Why the Jeep Wrangler is the new Defender.
- Thread starter Christian P.
- Start date
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
With the 2013 Grand getting the 3.0 VM/Fiat diesel in the USA its more promising than ever.
Just having the parts for the new 3.0 diesel available in the USA will be a big boost to the aftermarket. If you can swap the Hemi from the Grand Cherokee....you can swap the diesel from the Grand Cherokee
Just having the parts for the new 3.0 diesel available in the USA will be a big boost to the aftermarket. If you can swap the Hemi from the Grand Cherokee....you can swap the diesel from the Grand Cherokee
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
I have to think companies like AEV will offer a kit, unless the Diesel comes from the factory in the Wrangler soon.
I seriously doubt a diesel will show up as early as 2013 in the wrangler since the 3.6 just came out in 2012. It's not impossible though.
Many people have pointed out the modifications to the engine bay for the 3.6 V6 mean the engine bay and crash standards very much lend themselves to V6's now.
If we ever see a diesel in the Wrangler, I'm betting it shows up for the refresh around 2014/2015.
-Dan
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It would definitely help Jeep improve their MPG numbers by 2024 or whatever it is.
Jeep would have done it by now if it was easy as dropping in the 3.0L/WA580. But i'm sure they have something up their sleeve for the next gen JK.
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Interesting thread for sure. I have not been Defenderless since '93. They are great trucks, extremely capable, easily modified and obviously hold their value well. One point to remember is they began production in late '82 as an '83 model and have been slowly refined to current standards. Those current standards are worlds apart from the NAS models of '94, '95, and '97. During that same time frame, Jeep has gone from CJ to YJ to TJ and finally JK- also worlds apart from the early 80's. Point being the Defender has been tweaked and tweaked while the JK has evolved from 4 distinct generational/model changes. Jeep has kept it's focus while improving each model to the point of having a very comfortable AND capable rig- whether DD or Expedition duties. Spending a day -much less several days exploring or traveling, will definitely show the vehicle's differences in ergonomics as well as NVH, etc. The Defender didn't even have a/c incorporated into the HVAC system until '07!! The two are in fact two different trucks, but aim at basically the same target: Jeep is shooting with modern weaponry while LR is still using spears.
It is also a good example to look at a Defender chassis/suspension and realize it has not changed since '83- fully boxed, coils, etc. -quite ahead of it's time then. While it took Jeep a while to catch up, they have subsequently passed the prior benchmark, while adding modern amenities. The irony is we as enthusiast want all the modern amenities and comforts and even the smoothness and performance and power of things like direct fuel injection, etc. but don't want the needed electronics to manage same.
It is true of other vehicles as well. I have an '11 F250 diesel with 400hp and 800 ft lb of torque as well heated and cooled seats, rear camera, etc. I also have an '84 Chevy diesel M1028 sans a/c w/ crank windows. Both have their value.
In summary, it is impressive to me LR can still compete using 30 year old design and basically an unchanged suspension system compared to all the computer derived vehicles of modern day.
I love my Rovers, but push come to shove- my JKU would be the last vehicle for me to sell. In fact the JKU is the best 'jack of all trades' in my book.
Just my 2c...
It is also a good example to look at a Defender chassis/suspension and realize it has not changed since '83- fully boxed, coils, etc. -quite ahead of it's time then. While it took Jeep a while to catch up, they have subsequently passed the prior benchmark, while adding modern amenities. The irony is we as enthusiast want all the modern amenities and comforts and even the smoothness and performance and power of things like direct fuel injection, etc. but don't want the needed electronics to manage same.
It is true of other vehicles as well. I have an '11 F250 diesel with 400hp and 800 ft lb of torque as well heated and cooled seats, rear camera, etc. I also have an '84 Chevy diesel M1028 sans a/c w/ crank windows. Both have their value.
In summary, it is impressive to me LR can still compete using 30 year old design and basically an unchanged suspension system compared to all the computer derived vehicles of modern day.
I love my Rovers, but push come to shove- my JKU would be the last vehicle for me to sell. In fact the JKU is the best 'jack of all trades' in my book.
Just my 2c...
2500Adventures
Adventurer
The articcle, as stated by others, raises a valid point. But yes, the diesel "concept-to-production" talk is what really needs to be add. In the military market that I test, even the Afghan Ford Ranger has a diesel!!! C'mon Jeep...bring the diesel to America in a vehicle you know it will sell in! Heck I know a bunch of people that still have their diesel Liberty's and GCs...imagine what it would be like to have the JKs selling with Diesels...HOT CAKES!!! I look forward to what the Jeep panel will have to say at the Overland Expo this year, or even what Jeep might bring to the Expo!
-Scott
-Scott
Clutch
<---Pass
Internationally, the "new Defender" is a Japanese diesel pickup. It does virtually everything that a Defender can do, costs far less to buy, and less to maintain. Farmers in Britain don't buy Defenders any more, they buy Japanese pickups. In USA, where pickup trucks are available from many manufacturers, people buy as many Toyota pickups as they do Wranglers (12,000 in March 2012, for example).
It's certainly true that there are many USA companies making accessories and upgrades for the Wrangler. A large number of the same companies support the Toyota pickup, too.
Today's Jeep Wrangler is a wonderful vehicle. But it's not well supported world-wide. A world traveler would be well advised to buy a Toyota HiLux diesel rather than a Wrangler.
It's certainly true that there are many USA companies making accessories and upgrades for the Wrangler. A large number of the same companies support the Toyota pickup, too.
Today's Jeep Wrangler is a wonderful vehicle. But it's not well supported world-wide. A world traveler would be well advised to buy a Toyota HiLux diesel rather than a Wrangler.
Clutch
<---Pass
Who says you have to buy it in the USA for World travel? I have already seen pretty much everything I wanted to see in the US. I would fly to OZ or Europe, buy a fully kitted LC70...from a company like Off-Road Boehlen. Then prompty hit the road...can get parts for an LC70 just about anywhere in the World...not so with the Jeep.
http://www.o-r-b.ch/
