2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Quick Spin

For the uninitiated, a Jeep Wrangler is easy to criticize. Once you get past its classic World War II-era design, wide-open convertible top, and astounding off-road capability, there’s little to recommend to the Average Joe. Wranglers are raucous, rough-riding, unrefined conveyances with few creature comforts. Raising and lowering the top is a hassle, it’s difficult to climb into and out of, and paved-road handling is sloppy at best. Wrangler aficionados will reply: “You wouldn’t understand. It’s a Jeep Thing.” They’d point out the Wrangler’s incredible off-road performance, one-with-nature convertible top combined with removable doors and a folding windshield, and how it signifies both a carefree lifestyle and good ‘ol American patriotism all in one package. And they’re right, but one Wrangler shortcoming that everyone agrees needs to be addressed is that of space for both passengers and stuff. A Wrangler accommodates two people just fine, but adding rear seat passengers and more cargo is simply not advisable, effectively limiting the Jeep’s practicality to that of a Mini Cooper. Halfway through the 2004 model year, Jeep addressed the shortage of space by introducing the Wrangler Unlimited, a stretched version of the venerable classic that makes it much easier to share the joy of Jeeping with friends – and their belongings.

What’s New?

What’s New? With more space for people and cargo, plus greater towing capacity and a new Sunrider sunroof design, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited means more fun for everyone. To make extra space for more people and the things they love to take with them for the journey, Jeep stretched the Wrangler a total of 15 inches, adding about 400 pounds to the curb weight along with more than a foot of load floor space behind the back seat while giving rear occupants another two inches of legroom. The result is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, which costs about $750 more than a regular Wrangler Sport. With 10 more inches of wheelbase, Jeep says that the Wrangler Unlimited features a smoother and quieter ride than its forebear, while doubling the cargo volume to 63.3 cubic feet behind the folding and removable rear bench seat. To make access to the back seat easier, a tip-and-slide feature like the one on the front passenger’s seat has been added to the driver’s seat. In addition to added comfort and cargo space, the Wrangler Unlimited’s longer wheelbase gives it a tow rating of 3,500 pounds, a 1,500-lb. improvement over the standard Wrangler. And don’t think that because the Wrangler Unlimited is longer that its legendary off-roading capabilities are hampered. Compared to a regular Wrangler, the Unlimited improves upon ground clearance and approach angle (9.5 inches vs. 8.9 inches and 44.2 degrees vs. 42 degrees, respectively). When it comes to breakover angle and departure angle, the Unlimited is less adept than a standard Wrangler, but still boasts numbers of 21.4 degrees for breakover and 27.7 degrees for departure angle, compared to 22.3 degrees and 31.4 degrees for a Wrangler Sport. Another new feature unique to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is the Sunrider soft-top design, which includes a “sunroof” that lets the sun shine in without needing to remove the entire roof for convertible fun.

