4door for a fraction of the money. They both have their place but never bash the old girl ! With out it we wouldn't have these amazing vehicles.

As you are aware, the CJ 7 was longer than a CJ 5. ✔

When the peanut butter hits the fan, the CJ will still be working, the new French one not so much.

I will take the yellow old school keep

The spare tire would have been mounted on the right 1/4 panel originally. The rear carrier was added by someone later. I own a 66 cj5 with a dauntless V6. That V6 changes it quite a bit. It has highway capability (if you have the balls) and way more power than it needs.

Old 4x4's need you to maintain momentum not just gun it through, I'd take that CJ over a plastic jeep any day.

Really it was the 3.8L pushrod V6 that followed the 4.0L straight six that people hated. The pentastar was seen as a major upgrade from that engine.

I had a 1975 CJ-5 for 30 years and look at it's size! Also,, the systems are so simple. Take a tool box and jack and you can fix on the go. I'd love my old CJ-5 back, but I have no desire to have anything newer than a CJ-7.

While you inspired me with your cheap Jeep challenge a few years ago to go out and purchase my first Jeep. Some of your new tests are just plain off base, if you are going to test that older Jeep against something newer, at least make it somewhat similar in amenities.

May be a stiff ride in that CJ but it can get up those logs without much effort and no need for a computer to assist.

I wouldn't trade my CJ7 for my wife's Wrangler Unlimited....ever. Her Jeep sees the beach, I wouldn't do any tough off roading with it. My CJ goes everywhere without complaint.

Loved the slomo recap of ride quality.

You're comparing a cj 5 two door with a 4 door. Do the test with two 2-door jeeps set up similar, both rag tops, etc. Also, that Wrangler sure bounced around side to side. Top that, the CJ 5 will go places that Wrangler can't, stock. Nothing wrong with Wranglers, but don't compare a car with a work horse.

That CJ is just a more FUN vehicle. A pair of lockers and it's a perfect weekend toy... way more than a modern SxS.

You forgot to mention you also have to remove the wiper arms to fold the JK wrangler

Not a complaint, but comparing the CJ's short wheelbase versus the 4door's is not really valid. Off-road performance and ride quality are vastly different.

I think you've got that backwards the CJ went through the courses a whole lot better and with less wheel spin than the JK😂😂

Choosing the shortest wheel based jeep contributes to a harsh ride. CJ 7 or LJ would have been a better comparison

You're comparing a cj 5 two door with a 4 door. Do the test with two 2-door jeeps set up similar, both rag tops, etc.

I’d rather have the CJ. Beautiful

The beauty of the CJ-5 is in its vintage and no-nonsense workhorse simplicity. The new computer-managed concoction with all the electronic gadgetry has no place in a rugged off-road situation. And never mind the bills the "lucky" owner will have to pay in routine maintenance and even worse in repairs.

it would have been nice to compare the old cj to a 2 door modern wrangler.

They offered a 304 in the 70’s.

May I recommend y’all call up prp and get them to send you a set of seats for the cj? I put some in my scrambler and they are really good.

the real test is roadside fixes. if you have a problem on the side of the road and or get stuck how much easier is it gonna get going without having to have it towed away.

Great video ! its interesting to say the least as a non Jeep owner I should probably keep my mouth shut....I won't lol , but everyone forgets the intention of jeep, in regards to the build of the early models compared to today's Jeep's remember this was not your main mode of transport, this was your second or even third car behind the coupe or sports car, this was a work /chores vehicle a second/third car to have fun in or do manual labor and get around the property this wasn't the sit in traffic and commute everyday to the city, it was built be easy to fix and not a whole lot to go wrong or break on you when in use.

Roman should pay for Tommy to see the chiropractor after this video...

I'll take the CJ any day over the Wrangler!!!

Proud owner of a 2012 2 door manual jk and a 1969 cj5 here

The new one for the road is good but too darn wide for trail off-road & is too heavy. I think I would pick a toyota tacoma ove the new Jeep because what was nice about the cj's is they were small & 5ft. wide. The only thing that really fits like the cj's is the Roxor.

Ironically, the Pentastar feels like 70 hp.

If I ran over a penny in my '75 CJ 5 I could tell you the date on that penny. It rode rough but was so much fun. I got t-boned on the driver's side when a Kenworth pulling twin belly dumps full of gravel ran a red light. Tough little Jeep kept me mostly intact.

great video but willis not willys long time viewer here

That cj is great!

Why not compare 2 door manual to 2 door manual?

There was more then 2 models of cj there is at least 14 models of cj from its begging in ww2 to the end of the cj run

another pointless video. Y'all have already taken each of these Jeep's off-road in separate videos. Why make another video of doing the exact same thing.

Thanks, Tommy, Even the old CJ is a HUGE difference from the battlewagon of WW2.

Better? NO just more expensive. 😂

Should compare 2 door to 2 door & then 4 door to be a little more fair!!

3:56 Just want to give a shout out to that camera guy in the background running in the rain on uneven terrain to get us a video.

I owned a 2009 wrangler Sahara and it was the biggest POS , broke all the time, spent so much money on that thing. Very glad I switched to Toyota and never looked back lol

redlining the fun meter is why i like the older CJs 💪🏻

I'm on my 5th CJ5..had some newer ones.. ain't the same..built wild to mild..440,401,360,302, settled for the 360. That AMC motor is good enough for dang near any off roads y'all gonna do. The number 5 is completely stock 4 banger, only gonna upgrade the axles and a lift kit. Not going anywhere fast just gettin thru.😊

New door's are on pins. No unbolting necessary just unhook the strap and lift off the doors

My 1946 CJ2A isn't easy to drive, is hard on your body, can't get out of his own way. The new Jeeps just don't have the fun factor. Yeah, it's not a commuter, it was never meant to be that with the driver sitting on 10 gal of gas.

