Oops... almost forgot... If they do screw this one up the only thing they are gonna be doing is helping aftermarket places like SteelHorse keep sales up as we buy only the things to rebuild what we already own.

The reason I got my Wrangler ('99 Sport)was because it's the ONLY truly capable and affordable offroader out there. I didn't want a wimpy
-V (or anything like it). I love the way my Wrangler rides/handles/feels. I hope Chrysler doesn't fall victim to the unibody, no style or substance, econobox crap that's out there. When the Dakar showed I was drooling. That stopped when the Liberty showed up. Don't let the Wrangler go the same way as the Dakar.

I agree DC is destroying Jeep pretty quick. After killing the XJ for the Kia(opps..I mean KJ), the TJ is the only Jeep left, so how long do I have to buy one before their gone forever? DC please wake up.

here is my comment
Leave the Wrangler alone! Like it has been said before, if it is not broke then don't fix it.
There is something almost magical about a Jeep. I deliver pizzas in my Jeep. When I arrive at a customers house, time and time again kids and parents alike come rushing outside with glee! Look, its a Jeep! I can't tell you how many times I get this response. I never got that response when I showed up in my Cherokee! Look, its a Cherokee, yeah right. Truly its a Jeep thing! Kids as young as two and three smile, they seem to know something special when they see it. It use to be when I arrived with pizza the kids would be yelling and screaming about the pizza, now its all about the Wrangler!
I have always been a Jeep fan, I just could not afford one until now. I would drool everytime I saw a Wrangler riding down the street. Now its me that is riding down the street with a classic!
Long live the wrangler!!!!

If DC eventually falls into the "SUV" craze, being "an oversized escort with cadillac suspension and some body lifts". Count me out. I didn't like the sneak previews on the TJ, so I bought one of the last YJs. I have put my little YJ (little since it is pretty much stock)against a stock TJ and I liked my YJ a heck of alot better. I would, how ever, buy a TJ if that is the last of the REAL jeeps. People buy Jeeps for 2 reasons (1)Cause they look cool, which in this case they raise or lower it to suit them, then sell it to by a nissan or honda, etc.. (2) To have an awesome offroad vehicle right out of the box and love it unconditionally. Most of us are the 2nd type of jeep buyers. If DC screws this up, they will lose a very loyal following. I have heard rumors months ago that Chevy was interested in the jeep line. I say bring it on Chevy, cause the Germans are screwing it up.

HEY DC!!! DONT DO IT!!! It's a Jeep for crying out loud!!! A Jeep is supposed to be a Jeep,and nothing more!!!
Quit messing around with a good thing. If you want to "DO" something, build a pickup like a J10, a TJ based Scrambler or Comanche.I'm sure there are a lot of people screaming for a Jeep pickup,not some Rav 4 clone piece of crap(no offence to Rav 4 owners). IT'S A JEEP LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!

i like the wrangler as it is with its looks and softtop design espetilly with the full doors and as far as stlying goes they should keep pretty much the same except maybe with some cues from the liberty (wich by the way should have been named cherokee instead of liberty)
and also offer a two wheel drive version for those people who don,t need the extra weight and expense of 4wd

Check out Car and Truck News, www.car-truck.com either Feb. 13 or 14. The author of that site says that (1) the above article was based on information posted earlier on Car and Truck News, and that (2) he has now learned that much of the info is inaccurate - specifically, that the new Wrangler is NOT coded VJ, and that it WILL have solid axles, not independent suspension.

Doctor Baseball

As I've said before, it's all the Harry and
Harriet homeowners out there who have made Jeep
the huge sales success and household word that it
is.

Times are changing. There are many more
"comfortable" SUVs out there today to appeal to
these folks. The result: Jeep sales are down—way
down. These people are buying what Jeep doesn't
offer, pure and simple.

If Jeep wants to stay in the game, they've got to
come up with products that will keep these
"soft-roaders" in the Jee

Somebody needs to take a poll. Get all the Jeep dealers to poll every person who comes in to buy a Jeep (of any kind). Regardless of their decision to buy a Jeep or not, find out their opinion of the product line. What do they like and dislike in their desired model as compared to the competition. This is the only way Jeep is going to find our what the masses want.

Maybe all of this IFS hype will cause the aftermarket companies to take notice and create better, more inexpensive IFS lifts and upgrades. I am scared that this is our future….like it or not! All of us Jeep fanatics should get together and make our own aftermarket company to address these concerns???

