Boyink! - Spring Forward on the Web

By Simon Bruton
Edited for the Web by Michael Boyink

If you see a CJ6 in South Africa it is usually one of three different models. Two different models used by the military, the former South African Defense Force (SADF), or one model produced for the civilian market by Volkswagen South Africa.

I was hoping to compile a more interesting history of these three models (especially the military ones)  but have not found many helpful people in the know. So here follows a summary of my very limited knowledge.

The one model of CJ6 used by the former SADF had the 4cylinder F head motor with a South African made rear body section. Hendrik Wessels Jeep is one of these:

The South African assembly plant made a new rear bin from the fuel filler neck area to the back. The local bin was very square with square corners and angular wheel arches. This bin was shorter so that the spare wheel and jerry can could fit on a step or rear bumper above the rear spring hangers, so as not to lengthen the vehicle further and decrease the departure angle. They therefore had no tailgate. The body looks a little out of proportion as the rear wheel arches are cut very low, giving the appearance that the rear suspension is sagging. These are quite commonly seen in South Africa.

Here is a small quote from an officer:

“In 1971 the 4 cylinder with a trailer was used for transporting the 81mm Mortars and crew.”

Elsewhere on the net the Cholewka’s Jeep is also one of these.

The seven pictures below are all of ex-SADF 4 cylinder models currently in use. The two last vehicles have had their wheel arches cut out bigger.

The second model used by the SADF had the 6 cylinder AMC 3.8 rambler motor for extra power to lug around a 106mm recoilless rifle mounted in the bed, and ammo. Below is such a vehicle in private ownership over 10 years ago. Bought sometime previously from a military surplus auction - obviously without the gun.

They can be easily distinguished from the 4 cylinder SADF Jeeps as they retained the original ‘American’ body with round corners at the back, and they had the longer bonnet and fenders to house the straight six motor.

This model also had various bins and toolboxes in the back that the civilian version does not have. The back was open with no tailgate, and it had a South African made rear step. It also has a thicker pack of leaf springs at the rear to handle the extra weight. The windscreen was removed and replaced with a large metal bracket to brace the gun during transport, and a grab handle for the front passenger.

Originally these models had the spare wheel placed on the bonnet as I guess this is the only place where it would not get in the way of the 106mm recoilless rifle. This can be seen in the two images below of the vehicles in action.

In the picture below we have the 4 cylinder in the foreground with the 6 cylinder behind. One can see the differences in the body. Note the very low cut rear wheel arch and shortness of the SA-made bin on the 4 cylinder in comparison to the American made bin on the 6 cylinder. I don’t understand the rollbar on the 6 cylinder as that would have fouled the gun - if a civilian had added it later surely they would have removed the gun brace and aerial mount etc.

Second quote from an officer:

“In 1978/79 at a little known workshop called Research & Development, we modified the said jeep to take the Malan and the 106mm. The fore-runners were delivered to Infantry School for evaluation and training. They were both successful with minor modifications and went into production.”

If the 6 cylinder went into production around 1980 they obviously had a hard and fast life in service as the previous two colour photos taken in about 1994 show that within 14 years they were already well out of service, auctioned off and standing in a private yard.  These ex-SADF 6 cylinder models are more rare as fewer were produced than the 4 cylinder model, I have only ever seen three.

Here are pictures of an ex-SADF 6 cylinder that is currently being put to good use by a fellow Jeep enthusiast in my home town! Most of the military accessories are long gone, such as: black-out lights, aeriel bracket, gun brace and passenger grab handle and the jerry can brackets from the front bumper. A windscreen has been added back on and the rear of the bin has been closed off with no tailgate. It still has the original rear step, upon which the spare is now placed with jerry cans in similar fashion to the 4 cylinder model..

The third type of CJ6 commonly seen in South Africa was assembled by Volkswagen South Africa for the private market between about 1975 and 1980. These models also had unique distinguishing features; a bracket that juts out on the drivers side (right) rear corner which appears to be a bump-stop for the swing-away spare wheel bracket. Secondly it has curved rear wheel arches but with a flat plate inserted at the top of the arch. These two details can be seen in photos from a 1975 test by a South African motoring magazine (B&W photo below) and also on two of these CJ6’s seen running around in the last year or two.

