Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Rubicon edition
Overview
Manufacturer
Also called Jeep YJ, Jeep TJ, Jeep JK, Jeep JL, Jeep J8 (Military version) Jeep Sahara and Jeep Willys (Iceland), Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Production 1986–present
Body and chassis
Class Compact SUV (Wrangler 2-door models), Mid-size SUV (Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler 4-door models)
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Related AIL Storm
Chronology
Predecessor Jeep CJ

The Jeep Wrangler is a series of compact and mid-size (Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler 4-door JL) four-wheel drive off-road vehicle models, manufactured by Jeep since 1986, and currently in its fourth generation. The Wrangler JL was unveiled in late 2017 and will be produced at Jeep's Toledo Complex.

The Wrangler is arguably an indirect progression from the World War II Jeep, through the CJ (Civilian Jeeps) produced by Willys, Kaiser-Jeep and American Motors Corporation (AMC) from the mid-1940s through 1980s. Although neither AMC nor Chrysler (after its purchase of AMC in 1987) have claimed that the Wrangler was a direct descendant of the original military model — both the CJ Jeeps and the conceptually consistent Wrangler, with their solid axles and open top, have been called the Jeep model as central to Jeep's brand identity as the rear-engined 911 is to Porsche.[1]

Nevertheless, just like the Willys MB and the CJ Jeeps before it, all Wrangler models continue to use a separate body and frame, rigid live axles both front and rear, a tapering nose design with flared fenders, a fold-flat windshield, and can be driven without doors. Also, with few exceptions, they have part-time four-wheel drive systems, with the choice of high and low gearing, and standard are open bodies with removable hard- or soft-tops. However, the Wrangler series was specifically redesigned to be safer and more comfortable on-road, to attract more daily drivers,[2] by upgrading its suspension, drivetrain, and interior, compared to the CJ line. Specifically, the suspension on all Wranglers benefits from the addition of trackbars and anti-roll bars, and from the 1996 TJ onwards also from coil-springs instead of leaf-springs.

From 2004 the Wrangler has been complemented with long-wheelbase versions, called Wrangler Unlimited (until the release of the JL generation). Since 2006 the long-wheelbase Wranglers were four-door models, offering over 20 inches (50 cm) more room. By mid 2017 the four-door models represented three quarters of all new Wranglers on the market.[3]

Background

Outwardly strongly resembling the Jeep CJ-7, the first Wrangler, which was formally announced in February 1986 at the 1986 Chicago Auto Show, was based on a new set of design parameters. "The product philosophy behind the two vehicles" François Castaing (AMC VP of Product Engineering) explained, "is completely different".[4] Although the 1987 Wrangler YJ continued to use a separate body and frame, with the same wheelbase as the CJ-7, and still solid axles both front and rear, it was a significantly new design, that borrowed its suspension, drivetrain, and interior from the 1984 Cherokee (XJ) model.[5] The new car had a wider track, slightly less ground clearance, more comfort and improved handling. The YJ still had leaf spring suspension similar to that of the CJ – however the springs were wider, and the first Wrangler sported trackbar suspension links and anti-roll bars for improved handling and safety, making it less easy to flip by untrained or unwary drivers.[6]

The Wrangler debuted in 1986 as a new model after discontinuance of the famous Jeep CJ series.[7] It was revised in 1996, and completely redesigned in 2006. In addition to the model name Wrangler, each model received a designation corresponding to its generation: YJ (1986–1995), TJ (1997–2006), TJU's (commonly known as LJs- 2004–2006 Unlimited models, or YJL, in the Egyptian owners manual.), JKU (2007–2017 Unlimited models) and JK (2007–2017), and the latest JL model, introduced for the 2018 model year. Foreign military versions of the Wrangler have carried the J8 designation which was initially dubbed TJL when first produced at Arab American Vehicle's Egyptian plant.[8]

Jeep YJ models were manufactured between 1986 and 1995 at Brampton Assembly, and subsequently at the Toledo South Assembly plant.[9] A major difference in the 1987–1995 models were the rectangular headlights, which reverted to rounded ones in the TJ and then JK versions. In 2006, Wrangler production was moved to Toledo Complex.[10] Post-2006 Wranglers were set apart from their predecessors by the angle of the grille. In all previous models, the grille was flat and even with the front fenders. The newer Wrangler was constructed with a grille which angled out from the top, and then continued in a straight line from the midway point, toward the bottom. This decreased the hood length, while increasing the length of the fenders. In more recent models, this angle has been lowered more toward the bottom of the grille.

