Jeep Wrangler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jeep Wrangler |
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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Sahara edition
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Jeep |
| Production | 1986–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact SUV (2-door) Mid-size SUV (4-door) |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Chassis | Body-on-frame |
| Related | AIL Storm |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Jeep CJ |
The Jeep Wrangler is a famous type of SUV. It's known for being great at four-wheel drive and going off-road. Jeep has been making the Wrangler since 1986. It's now in its fourth main version. The newest one, called the Wrangler JL, came out in late 2017. It's built in Jeep's factory in Toledo, USA.
The Wrangler is like a modern version of the original World War II Jeep. It also follows the CJ (Civilian Jeeps) models. These were made from the 1940s to the 1980s. Both the CJ Jeeps and the Wrangler are super important to the Jeep brand. They have strong axles and can be driven with the top open.
Just like the old military Jeeps, all Wrangler models have a separate body and frame. They also have strong axles at the front and back. Their front looks narrow with wide fenders. You can fold down the windshield and even drive them without doors! Most Wranglers have a special four-wheel drive system. This system lets you choose between high and low gears. They also come with removable hard or soft tops.
However, the Wrangler was made to be safer and more comfortable. This helps more people use it every day. Its suspension, engine parts, and inside features were all made better. From 1997, Wranglers started using coil springs instead of leaf springs. This made the ride smoother.
Since 2004, there have been longer versions called Wrangler Unlimited. The 2004-2006 models were longer two-door Jeeps. From 2007, the longer Wranglers became four-door models. These offered much more space inside. By 2017, most new Wranglers sold were the four-door models.
Discovering the Wrangler's History
The first Wrangler looked a lot like the Jeep CJ-7. It was first shown in February 1986. But it was designed with new ideas in mind. François Castaing, a top engineer at AMC, said the two cars had "completely different" ideas behind them.
The new Wrangler was wider and handled better. It also had more features to make passengers comfortable. The first Wrangler, called the YJ, still used leaf spring suspension. But its springs were wider. It also had special bars to help it handle better and be safer. This made it less likely to flip over.
How Wranglers Are Made
Jeep YJ models were made from 1986 to 1995. They were built in Canada and then in Toledo, USA. A big difference in these early models was their rectangular headlights. Later versions, like the TJ and JK, went back to round headlights. In 2006, all Wrangler production moved to the Toledo Complex.
Newer Wranglers (after 2006) have a different grille angle. Older models had a flat grille. The newer ones have a grille that angles out from the top. This makes the hood shorter and the fenders longer. In Egypt, a longer two-door YJ was made. It was called the LJ. This longer design later inspired the four-door JK model.
Wrangler Models Through the Years
The Wrangler first came out in 1986. It replaced the older Jeep CJ series. The Wrangler was updated in 1996 and completely redesigned in 2006. Each main version of the Wrangler has a special code:
- YJ (1986–1995)
- TJ (1997–2006)
- JK (2007–2018)
- JL (2018–present)
Special military versions of the Wrangler are called J8. A pickup truck version, the Jeep Gladiator, started being made in 2019.
The First Wrangler: YJ (1986)
| YJ | |
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| Overview | |
| Production | March 1986–December 1995 (Canada; USA) 1989–2001 (Iran) 1995–1998 (Indonesia) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door SUV |
| Related | AIL Storm I |
The first Wrangler, the YJ, was developed by American Motors Corporation (AMC). This was even before Chrysler bought AMC in 1987. The YJ had rectangular headlights, which was different from the round ones on the older CJ Jeeps.
The YJ kept many classic Jeep features. It had an open body and a separate frame. It used the same wheelbase as the CJ-7. It also had a part-time four-wheel drive system. But the YJ was a new design. It was wider and more comfortable. It also had better safety and handling.
The TJ Wrangler: Round Headlights Return (1996)
| TJ | |
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| Overview | |
| Production | January 1996 – July 2006 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door SUV |
| Related | AIL Storm II |
The second-generation Wrangler, the TJ, came out in 1996 as a 1997 model. It brought back the classic round headlights. The main engine was a 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine. From the TJ model onwards, all Wranglers used coil-spring suspension. This made the ride much smoother.
In 2004, a longer "Unlimited" model was introduced. Also, starting in 2006, an Israeli company made a five-door Wrangler. This was for the Israeli army.