It is very unfortunate for us, as Jeep enthusiasts, but if the public is screaming for these changes, then Jeep will probably have to answer or fail. Remember ONE thing, we are the minority here. There are fewer and fewer off-roaders each year. And while we are crying mercilessly here about the demise of our favorite American icon, we should also be shouting at the politicians who are making it more difficult with every passing day to get on public lands to enjoy our dieing sport. At the rate we are going Jeep could build the best general purpose 4X4 in the world (I believe they do already), but we will have no place to drive it.

Faced with those facts, I believe that the Jeep engineers and ultimately DC have chose to change and STAY ALIVE or remain the same and become antiquated in the eyes of the GENERAL car buying public.

The best we can hope for is to have GM buy out Jeep....apparently their next SUV is going to be solid axle and could possibly carry the new 4.2L STRAIGHT SIX.........NOT V, STRAIGHT. Seems like everyone is learning from Jeep history except Jeep, nay, DC. I'm sure if the guys on the floor in Toledo had their way they'd never assemble an IFS, you can blame this latest "Jeep idea" on Daimler. Lee Iacoca (SP?)was the one who said he aquired Jeep because they were like nothing else on the road.....now they strive to copy everyone else. It just makes no sense.

I thought this discussion was closed as reported by car & truck news. However I am not surprized. I had a fealing at the moment of the DC merger it would only be a matter of time before the eventual demise of Jeep. I have probably said this before I salute the Jeep and all the Real Americans who have driven this vehicle through out history. Now its just that, history. My father was fortunate enough, if you could look at that way to have is own Jeep on the Islands of the Pacific during the war with Japan, and I was fortunate enough to hear his storys of how the Jeep saved many GI's lives and how the Jeep was truly indispensable. As an American I feel we keep losing ground to forein countrys and it is our own fault (greed). Thank you Mr. Eaton, your name will never be forgotten. So, as mentioned in the other letters, I to was just about to purchase another Wrangler but now I must hesitate and say no. This is a case where change is not a good thing. Is their any one listening at Chrysler. We can only hope for Jeep to be sold off before its to late.

here is my comment

If it ain't broke - don't fix it........

Hopefully the comments in the latest Car and Truck news (http://www.carandtrucknews.com) are more accurate. They are basically saying that the information from AutoExpress is wrong.

Then again, we must remember we are dealing with ‘honest’ Daimler-Chrysler, who told us they were going to keep the XJ around for a few more years. This is also the same company that is telling us that the KJ is based on the Dakar. Another way to look at it is if they will cancel a vehicle that was selling around 140 to 160,000 units a year, they could just as well kill a vehicle that only sells around 70 to 80,000 units.

If you have been reading information from the Toledo Blade newspaper (www.toledoblade.com) there have been articles discussing the poor safety record of the old Parkway plant where the XJ and TJ are built. I would not be surprised that DC will shutdown the old plant and either move the TJ production or move up the TJ replacement. This could give DC an excuse to change the TJ and have it share components from the KJ while building both vehicles at the new plant.

I hope I’m wrong, but lately, the directions of Jeep seem to be getting away from their true roots. If DC is listening, how about doing something for us loyal customers and bring back some glimmer of hope. Since you decided to skip building the Dakar, why not bring back the S
AMBLER!!!!

As ‘Doctor Baseball’, Sean and I stated earlier, the AutoExpress report appears to be inaccurate, but remember, both Car and Truck news and AutoExpress are presenting rumor information. Also, recall DC said the XJ was going to be around a few more years after the KJ was in production. We all know how that turned out.

I also wonder how long the old Parkway plant will be around. There are many reports that the old facility has many issues with safety. With the end of the XJ production, only the TJ will be left being built at the old plant. If DC decides to close the old plant they might move the TJ to the new plant. I doubt this will happen, since a major part of a vehicle design revolves around the manufacturing process. The new plant is very different, so DC may have to spend a lot of money in retrofitting the TJ to be built at the new plant.

Another choice DC might do is up the production schedule for the TJ replacement. In a rush job, they might consider using the KJ platform as the basis. Yet another choice might be to move the TJ to another facility that can handle this vehicle. For example, they might move it to Mexico.

I hope I’m wrong, but the directions for Jeep have been very strange.

As far as Jeep having to imitate the rest of the auto manufactures so they can stay in business, remember, if Jeep’s product is no better or not different (in a positive way), why buy a Jeep? If Jeep had added the KJ to help fill the grocery-getter void, but still maintained the heritage of building what they have been known for, then no one would have complained. Since Jeep appears to be dumping their heritage, how long will they survive? If Jeep were no different than GM SUVs, or Ford SUVs, why would consumers pay extra for a Jeep when the Ford or GM counterpart would be the same?

