2004.5 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

I'd been excitedly awaiting the opportunity to drive this new model for a year and a half. And when I first saw the "TJL" at Quantico, VA, in September of 2002, my good friend and 4WD mentor Mark Smith, a.k.a. "Mr. Jeep", called to tell me he was building a 4 x 4 course for the evaluation of military vehicles. Smith, who started Jeep trips across the legendary Rubicon Trail in 1952 and designed the Jeep Jamboree USA program, has built dozens of courses around the country, but this one was different. Since it was located within the Capital Beltway, the facility, complete with a rigorous 4WD course, allowed members of the Pentagon and Congress easy access to observe the newest vehicles, designed for military efforts and Homeland Security, put through their paces. Smith invited me to join, and after providing the necessary security clearance, I spent a day learning about some of the newest models and some of the latest technologies to come to this market. While many models proved capable and had technologies of interest, one stood out-the new long-wheelbased Wrangler-called the TJL. Its dance card explained that the Jeep Wrangler TJL was a mix of modern automotive technology with some of the same attributes the troops valued in the original Willys MB. An up-to-date take on the original "go-anywhere, do-anything" utility vehicle, the new TJL was designed to meet the most challenging tasks that military vehicles are required to do, and perform in the most adverse conditions. Its first tour of duty- Egypt.

On the street

The legend of the "Jeep" 4 x 4 vehicle began 63 years ago when automotive manufacturers across America were challenged to design a compact, lightweight, highly capable vehicle for use by the armed forces. The successful Willys MB sprang from that development challenge. Since, the CJ-2A and other models worked their way into the hearts of civilians while new military Jeep vehicles followed in the heroic path. Notably, the M-38, M-38Al and M-170 answered the call to action in all types of terrain, providing decades of dedicated service. Now, Jeep returns to its roots with a new military vehicle and a new street production version built on the same platform. Now, here I was 18 months later, driving the street production version of the TJL. What exactly does that mean? Well, Jeep has made long-wheelbased Scrambler models before and the time was deemed right to build another, when some internals at DaimlerChrysler's 4WD division saw the smart-looking and capable new military Jeep in July of 2002. The result was some of the fastest development time in this Michigan-based company's history. In production now, the new Wrangler Unlimited adds a new attribute to the tag line-"Go Anywhere, Do Anything", with its "Bring Everything"capability that comes from its stretched wheelbase. A small group of automotive journalists were treated to the first drive of the new 2004.5 model in the Texas Hill Country. Our tour of duty included comparing it to the current Wrangler (the TJ) on paved roads throughout this scenic region of rolling hills and ranches. We also drove it over a course of moderate to serious 4WD trails on the YO Ranch, in TX.

The legend grows

What did we learn? The longer model is smoother on the road, just as it should be. It's not darty and jouncy, as its shorter cousin is and it is also quieter, due to improvements to both its two roof options. As you'd expect, there's appreciable more interior room, which makes it easier to get in and out of, as well as to pack and store goods in 64.0 cu. ft overall enclosed cargo volume from behind front seats. Both front seats now tumble forward (previously it was the passenger seat only) to provide easier access to the rear. And, not surprisingly, it weighs more (200 lbs.) and it can haul more (3,500 lbs.). As for its off-road capability, it has all the Jeep DNA, when it comes to gearing, it has a 2.72.1 low range gear ratio and drive capability. It has the same angle of approach (21.4 degrees), and the same ground clearance as TJ models (9.3 at the front axle and 8.3 at the rear), but has a slightly decreased angle of departure (28 degrees as compared to 34) and a slightly decreased breakover angle (22 degrees as compared to 26 degrees) because of the longer wheelbase. Jeep's marketing strategy for its Wrangler model is simple: use the 4X4 capability its been known for since World War II, classic upright, boxy styling, and an open-air ride to attract off-road enthusiasts, young buyers, or anyone with an "ageless spirit." The idea is that the Wrangler will competently provide both off-road excitement and on-road, point-A to point-B transportation. Now that's great, as long as only a couple plans to ride. However, pack four free spirits, plus whatever equipment follows them, into a Wrangler and the "excitement" factor can dwindle.

