The Lifestyle Generation
1980-1989
The all-new Jeep® Cherokee (XJ) introduced helped revolutionize the 4x4 market. The mighty XJ introduced many industry firsts, including: the first compact 4-door SUV, first UniFrame construction, and first full-time 4x4 system with shift-on-the-fly capability.

A New Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
A second-energy crisis in 1979 spurred the development of a smaller 4x4 wagon – the All-New Jeep® Cherokee (XJ). It featured a uni-body design, compact dimensions and suspension system influenced by the chief engineer of the Renault Formula 1 racing team. AMC recorded record sales in the 80s and discontinued the CJ-series and introduced an All-New Jeep® Wrangler (YJ) in 1986. A year later, in 1987, American Motors Corporation was sold to Chrysler Corporation and the Jeep brand became a part of Chrysler Corporation’s Jeep/Eagle Division.
Taking 4x4 Capability to New Heights
JEEP® WAGONEER LIMITED (XJ)
1980-1986 JEEP® CJ-5 LAREDO
1982 Jeep® CJ-5 Laredo.
1982-1986 JEEP® CJ-7 LAREDO
1981-1985 JEEP® CJ-8 SCRAMBLER
1982 Jeep® CJ-8 Scrambler.
Known internationally as the CJ-8, the open cab pickup was available in either Soft Top or hardtop configurations. A steel hard-top version of the Scrambler was exported to Australia, and the U.S. Postal Service in Alaska employed insulated panel-delivery Scramblers with automatic transmissions. Former U.S. President Ronald Reagan was popularly seen driving his Blue Scrambler at “Rancho De Cielo” ranch.
1982 Jeep® CJ-8 Scrambler.
1970-1987 JEEP® J-10 TRUCK
1982 Jeep J-10 Honcho side step pickup truck.
1984-1991 JEEP® GRAND WAGONEER (SJ)
1984-2001 JEEP® CHEROKEE (XJ)
XJ designs date back to 1978, when a team of AMC and Renault engineers drew sketches and made clay models from the existing SJ Cherokee, but the all-new XJ series finally made its well-received debut in 1984, when it scored an unprecedented sweep of the "4X4 of the Year" awards by three primary off-road magazines.
1984 Jeep® Cherokee.
1987 Jeep® Cherokee Chief.
1985 Jeep® Cherokee Chief.
1986-1992 JEEP® COMANCHE (MJ)
1986 Jeep® Comanche XLS pickup truck.
1986 Jeep® Comanche XL pickup truck.
1987-1996 JEEP® WRANGLER (YJ)
Although the Wrangler shared the familiar open-body profile of the CJ-7, it contained few common parts with its famous predecessor. Mechanically, the Wrangler had more in common with the Cherokee than the CJ-7. The Wrangler YJ had square headlights, which was a first (and last) for this type of Jeep vehicle.
1987 Jeep Wrangler (YJ)
1984-1990 JEEP® WAGONEER LIMITED (XJ)
1986 Jeep® Wagoneer.
The Jeep Wagoneer was available with either the “part-time” Command-Trac® or a “full-time” Selec-Trac® 4x4 system. Command-Trac featured shift-on-the-fly capability allowing the driver to shift into or out of 4x4 while the vehicle is in motion. The sophisticated full-time Selec-Trac is engaged at all times and features a special viscious coupling that eliminates the binding, or “crow hopping,” that occurs when most 4x4s are operated on dry pavement.
1986 Jeep® Wagoneer LTD.