Typo..**** "felling"..should be "feeling"....

I still say JEEP dropped the ball when they didn't build the JEEPSTER...

It would have been a Rubicon-capable WRC Racer..With an SRT 2.4L Turbo...It would have screamed..

Oh Well---fast forward about 8-9 years.

Time for the JEEP to save the world again...this time through efficiency...

It is time for a Hybrid Jeep...Mix the Willy's concept bodywork with the Treo running gear (one High-torque electric motor mounted at each wheel hub..Power it with a Stirling Engine Genset for multifuel capability, and Whammo!!!

40 M.P.G.Rock Crawling

The jeep body is narrow compared to the ram body, so the interior would be smaller.....The gladiator will fill the gap of the smaller trucks that are being super sized!!!! I would not expect anyone to reveal their sources.

I'd be very surprised if the Gladiator was made from the Ram 1500. The show truck was it's own platform. The last I've read was the gladiator was going to use the 3.7L and 2.8Lcrd like the liberty. Some speculate that the gladiator's new platform will gravitate to the wrangler. Thus changing the wrangler. If the wrangler grows into a 4dr like the concept dakar. Maybe the new 4dr dakar would benefit from the gladiator platform?

As for liberty going away. I doubt that. DCX likes it so much. Dodge is getting the nitro. Basicly a liberty.

As for the soft trail rated compass. I think it follows in the foot steps of the jeepster. The jeepster was mostly intended for street use and soft trail use.

As for the commander. I think they need to have the ability to turn the back seats around so there would be an oportunity for tall people to have additional leg room behind the back tires instead of being on top of the back tires. Have a removable back floor. To allow for taller people to place thier feet. Maybe the back seats can clip in like the pt cruisers. Just make them reversable.

2007 is about right for me. I'll wait till 08 to
see if they got it right. If so I'll be into doing some wranglin with dealer. I hope they don't
price me out,we'll just have to see what rolls out. The torque of engine is what I like along with better fuel miles. I do alot of Surf fishing
from sandy beaches in NC/VA. The big tire/wheels well help alot. Real excited and hope it happens,I
can get rid of rice burner and get some US iron.
Good luck and happy 4/wheelin.

I have been collecting photos and video of the Compass for a couple years now and finally put them into a presentable photo gallery. Feel free to check it out.

www.planetchadwell.com/jeepcompass.htm

I also have press kit video of the Willys2 as well as the Dodge M80 concept on the site. Just thought I would share.

As others have said, moving the Jeep line both up and down helps keep Jeep healthy and able to produce the rockcrawlers as well as the "trail rated" vehicles. No, Jeep doesn't need to make something for everyone but an AWD or 4WD Compass, capable of light off road duty plus having a bit better gas mileage than the rest of Jeep's lineup doesn't seem like something that will hurt Jeeps heritage. Lets just wait to see what Jeep produces before bashing it. I also see the Compass as having a huge aftermarket. Maybe not rockcrawling kits but lots of engine upgrades, body kits, accessories, etc. Eh, we will see. I am looking forward to seeing the production version.

Not so, the six speed manual is standard on 2005 Renegade and Sport, with Sport having an optional 4 speed auto.