The JK Wrangler: Bigger and Better (2006)
| JK | |
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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara (JK, Germany)
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| Overview | |
| Production | August 2006 - April 2018 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door SUV 4-door convertible 4-door SUV |
| Related | Jeep J8 |
The third-generation Wrangler, the JK, was released in 2006 for the 2007 model year. This was the first Wrangler that was a completely new design. Everything from the body to the frame and suspension was new.
New features for the JK Wrangler included power windows and remote door locks. Some models even had navigation systems. They also had special sway bars that could be disconnected electronically.
Along with the usual 2-door model, a 4-door "Unlimited" model was also released. This model had a much longer wheelbase. This gave it a lot more room inside. These 4-door models became very popular. By 2017, three-quarters of all new Wranglers sold were the 4-door versions.
In 2011, Jeep teamed up with Activision. They made a special Modern Warfare 3 edition of the Wrangler Rubicon. This Jeep had a cool Modern Warfare 3 theme inside and out.
The JL Wrangler: Modern Tech (2017)
| JL | |
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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport S
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| Overview | |
| Production | November 2017 – present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door SUV 4-door convertible 4-door SUV 4-door SUT |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 96.8 in (2,459 mm) (2 door). 118.4 in (3,007 mm) (4 door) |
| Length | 166.8 in (4,237 mm) (2 door). 188.4 in (4,785 mm) (4 door) |
| Width | 73.8 in (1,875 mm) |
| Height | 70.9 in (1,801 mm)-72.8 in (1,849 mm) |
| Weight | 4,439 lb (2,013 kg) (Rubicon Unlimited) |
The fourth-generation Wrangler, the JL, was shown in late 2017. It was for the 2018 model year. The JL has more engine choices. It also has a new 8-speed automatic transmission. The windshield is easier to fold flat. It has new soft tops without zippers. Plus, it has modern safety features like blind-spot monitoring and a backup camera. The inside also looks more modern.
For 2018, engine options included a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. This engine made 270 horsepower. There was also a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine with 285 horsepower. A 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine became available in Europe and later in North America.
In 2021, Jeep released a plug-in hybrid version called the Wrangler 4xe. This car can go about 25 miles on electricity alone. Later in 2021, Jeep launched the Rubicon 392 model. This is the most powerful JL ever made. It has a big 6.4-liter V8 engine. This engine makes 470 horsepower! It can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.5 seconds.
The Electric Wrangler: Magneto Concept
In 2008, Chrysler showed an electric 4-door Wrangler concept. This car could go about 40 miles on electricity. Then a gas engine would start to make more power. The newer 4xe plug-in hybrid has a 17kWh battery. It can go 21 miles on just electricity.
In early 2021, Jeep created the Magneto concept. This was a fully electric Wrangler. It had a special lift kit and big tires. It also had a custom roll cage and strong bumpers.
In April 2022, Jeep showed the Wrangler Magneto 2.0 concept. This version was even more powerful. It could make 625 horsepower! It was designed to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 2 seconds. That's super fast!
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Awards and Achievements
The Jeep Wrangler has won many awards over the years.
- In 2009, it won the "Best Resale Value Award" from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). It won this award again in 2012 and 2013.
- It was also recognized by KBB for holding its value well in 1998, 1999, 2003, 2011, and 2012.
- The 2011, 2012, and 2013 Jeep Wranglers won the "Best Retained Value Award" from Canadian Black Book.
In 2007, the Jeep Wrangler set a Guinness World Record. It reached the highest altitude ever by a four-wheeled vehicle! A team drove two Wrangler Rubicon Unlimiteds up Chile's Ojos del Salado. This is the highest volcano on Earth. They reached an amazing height of 6,646 meters (21,804 feet).
The magazine Four Wheeler gave the Jeep Wrangler its "Four-Wheeler of the Year Award" in 2007 and 2013. In 2010, they named the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon the "4x4 of the Decade."
Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine also gave the Wrangler its "4x4 of the Year" award in 1997, 2007, and 2012.
In 2009, Business Week magazine called the Wrangler "One of the Most Iconic Cars of the Last 20 Years." This means it's one of the most recognizable and important cars.
A study in 2018 found that the Jeep Wrangler loses its value the least after five years. This means it's a great car to own for a long time!
See also
In Spanish: Jeep Wrangler para niños
