39 1/2-inch tires + bead locks...
39 1/2-inch tires + bead locks = good Commander. (But probably not on a trail.)
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas is full of show-offs. Aftermarket companies show off vehicles packed to the gills with the latest doo-dads. OEMs display their newest rigs, and models show off their, um, assets to help sell parts and stay off the brass poles a few blocks away.
The Commander is the latest addition to the Jeep family, and you may have expected to see lifted versions of the SUV in every off-road booth, but maybe it's too soon (if it ever happens at all). Instead, there were a few of the boxy XKs up in the air, a bunch of street versions with shiny grilles, plenty of TJs flexing on fake rocks, and at least one XJ that had to park outside. There were a couple admirable Jeeps but most look as though they'd been attacked by a six-man marketing team hyped up on enough caffeine to make an elephant hover. Next year we're praying for fewer gaudy crap-magnet Jeeps. Less is more! For more SEMA Jeep pictures go to our Web site at: www.jpmagazine.com/eventcoverage/154_05sema/.
Fabtech pulled the YJ coil-over...
Fabtech pulled the YJ coil-over conversion kit out of the prototype shop and onto the showroom floor. We'll be taking a closer look at this.
This moderately modified Commander...
This moderately modified Commander in the Mopar booth leads us to believe Jeep actually does care about off-road vehicles ... or maybe just Mopar does.
Chrome grille + deep-dish...
Chrome grille + deep-dish rims = bad Commander. (At least it will probably never hit a trail.)
And you can't have a SEMA...
And you can't have a SEMA story without the gaudiest, most-Liberace wheels ever, complete with 1,100 carats of diamonds and sapphires. Cost for four? $1 million.
Probably one of the most-built...
Probably one of the most-built Wagoneer Limiteds we've seen. With its goofy grille, sun-bleached wood panels, bulbous fender flares, gratuitous over-stickering, and oil spots on the ground, we're glad. Anymore of these and we'd lose our lunch.
Mike Shaffer built this rig...
Mike Shaffer built this rig and trail tested it during the 4Wheel & Off-Road Cheap Truck Challenge in September, although it certainly can't be classified as cheap.
Proof that an Iveco turbodiesel...
Proof that an Iveco turbodiesel will barely fit in a TJ. This is the second year we've seen this Jeep and the engine swap still isn't done.
This KC Jeep needs the Hemi...
This KC Jeep needs the Hemi under the hood just to power all of the lights.
Who needs a Hi-Lift jack when...
Who needs a Hi-Lift jack when you can just kick the fiberglass rocks out of the way?
Bestop put together a streetable-looking...
Bestop put together a streetable-looking Jeep, but what's with the home TV set in the back?
You'll need the bikes from...
You'll need the bikes from the Surco racks once these fat chrome rims and stubby sidewalls leave you stranded. And the swoopy-tailed fender flares? No, please.
Toyo knows about "product...
Toyo knows about "product placement."
Tony Hawk-Edition, skate-punk...
Tony Hawk-Edition, skate-punk Commander.
-- Insert Hummer joke here...
-- Insert Hummer joke here --