The ubiquitous Jeep Wrangler hasn’t always found itself on the adventure travelers radar. It has always set the standard for off-road capability. But, a short wheelbase, lack of….lets call it elbow room and a notoriously minimalistic cargo area kept it out of contention for the majority of vehicle-supported adventurers. The short wheelbase, two door Jeep is unparalleled on short jaunts over incredibly unforgiving terrain. Week or month long unsupported treks across deserts – not likely.
That is until, in 2004, Jeep introduced the Wrangler Unlimited. The 2004 “LJ” resurrected an idea that died in 1986 when production ceased on the long-wheelbase, too-practical-for-its-time CJ-8 (aka the Scrambler). The extended wheelbase created a smoother ride, offered more room for gear, and a cultivated fresh crop of customers who didn’t spend Saturdays lusting after chrome accessories, 44″ tires and airbrushed graphics.
When Jeep was ready to put the TJ out to pasture and move on to the JK they must have had an inkling that people really did want something more practical. Something they could take camping trip without leaving two out of four family members at home. Something with a door for each passenger.
The first model year of the JK, 2007, sold just over 119,000 units. Of those nearly 64,000 were Wrangler Unlimited variants. By 2012 fewer than 39 percent of Wranglers were the now less desirable two-door version.
In 2014 Jeep Wrangler sales broke the 1 million unit mark for the first time ever. It’s safe to say most will never be used to their full potential. Some will even wear chrome clad 24″ wheels. But the increased sales would leave one to believe that more and more Wranglers will be used to explore nature and introduce the next generation to the great outdoors.
Rest in peace cutoff jean short wearing, 44″ super swamper buying, JC Whitney chrome door handle loving Jeep owner stereotype. Long live the tread lightly, pack it in pack it out, sensible Jeep overland enthusiast.
TJ (1996-2006)
TJ’s truly look the part. Round headlights. Similar lines and proportions to the classic CJ. The Jeep TJ, despite a handful of QC issues, is an amazingly fun car to drive. It’s not the most practical vehicle, but drive one for a week and enjoy the lifelong memories of your fling with a car that doesn’t kowtow to focus groups.
The good…
- Long wheelbase Unlimited models
- Straight six
- AEV decided to become a company and make some incredible Jeeps
- First generation Rubicon and Rubicon Unlimited
- Rides and drives like a “Jeep”
The not so good…
- Rides and drives like a “Jeep”
- Every TJ produced requires rear passengers to awkwardly crawl over front seats if the roof is in place
- Unfortunate timing put the TJ in the same era that popularized 20″+ wheels
JK (2007-2017)
The current Jeep retains just enough Jeep without being so Jeep-like that it scares away sensible shoppers. Round headlights? Check. Folding windshield? Check. Room for people and stuff!?! Who wouldn’t want a JK?
The good…
- Rides and drives less like a “Jeep”
- Long wheelbase, and four doors on unlimited models
- Relatively quiet interior
- More elbow room
- Better visibility (hood has a more prominent downward slope than previous Wranglers)
The not so good…
- Stil finds itself on an “Avoid these Ten Cars” list here and there
- A few too many electronic nanny devices
- An AEV outfitted Wrangler Unlimited costs an arm and a leg (based on a Google search for prosthetic arm and leg prices)
JL (2018 and Beyond)
The new JL will likely look like an updated JK, but will shed a few pounds through the use of aluminum. Jeep will likely add a turbocharged 4 cylinder turbo to its lineup and also a diesel. But, time will tell. We anticipate early JL’s will feature a V-6 petrol engine, while the more exotic mills will trickle into the wild in the Q3/Q4 timeframe. But, that’s just speculation based on prior releases. That’s about as much as we’d like to speculate, there are plenty of other resources for rumors and such.
