'07 Jeep Wrangler
The off-road world is abuzz with speculation on what the redesigned Wrangler will have, won't have, will look like and won't look like, as well as what will be ruined and what will remain. What do we think? (Because it really is all about us.)
Rumor: Its designation will be JK.
Jp's Reality Check: Yes!
Rumor: It will be a JK because the "K" in Jeep vehicles stands for IFS (WK, KJ).
Jp's Reality Check: Nope. The only "real" hardcore 4x4 in the Jeep clan getting independent front suspension instead of a solid axle? Doubtful. But we wouldn't be surprised to see AAM axles, not Dana.
Rumor: It will have a Hemi.
Jp's Reality Check: Probably not, but we think you can say goodbye to the 4.0L and expect a 3.7L V-6 in its place. A V-8, you ask? Keep asking. Asking Jeep, that is.
Rumor: A six-speed manual transmission.
Jp's Reality Check: Duh.
Rumor: The redesigned Wrangler will be what the Jeep Rescue concept was.
Jp's Reality Check: Probably not. That was a fullsize Jeep built off a Dodge 2500 pickup frame and drivetrain. And the Rescue is not going to be the same vehicle as the three-rowed Commander that's due soon. So, fingers crossed, some form of the Rescue will be built!
Rumor: ... In fact, the whole body of the Wrangler will be like the Rescue's.
Jp's Reality Check: Integrated turn signals, factory winch, those round mirrors ... all very possible, but we suspect it won't be a carbon copy of the Rescue, since as we said, there's hope for that FSJ to go into production.
Rumor: It will have four doors.
Jp's Reality Check: The Unlimited is already halfway there. And Jeep did experiment with the four-door Dakar concept back in 1997. Like the Cherokee, it's possible Jeep will offer both two- and four-door styles.
Rumor: Same off-road ruggedness as the Dodge Power Wagon.
Jp's Reality Check: Um, hello? Do you know about the Rubicon package for the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited? Expect it to return.
Rumor: Unibody.
Jp's Reality Check: Body-on-frame.
Industry News
In case you weren't aware, Superlift Suspension is handling the Black Diamond line (formerly an offshoot of Warn Industries). And the eXtreme Coil Link (XCL) is on the fast track for regaining public awareness (it debuted in 1996). Check out the details on the kit at www.blackdiamondoffroad.com.
Watch for ever-growing popularity in JeepSpeed, Trophy Trucks and all forms of high-speed desert racing. Even if you don't have a desert nearby, you do have dirt roads or even short courses. Also expect to see more streetable suspension systems come out that also perform well off-road, rather than more loads of specific kits, such as long arms.
Michelin unveiled at the recent Paris Motor Show an airless tire - no need to inflate it, and it's puncture-proof. Wear is solved by retread.
At least one company is thrilled with all the volcanic activity in the world: Goodyear. The smarty-pants there have figured out how to use byproducts of lava flow (such as volcanic sand) for its TripleTred Technology used in the Assurance brand of passenger-vehicle rubber. The grit works as a traction aid.
No Habla Espaol? Lo Siento
La Editora Tcnica Hazel sigue mandando a nosotros este foto de una polica del borde en un Wrangler Rubicon a un "In-N-Out," queriendo un ttulo cmico sobre el cocinero de frer. No podemos pensar en nada. Pero, entonces realizamos l no habla espaol. Entonces: La Editora Tcnica Hazel todava pregunta para una haca cada Navidad, l lleva su ropa interior que dice "mircoles" sobre los lunes y su pelcula favorita es Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (pero l te lo dijo que es Apocalyse Now). As que el no sospecha: hamburguesa, Jeep, inmigracin.