Strange, torquey things have been happening at Jeep. Think diesel. The Mercedes 3.0L CDI currently found in the European Grand Cherokee (as a CRD) may make it to the States real soon. The same engine has already been approved for 49-state U.S. use in the 2005 Mercedes E 320. The diesel Grand will likely follow soon, along with other Jeep diesels.
i Pod integration will be available on most '06 Jeeps for $175 plus installation. Retrofitting '05 models is possible for most.
The Liberty set a December sales record, increasing 38 percent from the previous December.
Girly ride? The '06 Wrangler was awarded "Best Compact Sport Utility for Women" by Autos Mujeres al Volante magazine. This time you get to make up your own joke.
Nearly 500,000 Jeeps (and Dodges) will be recalled to repair a defect in the onboard diagnostic system and to inspect the catalytic converter. DaimlerChrysler will pay about $95 million in order to settle a federal/state investigation that claimed DCX was covering up the defective emissions controls (on both gas and diesel vehicles). The Jeeps are '96 4.0L Grands and Cherokees, '97 Cherokees with the 2.5L, '97 Wrangler with the 2.5L built after July of '96, and '98 Wranglers and Cherokees with the 2.5L.
CarMax says that 20 percent of its sales begin with research on its Web site. It claims the Grand Cherokee made the short list of most-researched vehicles.
Could Toyota already be considering a more rugged (we mean Rubicon-ish) special edition of its '07 Wrangler-fighter, the FJ Cruiser?
The Dodge Raminator was named Truck of the Year by the Monster Truck Racing Association. Subway is contemplating a line of "Haminator" sandwiches to follow in its popularity.
Nissan's now got a self-repairing clearcoat called Scratch Guard Coat. Using what's like an elastic resin, it will clear up fine scratches. Should be good for about three years.
Ferrari goes E-ticket - a Ferrari theme park will open in Abu Dhabi. The "Sit on Michael Jackson's Lap and Steer" ride should prove less popular than initial surveys have indicated.
It's both gross and cool at once: The Mack Blackwell Transportation Center at the University of Arkansas is converting chicken fat into biodiesel fuel.
The Indianapolis Star reports that the Indiana Department of Transportation is considering a "bad-driver surcharge," meaning if you caused an accident and a traffic jam and/or road closure ensued, you'd be fined. If you already had a bad record, you'd be charged more to renew your license or registration.
The Lemelson-MIT Invention Index recently surveyed teens about the future, and they were able to put aside their angst long enough to reveal that 33 percent believe gas-powered vehicles will be obsolete by 2015. OK, who believes the children are our future, anyone? Bueller?
May 6-7, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota,www.ironrangeoffroad.com
May 7, Spring California Truck Jamboree, Irvine, California, www.truckjam.com
May 26-28, OHV Extravaganza, Paragon Adventure Park, Hazelton, Pennsylvania, www.baltimore4wheelers.org
June 10-11, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota, www.ironrangeoffroad.comJuly 22-23, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota,www.ironrangeoffroad.com
August 3-6, American Jeepster Club, Oregon Sand Dunes, near Coos Bay, Oregon, 916/645-8761, jeepster@psyber.com
August 6, Summer California Truck Jamboree, Irvine, California, www.truckjam.com
August 19-20, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota, www.ironrangeoffroad.com
August 30-September 3, American Jeepster Club, Reno, Nevada, 916/645-8761,jeepster@psyber.com
September 23-24, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota, www.ironrangeoffroad.com
September 30, California Truck Jamboree After Dark, Long Beach, California,www.truckjam.com
October 7, 2nd Annual Crystal Lake Park District 4-Wheel Fest, Crystal Lake, Illinois, 815/459-0680 x228,www.crystallakeparks.org
October 8-9, Iron Range Offroad Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park, Minnesota, www.ironrangeoffroad.com
Please send information about your event to john.cappa@primedia.com. Be sure to send the information at least six months ahead.
Who says Jp is just smut and kindling? Not the folks at Rough Country, who are actually reading the magazine - specifically, the story "Dream TJ" in the Dec. '05 issue. Editor Cappa got high and mighty and preached of what he envisioned to be the perfect TJ lift kit - and now it's actually going to become reality; Rough Country says it will build the system. Finally, Editor Cappa has used his powers for good! Drawings and prototype parts should be at Moab Easter Jeep Safari this year.
Toyo Tire has flung open the doors on its first tire-manufacturing warehouse in North America. Located in White, Georgia, it's a $180-million joint that's almost a million square feet. Toyo predicts it'll be able to produce up to two million tires each year for cars and light trucks (under both the Toyo and Nitto brand names). Next goal: around six million
Hot: Ease of building and bolting-on tube fenders on the New Wrangler JK
Not: The stock JK Wrangler floppy-looking front fenders
Really Not Hot: Blow-mold body parts in general...unless they're cheap, already painted, and easy to replace.