Another way to look at it is to look at what happened to the Ford Mustang. Most vehicles today have gone the ‘front wheel drive’ route. For most consumers, Front wheel drive is a good choice. Ford was at a decision point regarding the Ford Mustang. Ford had planned to make the new Mustang front wheel drive. Mustang fans voiced loudly against this, so Ford decided to leave the Mustang alone. The front wheel drive version did get produced, but it was known as the Probe. Guess which vehicle is still being built, and here is a hint, it is not the Probe.

Personally, I hope Jeep is successful with the Liberty (KJ), but I hope they also maintain vehicles that conform to the Jeep tradition. If Jeep is listening, leave the TJ alone and bring back the Scrambler.

What are the heads at DC thinking? I've been a Jeep man for over 30 years. Honestly, I'm not surprised given the Liberty and the next Grand having IFS... and the last few Wrangleresque Concepts also sporting 4-wheel-independant. Look at Ford & GM - they go out and buy Land Rover and Hummer so they can have a Jeep-like 4x4 - and rumors are flying that Toyota is considering bringin back the FJ-40 style Land Cruisers and what does Jeep do? Start building Pathfinder and Sidekick wannabes!

I've always felt the Jeep brand has a certain mystique to it - and DC seems to recognize this somewhat by marketing sportswear and licensing out Jeep and the model names. I think Jeep should be a little like Harley... you don't see H-D rushing out with a six cylinder touring bike or hi-revving 4 cylinder crotch rockets... they stick with the traditional V-twin. Yes, they get some new-tech goodies to improve the overall machine, but it is still a Hog. IMHO, this is what Jeep needs to do when it comes to it's 4-wheel-drive system... solid axles!! DC is a big enough company they can market the street oriented machines under some other badge and keep Jeeps Jeeps.

I was in my local Jeep dealership the other day - trying to get a peek at a 60th Anniversary Wrangler (I was thinking it might be a nice treat for myself) and talk shifted to the new Liberty... I had to complain about the loss of the solid axle. The salesman said, 'Well, they aren't designed to be a rock crawler - they went to IFS for a smoother highway ride.' I responded, 'I don't buy the ride excuse for a second! The Grand Cherokees have been praised for years by the press for the best street ride of any SUV, so you can't tell me they can't make solid axles ride nice.'

Here's something else to think about - Ford makes two F-250's - one with IFS like the F-150 and the F-250 Super Duty with a solid axle. Which one do you see more of? In my area, a light duty F-250 is a fairly rare sight, but F-250 Super Duties are quite common. Now I don't think it's because of the body style, because there are LOTS of F-150's running around, too. Do you think it's just the little bit of difference in payload - or do you think it is because buyers feel they are buying a more solid built machine that is going to be able to work and last?

If this IFS Wrangler replacement comes true, I won't even do them the honor of running out to buy one of the last new TJ's - I'd rather go buy a used one!

DC isn't shooting themsleves in the foot with these new Jeeps, they are shooting themselves in the head - with a 30 round clip on full-auto.

OK, I guess I'm done ranting now... someone else's turn :)
a4xNut

I was about to say the same thing!
car-truck.com reported months ago that IFS for
the Wrangler, and a major overhaul before
2005 just isn't going to happen.

S
EW IT!!!!!!!!!!
I'm buying a WRX, At least I can spank an IFS wrangler on the road, which is all it will be good for anyway.
S
EW DC!!!!!

How many men does one see nowadays driving a Toyota Rav4, or a Chevy Tracker, or a Honda
-V? Not many, I would say. I myself did not even remotely consider those other vehicles before I purchased my 2001 Wrangler TJ, and I'm a guy. Yet, with the proposed changes as detailed in the article, it seems that DaimlerChrysler is moving in the same direction as every other small SUV maker. Big, big mistake. DaimlerChrysler is potentially alienating a HUGE market, as in those of us under the age of thirty who are men, by focusing on trendy styling over the traditional. Thank goodness I purchased my Jeep when I did. DaimlerChrysler just does not "get it". They proved that earlier by their careless discarding of the sentimental-favorite Cherokee in favor of the toy-like Liberty this year. In that case, even the name is wrong, I mean, "liberty", wher did that come from? Where's the Cowboy, or Native American inspired nickname? I fear for the future of Jeep and am with those of you who are clamoring for an American automobile manufacturer who will save it from the clutches of the clueless German influence (not to be xenophobic or anything).

