No more Wrangler?

[86cj]

It seems like for the last couple of years every doom and gloom statisic about Chrysler was capped with "But the wrangler sales have improved or at least been steady or carried the company this quarter". I know the Wrangler has always been left out of any real incentives until the recent past. In every sunday paper we have the best deals in the country and the ads never include a Wrangler deal until just lately. I know everything is different now, but any good buisness man should see that when he looks at becoming the new owner. I am going to say we will be OK, somebody will "Buck up".

I have always been amazed at the broad range of age, sex, and race that give me a thumbs up or compliment on our Jeeps for over 20 years, literally 5 to 85 years old. I have had lots of cool or nice rides and the Jeep had the broadest appeal hands down, I have seen it. The glass is half full here, it is my only hope in a region of massive hopelessness.

 

[winkosmosis]

Wrangler is an American icon! It can't die!!

 

[computeruser]

Wrangler is an American icon! It can't die!!

Or, hopefully, be sold off to folks in the Mid-East or India.

 

[Root Moose]

Or, hopefully, be sold off to folks in the Mid-East or India.

If you want Jeep to survive I think this is all you can hope for...

I still like your idea of Ford buying Jeep. I really don't think Ford is in any position to buy anything though. And then there is the obvious overlap with the non-Wrangler stuff within the Ford lineup. I dunno.

 

[winkosmosis]

Ford doesn't have anything that competes with the Wrangler. The Explorer is a street vehicle now.

I read something recently about them bringing back the Bronco with solid axles and all. How about a JK based Bronco?

 

[XXXpedition]

Ford ought to buy Jeep.

so maybe the next wrangler will have a taurus dash board and engine...

 

[computeruser]

I agree that Ford is not really in expansion mode right now, but it does seem like an opportunity that ought not be passed up. I really think that it could work. Especially if they offered a single Jeep (fka Wrangler) model alongside with a larger solid-axle Bronco, instead of continuing the entire Jeep line unchanged from its current state.

Hey, Ford, if you're listening, if you'll make the Jeep an actual off-road capable vehicle without neutering it, I'll gladly head up branding and marketing your new Jeep...it would be fun to finally use the marketing MBA I paid all that money for...

 

[nismo4x4]

Do the CAFE standards apply to chrysler as a whole? In other words lump jeeo, dodge, chrysler and I guess now whatever fiat may import...or does each brand stand alone...

Could be the reason they are thinking of doing away with jeep - I always figured that was the reason behind the compass.

 

[RedRocker]

so maybe the next wrangler will have a taurus dash board and engine...

It's already got a minivan engine.

 

[Zeero]

The motor isn't a "mini-van" motor. Its a mid range motor that they decided should be used in their line of vans.

The only thing that is the same in the motor as their vans is the engine block....nothing else.

This whole "underpowered" "mini van" agrument is ridiculous.

The engine is more than sufficient to perform its job. On the trail in low range, the motor is more than capable of doing its job.

Look at the history of that motor, and its strength and reliability. The Wrangler wasn't thrown together overnight in a cheap way to sell it quickly.

Chrysler spent millions developing the JK, they have spent that much developing a vehicle since the Viper and the Prowler.

Its a motor with a good fit, and a long track record of outlasting the bodies it was fitted in. A good choice as far as I'm concerned.

These aren't race trucks or drag racers. They are not designed to go 150 KM/hr down the freeway. They are designed for touring, offroad cruising and exploring.

My opinion of what should happen with Jeep, is that it should become STAND ALONE.

Have their own dealers. Sure be built by a manufacturer with some strength, like Ford or Tata, but not be sold on the floor with those vehicles.

It needs it own dealership, like Land Rover, and the brand has to be sold by itself in its own light.....like Land Rover.

Here's to the JK, and Jeep as a whole! Keep going. Don't stop now!!!

 

[ExpoMike]

There was an April Fools joke written up in JP mag in April that International was going to take over Jeep and build real offroad rated vehicles and bring back the Scout badge. They would offer diesels in all model, solid axle in models that currently are IFS, etc. I was all excited by this idea until I realized it was an April Fools joke.

Now I am thinking this shouldn't be a joke. Maybe International should take over the brand and make Jeep better then ever.

 

[Zeero]

I forgot about that "joke" story. Good old JP mag. Bunch of turds.

I agree. That would actually be a pretty exciting idea.

It would definitely hold the Jeep brand to what it was meant to be originally.

 

[JIMBO]

:wings: Zeero, you're the first sane man to speakup about the 3.8L JK engine

The motor isn't a "mini-van" motor. Its a mid range motor that they decided should be used in their line of vans.

The only thing that is the same in the motor as their vans is the engine block....nothing else.

This whole "underpowered" "mini van" agrument is ridiculous.

The engine is more than sufficient to perform its job. On the trail in low range, the motor is more than capable of doing its job.

Look at the history of that motor, and its strength and reliability. The Wrangler wasn't thrown together overnight in a cheap way to sell it quickly.

Chrysler spent millions developing the JK, they have spent that much developing a vehicle since the Viper and the Prowler.

Its a motor with a good fit, and a long track record of outlasting the bodies it was fitted in. A good choice as far as I'm concerned.

These aren't race trucks or drag racers. They are not designed to go 150 KM/hr down the freeway. They are designed for touring, offroad cruising and exploring.

My opinion of what should happen with Jeep, is that it should become STAND ALONE.

Have their own dealers. Sure be built by a manufacturer with some strength, like Ford or Tata, but not be sold on the floor with those vehicles.

It needs it own dealership, like Land Rover, and the brand has to be sold by itself in its own light.....like Land Rover.

Here's to the JK, and Jeep as a whole! Keep going. Don't stop now!!!

I find it more than adequet, towing my trailer over the Sierras is fine, just stay out of OD

As you know, there is a craze of "HEMI" transplants and they are for Don Prodome/ Big Daddy Garlits wannabes, LET THE MECHANICAL FAILURES BEGIN !!!

The JK unlimited is a FINE vehicle=JUST THE WAY IT IS

:bike_rider::safari-rig::safari-rig: JIMBO

 

[Pskhaat]

So....why did Jeep drop the I6 for the JK? A beloved motor years through that was quite arguably more appropriate for the JK.

 

[proper4wd]

Because the I6 was a dinosaur that could not pass emissions requirements or fuel economy requirements. I agree that it is a great engine, but modern technology has surpassed the era of tractor-engined Jeeps.