Longer, meaner

Well, not anymore. Jeep now brings its Wrangler Unlimited to the party. The same classic design and capabilities have been applied here, but the difference is in dimension. Unlimited models are 15 in. longer in overall length, with wheelbases that have been stretched by 10. The result is 13 more inches of floor space behind the rear seat, which doubles the cargo capacity compared to a short wheelbase Wrangler. Rear seat legroom has also increased, from 35 in. to a more spacious 36.7.A longer wheelbase is also meant to provide better road manners and a quieter, more refined ride. Jeep says that thanks to more carpeting in the cargo area, better dashboard padding, and sound dampening under the hood, the Unlimited is also 30-percent quieter. Towing capacity grows to 3,500 lbs. on long-wheelbase Wranglers, an increase in capability of 1,500 lbs. The grunt responsible for that higher rating originates in a 4-liter PowerTech inline-6 that yields 190 hp. @ 4,600 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,200. (Standard Wranglers also offer a 147-hp. inline-4 displacing 2.4 liters, but Unlimited models are only fitted with the larger engine.) Additionally, the only transmission offered is a 4-speed automatic with overdrive. A Dana 30 front axle and heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axle help maintain contact with whatever terrain you might tackle. Other off-road essentials include 15-in. aluminum wheels with 30-inch Goodyear Wrangler GSA tires, high-pressure gas shocks, a 3.73 axle ratio, tow hooks, and fog lamps. Adding length could hamper off-road performance in some conditions, but Jeep has designed the Unlimited to perform as a Wrangler is expected. Aside from being Trail Rated, the Unlimited still maintains a 20-degree breakover angle, which Jeep experts feel is a minimum for serious off-roading. A "Trail Rated" badge indicates that Jeep has thoroughly tested the vehicle on many surfaces and found that it is capable of handling "any obstacle you're likely to encounter." Engineers even promise it will defeat some hurdles that one would never see.

Safety features

Both hard top and soft top versions are offered and, because of the longer wheelbase, the hard top now provides more headroom to rear-seat passengers (41.1 in. compared with 39.5 in. in the shorter model). The Sunrider soft top is new for Jeep, and includes a sunroof as well as the full-down open option. If only the driver and front passenger want sun, the top can be folded back to expose a 45X23-in. space, larger than most conventional glass units. When the newest Wrangler is stopped, the sunroof is controlled from inside the vehicle. Larger tinted windows on the Sunrider provide better visibility for rear passengers, and the bigger glass has also been extended to hard top models. A rear defroster and back window wiper are also included with the hard shell.Safety features include "next-generation" dual frontal airbags, front disc and rear drum brakes, 3-point seatbelts in all positions, and Child Seat Tether Anchorages. Air conditioning, an AM/FM stereo with CD, easy access front seats, fold and tumble rear seats, and power steering are all standard equipment. Check a few more boxes on the options list and you experience side steps, a mirror with a temp gauge and compass, an engine block heater, a locking fuel cap, a seven speaker stereo, speed control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. While the Wrangler Unlimited should appeal to 4X4 fans who like to bring friends along, it also may also signify that the newest breed of off-roadies simply have more stuff to carry. Plus, a young person may use the Unlimited as a primary vehicle and therefore need the expanded utility. But regardless of how many occupants the new Wrangler will carry, Jeep has taken an existing form revered for its capabilities and, while preserving its temperament, broadened its "ageless" appeal.