In Egypt, the YJ was produced as well as a long wheel-base version, dubbed LJ (or labeled as YJL in Egypt's Owners Manual), and which has retained the 2-door design. The YJL is considered as the first predecessor of the JK's long wheel-base by continuing as TJL (aka J8) which has directly inspired the JK's 4-door.

There is a Jeep Wrangler Pickup coming into production in 2019.[11]

YJ (1986–1995)

YJ
Overview
Production March 1986–December 1995 (Canada; USA)
1989–2001 (Iran)
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door SUV
Related AIL Storm I

Although introduced in 1986 (under control of Renault), and by 1987 (the first model year) under new ownership of Chrysler, the first-generation Wrangler had still been developed by American Motors Corporation. It featured rectangular headlamps, differing from the round ones on its predecessors, the CJ Jeeps. Although continuing many essentials, such as an open body on a separate frame, with the same wheelbase, part-time 4WD and live rigid axles on leaf-springs, both front and rear, just like the CJ-7 – it was a significantly new design with a wider track, slightly less ground clearance, more comfort and improved safety and handling.[12]

TJ (1996–2006)

TJ
Overview
Production January 1997 – July 2006
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door SUV
Related AIL Storm II

Introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model, the second-generation Wrangler reintroduced the round headlamps from the classic Jeep models.The main engine was the AMC 242 4.0L inline 6. From the Wrangler TJ onwards, all Wranglers were fitted with coil-spring instead of leaf-spring suspension.

Late in the TJ's life cycle, in 2004, a long-wheelbase "Unlimited" model was introduced for the first time. Furthermore, starting 2006, Israeli Automotive Industries Ltd. produced the first five-door Jeep Wrangler derivative, built under license from Chrysler, for the Israel Defense Forces, based on a 2,931 mm (115.4 in) wheelbase Wrangler (TJ)

TJ-based long-wheelbase models
TJ Wrangler Unlimited, a plus 10 inch (25.4 cm) LWB soft-top, as of 2004
Israeli AIL Ltd. Storm II Commander

JK (2006–2018)

JK
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (JK, Germany)
Overview
Production August 2006 - April 2018
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door SUV
4-door convertible
4-door SUV
Related AIL Storm III
BAW B40
BAW B70
Jankel Thrasher
Jeep J8

The third-generation Wrangler was released in 2006 for the 2007 model year. Developed under ownership of DaimlerChrysler, the JK was Jeep's first Wrangler that was a completely clean-sheet design of body, frame and suspension. New features for the Wrangler included power windows, remote power door locks, navigation, as well as electronically detachable sway-bars on some models.

Along with the traditional 2-door model, a 4-door "Unlimited" model was released, offering considerably more room, thanks to an over 20 inches (50 cm) longer wheelbase. These became quite successful sellers. By mid 2017 the four-door models represented three quarters of all new Wranglers on the market.[3]

JL (2018 – present)

JL
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport
Overview
Production November 2017–present
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door convertible
2-door SUV
2-door SUT
4-door convertible
4-door SUV
4-door SUT

The fourth-generation Wrangler was unveiled in late 2017 as a 2018 model. The JL features a host of new features including: additional powertrains over the Pentastar V6, a redesigned transmission, easier fold-flat windshield and soft top designs, and a more modern interior. Powertrains for the 2018 model included both the 2.0L Turbo engine and the Pentastar V6.

Recognition

The Jeep Wrangler received the 2009 Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) in the sport utility vehicle category. In 2012 and for 2013, it was also awarded the Best Resale Value Award from Kelly Blue Book in the compact sport utility vehicle category.[13][14] The Wrangler also holds the Models to Best Hold Its Value recognition from Kelley Blue Book for 1998, 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2012.[15][16][17]

The 2011,[18] 2012,[19] and 2013[20] Jeep Wranglers have received Canadian Black Book's Best Retained Value Award for the compact SUV category.

In 2007, The Jeep Wrangler had set the Guinness World Record for highest altitude attained by a four-wheeled vehicle after ferrying Matthias Jeschke and his Extrem Events adventure team up Chile's Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth (record beaten the same year by a Suzuki Samurai [21]). The trek from base camp to the world record height ran from March 7 to March 13, when the team's pair of Wrangler Rubicon Unlimiteds checked in at 6,646 metres (21,804 ft).

In 2007 and for 2013, the magazine Four Wheeler awarded the Jeep Wrangler with its Four-Wheeler of the Year Award[22][23] and in January 2010, they awarded the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon its title of 4x4 of the Decade.[24][25]

In 1997, 2007, and 2012, the magazine Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road awarded the Jeep Wrangler with its 4x4 of the Year award.

