The Storied History of the Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler's Interesting History

The Jeep has been around for many, many decades, making it one of the only vehicles that has seriously stood the test of time. The Wrangler has always been produced by Chrysler, but under the Jeep name. Other names that the Wrangler has been called include "YJ," "TJ" and "JK." Keep reading to learn more about how the Jeep Wrangler evolved into the vehicle it is today!

The Jeep: A Vehicle Originally for Military Usage

The Jeep Wrangler was first made for military use. It was in July of 1940 that the United States military alerted automakers to how it was seeking a "light reconnaissance vehicle" to replace modified Ford Model-T vehicles and the army motorcycle. That is how the Jeep made its first appearance.

The Birth of the Wrangler

The Wrangler, which evolved from the military Jeep, was first available for driving in the 1987 model year. It was created in response to a demand for compact four-wheel drive vehicles and a vehicle that would also have modern conveniences. The Wrangler came with an open-body profile and square headlights. Three different engines--a 2.0-liter, a 4.0-liter and a 4.2-liter--were available to be purchased with the Wrangler that was available with one of four different transmissions.

Some Changes that Have Occurred Since the Wrangler's Original Release

In 1998 the Jeep Wrangler was very much designed for off-road usage. It came with a great axle ratio and automatic speed control. In addition it came with a SmartKey anti-theft device. In the next model year Jeep offered a soft or hard top for their Wranglers.

2007 brought about the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. This vehicle was designed as a four-door version of the two-door Jeep Wrangler. It was created as a fabulous Jeep Wrangler that offers an exceptional amount of passenger comfort and space. The Unlimited model was made to seat up to five people. It came--and still comes with--a 60/40-split fold-flat rear seat for allow for a bit of extra storage space.

In 2009 the Jeep Wrangler received a few minor upgrades. These included the addition of trailer sway control, hill start assist and storage area upgrades. Then, the next year, in 2010 the Wrangler offered a soft top that was very easy to remove. Standard features now included an interior compass, towing hooks and fog lights.

The Jeep Wrangler in the 2016 Model Year

The Jeep brand has been around for 75 years. In fact, the Jeep Brand just celebrated this anniversary with a Commemorative Wrangler 75th Salute Concept vehicle. The 75th Salute Concept vehicle is built in Toledo, Ohio on the same assembly line that has produced the Jeep Wrangler for decades (although the vehicle was first built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada). This concept vehicle comes with a six-speed manual transmission and a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine.

In terms of the 2016 Jeep Wrangler in general, the vehicle offers the Rubicon Hard Rock Edition that was introduced just recently in the 2015 model year. Another Edition, the Black Bear, is available on both Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited models. It comes with special content on both the exterior and exterior of the vehicle.

FAQs

How many different engines were available with the original Wrangler?

Three different engines were available. These were a 2.0-liter, 4.0-liter and a 4.2-liter.

When was the Wrangler's first model year?

1987 was the Wrangler's first model year. The SUV has been around for about twenty years now!

What kind of transmission does the Rubicon Hard Rock Edition come with?

It comes with a six-speed manual transmission. In addition it offers a 73.1:1 crawl ratio.

To read more about the 2016 Jeep Wrangler available at our dealership in Kernersville, near Greensboro, click here!