with the gas prices going up i wonder if people will be trading thier large suburbans, excursions and expiditions for smaller more fuel efficent offerings like the GC and the commander. i know some people who own suburbans because they have 3 rows and are more box-like when compared to other SUVs. i also find it interesting how some ofyou can bash new models that you have not seen yet. i also am tired of hearing how great the styling of the XJ is (which it is) but then some of you go on to bash how the commander looks when it is a XJ on steroroids. i also think i have seen old pics of the commander from the back when it was being tested off- road. the pictures were made before 6 months before the rescue was shown. I think that the pics were either in edmunds or popular mechanics but i forget which.

Too bad that the old Toledo plant is being torn down. I understand Jeep needing a much bigger and more modern facility.

Too bad they could not make the old factory into a Jeep museum or something, showing off Jeep's history, etc. This wouldn't be too far fetched as I know DCX runs the Walter P. Chrysler museum in Auburn Hills, MI. Just an idea...

As far as the TK / TKL RUMORS ... I do not think the small increase in size will be detrimental. According to these rumors, the Wrangler will be the same size as the old Cherokee which was no slouch off-road, and if the Rubicon comes with factory 33" tires ...

Why?!!!

Great insight but very worrisome in regards to powerplants.

What is up with American Car manufactures. Why can't they figure out how to put a diesel in anything but a 3/4 ton truck?

Have they looked at pump prices as of late?

A Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with a
D is all I ask although I would much prefer the Gladiator (what is up with an 08 launch?)

What stops these folks from using only gas engines? With low sulfer diesel being rolled out next year, you would think they'd finally branch out.

I suspect the next gen Wrangler will be one where some will love it and some will hate it. I think it is inevitable that some change is going to come to allow Jeep to continue the ‘Universal’ (Wrangler) design in these modern times. This is still rumor and speculation, but how do you meet the tough safety rules, compete with the competition, and provide what average consumers want? Jeep engineers have a tough job. We have to note, many of us that are fans of the current Wrangler are a minority compared to what average consumers want.

The latest rumors I hear popping up are the convertible is probably gone. It is more likely a ‘T’ top design or some kind of modular hard top would be available on the 2-door. The 4-door is likely to be just a solid steel top, maybe with a large sunroof. I suspect the days of the narrow, short nimble Wrangler are soon to be gone. The pickup design is more likely to show up in 4 years (if at all) after the new model is introduced (like 2010) depending upon how well the new Wrangler does. If the new model is real successful, they might not have capacity to build the pickup. If the new Wrangler is a dud, they might skip the pickup idea, and just cut their losses.

Many auto manufacturers are still in a quandary on how to increase fuel economy and still provide performance. Diesel engines are going to have to meet new emission rules in the near future, and even in Europe, auto builders are concerned there could be a high cost in getting Diesel engines to meet these tough rules. Predictions are the number of Diesel based cars in Europe is likely to drop in a few years. I can see why Jeep might be apprehensive to start pushing diesel engines in the US if they have to invest a lot to get them to meet new emission standards in only a few more years.

I have also heard if the new plant gets completed ahead of schedule (say January 2006), production of the TJ could end early. Some of this makes sense since numerous Jeep employees will be transferred to different companies (the 3 suppliers/co-builders). I’m sure DC would like to reduce the head count to make the shareholders think DC is being more profitable. Jeep traditionally has a Christmas shutdown, so I could see Jeep shooting for this time frame for the switch over.

Pricing looks to be interesting. With all the new safety equipment, and other features, what will the cost be? The 4-door loaded with a Hemi V-8 could easily approach $40K. Entry level Wranglers will likely be over $20K. I know how many were shocked to see loaded Rubi Unlimiteds list for over $30K, think about Wranglers costing $40K!

Other rumors I hear is the 4-wheel drive system will be borrowed from a Mercedes vehicle. I would not be surprised the next gen borrows a lot from the DC parts bin. Additionally I hear the frame might be a bit different. Instead of the typical truck ladder design, something different might be produced.

I’m sure it will be interesting watching what the test mules turn out to look like. With the new Grand, the Commander, new entry Jeeps (Scout), Dodge spin-off of the Liberty, and a new Wrangler, Jeep is going to go thru a lot of changes.

You guys will bad mouth anything. This information is just rumors anyway. Of course you haven't seen a finished version of the Commander and you hate it.
With all these new Jeeps planned I just don't know which one to buy!

The new TK: longer, wider, taller, heaver, more expensive…

Once again, is this improvement, or simply regression? I believe
the new TK is being Chryslerized into a bloated, gas sucking,
wallowing shadow of the original Jeep, the Willys MB. Too
bad they won’t put it back the way it was originally only
with modern technology in the engine, suspension, brakes, etc.
That would be something worth buying. The new TK certainly
isn't.

Bah!
1. TK? where's the J? Can you even call this a jeep?
2. If this model comes w/ plastic fenders, I would say the 'real' jeep is dead.

I agree, this is just a post of another post on another website. The proportions seem a little too bloated to be believable...

At the most, I would expect the TK to be a little up-sized, kinda like a classic Fj-40...6 inches wider would make sense, as side impact equipment would need to be installed, plus let's face it, the proportions of the average American are getting wider.

I think a 135 inch TKL is a little extreme, however, it may be possible that 135 inches would be the length of a yet-to-be-announced Rescue/Gladiator/Dakar type, TK-based vehicle.

