[Jeep News ]
[Tech Tips]
[TJ 97-05]
[YJ 87-95]
[From the Trails]
[Books and articles]
[CJ 76-86]
[JK]
The Future of the Jeep Wrangler
What does the future hold for Jeep enthusiast around the world? The people at Jeep have been very busy over the past three or four years, rolling out new models on what seems to be a biannual basis. With rumors surrounding the redesign of Jeep Wrangler in 2007 its anybodies guess what they'll do next. A few days ago while Googling "Jeep Blog" I found this article by Brenda Priddy which has some pretty interesting photos.
Another interesting article that has excited the Jeep world lately, suggest that Jeep may be playing with the concept of a four door Wrangler. Personally I love the idea. I found a company a few months ago that have been playing with the four door stretch thing for several years, check out the photos below.
The Gladiator
A concept or the future of the Wrangler
If you haven't seen or heard of the Jeep Gladiator concept yet, you must have been living under a rock for the last 6 months. So if this is your first time, welcome back. Seriously though, the recently released concept vechicle by DCX, should provide many styling cues as to what the future of the Wranlger will look like. After the release of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, rumors started spreading that the next generation Wrangler could or would have 4 doors. So I wasnt that surprised when DCX released the Gladiator concept showing what looks like the next logical evolution of the currently Wranlger styling on an extended frame. Just try to imagine two more doors, a hard or soft top, and an Unlimted size storage area in the rear. With those components that would just about fill up that wheelbase perfectly.
This idea seems to complment the photo's posted by Ryan as well. Considering the amount that it appears they have already streatched the two door version of the Wrangler. The Gladiator wheelbase seems to be just perfect for a 4 door version.
As a side note, I have also included a picture of a red Jeep below. This is what I think is hiding under all the black leather Ryan posted below.
2007 Jeep Wrangler aka(TK)
More News
As the excitment grows with Jeep inthusiest in anticipation of the 2007 Wrangler. Here is an article I found today. Click Here for original article.
The NEW 2007 Wrangler
Popular Mechanics did a story on an upcoming redisgn of my favorite subject ever! (Well, favorite obsession, ever ...)
A redesigned Wrangler will debut for the 2007 model year in both the traditional two-door configuration as shown here, as well as a new four-door variant sitting on a longer wheelbase. A pickup derivative is a likely addition sometime during the next Wrangler's lifecycle.
Codenamed TK, the upcoming Wrangler may have a fixed top with removable panels, instead of the soft and/or hardtop offerings. A fold-down front windshield and removable doors, of course, are expected.
Although traditional in its styling, look for some cues from the Jeep Rescue concept to make it all the way to the production Wrangler.
First impression? No soft top? ARE YOU @$#^_#*& KIDDING ME? Jeep, don't be an idiot, Wranglers need SOFT TOPS. Wrangler hard tops are a WASTE OF WHATEVER THE EFF THEY'RE MADE OF!
Second impression -- all good news, but this means if I buy a new Wrangler, I'll be looking to wait until 2008, because: a) I don't want to wind up shelling out a shit load of cash just so I can have the "new" body-style when it first comes out, b) by waiting a year, whatever technical issues they have with the new body style will be worked out, it won't be in as much demand, and Quadratec will have some custom shit out for it.
Third impression - a Rescue-ish Wrangler is going to kick ass. The Jeep Rescue was a concept vehicle Jeep built a few years ago. The original word was that they were going to use the bodystyle to restart the old "Commander" line, or that they were going to use it to replace the Cherokee (they did that, instead, with the it's-growing-on-me-slowly Liberty).
The coolest thing about the Rescue is that it takes its visual styling directly from the Wrangler, and updates it a bit. It's a modern version of the classic, and just as when you look at the Wrangler you see a WWII Willy, so when you look at the Rescue do you STILL see the WWII Willy.
Anyway ... I'm excited. I'd be more excited if Jeep made this, though. Drool.
(PS - I hope its available in ELECTRIC LIME GREEN)
(PSS - and six-speed manual transmission, with optional pop-up anti-deer/pedestrians/slow-driver counter-measures)
2007 TK Wrangler
Here is an article from rockcrawler.com that goes into depth on the Priddy Photos and makes some pretty amazing accusations about some of the possible options (Steel Bumper with Integrated Towing Package, and a posability of a HEMI). Woops did I actually put that in writting.
