This example of the steel and plastic CJ-5, probably dating from the 1980's, belongs to Mike Boyink, who says, "I picked it up for $8 at a toy show. It came with a flatbed trailer. I always figured it was missing whatever was on the trailer, but I found that the Jeep fits on the trailer perfectly. I can only assume that there was some connection between the BFG sponsorship, and the Tonka's removeable tires. Possibly this was a toy sold in BFG retail outlets?"
Bob Keniston has the complete set in his huge Tonka collection.
See also a close photo of a removable tire (40K JPEG) and a close photo of the "T/A High Tech Radials" hood graphics (40K JPEG).
Bob Keniston has another CJ-5 with removable tires. It's a yellow Jeep carrying a canoe, including a figure in the driver's seat. With a great color scheme and the removable tires, this variation has to rank as one of the nicest toy Jeeps in Tonka's long history.
Bob also has a remarkable number of other CJ-5 variations (200K JPEG)in his Tonka collection, including several with monster-sized tires, and one with an armored body.
There were a few different versions of the CJ-5 with large monster-truck style tires. The one below, marked © 1981, is battery-powered, with a large stickshift attached at the back for switching between three speeds, forward and reverse. It's usually seen in this orangeish yellow color, darker than the traditional Tonka construction yellow.
Although the steel body and plastic windshield are the same as on the standard version of this toy (35K JPEG), the plastic base and interior have been changed to accommodate three D-cell batteries in the center, and the motor in the rear. The axles are longer than normal, to allow the large tires to clear the fender flares. The tires, marked "Tonka AT-857", are soft rubber to provide traction.
The "Enforcer" on the other hand, has hard plastic tires marked only as "Tonka". They are mounted on standard-length axles: fender clearance is provided by a new plastic base which raises the body about 1-1/2" (4 cm.), and which has leaf springs and 4WD drivetrain molded in. The interior is the same as the standard version, but is covered by snap-on plastic armor.
The copy in the photo is missing the gun which mounts through the roof, and the bulldozer blade attached to the front. It's a Canadian copy, marked "ENFORCER" on the hood, and "L'EXECUTEUR" on the sides of the roof. The other graphics on the armor are bullet hits, and three small pictures of trucks (which presumably represent some kind of kills). See a larger copy of the photo (60K JPEG).
Tonka's Jeepster debuted in the 1969 catalogue, and was produced into the mid-1970's. It is seen with wheels in either the old Tonka style or the newer style (as in the photo). Based on the 1967-73 Jeepster Commando, it's about 12" long and comes in various colors. The front bumper has a raised "JEEPSTER" stamping.
Jarek Skonieczny found the "Stump Jumper" version of the Jeepster, with large slip-off wheels as on the BF Goodrich CJ-5 above, but with endcaps on the axles preventing removal of the wheels. See a larger copy of the photo (40K JPEG).
Other versions of the Tonka Jeepster came with plastic full-length or half-length convertible tops (see a page from the 1970 Tonka Look Book catalogue, 40K JPEG). It was also sold in a "Jeepster Runabout" set with a boat and trailer.
This Jeepster Convertible was restored and customized by Bob Wilkins of Vaughn, WA, with accurate miniature Jeep hubcaps.
See a larger copy of the photo (35K JPEG). See also a rear view photo (35K JPEG).
See more Tonka Toy Jeeps on The CJ3B Page.
Elsewhere on the web, see Jeepster Toys on the Jeepster Mania site.
Return to the Toy Jeeps Pages.
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