I can see the factory hard top going to a 5-panel removable system, but I don't think t-tops will happen. Would make no sense, or serve no purpose. If a lightweight panel can cover the front passenger section, anyway, then why split into two? Remember, the panels also have to be stored onboard. I would also expect a soft removable 5-panel zip in system, ala the Defender 90---You don't expect BESTOP to just go away, do you?

Like the others have mentioned, this is just speculation. The guys on THAT site don't know what they are talking about...One guy thought that the DAKAR concept of '95 became the basis for the TJ grille, when in fact the Dakar came out in 97 or 98, and was based on the existing TJ.

Our dumbest poster is smarter than their smartest poster (And nobody thought I would ever say anything nice about O.O.J.).

The posters on this site are way smarter than the posters on that site, anyway.

I hope the new Tk looks as good as the Jeep concepts DC has been showing as of late. I wish they had a diesel option for the Unlimited Rubicon, because if they did I would buy it today before they change the Wrangler. Also, I need better gas mileage then what the six delivers.

I would take everything written in that post with a grain of salt. I have read the same post on jeepsunlimited.com The Guy who wrote it is always making big predictions about what the next generation wrangler is going to be like.

Like for instance he claims that the four door version will have a 138" wheelbase. That is 35" longer than the current unlimited. Now why would Jeep turn the wrangler, a vehicle that has always been it's smallest SUV, into something larger than a Suburban.

Besides to my knowledge no one has seen any test mules for the next wrangler. In fact I bet they haven't even built any yet. Why don't we hold off on judging the TK until we have actually seen some hard evidence of what it will be like? I am sure that you will all have plenty of chances to find something wrong with it then.

As a quick reference, a 101" wheel base would mean the TK's wheelbase would be:

7.6" longer than the current Wrangler's wheelbase
2.4" shorter than the current Wrangler Unlimited's wheelbase
37.4" shorter than the Gladiator concept's wheelbase
21.3" shorter than the Rescue concept's wheelbase
8.5" shorter than the Grand Cherokee's wheelbase
3.2" shorter than the Liberty's wheelbase
equal to the Cherokee's wheelbase

I, for one; am not concerned about the TK..or TKL...I have my YJ- happy with it!

Small note, if anyone caught it...Toledo Jeep is being torn down. Good!

The last thing I'd want to see happening is that TK?TKL being built on such hallowed ground as past Jeeps and Studebakers...that would be heresey!!!!!!

RIP Toledo Jeep....there will be NEVER another like you.....

God Bless America!

I find it hard to believe that DC would be so stupid not to have a diesel motor as an option, but then again maybe they are.

Here we are again debating old vs new. Sounds like the old Harley Guys wishing for the old Iron head bikes vs the new DOHC v twin. We need progress. A Larger, but lighter and more capable Wrangler. There are too many Car-SUVs already. The present Wrangler has some really crappy "features". Lets hope they go away and leave a basic 4x4 that we all can still love.

Wider means it will be more difficult to clear the axles, harder to fit on tight trails, and easier to wipe out body panels. Longer means the breakover is going to be worse so it will require more lift.

My third Jeep was a 98 Sahara with painted fender flares and I quickly found out why I would never buy a Jeep with painted flares again: I left paint on trees and rocks from central Florida to Tellico.

People can speculate that 33 inch tires will be an option but if that makes approach angle, breakover angle, and departure angles equal, you still have to manuever a bigger animal through the wilderness.

The current TJ has great dimensions from the factory and doesn't necessarily need tires larger than 31's. Unlimiteds need a little help with lift and tires. The Jeep I have now is an Unlimited Rubicon and I will not settle until it's lifted significantly. It has a thin body so giant tires will stick out and protect it.

Thin bodies are awsome because when I put aftermarket wheels and tires on, those tires stick out and protect the body.

These Jeep-doomsday rumors are more than likely false but still worth people's concern. If we don't voice our opinions, DC will sway toward the street dwellers and none of us will ever have the option of buying a new Jeep again: it would be harder for DC to transition from street friendly back to off-road friendly. Most people say, "who cares, I have my Jeep and I'll just keep replacing parts." Well, ten years from now, when my Jeep rusts and turns into dust from extreme off-roading, I want to be able to get a new replacement, not a 10 year old street driven Jeep.

DC has been making unbelievable Jeeps lately (Rubicons) because of our fighting for better designs. Just remember that DC has also come out with worse Jeeps (IFS, bigger bodies, and somehow still less interior space) from pressure from the street people at the same time. DC will not know how serious there mistake would be if we don't complain, so every chance you get, do it because DC probably does prob sites like this ocationally.

I love the concept of a four door, wider and
longer Wrangler, especially if it comes in
the Rubicon with at least 33 inch tires.

I'd also like to see it have a tow rating of at least 5000 lbs., and better yet a truck type
version that would be similar to a Chevrolet Avalanche except smaller.

I will be a buyer when something like that comes around for real. Up until now I have only had
a Cherokee which is currently tricked out for
offroading with 38 inch tires, 19 inch custom
lift, Dana 60 axles, ARB & Detroit lockers, ARB bumpers, 350 V8, Warn winch, etc.

I'm cool with it. If it turns out it still looks like a Jeep. Good for the brand. If it's a dud, good for me cuz my tj's resale will go up. not like I'd sell it though.

In my opinion the jeep name will die off if DC makes this model. The TJ and line of CJ's are true jeeps. The new model won't be the same. I read nothing about removable doors. Also a completely removable top is what distinguishes a wrangler from all the other vehicles.

"Our dumbest poster is smarter than their smartest poster (And nobody thought I would ever say anything nice about O.O.J.).

The posters on this site are way smarter than the posters on that site, anyway."

You're all class...