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 migrating from its third into 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. Neither AMC nor Chrysler (after it purchased AMC in 1987) have claimed that the Wrangler was a direct descendant of the original military model.
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 designed to be more comfortable on-road in an attempt to attract more daily drivers, 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. Since 2004 long-wheelbase versions have been available under the name Wrangler Unlimited. Initially the Unlimited was a two door model, but since 2006 it has been offered as a four-door model.
Background
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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". 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. 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 â€" 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.
The Wrangler debuted in 1986 as a new model after discontinuance of the famous Jeep CJ series. 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 (1986â€"1995), TJ (1997â€"2006), TJU's (commonly known as LJs- 2004â€"2006 Unlimited models, or YJL, in the Egyptian owners manual.), JKU (2007â€"2017 Unlimited models) and JK (2007â€"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.
Jeep YJ models were manufactured between 1986 and 1995 at Brampton Assembly, and subsequently at the Toledo South Assembly plant. A major difference in the 1987â€"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. 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.
YJ (1986â€"1995)
Introduced in 1986 as a 1987 model, the first-generation Wrangler featured rectangular headlamps, differing from the round ones on its predecessor, the CJ Jeeps. Although continuing on the same wheelbase as the CJ-7, it was a significantly new design with a wider track, slightly less ground clearance, more comfort and improved handling.
TJ (1996â€"2006)
Introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model, the second-generation Wrangler reintroduced the round headlamps from the classic Jeep models. From the Wrangler TJ onwards, all Wranglers were fitted with coil-spring instead of leaf-spring suspension. Late in its lifecycle, a long-wheelbase Unlimited model was introduced.
JK (2006â€"2018)
The third-generation Wrangler was released for the 2007 model year. Along with the traditional 2-door model, a 4-door Unlimited model was released.
JL (2017 â€" present)
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, new fold-flat windshield and soft top designs, and a more modern interior.
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. The Wrangler also holds the Models to Best Hold Its Value recognition from Kelley Blue Book for 1998, 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2012.
The 2011, 2012, and 2013 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 ). 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 (21,804Â ft).
In 2007 and for 2013, the magazine Four Wheeler awarded the Jeep Wrangler with its Four-Wheeler of the Year Award and in January 2010, they awarded the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon its title of 4x4 of the Decade.
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.
In May 2009, Business Week magazine named the Wrangler One of the Most Iconic Cars of the Last 20 Years.
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 (64Â km) range before a gas engine starts and begins supplying additional electricity. However, in November 2009 Fiat SpA disbanded Chrysler's ENVI electric car division and dropped these models from future product plans.
Sales
References
External links
- Jeep Wrangler Official Website
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Official website
- Jeep Wrangler 4WD System is explained in an animation