I think the new jeep sucks because it's too big almost like a full size suv I think in that case just take any 4x4 Chevy Tahoe any Hummer H2 to the trail jajajaja.. and don't waist money on a new jeep comon sence.

Great video! When you had those stiff springs and short wheelbase, you’d drive differently, more steering, maybe slower pace than you showed. They do beat you up though, that I remember, no matter what. The trenches would’ve been easier with a little more steering input rather than straight through. The logs would be less jarring at slower speed and maybe a slight angle. Again, you’d learn to approach rough patches differently to save your kidneys!

Funny how the leaf springs hopped over the logs while the coils spun out. Yes, coils are smoother but the leaf spings "bounced" over the logs with ease. Fun fact! It's much cheaper and easier to replace leaf springs than all this coil over junk.

Why not compare the CJ with a newer 2 door? It would have been a fairer comparison when talking about cargo space behind the tailgate. In all other aspects, I think your comparison is fair. I don't know. I think I prefer the CJ with some mods such as a disc brake conversion, updated suspension components and some engine tweaks to increase HP.

I'm from India and own a CJ 5 M38A1 circa 1963. Unfortunately, due to the lack of spares, I had to replace the engine and gearbox (Mahindra Turbo DI engine and NGT 4x4, 5 speed). But the body, from grill to tailgate, is still original and rock solid.

First. Needs to compare 2 door wrangler and u don’t unbolt the door as u can just lift the doors off This comparison is not very good. I went places in my near stock 1984 CJ7 that my 2010 wrangler can do but the CJ does it better except maybe in the wet

Also amc had a a v8 options

the Wrangler uses metric hardware. the CJ5 uses imperial hardware. also, the Wrangler has waaay more plastic parts all over it. the CJ5? it's all metal. at the end of the day, choose the one that makes your heart go pitter-patter.

Coils are better for pavement which is all most modern Jeeps will see. Leafs dominate off road especially on steep climbs.

Kinda same bias on the rocks......looked to me the CJ went right up, the wranger slipped all around. But somehow he thinks the opposite happened....hmmm...

You'll see about a $10k difference when you drag the side of that jk down a rock. With the cj you just spray paint the dent. Plus that jk looks like it had some payments left on it.

Should’ve did a two door jk or Jl to make it fair

How about the JL? I love my Sarge Green, 4 Door, 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport 2.0L, 8-speed automatic. It will tow my Toy Hauler or Bass Boat up a hill with ease. Mine has hand crank windows & a 6-way manual divers seat, I will never have to worry about a electric motor going out, the only thing I miss is power door locks.

If I had choice of one or the other I'd pick the newer Jeep only because I could sell it and go buy 2 or 3 older Jeeps in excellent condition. Hands down !

You should compare the CJ to a 2 door JK or JL with open diffs instead. I am surprised you didn't drag race the CJ against a Raptor and called it slow.

Drive off road much,,,not counting the mall parking lot.....jeep offers a diesel motor today also....the throttle advance was for the winch ,, not cruise control

Stop watching movies, most bullets into a gas tank usually just means you're leaking gas everywhere no explosions! Please watch Last Action Hero...a great movie!!!

No. doubt that new models so advance from old cj and Willy's but the crzma of old off-road still intact. Willy's and cjs jeeps are only old vehicle that is popular in every generation through out world.

👋 I have owned 11 jeeps .in my time I'm know 60 in 2013 now 2024 .I have a beautiful golden eagle edition. 2018 .the one you see .

Thanks for not calling cj7 and cj5 Jeep’s wranglers, that really pisses me off when people do that.

Entertaining, but apples to apples would have been your “cheap Jeep” Willy’s to cj instead of the AEV equipped jk.

You don't know how to drive that cj 5! When you came up on area's like the dips, you had to get a run at them. Their is a reason it's lasted compared to the new stuff. Cj is a mini pickup and the new one is made for people to ride in. Point is one was designed for work, the other is for passengers.

Lol.... You need to do more research... There were more than two CJ models... Next time get a jeep guy to drive your Jeeps. 😂

Jeep Wranglers are crap! They are only good for one thing and are crap on-road. I would take a 4Runner or Bronco over a Jeep Wrangler any day of the week. TFL has proven that a Bronco and a 4Runner can go anywhere a Jeep Wrangler can go.

I'll take the CJ over the new Jeeps. My CJ never left me stranded. New Jeep acronym. Just Empty Every Pocket.

the difference is the new jeep is as wide and long as a chevy suburban. And you can tell people who haven't turned a wrench in their life when they call it a "Willis"

he was all over diff in ride quality on logs, but blew off the big diff. in traction, hmmm.......

Tommy well done kase phenomenal job and Brendan. The three brilliant brothers.

You're comparing a cj 5 two door with a 4 door. Do the test with two 2-door jeeps set up similar, both rag tops, etc.

Best Resale Value Than Any Vehicle!! Horrible Gas Mileage, But If You Want To Have Fun!!!

Wanting better ride qualty or creature comforts and newer technology than a cj5 is just being picky and spoiled hahaha