The 2008 edition of Forbes Autos lists the four-wheel-drive convertible Jeep Wrangler at number four among the top ten vehicles with the highest resale value.[26]

In May 2009, Business Week magazine named the Wrangler One of the Most Iconic Cars of the Last 20 Years.[27]

Electric Wrangler

In September 2008, Chrysler Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda unveiled a range-extended electric 4-door Wrangler along with similarly engineered Town and Country minivan and a purely electric sports car. The Wrangler would have a 40-mile (64 km) range before a gas engine starts and begins supplying additional electricity.[28] However, in November 2009 Fiat SpA disbanded Chrysler's ENVI electric car division and dropped these models from future product plans.[29]

Sales

Calendar Year United StatesCanadaOutside North AmericaTotal
1999 89,17489,174
2000 82,254[30]82,254
2001 68,83168,834
2002 64,351[31]64,351
2003 70,093[32]70,093
2004 77,550[33]77,550
2005 79,01779,017
2006 80,271[34]80,271
2007[35] 119,2439,834 [36]129,077
2008[37] 84,61512,137 [36]96,752
2009[38] 82,0447,271 [39]89,315
2010[40] 94,31011,062 [41]105,372
2011[42] 122,46015,636 [41]138,096
2012[43] 141,66918,996 [44]160,665
2013[45] 155,50218,578174,080
2014 175,32823,05736,194234,589
2015[46] 202,70220,88031,702255,283
2016 191,774[47]18,505[48]

See also

  • Force Motors Trax – Previously "Bajaj Tempo", simple construction, part-time 4x4 SUVs, in short and long wheelbase (India)
  • Mercedes G-Wagen – body on frame offroad car, live axles front and rear, short and long wheelbase, from 1979
  • Suzuki Jimny – one of the few other compact, 2-door, part-time 4x4 SUVs, still using body on frame, and live axles front and rear (from 1970) – also in its 4th generation