Overview

Overview The Wrangler’s optional 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine comes standard on the Unlimited model, hooked to a brand-new six-speed manual or a carryover four-speed automatic transmission. The stout six produces 85-percent of its 235 lb.-ft. of torque at idle, ensuring maximum engine compression for steep downhill descents. Jeep sells two versions of the Wrangler Unlimited: Sport and Rubicon. The Wrangler Unlimited Sport includes full-steel front doors, a black Sunrider soft-top with dark-tinted windows, cloth seats, a tilt steering wheel, air conditioning, and a CD player heard through four speakers. Alloy wheels, a full-size spare tire, and front fog lights are also a part of the package. A hard top with a rear defroster and wiper, cruise control, a seven-speaker audio system with a subwoofer and tweeters, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, and Sirius satellite radio are optional. Other options include premium cloth upholstery, body-side steps, an electrochromic rearview mirror with compass and temperature display, an engine block heater, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A Premium Package provides special upholstery, silver dashboard trim, a chrome grille, and body-color fender flares for a more upscale appearance. The Wrangler’s optional 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine comes standard on the Unlimited model, hooked to a brand-new six-speed manual or a carryover four-speed automatic transmission. The stout six produces 85-percent of its 235 lb.-ft. of torque at idle, ensuring maximum engine compression for steep downhill descents. Torque peaks at 3,200 rpm, and horsepower measures 190 at 4,600 rpm, galloping on a set of four 30 x 9.50R15LT Goodyear Wrangler A/T tires. A heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axle equipped with a 3.73 rear end puts the power to the ground, unless the Command-Trac part-time 4WD transfer case is shifted into 4Hi or 4Lo and the front axle gets a healthy dose of torque. Four-wheel-disc brakes are standard, but ABS is not available on the Wrangler Unlimited. As expected of a serious rock hopper, the Wrangler Unlimited rides on live front and rear axles equipped with stabilizer bars and high-pressure gas-charged shock absorbers. Skid plates protecting the transfer case and fuel tank are standard, and power recirculating ball steering makes it easier to maneuver the Wrangler Unlimited in tight quarters. Step up to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon if you need maximum four-wheeling capability. It comes with Tru-Lock locking front and rear differentials, heavy-duty front and rear Dana 44 axles with a 4.11 rear axle ratio, and a Rock-Trac part-time transfer case with 4:1 low-range gearing. Large 31-inch tall Goodyear Wrangler MT/R (Maximum Traction Reinforced) tires measuring 245/75R16 claw into the terrain thanks to tread that wraps into the sidewalls, mounted on larger 16-inch machine-finished alloy wheels. Not surprisingly, given the Rubicon’s stout rubber, its approach, departure, and breakover angles are all improved over the Unlimited Sport, and the Rubicon adds half an inch of ground clearance, too. Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons also have a dark-khaki Sunrider soft-top, a seven-speaker audio system, and heavy-gauge diamond-plate sill guards to protect against body damage. In addition to the wheel and tire package, bystanders can tell you’ve got the most capable Wrangler Unlimited by the Rubicon badge on each side of the hood.

Driving Impressions

Driving Impressions The Wrangler Unlimited’s fold-and-tumble rear bench can actually seat two adults in relative comfort, and Jeep’s claim that cargo space has doubled is true. However, the Sunrider soft-top’s sunroof feature is not much fun to use. Covering the urban sprawl of Los Angeles, the hot and dusty inland deserts of southern California, and the pine-forested San Bernardino mountains, we drove our test vehicle hundreds of miles to determine whether the Wrangler Unlimited resolves space constraints while retaining the go anywhere, do anything capability that has made every Jeep an off-road enthusiast’s delight. And to make the determination easier, our Sport model included an automatic transmission, body side steps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control, and the upgraded seven-speaker audio system for a total sticker price of $26,425 including the $660 destination charge. Indeed, the Unlimited’s fold-and-tumble rear bench can actually seat two adults in relative comfort. We qualify that statement with the word “relative” because taller folks will still need to splay their legs a bit to clear the front seatbacks, and there’s literally nothing to lean on or use to brace yourself when four-wheeling or driving on a twisty road. But it’s not the penalty box it used to be. There’s space under the front seats for feet, and the view out of the tinted plastic windows is nothing short of panoramic. Jeep’s claim that cargo space has doubled also rings true. Tumble the back seat, and there’s a neat cube-shaped area ready to accept plenty of gear. However, we would recommend that if you plan to use the cargo area often, buy the removable hard top, which runs $795 if replacing the soft-top or $1,435 if you want both. Loading with the soft-top is a hassle because you need to slide items in through the tailgate and under the rear window framework, or you need to unzip the rear window to make a larger opening. But once unzipped, the plastic window drapes down from its lower frame into the cargo hold – instantly eliminating any possibility of using the tailgate at the same time – and if the rear-mounted spare tire is dirty, it’s easy to brush your shirt up against it, soiling your clothing. We’ve used Wranglers with the optional hard top, and getting stuff in and out of the cargo area is much easier if you can live without the sun in your face and the wind in your hair. Speaking of which, the Sunrider soft-top’s sunroof feature is not much fun to use. First of all, if you drive with the sunroof open and the back window zipped shut, at highway speeds the giant hole in the roof scoops in as much air as the number-two engine on a Boeing 767. Second, opening the top requires lots of side-to-side maneuvering on the outside of the Jeep to get it strapped down properly. And closing the thing is brutal. You’ve gotta manhandle the fabric, muscling the top into place without letting the two clamps that hold its forward edge to the truck get trapped between the top and the windshield frame. Plus, the plastic tabs that keep the roof in place on the sides of the Jeep are tough to get into their restraint channels. We didn’t remove our Wrangler Unlimited’s entire top – just futzing with the sunroof was enough pain and suffering – but we can say this: If you’re buying a Jeep Wrangler solely because you want a convertible, you’d better live someplace where vehicle theft and inclement weather are not issues, or have a garage where you can safely store it. Even though a Sentry Key engine immobilizer is available, personal belongings are exposed when the top is dropped, and the last thing you’ll want to do is raise it every time you park this thing. A Wrangler’s top is truly one of the most inconvenient contraptions ever devised. And if that’s not enough to convince you to pony up for the optional hard top, the Unlimited’s soft-top produces more “tent flap” noise on the highway than the optional all-weather shell. One thing’s for sure, though. The ride quality is definitely improved. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited soaks up undulating pavement, produces less road rumble, and feels more compliant around town. Plus, it provides a greater feeling of stability while producing little of the lateral pitch that causes head toss in the regular Wrangler. Off-road capability remains intact, though clearly the Sport model’s tamer tires translate into greater difficulty in the really rough stuff compared to a Rubicon model, the tradeoff being less tire whine on the highway. Nevertheless, our Wrangler Unlimited Sport took on hills in 2WD that many vehicles cannot handle in 4WD. Otherwise, the Unlimited Sport behaves like any other Wrangler. It’s brilliant in the dirt, but on paved roads it exhibits numb steering, plenty of suspension shock, and virtually no passing power at higher speeds. On the highway, you definitely want to maintain forward momentum in a Jeep Wrangler, and with a staggering .58 drag coefficient, it’s no surprise that we managed just 15.2 mpg during our driving. We did notice one unusual problem with our test truck, though. When it got hot, the automatic transmission performed clunky, rapid-fire downshifts as the Jeep came to a stop. Good thing the 2005 model carries a seven-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Wrap-Up