My opinion is they are crazy if they get rid of the jeep wrangler that is what jeeps are known for. I mean dont buy a jeep because its been changed so much and its so new, you buy one because they have been around and they are very reliable. Personally i dont think should take away the wrangler

here is my comment.. As a JEEP owner since I was only 14, and having had a 41, a 65, an 83, an 89, and a 94 xj. I now PROUDLY own a 92 yj. In my opinion, if DC does to the jeep line, what they seem to be intending, it will be the end!!! It seems that a mercedes in the bushes is what they think that the people want. Let me say that if I wanted to take an anal retentive german, over engineered, over priced, and plastic vehicle out on the trails, I would be bringing back a few scraps of bent metal and shredded rubber! Hey D.C. , your trucks you build for the military in Europe, are they IFS? HELL NO!!!! They are solid axle, full on lock-and-load off road vehicles!!! Don't just discard our fine tradition for some nambly- pambly anal retentive squirrl car. I work with your Heidleburg printing presses , as well as some of the WORST over engineered pre-press equip now, heavy, slow, poor reliability when the work load gets heavy, and hate to see my JEEP get the same treatment. I LOVE MY JEEP!!! Remember, JEEP, the most capable vehicle EVER built!! (why do you think we call them JEEP trails?) we don't call the desert terrain "mercedes trails"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK?....... my2cents!!!

Looking back to when I bought my TJ, I can't seem to recall saying to myself, "it just isn't as comfortable as a tracker." We Jeep enthusiasts buy jeeps for one reason: there is nothing else on the road (or off it)like a Jeep. Come on Chrysler, if we wanted a pathfinder we would have bought one!

Jon let me clue you in, if you haven't noticed by current production vehicles DC Jeep people don't know what they are doing.

LONG LIVE THE SOLID AXLE!!!

There is a petition to stop Daimler Chrysler from even beginning to produce the Wrangler with IFS. I authored it, and its URL is :

http://www.petitiononline.com/hds2/petition.html

Please stop by and show your support for solid axles to remain available in DC's lineup.
We need about 30,000 signatures to be viable when we approach DC with the demand.

Please do not hesitate to email me with Questions or concerns.

Regards,
Deano

As always Griff, I am behind you 100%. As for me, I quit. Jeep has done themselves in as far as I am concerned. I should have known this was coming after I cruised the car show sites and Ford (yuck) had the only thing that one could consider Jeep like in appearance and that included Jeep. So I am taking my Scrambler and TJ looking for a older CJ and the parts companies and bodyman can have my money. DC can see how much money they can make off the "I am afraid to draive in the snow crowd.

Ok, here is where I get concerned. I can see why they changed the XJ, the writing was on the wall there! But the TJ? C’mon! I don’t believe that the TJ sales have seen a downturn. It may not be the best selling mini sport utility, but then again it remains as the only domestic PURPOSE BUILT 4X4 in the nation. (Excluding the Hummer) The TJ is easy to lift and make modifications to without years of education in suspension design!

Sure, fine, change the look of it all you want. We as humans (at least most of us {sorry Griff}) like to see change, it shows us that our manufacturer of choice (Jeep) is staying current and making upgrades. (Kinda like software) But when those changes cripple our ability to continue to grow with the vehicle, I have to disagree!

Knowing what I know about the auto industry there is NO chance that we can get an option for solid or IFS. But lets consider NOT changing an American icon without fully understanding what your loyal buyers want. Lets face it a Wrangler with either IFS or Solid axles is not a family car, it never will be. So please don’t change it in to IFS to make it more cushy, cause I bet 90% or more of the people who buy it could care less.

I know what Jeep is doing, they are slowly trying to change all their vehicles to one type of drivetrain so they can use the same system on all of them, saving money in the end. And many would argue that this is a good thing, cause in the end hopefully they could make their rigs less costly. But I have not heard anyone complain of ride quality or price of the Wrangler. If you want one that bad, you’ll find a way to get it. And if you went the cheap route and purchased one of the “less capable” competitors, you still look at us Jeep owners in envy, cause we are different!

Jeep, I beg you, KEEP THE WRANGLER DIFFERENT FROM THE COMPETITION!! Don’t succumb to the IFS hype in this one.