References

  1. ↑ Curbside Classic: Kaiser Jeep CJ-5 – Transcendent Independent
  2. ↑ "Jeep Wrangler: The Real Thing or Compromise?". 4-the-love-of-jeeps.com. 1995-03-21. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  3. 1 2 DeMuro, Doug (June 2017). "Every Single Two-Door SUV Has Failed". Autotrader. Retrieved 2017-09-23.
  4. ↑ "Jeep Wrangler" by Robert Ackerson pg.7- Veloce Publishing; 1st edition (March 17, 2006) ISBN 1904788971
  5. ↑ "The Story of The Jeep" –Patrick Foster : page 200-201: Krause Publ.; 2 edition, ISBN 087349735X
  6. ↑ https://www.allpar.com/SUVs/wrangler/jeep-name.html
  7. ↑ "History of the Jeep Wrangler".
  8. ↑ "Wrangler "TJL" diesel technical specifications". AAV. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  9. ↑ "Company News; Chrysler Plans To Close Plant". The New York Times. 26 July 1990. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  10. ↑ McKinnon, Julie M. (11 February 2007). "Bumpy at first, assembly smooths out for Wrangler". The Toledo Blade. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  11. ↑ Perkins, Chris. "2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup: Everything We Know". blog.caranddriver.com. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  12. ↑ "Jeep Wrangler 1986 brochure". Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "2012 Best Resale Value Awards: Compact SUV". Kelly Blue Book. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  14. ↑ "2013 Best Resale Value Awards: Best Compact SUV/Crossover". Kelly Blue Book. 2012. Archived from the original on 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  15. ↑ "Kelley Blue Book-Models to Best Hold Its Value". Carfax. 2010. Archived from the original on 2003-11-25. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
  16. ↑ "2011 Best Resale Value Awards". Kelly Blue Book. 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  17. ↑ "2012 Best Resale Value Awards: Top Ten Cars". Kelly Blue Book. 2012. Retrieved 2012-07-06.
  18. ↑ "Canadian Black Book 2011 Best Retained Value Awards". Canadian Black Book. 2011. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  19. ↑ "Canadian Black Book 2012 Best Retained Value Awards". Canadian Black Book. 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  20. ↑ "Canadian Black Book 2013 Best Retained Value Awards". Canadian Black Book. 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  21. ↑ "Driving to the highest altitude by car". Guinness World Records. 2007-04-21. Retrieved 2016-06-05.
  22. ↑ Holman, Sean P. (1 February 2007). "2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – Four Wheeler Of The Year – 2007". Four Wheeler. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "2013 Four Wheeler Of The Year". Four Wheeler. 2 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
  24. ↑ Holman, Sean (December 2009). "Top 10 Most Significant 4x4s of the Decade". Four Wheeler. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
  25. ↑ "Jeep Wrangler Indonesia". Chrysler. 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-15.
  26. ↑ Zygmont, Jeff (July 31, 2008). "Top 10 Vehicles with the Highest Resale Value" Archived 2008-09-12 at the Wayback Machine.. Forbes. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
  27. ↑ Joseph, Damian; Walters, Helen (October 2009). "25 Most Iconic Cars of the Past 20 Years: Jeep Wrangler". Businessweek. Retrieved 2010-12-28.
  28. ↑ Krisher, Tom (September 23, 2008). "Chrysler plans to sell electric car in 2010". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  29. ↑ Krolicki, Kevin (November 6, 2009). "Chrysler dismantles electric car plans under Fiat". Reuters. Retrieved 2010-07-11.
  30. ↑ "Chrysler Group Announces Year-End and December Sales". theautochannel.com.
  31. ↑ "Chrysler Group Reports U.S. December Sales". theautochannel.com.
  32. ↑ "Chrysler Group Reports December 2003 Sales Increase of 2 Percent". theautochannel.com.
  33. ↑ "Chrysler Group 2005 U.S. Sales Rise 5 Percent, Highest Since 2000; December Sales Decline In Line with Overall Industry". theautochannel.com.
  34. ↑ Total Chrysler LLC December 2007 Sales Up 1 Percent on the Strength of Retail; Demand.... Reuters (January 3, 2008)
  35. ↑ "Total Chrysler LLC December 2007 Sales Up 1 Percent on the Strength of Retail". CheersandGears.com. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  36. 1 2 "Chrysler Canada Announces 2008 Calendar Year Sales Results". media.chrysler.com. Retrieved 2011-02-05.
  37. ↑ "December 2008 Sales: Chrysler LLC". CheersandGears.com. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  38. ↑ "Chrysler Group LLC December 2009 Sales". CheersandGears.com. 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2010-01-05.
  39. ↑ "Jeep Wrangler Sales Figures". goodcarbadcar.net. 2011-01-01. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  40. ↑ "Chrysler Group LLC December 2010 Sales". CheersandGears.com. 2011-01-04. Retrieved 2011-01-04.
  41. 1 2 "Chrysler Canada Finishes Year with Best Retail Sales Since 2002". media.chrysler.com. 2012-01-04. Retrieved 2012-07-11.
  42. ↑ "Chrysler sales shoot up 37% (26% for 2011)". allpar.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
  43. ↑ "Chrysler Group LLC Reports December 2012 U.S. Sales Increased 10 Percent – Strongest December Sales in Five Years; Full-Year Sales Up 21 Percent – Strongest Annual Sales Since 2007". chrysler.com. 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  44. ↑ "Chrysler Canada Finishes Year With Best Retail Sales Year Since 2000". chrysler.com. 2013-01-03. Retrieved 2013-01-04.
  45. ↑ Jeep® Brand Records New All-time Global Sales Record in 2013: Jeep® Brand Records New All-time Global Sales Record in 2013, accessdate: 13. February 2016
  46. ↑ "Jeep® Brand Records Fourth Consecutive Global Sales Record" (Press release). Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  47. ↑ "FCA US Media - FCA US Reports 2016 December and Full-year U.S. Sales". Media.fcanorthamerica.com. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  48. ↑ "FCA US Media - FCA Canada December and Full-year 2016 Sales". Media.fcanorthamerica.com. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
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Traditional CJ-5
CJ-7 Wrangler (YJ) Wrangler (TJ) Wrangler (JK) Wrangler (JL)
Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) Wrangler Unlimited (JKU) Wrangler Unlimited (JLU)
Subcompact crossover Renegade (BU)
Compact crossover Compass (MK49) Compass (MP)
Patriot (MK74)
Cherokee (KL)
Mid-size crossover Grand Commander
Compact SUV Cherokee/Wagoneer (XJ) Liberty/Cherokee (KJ) Liberty/Cherokee (KK)
Mid-size SUV Grand Cherokee/Grand Wagoneer (ZJ) Grand Cherokee (WJ) Grand Cherokee (WK) Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Commander (XK)
Full-size SUV Cherokee (SJ)
Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer (SJ)
Compact pickup CJ-8 (Scrambler) Comanche (MJ)
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