Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler is today’s version of the “Jeep”, but it is the offspring of a storied line of vehicles. First produced in 1987, the Jeep Wrangler is the stalwart for today’s manufactured off-road 4X4 vehicles. The Wrangler has been tested, improved, and redesigned several times since its inception, in 1997 and once again in 2007. With the Wrangler, Jeep manufacturers have produced more than just a vehicle, they have created an experience and an attitude, capturing the imagination of those rugged individuals daring to seek out challenges out on the trails.

The Jeep ancestry line began with the original Willys. The original Jeep, the Willys, was born out of necessity, over 70 years ago in an effort to supply the U.S. Army with a fast, lightweight all-terrain reconnaissance vehicle during World War II. It took lots of dedication and a unique design to build this “Go Anywhere, Do Anything” machine, which set the standard for all off-road vehicles manufactured back then and today.

From the start, the Jeep captured the attention and admiration of people everywhere. They were used by every division of the U.S. Military and became a vital part of all land actions. They were used to transport the wounded, to lay telephone communications, and to carry and delivery weaponry. They were also used as taxis to carry battle commanders, soldiers, generals, presidents and prime ministers.

Long before the war ended, Willys realized the ever-so-popular Jeep could serve the civilian market as well as it had the military. Advertisements proclaimed it to be, “A Powerhouse on Wheels,” marketing it as a work vehicle for farmers and construction workers. The first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A, was produced in the mid-1940s. It came with a tailgate, side-mounted spare, larger headlamps, an external fuel cap and many more items than its military precursor did not include.

The CJ line was updated in the 1950s; it was the first Jeep CJ with noticeable body changes from its military predecessor. The Jeep CJ-5 had the greatest run of any production Jeep vehicle stretching from the 1950s to the 1980s. As production of Jeep vehicles increased over time, so did the number of improvements and updates, including a choice of four, six, or eight-cylinder engines. Meanwhile, the growing market for compact four-wheel drive vehicles sought the functional qualities of the Jeep CJ series, consumers were also seeking a more comfortable, off-road 4X4 vehicle with features similar to those found in passenger cars.

After decades of development and international expansion, AMC (then the manufacturer of the Jeep line, created and launched the all-new Jeep Wrangler in 1987. With the Wrangler, Jeep was able to improve the comfort, appearance and ride quality while preserving and actually improving the durability and unrivaled off-road capabilities of the CJ series.

With a total of over 65 years of testing all around the world, the 2008 Jeep Wrangler has been perfected to cater to the true adventurer looking for the ride and adventure of a lifetime. Every Wrangler 4X4 is “Trail Rated”, verifying its off-road capabilities. With this new generation of Wranglers, off-road capability is increased with better ground clearance, and, larger wheels and tires. Meanwhile, on-road performance has improved as well, with a stiffer frame, advanced shock tuning, and longer wheelbase.

The 2008 Jeep Wrangler’s safety and security features are as extensive as its trail capabilities. For starters, there’s a standard Sentry Key antitheft engine immobilizer. The Wrangler is also available with front and side air bags to enhance the safety protection of not only the driver, but also the passengers in certain impacts.

The 2008 Wrangler combines safety along with performance and handling, and an out-of-this world trail riding capability to deliver one awesome experience. There is a multitude of options with the new Wrangler to further enhance your off road experience. Whether you choose the standard two doors or four door unlimited, soft top or hard top, the ultimate off the showroom floor off road capabilities of the Rubicon, you have the drive anywhere do anything ability. To further enhance your driving experience you can without the doors and with the windshield down for the ultimate open-air experience.

The 2008 Wrangler does the long-running tradition of Jeep proud! Jeep continues to set the standard for manufactured off road vehicles.

Chrysler used to run an ad with the tag line, “There’s only one Jeep.” Today, it’s more than just advertising hype.

From its start with the U.S. government, through its ownership by AMC, Chrysler, and now who knows where, it’s remained possibly the best-known auto brand, enjoying some of the most loyal customers of any.
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Such loyalty is usually a sign of a niche market, and that’s where the Jeep Wrangler fits. It is what it is: rough-riding, choppy and noisy, but that’s because of what it can do.

If you’re in its core target group you’ll love it, but if you’re looking at it as a novelty, it’ll probably wear off quickly, and you’d be better off looking elsewhere. You must adapt to the Wrangler, not the other way around.

Prices for 2009 range from $18,736 for the base X model, to $24,673 for the Sahara and $27,313 for my tester, the Rubicon.

That’s much less than starting prices for the most logical competitors, the Hummer H3 ($34,995) and the Toyota FJ Cruiser ($29,725), even when compared to the four-door Wrangler, which runs from $23,352 to $29,073.
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That said, it’s really apples to oranges; unique in the field, the Wrangler has two doors and, most importantly for fans, it has no roof (a soft top is standard, while a three-piece hard roof is $875) and just about everything can be lowered or taken off, including the windshield, doors and tailgate, even with the Rubicon’s power locks and windows (optional for 2008, standard for 2009).

Unlike most vehicles, where more expensive models add more luxury touches, the top-line Rubicon builds up its off-road ability: it adds a heavy-duty solid front axle, 4.10 rear axle ratio, locking front and rear differentials, electronic disconnecting front sway bar, truck tires, stain-resistant seat fabric, body-mounted rock protection rails, and deletes the side steps, which are too easily torn off.

The only thing that doesn’t make sense is the carpet, but it can be removed and the floor washed out, thanks to removable drain plugs.
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The noisy interior, bouncy tires and short wheelbase make it tiring on long highway hauls, as I discovered when I took it out of town. But once again, that’s not the point of it, and there are plenty of softer alternatives in the Jeep range, from the Patriot and Compass to the Liberty and Grand Cherokee.

All Wrangler models use a 3.8-litre V6 engine, with either six-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic. You won’t be getting any street-racing tickets in it; it’s meant for low-end grunt to get you through the tough stuff.

The six-speed is reminiscent of the battered 1960s pickup we used to have, with long throws and a shifter that shudders when the engine is running. Consider it part of the charm.

The four-wheel drive is a part-time system, with a lever to switch from two- to four-wheel, and buttons to lock the axles or disconnect the sway bar. It’s meant for loose surfaces, such as gravel or very deep snow, not for asphalt.

Jeep has never watered down the Wrangler, which is probably why it has such a loyal fan base.

Because of this, it feels as Spartan as those first wartime models.

Door interiors are metal, with hard plastic trim panels; the interior gets cold fast, as the hardtop is devoid of insulation (I’ve heard complaints of condensation dripping on passengers in winter); the tailgate holds the heavy spare tire and has a tendency to swing shut just as you’re walking towards it with your hands full (don’t let children stand there as it closes with considerable force); and between the spare and the rear wiper motor, there’s next to no rear visibility.

I found the front seats comfortable even after a straight drive of almost three hours. The rear seats are comfy too, but I can’t think of any other vehicle where they’re tougher to access, involving a back-bending climb over the folded front seats. Children should love scrambling back there, but be sure they’re old enough to fasten their seatbelts, as you won’t easily be able to do it for them. With the rear seat in place, there’s 43 cm of load length, offset by my vehicle’s awkwardly positioned subwoofer on the side of the cargo area. The seat also tumbles forward, for a length of 87 cm.

Should the Wrangler’s rough-rider personality turn you against it? No, but you should know what you’re buying, and determine if you want the real thing or just the image.

As the bumper sticker says, “It’s a Jeep thing.” If it isn’t yours, it’s a noisy, bumpy ride.

If it is, it’s probably the most fun you’ll have on four wheels.