Two J-2000's, how can you tell the differences?

[Eric Flewelling]

Two J-2000's in my area, what can you tell me about them? I know they are different years because of the Jeep symbol being different colours, but I forget which is which...
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/emflew/IMG_2085.jpg
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/emflew/IMG_2086.jpg
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/emflew/IMG_2088.jpg
This is the other one:
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/emflew/IMG_2041.jpg
http://i658.photobucket.com/albums/uu309/emflew/IMG_2042.jpg

So what can you tell me? I have no idea what engines they have or anything. Just the externals. Aside from the Jeep symbols, the other thing I notice is the manual locking hubs on the Grey one, and the differences in hub caps...

[TexTJ209]

AMC bought out Kaiser Jeep in 1970, and the colors changed to the Red/Blue of AMC. The J2000 name was dropped after 1973, so the grey one is most likely 1970-1973. (I don't know if the color change on the emblems happened in 1970 or 1971 though, but knowing Jeep I wouldn't doubt they had a bit of mix and matching going on.)

Other one is pre-70ish, and IIRC the J2000 name started in 1965 or so. So 1965-70, but I'm not real familiar with the Kaiser era J-Trucks.

Easiest way to figure out the years would be to just pop the hoods and check out the data plates. The Jeep VIN on them can be decoded in the tech library here on the IFSJA.

[fulsizjeep]

Since they both have side lights like used on the J10/J20 series, I would guess 71-73 models. The color of the badge may be significant if it is original. Pretty sure the Red & Blue badges started in 72.

[TexTJ209]

Since they both have side lights like used on the J10/J20 series, I would guess 71-73 models. The color of the badge may be significant if it is original. Pretty sure the Red & Blue badges started in 72.

All I know is they got it sorted out by '73. :thumbsup:

[joe]

Easiest way to figure out the years would be to just pop the hoods and check out the data plates. The Jeep VIN on them can be decoded in the tech library here on the IFSJA.
Model year wasn't included in the VIN till 1972. What years are they registered as via the title?
One way to ballpark the model year is by the build date on the motor. But that just gives you the year the motor was built and doesn't say what model year rig it was eventually installed in. Same senario for the axle build date stamped on the Dana's ring gear.

[Josh D]

Just from the pics, I'd say the gray one is a '72. It's got the AMC colored badges and what looks to be the old style steering wheel. The dash and steering wheel changed in '73.

The black one is a '70 or '71 if the grill is original. The razor replaced the rhino in '70 and it has the Kaiser colored badges.

[Eric Flewelling]

I knew they were close, and I knew somebody would have a clue. So the black one is Kaiser, 1970-1971 and the Grey is probably a 1972. Interesting, I was very impressed with the body on the 1972 due to the mega-rust we get up here on most cars, you can't tell, but the bed is overloaded on the black one and is almost falling off. I also know that the Gray truck has an automatic transmission, not that this is too helpful. The guy is using it as his yard truck (of which it appears he has many).... I may be making a visit :)

[skeletor]

I was very impressed with the body on the 1972 due to the mega-rust we get up here on most cars

you can tell that someone has repaired at least the bed. on the photo of the bed look at the rear quater it doesnt have any body lines, thats not stock. still 2 good looking intermediate fsjs.

[Josh D]

I also know that the Gray truck has an automatic transmission, not that this is too helpful.

Actually that is helpful. An automatic with lock out hubs further confirms it's a '72. A '73 wouldn't have an auto with lockouts due to quadratrac. However, it does appear to have a double walled bed, which didn't come out until '73. But '72/'73 were cusp years, so who knows!

Skeletor made a keen observation regarding the body seem of the bed not being visable. It might be filled over with body filler to hid rust.

[Eric Flewelling]

I had noticed that, I hadn't had a chance to check other similar models to see if those lines were there or not. The whole thing has such a wonderful coating I figured some repairs were underneath. However, it still isn't bad.

[billyj7175]

The hubcaps alone on the black one are pretty pricey...