FAQS

When was the first Jeep built? The legend of the "Jeep" 4 x 4 vehicle began 63 years ago when automotive manufacturers across America were challenged to design a compact, lightweight, highly capable vehicle for use by the armed forces. The successful Willys MB sprang from that development challenge. (Ford Motor Company also built many of the first Jeep vehicles, as well.) Since, the CJ-2A and other models worked their way into the hearts of civilians while new military Jeep vehicles followed in the heroic path. Notably, the M-38, M-38Al and M-170 answered the call to action in all types of terrain, providing decades of dedicated service. Jeep now returns to its roots with its latest new military vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler TJL a mix of modern automotive technology with some of the same attributes the troops valued in the original Willys MB. An up-to-date take on the original "go-anywhere, do-anything" utility vehicle, the new TJL was designed to meet the most challenging tasks that military vehicles are required to do, and perform in the most adverse conditions. Its first tour of duty is Egypt. What is the street production version of the TJL and why was it built? Jeep has made long-wheelbased Scrambler models before and the time was deemed right to build another, when some internals at DaimlerChrysler's 4WD division saw the smart-looking and capable new military Jeep in July of 2002. The result was some of the fastest development time in this Michigan-based company's history. In production now, the new Wrangler Unlimited adds a new attribute to the tag line-"Go Anywhere, Do Anything", with its "Bring Everything" capability that comes from its stretched wheelbase. The new model provides much greater room to carry people and goods and tow gear, as well. How does it handle? A small group of automotive journalists were treated to the first drive of the new 2004.5 model in the Texas Hill Country. Our tour of duty included comparing it to the current Wrangler (the TJ) on paved roads throughout this scenic region of rolling hills and ranches. We also drove it over a course of moderate to serious 4WD trails on the YO Ranch, in TX. What did we learn? The longer model is smoother on the road, just as it should be. It's not darty and jouncy, as its shorter cousin is and it is also quieter, due to improvements to both its two roof options. As you'd expect, there's appreciable more interior room, which makes it easier to get in and out of, as well as to pack and store goods in. Both front seats now tumble forward (previously it was the passenger seat only) to provide easier access to the rear. And, not surprisingly, it weighs more (200 lbs.) and it can haul more (3,500 lbs.). What are its 4WD capabilities? As for its off-road capability, this new extension to the Jeep lineup has all the traditional Jeep DNA, when it comes to gearing and drive capability, and is designated as "Trail Rated", meaning its been tested on the famed Rubicon Trail, in northern California, that Jeep uses to evaluate all of its models. The longer model is smoother on the road, just as it should be. Its low range gearing is 2.72.1 low range gear ratio) and it has the same angle of approach (21.4 degrees), and the same ground clearance as TJ models (9.3 at the front axle and 8.3 at the rear), but has a slightly decreased angle of departure (28 degrees as compared to 34) and a slightly decreased breakover angle (22 degrees as compared to 26 degrees) because of the longer wheelbase. When will it go on sale and where will it be built? On sale this spring, Jeep is now building the new model at its Toledo, Ohio production facility on the same assembly line as the TJ model. Jeep representatives decline to talk about projected volume, but say that they can produce a strong mix of long wheelbase-models, at this assembly plant, as customer demand dictates. Rumors are that a more rugged Rubicon version will follow.

Notes

Base price: $24,995 ($610 destination charge included) Engine: 4-liter inline-6 (190 hp @4,600 rpm, 235 lb.-ft. torque @3,200 rpm) Transmission: 4-speed automatic with overdrive Wheelbase: 103.4 in. Length: 167 in. (to bumper) Width: 66.7 in. Height: 69.4 in. (hard top); 70.9 in. (soft top) Head/hip/legroom: Front: 40.9 (H), 41.9 (S) /51.8/41.1 in. Rear: 41.1 (H), 40.6 (S)/43.5/36.7 in. Curb weight: 3,721 lbs. Towing capacity: 3,500 lbs. Fuel economy, city/highway: 14 /18 mpg Safety equipment: driver and front passenger airbags; 3-point seatbelts in all positions; Child Seat Tether Anchorages