The VW assembled CJ6 had the 3.8L 6 cylinder AMC motor. They also produced a CJ5 and a CJ7. The CJ7 had the 4.1L version of the same motor. All of them were available with optional hardtop and doors. In the current photo below one can see the square bracket and the squared-off rear wheel arch under those black aftermarket wheel arch extenders. Not sure on the history of those great looking doors - do you get those in the U.S.?- they appeared to be fiberglass.

The VW-assembled Jeep below still has the spare wheel bracket bump stop, but the wheel arches have been modified over the years. Proof that a Bestop soft top fits an SA VW assembled Jeep beautifully!

Raphaels’ Belgian CJ6 also has these rear wheel arches with the squared-off top. Anybody know the purpose of this?

Below is a 1975 article about the South African assembled CJ6 by a local motoring magazine that closed its doors many years ago (click thumbnail for a larger version).

Comments are closed, but you can read the comments other people left.

1. Steve Redinger in Denver CO on April 11, 2006

   Nice and valuble article about CJ6s—Last month I was watching the Movie “Hotel Rowanda” and noted the CJ6s in Africa.  I am still working on my frame-up CJ6 rebuild—so seeing anything new to me on CJ6 helps inspire me to keep working toward a running vehicle.

   Thanks for the Article, Link and your posts on the Dauntless board—

   Steve Redinger
   Denver, CO

2. sparky on April 11, 2006

   Finally, I can find peace in my vehicle family.  A VW made Jeep!  My wife has her VW and I have my Jeep.  ;)

3. Michael Boyink (Author) on April 12, 2006

   Sparky - thought of you guys when I read that.  I wasn’t aware of the VW - Jeep connection before….;)

4. Danny on February 06, 2007

   The “officer” has his timing wrong on the introduction of the 6 cyl. model to carry the 106. We were using them already at 7SAI in 1977. I believe they also toyed with the idea to deploy these (the jeep and 106) using a Super Frelon helicopter. This would enable a very fast deployment, but was scrapped because of a weight problem and because the gun had to be removed to get it thhrough the helicopter’s bach door. I have travelled many hunderds of kms in one of these through the veld during my army days

5. Jacques Jansen van Vuuren on March 03, 2007

   This is brilliant! Some excellent photos. Research is good but you might be interested that at least 3 more versions of the CJ6 were built in S.A:
   1974-1975 CJ6’s were assembled for the commercial market by Motor Assemblies in Durban.They mostly built Toyotas! The military 6 cylinder CJ6 was based on this model. Volkswagen took over production in ‘76 but never built anything for the military.
   During the 60’s an extended civilian version was built with a tailgate and a “bakkie” (South African for pickup) version built for the agricultural market, fitted with a Perkins 4cylinder diesel engine.
   Regards,
   Jacques.

6. Boyink (Author) on March 03, 2007

   Thanks Jacques!

7. Jacques Jansen van Vuuren on March 03, 2007

   Oh yeah I just remembered! The SADF also had a few M170’s. These were ambulance versions of the 4 cylinder CJ6. Or more correctly, long wheel base versions of the MD-M38A1 (The military version of the short wheelbased CJ5) They were all left hand drive with a large squarish door opening on the right hand side. They had tailgates but with 2 holes cut in for clearing a stretcher. The headlights were recessed like the military versions and with all the cutouts on the side of the body for snorkel, dual battery box in the cowl. These were built in the US and converted in SA to 12 volt electrics. (US military were 24V) All CJ’s were CKD’s imported from Canada and the square back ends fitted by a company called Praetor in Silverton. The SADF moved away from gasoline powered vehicles towards the end of the 70’s and Praetor switched to assembling BMW cars. (Interesting, hey!)

   Regarding your question:
   The squared off rear wheel arch was because of the lowered inner wheelwell to create more load space in the back of the ‘76 to ‘79 CJ6. Not a local conversion, this originated in Canada. The CJ6 with the “nice Bestop” is an earlier pre-1976 model. Notice the absence of the squared off rear wheel arch.

   Also the more upright fabricated windscreen with external wiper motor wheras the later models had a pressed steel windscreen. There are numerous other diferences eg. the later models had boxed chassis flared toward the rear, wider springs, AMC rear differentials and stronger gearboxes.

