Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a series of four-wheel drive off-road vehicles manufactured by Jeep since 1986. The vehicles in this series – a series which includes both compact and mid-size models – have a separate body and frame, and come with rigid live axles both front and rear. The nose design is tapering with flared fenders, the windshield is fold-flat and the Wrangler can be used with or without doors.
Most (but not all) Jeep Wranglers are open body models with removable hard tops or soft tops. It is also very common for Jeep Wranglers to have part-time four-wheel drive systems and the choice of high gearing and low gearing.
Compared to Jeep’s CJ line, the Jeep Wrangler is more comfortable on-road, thanks to improved suspension and drivetrain, and a less spartan interior. The Wrangler comes with trackbars and anti-roll bars, and from the 1996 TJ and onwards Wragler users have also been able to enjoy the benefits of coil-springs instead of leaf-springs.
Short facts
| Production | 1986–present |
| Manufacturers |
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| Also called | Jeep YJ Jeep TJ Jeep JK Jeep JL Jeep J8 (Military version) Jeep Sahara and Jeep Willys (Iceland) |
| Class | Compact SUV (Wrangler 2-door models)
Mid-size SUV (Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler 4-door models) |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
Background
The first Jeep Wrangler was announced at the 1986 Chicago Auto Show. At first glance it looked very much like a Jeep CJ-7, but closer inspection revealed that this new vehicle was something quite different.
Just like the CJ-7, the Wrangler (YJ) used a separate body and frame, and had solid axles both front and rear. The wheelbase was also the same for both vehicles, but the Wrangler had a wider track and slightly less ground clearance.
The drivetrain, suspension and interior for the Wrangler didn’t come from the CJ-7. Instead, it had been picked from the 1984 Cherokee XJ. The Wrangler still had leaf spring suspension (not coil), but the springs were extra wide. To ensure improved handling and safety, the Wrangler had also been fitted with trackbar suspension links and anti-roll bars.
In the United States, the Wrangler YJ was manufactured at Bramptom Assembly right from the start, and eventually also at the Toledo South Assembly plant. The YJ was also manufactured in Egypt. Production in Egypt also included a long wheel-base version called YLJ / LJ.
Names
Each Jeep Wranger model has received a designation corresponding to its generation:
YJ (1986–1995)
TJ (1997–2006)
TJU’s (commonly known as LJs- 2004–2006 Unlimited models
JKU (2007–2017 Unlimited models)
JK (2007–2017)
JL, introduced for the 2018 model year
Non-USA military versions of the Jeep Wrangler use the J8 designation.
Accolades (selected)
| Year | Info |
| 1997 | 4×4 of the Year Award from the magazine Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road |
| 2007 | 4×4 of the Year Award from the magazine Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road |
| 2007 | Four-Wheeler of the Year Award from the magazine Four Wheeler |
| 2009 | Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) in the SUV category |
| 2010 | Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon received the 4×4 of the Decade Award from the magazine Four Wheeler |
| 2011 | Best Retained Value Award from Canadian Black Book in the Compact SUV category |
| 2012 | Best Retained Value Award from Canadian Black Book in the Compact SUV category |
| 2012 | 4×4 of the Year Award from the magazine Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road |
| 2012 | Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) in the Compact SUV category |
| 2013 | Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) in the Compact SUV category |
| 2013 | Best Retained Value Award from Canadian Black Book in the Compact SUV category |
| 2013 | Four-Wheeler of the Year Award from the magazine Four Wheeler |
World Record
In 2007, two Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons set a Guinness World Record by transporting a team of adventurers to an altitude of 6,646 metres. This was the highest altitude ever attained by a four-wheeled vehicle. The trip took place on the volcano Ojos del Salado in Chile.
Later that year, the Wrangler’s record was beaten by a Suzuki Samurai.
Wrangler Unlimited
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a long-wheelbase version of the Wrangler. When it was first launched in 2004, it was available as 2-door only. In 2006, a 4-door model was added to the offering.