Wrap-Up Bring the family, bring the friends, because the 2005 Wrangler Unlimited lets those closest to you share in the joy that is Jeeping. Besides, you’re gonna need help with that Sunrider soft-top. Authenticity. That’s what separates a Jeep Wrangler from almost every other SUV on the market today. And now, with the new Wrangler Unlimited, Jeep resolves a major complaint about the original-flavor model: Space. Indeed, there’s room aboard for four, and a good-sized cargo area for duffel bags, camping gear, and the trappings of an active lifestyle. Better still, this increased capacity does not come at the expense of true off-road capability. The Wrangler Unlimited, especially in Rubicon trim, can still clamber up hill and down dale with the best of ‘em. So bring the family, bring the friends, because the 2005 Wrangler Unlimited lets those closest to you share in the joy that is Jeeping. Besides, you’re gonna need help with that Sunrider soft-top.

Specifications

Specifications The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has no direct competitors, now that the Land Rover Freelander SE3 has departed the market. The closest in terms of price, size, and capability now include the Jeep Liberty, Kia Sorento, and Nissan Xterra. Test Vehicle: 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport Price of Test Vehicle: $26,425 (including a $660 destination charge) Engine Size and Type: 4.0-liter inline six-cylinder Engine Horsepower: 190 at 4,600 rpm Engine Torque: 235 lb.-ft. at 3,200 rpm Transmission: Four-speed automatic Curb weight, lbs.: 3,730 lbs. EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 16/19 mpg Observed Fuel Economy: 15.2 mpg Length: 167.0 inches Width: 66.7 inches Wheelbase: 103.4 inches Height: 71.2 inches Leg room (front/rear): 40.9/37 inches Head room (front/rear): 42.2/40.4 inches Max. Seating Capacity: 4 Max. Cargo Volume: 64 cubic feet Max. Payload: 750 lbs. Max. Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs. Ground Clearance: 9.5 inches Approach Angle: 44.2 degrees Breakover Angle: 21.4 degrees Departure Angle:27.7 degrees Competitors: Hummer H3, Jeep Liberty, Kia Sorento, Land Rover Freelander SE3, Nissan Xterra, Toyota 4Runner

Photos courtesy of DaimlerChrysler