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Jeep Wrangler JK ’07-‘12
The 2007 model year was a complete redesign, with now a two- and four-door model. The new JK platform replaced the now 10 model year old Jeep TJ Wrangler. The new Jeep Wrangler JKs are known as JK Wrangler (2-door) and JK Wrangler Unlimited (4-door). The new models were in instant hit with the Jeep audience and a whole new group of customers were drawn to the longer wheelbase Unlimited. There was only one engine available, the 3.8L V6 which had enough horsepower for the two-door but was somewhat under powered for the four-door model. Luckily there are many aftermarket products available to give the Jeep additional power, like intakes, chips and exhaust systems. The new Wranglers saw production numbers shooting over the 100,000 for the first time in decades. A Sunrider convertible top was the standard soft top for the Jeep Wrangler, allowing you to just open the front portion of the top for that open air feel. In 2012 the 3.8L engine was replaced with the new Pentastar 3.6L V6 which increased the horsepower to 285, which was 83hp improvement over the old 3.8L engine. |
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Jeep Wrangler TJ ’97-‘06
The new redesigned Jeep Wrangler TJ saw the return of the round headlights, a relief for the long-time Jeep aficionados who never took to the rectangular headlights on the YJ Wrangler. This put an end to the “crusade” Jeepers had started, “Real Jeep Have Round Headlights”. The Jeep TJ Wrangler also introduced the use of a coil-spring suspension for the first time. Although it caused some commentary initially, the Jeep owners soon found that the new suspension had better on and off-road capabilities. The new suspension allowed for an additional 7” in articulation. In 2003 Jeep introduced the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon which featured front and rear Dana 44 axles, air-actuated lockers, 4:1 low-range transfer case, 4.10:1 ring & pinion set and more, ready to on the Rubicon Trail out of the gate. In 2004 Jeep added a slightly longer version of the TJ, called Unlimited and nicknamed by the Jeep community LJ. The 10 inch longer wheel base increased the on-road drivability and increased the towing capacity almost two-fold over the shorter wheelbase version. |
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Jeep Wrangler YJ ’87-‘95
1987 was another critical year for Jeep. It saw the introduction of the replacement for the slower-selling CJ-7 and the end of the CJ-era. This was the time that the “open” Jeep featured rectangular headlights. This caused a stir with the traditional Jeep purists and eventually the Jeep Wrangler YJ would become the “bastard child” of the open Jeep. The YJ Wrangler had many improvements over the CJ-7 and proved as competent on the Rubicon Trail as it predecessor, while improving on-road ride comfort. In 1992 the 4.2L (258ci) engine was retired and a new fuel-injected 4.0L was introduced. That same year also saw the introduction of the family-cage style roll bar, which protected the rear occupants and allow for rear shoulder seatbelts. |
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Jeep CJ ’44-‘86
The Willys CJ (later Jeep CJ) is the public version of the Willys military Jeep from WW II. The CJ stood for “Civilian Jeep” and has been the longest running “model name” among the open Jeeps. From the CJ-2 starting in 1944 to the CJ-7/CJ-8 ending in 1986. Most common CJs are the CJ-5 and CJ-7 which were civilian used Jeeps. The CJ-6 (extended CJ-5) and CJ-8 (extended CJ-7, aka Scrambler) were additional version of the CJ. The Jeep CJ is still regarded as the vehicle that started the Jeep enthusiast craze from which the off-road hobby started. The vehicle’s can-do and go anywhere attitude drew many outdoors people to use these vehicles for trips in the mountains and other areas where regular vehicles couldn’t go. A whole new industry was born with many aftermarket suppliers for lift kits, bumpers and other upgrades for the Jeep. The Laredo package for example received chrome bumpers, tow hooks, leather seats and a clock. |
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Jeep Cherokee XJ ’84-‘01
SUVs became popular in the 90s, but Jeep was way ahead of the market with vehicles like the Grand Wagoneer and the Cherokee. From ’84-’01 one of the most popular vehicles was the Jeep Cherokee XJ. Introduced in 1984 as the XJ Wagoneer, the larger Cherokee was renamed Grand Wagoneer. The Jeep Cherokee XJ remains a popular vehicle with the off-road enthusiasts due to its off-roading capability in stock configuration. Due to this popularity a strong aftermarket support has grown to a sizable industry with products like lift kits, wheels, tires, bumpers, performance enhancements, etc. |
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Jeep Other
Although the open Jeeps like the CJ and Wranglers as well as the Cherokee XJ are popular with the off road and Jeep enthusiasts, over the 70+ years of Jeep’s history there are many other models out there that make a great off-road vehicle or restoration project. The classic Grand Wagoneer (SJ) for example set the initial standard for luxury SUV (although the term SUV was not used at that time). There is a whole group of enthusiasts that keep the old military Jeeps going with restoration parts. There is a Jeep for any enthusiast and they are still available. |
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