More 2007 Jeep Wrangler TK Information
TK Wrangler
This article origonated at JeepForum.com
The new TK and TKL designs will be 2007 model year but will be introduced between January and August 2006, “when” depending entirely upon the construction progress of the new Toledo Jeep assembly plant (presently in the structural steel stage). The 4-door TKL version will be introduced first and 2007 model year production at the new facility will overlap the production of 2006 model year 2-door TJ and Unlimited TJ models at the current Toledo facility. The shorter 2-door TK’s will follow the TKL within 5 weeks. The original Jeep Toledo facility will eventually be demolished.
2) The 2-door TK will be approximately 6” wider than the TJ, and the wheelbase will be around 101”, similar to the Unlimited TJ. The 4-door TKL will share the general dimensions of the Gladiator concept, meaning about 6” wider than the TJ and with a wheelbase of 138”. (Don’t bemoan the larger dimensions, this will allow the factory to safely fit optional 33” diameter tires.) Two different packaged TKL versions will be initially available, these will be called Laredo and Rubicon. Three initial TK versions are planned, to be called SE/Sport/Rubicon.
3) Both TK and TKL will come in a single body version with full height doors and roll-up windows, integral roll cages, rear liftgate, and removable roof panels. The top options will represent solid or tinted transparent plastic – solid panels will be body paint color. Front fenders and rear fender flaress will be body-contrasting bolt-on plastic. Protective plastic body cladding will be used above the sills, save for Rubicon models which substitute diamond plate steel cladding. There is provision for storing the roof panels behind the rear seat.
4) Both TK and TKL will incorporate side impact and head restraint safety systems as well as standard airbags, soft interior surfaces, and anti-dive dashes. Unlike the full-length vehicle frames used in prior Jeep Universals, the TK and TKL will incorporate “shorty” frames with impact-absorbing structures and conventional styled bumpers at both ends. Again, don’t be displeased, an optional winch bumper will be available on front and a tow-rated receiver bumper on the rear. Tow capacity will be greater than TJ but nobody’s speculating by how much.
5) Standard engine for the TK SE will be the 2.4L 4-cylinder gas engine. Available TK optional powerplants will be limited to the 3.7L V-6. The standard TKL engine will be the 3.7L, the available option will be the 5.7-liter Hemi with MDS (multi displacement system, for 4-or-8-cylinder operating modes). Diesel engines will be available for Export vehicles only, not for US models. Available transmissions will initially include the 6-speed manual and a new (for Wrangler) 5-speed automatic. The 5-speed will include the ERS (Electronic Range Select) feature of the current WK, and should satisfy those who cannot decide between manual and automatic.
6) The remaining powertrain pieces include both part time and fulltime 4WD transfer cases derived from Mercedes SUV products, with available options that include the center ELSD (Electronic Limited Slip Differential). The same basic transfer case will be available with two different low range gears, the lower gearing being available only for the Rubicon models. AAM axles will be used on both vehicles with downsized versions standard and an available heavy duty axle for the 3.7L TK, also standard on TKL and Rubicon TK. The standard differentials will be open, with optional helical-gear LSDs “soon”. Rubicon models will have standard electric locking differentials made by AAM. Full-on electronic traction control will be available on “some” models. 4-wheel power disk brakes and power steering are standard in all TK and TKL models.
7) No photos of TK and TKL are yet available. Anything you see on the Web is a photo-chop job. Some of the heavily disguised test mules that have been labeled “Commander” by the press are in fact 4-door TKL test mules. However, the published photos of the Gladiator concept “greatly resemble” TK and TKL from the “B” pillar forward (that is from the rear edge of the front doors).
8) Jeep Gladiator has not been OK’d for 2007 production. DCX thinks it and the Power Wagon are too similar. The Gladiator and TKL will share many components including the frame and powertrain, therefore Gladiator MAY be produced as a 2008+ model at the new Wrangler facility.