Rubicontrail.net seems to be dialed into some good info. I also agree with his statements. Can someone please tell me why people that own a certain Jeep think that when their model is gone that Jeep is dead or that any other vehicle variation can't be near as good since it's not the one that they own? I have owned Jeeps for 20 years which include Jeep trucks, Wranglers, Cherokees, Grand Cherokees, and now a Liberty. This certainly does not include everyone but most of the big talkers have never done any really serious offraoding in their Jeeps anyway. They, however, will be the first to tell you how their TJ, YJ, KJ, WK, and so on is the best Jeep and that all other models are not qualified to have the Jeep name. I wish people would get just a little bit realistic. I have never done any what you would call "rock crawling" but I have certainly taken all of my Jeeps in some pretty rough places. Certainly places where most SUV's would never be able to go. I will have to say that each Jeep I have owned has been great as far as offroad worthiness goes. Some have had some quality issues but cartainly no problems with their capability. Even the 2005 Liberty that I own is an extremely capable and tough vehicle. No....it certainly won't rock crawl like a TJ but that is not what I expect from it. I expect it to drive well on the road since it's a daily driver and I expect it to go any place offroad that I feel I need to go. It does all of that and more. I am not exactly a novice offroad driver but I can honestly say that the capability of my KJ and all other Jeeps I have owned probably surpass my offroad driving ability. I would expect that the same probably applies to 90% of Jeep drivers. Jeep, of course, HAS to maintain their name as the utimate offrad vehicle but they also have to fill in all the other gaps. Can you imagine how long Jeep would last if all they offered was TJ Rubicons? Not very long. As long as Jeep spans the entire spectrum of ultimate offroad and at least good on road then they will be fine. Contrary to most opinions I think Jeeps is in it's finest hour with, of course, room always left for improvement. So bashers....give it a rest! Even if you are one of the top qualified rock crawlers then Jeep has a model for you. Or....if your just an average driver who wants to have the assurance that your Jeep can handle offroad situations which you know you certainly will never go then Jeep has a model for you. Or....if you need a very realistic and comfortable daily driver and you dream some day that you might actually get dirt on your vehicle then Jeep has a model for you too. So far as I am concerned Jeep has everything covered. What else do you want? Oh..let me guess..bring back the YJ...go ahead and kill the TJ and all of it's improvements and while we are at it lets go ahead and kill every other Jeep model and tell the Jeep designers that they can take a very long vacation. We just don't need them anymore.

No, you're right...just another moron tryin' to be me....I would NEVER replace my YJ EVER EVER....

For a "Jeep-Themed" lightweight NEON replacement thing that Dodge is gonna be..??? I forgot the name to that new platform because it's so silly....Let the pansies eat cake.....I prefer MUD...

- The opinion of the Original "Only One Jeep"....accept NO substitutes!

I don't think making the KJ was a mistake. Remember they sell 2 KJ's for ever 1 TJ they sell. The mistake was offering KJ as a replacement for the XJ. It's a FACT that Jeep needs a KJ or a compass. Ignoring that part of the market would be as big a mistake as the mistake they made phasing out the the XJ and the hard core off-road market it filled. Looks like they might right that wrong with the 4-door wrangler. The complainers should be happy to hear that, not bash jeep wanting to increase it's SUV market profits.

I like where they're going with this. For years we've all wanted Jeep to stay true to the hardcore offroad ability, keep solid axles and resist the temptation to go 'soccer mom' on us. Well, expanding the Jeep line to include soccer mom vehicles without the guise of being offroad capable will allow them to actually produce the vehicles that we DO want. Bring on the 4Door Universal and the Gladiator. I think we're headed for a golden age of Jeeps.

Here Jeep goes again, watering down their market line. Jeep already has a vehicle that competes with the C R-V and RAV4. It starts at 20k right now and comes with a 2k rebate. Its called the Jeep Liberty.

To me it seem like Jeep recognizes its mistake in building the KJ, hence why it is going to be phased out so soon. The last model year for the KJ will either be 2006 or 2007. With Compass and now the 4 door wrangler that leaves no room for the KJ. If you want a real jeep you get new 4 door wrangler and if you want another cute, soccer-mom SUV you get the compass with will be replacing the KJ.

So if compass is going to go up against RAV4 and
-V, where does that leave the KJ? I know a lot of you would like to see KJ go because it wasn't a good replacement for the cherokee, but it does have it's market for a different kind of jeep owner.

My hunch is the 4-door wrangler is to make all you guys happy and also fill in the hole jeep made when phased out cherokee. Also to an extent it "could" fill the gap if they phase out Liberty yet still have the soft-roader to compete with RAV4 in the new Compass. ... Just a thought.

Oh, and I think Jeep would be crazy not to build the pickup based on all the reaction it's getting ... then again, we are still waiting for that first 4door TJ to roll off the line.

My source says that the gladiator will be built on the ram 1500 frame with solid axles. Look for it to go to production in 2 years.

As far as jeep building the compass, I think it's ok for a auto company in a fierce market to explore into different areas. The way I see it, the more people they reach with their products the more willing they'll be to build concepts like the gladiator. And speaking of the gladiator, I hope and pray that soon we'll get concrete news they're going to build it.