   Danny is quite correct. The 106 carrying CJ6’s were all of the earlier type assembled before 1976. It is however, possible that Volkswagen inherited some of the earlier models from Toyota (Assembling CJ’s under contract) and sold these off to the SADF. I think that Volkswagen got involved with the production of Jeeps, hoping for a military contract. The arms embargo put a stop to it and slow commercial sales forced VW to cease production. Rumours are that all unassembled vehicles and parts were returned to the source.

   Do you know anything about CJ’s (called Shabaz) exported from Iran. A few of these landed up in Lesotho. Was a long wheel base (CJ6) produced over there?
   Regards,
   Jacques.

8. Donald van Til on June 11, 2007

   Bought an old CJ6…I think….Modified back body like the SADF did. Need to rebuild. I also need to find the VIN or Chassis number as it is not on a plate on the firewall. Can anyone help

9. Boyink (Author) on June 11, 2007

   Donald -

   Try nosing around the both the tech pages and forums at EarlyCJ5.com - the subject of VIN numbers comes up quite a bit.  THey’re on the frame as well, and someone even recently posted a diagram of where.

10. Donald van Til on June 11, 2007

    Thanks Mike. I have aimed to have it rebuilt by the end of this year….is this realistic?

11. Donald van Til on June 12, 2007

    How can I upload photos to the site

12. Boyink (Author) on June 12, 2007

    Donald - no clue on the timeframe, without knowing more about the current condition of the Jeep.  I certainly can’t do much in a few months..;)

    What site are you looking to upload photos to - mine or EarlyCJ5com?

    I haven’t setup Boyink.com to allow file uploads by visitors - you’d need to email me photos.

    On ECJ5 there are instructions posted in the help forum.

13. Donald van Til on June 12, 2007

    Thanks. I will post them on ECJ5

14. peiere on November 06, 2007

    nice

15. Basie Roode on January 06, 2008

    Hi Gents,
    Came across this article while surfing the web. Can anybody send me a link to the website.I an a JEEP fanatic and owns 7 JEEP’s.
    I need to join this forum

    Regards

16. Donald van Til on January 14, 2008

    Hi Basie, Do a search on all Cj’s on the net, I have found a lot of pages -  all depends on what jeeps you have. Email me with some pics at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

17. kevin on May 12, 2008

    hi donald i have a mm 750 3door ht 4wd mahindra cammander its a ten seater ive managed to find out that they were used as ambulances an that it has an xdp 4.90 motor in it an i want to get it on the road an havnt a clue ware to get spares for it or wheels .i got it with a blown motor an the wheels were stolen hehe thats sunny za i was wandering if its possiable if you could steer me in the right direction. ive approached mahindra sa, they dont seem to know very much exept the new models my email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

18. Jacques Jansen van Vuuren on May 13, 2008

    Kevin,
    As far as I remember, a few landed up in South Africa via neighbouring countries during the last 2 decades of the last century. It looked something like a Willys Jeep CJ3B with an enclosed body on a long wheel base. (Raised hood with flat fenders) The diesel engine was likely sourced from Peugeot. For an engine rebuild any shop specialising in diesel engines should be able to help you. With the exception of the engine and gearbox, all other mechanicals are identical and interchangeable with older Jeeps.  The wheels are the same as for older Jeeps i.e. 5 stud on (I think) 114mm. Pretoria Off Road (+27 12 377 0378) will be able to help you.
    Regards,
    Jacques

19. john a halas on December 23, 2008

    i built a 1960 cj5 304 v8 da.30 ackles 36 in tires 10 in white spoke rims

20. Donald van Til on December 23, 2008

    I have ben busy rebuilding a 1946 CJ2a ser no.79401. This has taken up the last year and a half so I have not touch the cj6. The last I did to it was have it sandblasted totally and then rustproof and rubberise the underside. I am hoping to finish the 2A by the first week in the new year and then sell it and start the work on the cj6.

21. Christian von Gruter on September 20, 2009

    We bought the CJ6 (commercial) at Sudwest Autohaus which was a VW branch in Swakopmund brand new in 1976 for R5800 . The colour options were Canary Yellow, Baby Blue and Orange. It had the AMC 3.8l Straight 6
    The Jeep has been in the family ever since and is currently undergoing a complete refurbishment to keep running for another 30 years

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