Jeep Patriot
Jeep Patriot
The Jeep Patriot may be the less interesting of the two concepts Jeep unveiled today, but it’s probably the one that’s most likely to see the inside of a production plant. It’s got all the Jeep design cues on a small “cute-ute” SUV package. The Jeep look makes it look a little more macho, though, and we bet the off-road brand is seriously considering producing a vehicle like this to slot below the Liberty that’s more comfortable than a four-door Wrangler. Jeep says in its press release that it could produce the Patriot, as well as the Compass, as soon as next year if it wants to. Both vehicles would be powered by an all new 2.4L World Engine and a 2.0L diesel for international markets, as well as be available with CVT transmissions.
Read this and other Jeep articles at autoblog.com
2007 Jeep Wrangler JK Four Door Spy Photos
Find this and many other articles at rockcrawler.com
2007 Jeep Wrangler (JK) Spy Shots!
We previously posted pics of the 2 door version of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. At the time, we were told it was being called "TK" internally, but have since had sources tell us the designation is "JK" for both the 2 door and 4 door versions.
These shots were taken recently in Galveston, TX, by reader Chris Smith ("Big C"). Thanks Chris!
Meet the Mudds!!!
Jeep introduces "The Mudds" an interactive marketing campaign for the new 2006 Jeep Commander.
"CRD" Common Rail Diesel
A Good Review
Liberty CRD is for diesel lovers
GROVER CLEVELAND SERVICE PLAZA, I-95 NORTHBOUND, NEAR RAHWAY, N.J. — Diesel fumes hang so thick, they finally erase the aftertaste of the $10 Nathan's hot dogs from the last stop.
The 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD is rated 160 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque.
DaimlerChrysler
It's 15 minutes now that the Mack truck's grille has filled the Jeep Liberty's mirrors; 15 minutes that the semi in front has waited for the attendant to show up and turn on the diesel pump. It's so filthy that truckers, even gloved, use their boots to kick the pump handle.
Pay-at-the-pump here means waiting to give your money to the register jockey whose language skills consist of jerking his head toward the hose he wants you to use. He does recognize the English-language business phrase, "Receipt, please."
The result of that waiting and being put upon and getting filthy — the passenger-diesel marketer's nightmare — is a so-so 23.2 miles per gallon after 200 highway miles for the Liberty's 2.8-liter, four-cylinder, Italian diesel.
The window sticker says 26 mpg on the highway, but the shortfall is easy to explain. The test Liberty was fighting stiff wind and running in a fast crowd, about 80 mph most of the way, instead of loafing along as a rolling aggravation and safety hazard, or loping along at the fuel-economy test's 60 mph maximum.
Read the rest of the story at: USA Today
Home of the Jeep
Well I've now returned from Toledo, OH and I'm glad to be back in the 90% humidity of Little Rock, AR where the temperature rarely drops below 30 degrees. I could'nt manage to get a tour of the Jeep factory while in Toledo, but I did get some cool pictures from outside the plant.
Photshop Jeep Commander Contest
This should be fun
For the next two weeks I'll be hosting a Photoshop contest. Photoshop a picture of the Jeep Commander like the one above and win one of three prizes (Jeep Renegade 22” Duffle, a Jeep Radio Flashlight, or a Commander Key Chain). All contestants should submit their image to one of the free image host such as photobucket.com and paste it into the comment section. Just to get things started I've Chop Shopped the Trail Rated Commander and posted it below.
2007 Wrangler (JK) Tested
3-24-06 Superlift ORV Park in Hot Springs, AR Origonal Content Posted in March Newsletter.
Last November, a group of Jeep engineers from Daimler-Chrysler visited the Park with a herd of new black camo-clad Wranglers. We would have told you sooner, but then... well, you know. Arkansas Crawler's President Billy Mountjoy, along with Superlift Suspension personnel, helped guide the seven or so Wranglers during 5-days of brutal real world testing, complete with rock rash. All involved were genuinely impressed with the new JK's performance. It looks like the Park will be a regular stop for Jeep Engineering. The JK will hit the market some time this Fall.
New "Officially Licensed" Jeep Products
Here are a couple of new Jeep products I've seen around. David Chidester
Jeep® USB 2.0 Flash Drive plus Ink Pen http://www.edgetechcorp.com/usb-flash-drives/diskgo-jeep-pen.asp 512MB & 128MB starting at $29.95 Jeep® USB Flash Drive
http://www.edgetechcorp.com/usb-flash-drives/jeep-flash-drives.asp 512MB & 256MB Starting at $38.95