I hope to that this is true. I know that many of us were hoping that the Gladiator would be built. I know many of us also contacted DCX to express our desire to have it built. Hopefully this interest does translate into it actually being built.

The Compass will also be welcome if: 1.) they can keep the starting MSRP below the $20,000 limit. If it goes too much higher then it would be roughly the same price as a Wrangler Sport. 2.) they consider using the new DCX / GM hybrid system.

I don't believe the Commander looks much like the G wagon other than they are both boxy.
The Commander is totally Jeep in style and has taken design cues from the Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler.
Now the new G new looks too much like a WK and I think that is a mistake. The new G should of kept it's boxy styling. Is it just my or do others think that most of the German SUV's are starting to look alike and along with the domestic SUV's.
They all have the same basic profile (except for maybe Nissan).
I think the Commander is going to stand out in the crowd and that's why I am going to buy one.

This has been a rumor that they share the same platform but I do not believe this is correct. I am not sure where we could CONFIRM it one way or another.

10-4 Dakotaman a small medium p/u with diesel option is long over due. A Gladiator/Diesel would
work great for me,I surffish quite often and run
beaches in Va,NC alot. Now will DC build it is the
$64.00 ???.

"I overheard a rep telling a dealership owner that (paraphrasing) the goal of the Gladiator is to replace the hole left in the pickup truck line that was left when the Dodge Dakota went from being a compact to a mid sized."

This was posted from above. Let me tell you folks. I owned a Dodge Dakota for twelve years. I didn't want to sink money into an engine rebuild. Instead, I decided to buy a new vehicle.

Detroit has this habit of bloating good vehicles. They ruined the Dakota. Does the phrase "basic truck," mean nothing to these fools?

I would have bought the Gladiator as a replacement. Instead, I bought a diesel KJ Liberty. I don't rock climb. I go through the bush to go fishing and I haul stuff. The Gladiator would have fit me to a "T."

Why is it only that the big trucks are diesel? The small ones need torque too. The gladiator fills a need. It will not just fill a want. It will fill a need. If they build them, these puppies will sell.

I'll be the first to admit I was wrong or that I've changed
my mind or something. So, okay, I said I hate pickups
and I'd never buy one...

So I lied. The more I look at that Gladiator, the more I
love it. I'd buy that sucker in a heartbeat. I hope they
don't pull a fast one and not produce it.

At first the thought of the Wrangler getting stretched like
that on a Gladiator platform wasn't appealing... I've
always thought that the Unlimited looked well...
stretched. A bit odd. I do like the Gladiator's styling, a
natural evolution of the Wrangler's look.

Besides, they'd have to lengthen it to fit in two more
doors and if they do that and name the 4door model
Dakar...

...well, fellas, if they do that then I'll probably $#!t myself.
On my way to the dealership.

It seems that I read somewhere that the Gladiator is about the same size as the Dakota.

To the poster who believes I am a whore 'cus of my screen name....Lighten up....Only One Jeep is a way of expressing my opinion here...Jeep to me means that it is something so special, that unless you own one..you wouldn't understand...you can make fun of its' ride or ungainly balky looks...you can pitty yourself because of its' lackluster fuel economy (my YJ-16, ZJ-12mpg)...but what is always the same..and for what the Jeep Icon represents is a felling of personal freedom that it affords its' owners, no matter which Jeep(s) you are lucky enough to own.

In my world there is ONLY one...and that is JEEP, and everyone "else" walks.....

JASON What is your source?

I'm holding out for a fuel cell or hybrid Rubicon package that'll do 80 mph. I bet Chrysler would sell a lot of those if they can solve that low rider skid plate problem.

So far the best gladiator information is at
http://www.allpar.com/model/jeep/gladiator.html
and
http://dodgeboy.net/news/gladiator/index.htm

I do believe that the Base model Wrangler will not dissappear, because like hot-rodders, Jeepers need low-cost raw-material to modify.

Cutting out the base model Wrangler would actually backfire, by people bypassing the Jeep brand altogether.

I can't see a Compass starting out at $20,000, it's as insane as the Wrangler starting at $22,000.