Even if the rumors about IFS on the Wrangler are true or not think about this. This rumor turned out to be true about the KJ!!!!! Anyone who wants to petition DC / Jeep about this issus visit http://www.petitiononline.com/hds2/petition.html and sign with the rest of us... help save our Jeeps!

I sincerely hope this is not true. I have 3 Jeeps right now, and, if that's true, those will be the last.

I'm still in shock over the Cherokee, now the Wrangler? I do not like the trend toward softer, more trendy Jeeps. That's not what the Jeep name is all about. Wake up! Daimler Chrysler! There are a LOT of loyal Jeepers out there who are grieving and getting P.O.'d over your changes.

Is nothing sacred anymore?!?! Before I get the usual response directed towards me by "Ant-Griff" N' friends, read the article. They are making a open top KJ. They say its a "toned down" version of the Icon Concept. This comment coming from the same people who say the Liberty is takes many visual cues from the Dakar. This thing sounds like it isn't just some teenage girl crusier, it almost sounds like it is catering to the crew that likes their vehicles to drive for them. You might get that from the electronic traction control. How many good ole boys that are working on their Jeeps are going to know how to work around traction control. IFS is bad enough but traction control. If sound like some old fogey that doesn't like technology so be it. But when it comes down to it the Cutesy little KJ should get the dummy system electronic traction control not the next wrangler (VJ).

Of course the are throwing in the normal assorment of DC parts bin stuff. The 3.7 V6 DC truck engine, the slush box from the KJ I'm sure. I wonder if you'll even be able to get the manual (if they have one) on the V6. Maybe they'll have the cool plastic (gonna fade in 3 years) plasic trim. But you know they say its one bad mother off road, extra spring travel and better handling. BMW's handle, Toyotas and Honda's have tight steering. Jeeps have that steering where you can wiggle the wheel and the car stays going straight, that good unresponsive american steering. As for better offroading, better than what not better than the TJ maybe the KJ and WJ but not what it replaces. Im sure there will be alot of happy people who want to get themselves a suspension lift and put it on in their garage with IFS and Traction Control.

So there's my 2 cents, alot of it. Honestly you can say i had no reason for not liking the KJ it is mearly a evolution of design and engineering of the XJ. Well i still hate it but you are talking about replacing the Wrangler which was as equally as good as the CJ it replaced with something that would get spanked by any of the previous CJ, YJ, or TJ models. This is sad. So all you hippsters out there i am looking forward to the flack i get for hating this future disgrace of the Jeep name. And before you say it i know it isn't out but how can you not judge such a monuemental change in the direction of a brand when the change has traction control on something that 20 years ago had doors as a option. Long live the Solid Axle, No Traction Control Jeep!!

here is my comment I think once again those stinking Idiots at DCare trying to make another cute-ute instead of of a real Jeep. If they really do this to the Classic original body of the wrangler then I have my last new jeep now. For years I thought Jeep would continue to defy the market and continue to put a vehicle on the market whose looks and style has not changed much since the very first one. I guess I was wrong, it is crazy so many manufactures are going with the retro look and DC wants to change.
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE DC!!!

They better not mess with the Wrangler. It was bad enough when they changed the suspension on them in 96. Keep the solid axles. If you want IFS, buy the Liberty.
And Al, why on earth would you want a 2 wheel drive Wrangler?

Of course, the 'Wrangler' only dates from the 1980s. If you're talking about true Jeeps, you're talking about the CJs which were sold from the 1940s to the 1980s

First, this article came from Europe, so it has zero credibility right off the bat. Second, it's just a rehash of rumors that were floating around in '95 about the YJ's replacement. Jeep engineers have stated in Jeep News and elsewhere that the Wrangler will always retain its traditional appearance. That's TRADITIONAL appearance, not "visual cues", "updated styling," or "a more contemporary look." Jeep engineers know what they have and won't let the franchise slip away on their watch.

here is my comment

Somebody at DC has there head up their a... and as for the engineers at DC.. you guys and gals are bunch of f... ups, and probably grew up in the back of a Volvo wagon, but got straight A's in school, so got into paper pushing at Chyrsler or Daimler. All the good engineers with the practical smarts get to design the latest tampons or light bulb sockets.

Long live solid axles and straight engines..

Looking out my window at the Willy's Wagon, CJ3B & Wagoneer in my driveway I am forced, with much sadness to say there will be no new Jeeps joining the family.

Enjoy your German Jeeps *shudder* if you must, but for me Land Rover & Hummer are starting to look far more attractive.