Mabye the Compass will top out at $20,000 fully loaded, or mabye the guys at Daimler are fully loaded themselves...

Not to mention, I strongly suspect the stripped down base model of the Wrangler may disappear as most buyers go for the X, Sport, or Rubicon.

Also, note that none of this information is from DaimlerChrysler. Prices are never announced until the vehicle is complete. As the Compass will be based on the same platform as the Neon replacement, I am expecting the Compass to start a bit below $20,000. Of course, once again this is speculation.

Jimmy, take inflation into account between the year 2000 and 2005 and youll notice that the prices do not differ as much as you'd think. What will be 20k or more in 2006/07 may be the equivalent to the 18k you paid in 2000. Ever hear your father/grand father tell you about paying a nickel for a movie when they were kids? Same concept.

Well, I've just read every one of these last 36 posts, and ALL of you failed to notice the MOST important part of that article.

The $20,000 Compass, POSTIONED BELOW THE WRANGLER, will be the entry level Jeep. Meaning that now, ALL Wranglers will cost AT LEAST $21-$22K. I bought a LOADED TJ Sport in 2000 for $18K. Now, you can't even get a 4 banger for less than $21K? Forget that - It's a WRANGLER. I'm not gonna pay that much for a WRANGLER. Neither will lots of other people.....

While not exactly related to the topic, but this is too uncanny not
to mention:

http://www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000150038832/

The Mercedes-Benz/Jeep design sharing is going a little too far,
in my opinion. The Grand Cherokee (first Jeep created under
Daimler control) sports Mercedes-style headlights and hood
creases. Next, the Commander bears resemblance to the old G-
wagen. Now, the new G-wagen has the back-end of the Grand
Cherokee with the front-end of the new M-class. Allegedly, all
three of these vehicles, in addition to the new M-class and R-
class, share the same basic platform.

If Jeep builds the Gladiator, my guess is that it would be built for MY2008 or 2009 on the TK platform. In fact, the Gladiator concept may just be a preview of the TK platform. If the rumors of the TK being wider are true, and you look at the specs of the Gladiator, it is about 6 inches wider than a TJ, that would be a reasonable increase for the Wrangler, with a 4 door version planned. On a side note, I hope the 4 door wrangler will have the Gladiator-style suicide rear doors, kinda like the Element has.

Not to mention building a manual-only (no automatic option) vehicle wouldn't be the wise business decision. Even Ferrari has ditched the clutch pedal in most of their cars.

As there already exist a large number of full size pickup options, the idea of basing the Gladiator on the Wrangler platform makes sense particularly given the paucity of mid/smaller sized pickup trucks and the high cost of fuel. The diesel with six speed manual is targeted well to those who enjoy the adventure of driving -- consistent with the Jeep image of simplicity and function. The smaller size also allows for good off-road forays with a tight turing radius. City folks can get their automatic everything trucks in a Dodge or Ford package.

The compass could be a real sleeper given the XJ was the last SCCA approved rally vehicle. The Liberty is just too heavy and, heck, is so citified that its now only available with an automatic tranny.

Build the Gladiator and I will buy it.

I definitely think that mainstream vehicles in the Jeep
line up make it possible for the other vehicles we like.
Their primary concern is making money anyhow, and
mainstream autos do that.

Not really into the dune-buggy types. so the compass
isn't for me. I did like the way that willys concept looked
though. If they produce it with more of its design cues I
could be game for a run through the sand.

Producing the Compass might just cause them to give
the Liberty a revamp that we'll be considerably more
happy with. Dang, a 4-door Wrangler... a better looking
Liberty... a Gladiator on the horizon... is this a nasty
April fool running over too long?

I Figured It Out!!!!!!

Guys...

Someone has kidnapped O.O.J. and replaced him with an IMPOSTER...a Pro-DCX-mouthpiece IMPOSTER...

Is anyone up for staging a Rescue Mission?

Oops...I forgot...Our TJ's, Liberty's, WK Cherokee's and even our Commanders could not stand up to the abuse and articulation required to traverse the rugged terrain where he is being held, unlike the YJ...

Oh well...

I saw the Gladiator (mock-up or demo) at the auto show, NO WAY was that thing built on the RAM 1500 frame (unless of course they redo it). It seemed nearly the same width (may be a little wider, with the oversized fender flares) as the current TJ but longer than any scramber (CJ variant) that I have ever seen. This is also consistent with the DCX chatter that I heard there. (read below)

I overheard a rep telling a dealership owner that (paraphrasing) the goal of the Gladiator is to replace the hole left in the pickup truck line that was left when the Dodge Dakota went from being a compact to a mid sized.

So there you go. However, I am still more excited about the prospect of the Gladiator seeing full production than any other Jeep product that has been produced in the last five years, even if it is a compact.

I am going to make a trip to another Auto-show in Atlanta next week, I have gotten my grubbies on a MAADA all access pass and pre-show pass. I'll see what I can learn.

MARCH 2005 JEEP SALES NUMBERS
=============================

Jeep® brand sales continued their monthly sales acceleration by posting sales of 40,491 units in March, an increase of 1 percent over February 2005 sales. Sales of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee improved 6 percent to 18,828 units compared to March 2004 sales of 17,105 units. Jeep Liberty sales declined 3 percent on an adjusted basis, but unadjusted sales increased to 14,915 units for March 2005. Year ago sales totaled 14,818 units. Jeep Wrangler sales continued their monthly improvement pace by posting sales of 6,748 units, an increase of 15 percent over February 2005 sales.

Source: PRNewswire / FirstCall

RealJeeper, you obviously have not been following the comments from DCX lately. The Liberty is NOT being phased out. It will exist along with the 4-Door Wrangler because they target different markets.

The Liberty may not be a hardcore rock crawling machine, but it is definitely capable off-road. Doubt me? Check out: http://www.lostkjwest.com/photo.htm

I want Jeep to expand both sides of their lineup. I want them to build off-road capable vehicles like the Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Commander because I need a family-type vehicle. I want them to build a rock-crawling machine like the Wrangler, 4 Door Wrangler, and Gladiator because I also will eventually need a new rock-crawling machine. Without the Liberty, Grand Cherokee, and Commander; Jeep would be headed the way of Oldsmobile and Plymouth. These mainstreme vehicles make the niche vehicles possible.

The Compass would make a good vehicle for dirt roads, sand dunes, rally style driving, etc. I welcome it to the Jeep family. It's existence will help fund further expansion of the Wrangler / Gladiator lineup.

Jason's comment about the gladiator being based on the 1500 seems like a long shot. it will probably be based on the tk platform. however if it is built on the 1500 frame that could be really cool because all rams reguardless what weight class they are all have the same body, this means that jeep could have a full line of full size trucks. also i dont think that full size jeep trucks would compete with dodges for a few reasons.

1)the jeep versions could come with a lifted suspension much like the power wagon.

2)the jeep versions could be optioned with a wahable interior where as the dodges have a car type interior.

3)jeep versions could have that movable rear section of the cab.

4)the jeep trucks could be the ones that get the step side beds.

5)the jeeps could stay with a live front suspension allowing the dodges to go IFS on all models much like chevy did

6) some dealers only sell chrysler/jeep or only jeep and they need a pickup

First off, the KJ competes with the xterra, sorento, and freelander, not the crv, rav4, sante fes, etc. The KJ competes with vehicles that can tow up to 5000lbs, offer a low range, and are designed for offroading. Secondly, stop complaining about the expanding line. Items like the Compass will generate money, and thus allowing vehicles like the Wrangler to be made while selling lower volumes. Third, using Only One Jeep as a name only show you are a corporate whore... why not try Trail Rated... hahaha. Its funny that you constantly critique and bitch about a company only to adapt their gay ass mantra as your identity. Your ideas, while valid, are weakened by your choice of titles.

The name of the game is: Volume. Always has been always will be in the auto business. The key to sucess is to build successful variations on as few possible platforms as possible. What did in AMC was the Matador Coupe which was a unique platform and never returned it's investment and the Pacer platform which was unique to itself. Look at the versitiliity of the original AMC Hornet which spawned not only the Hornet but the Gremlin, then the Concord and the Spirit and all the 4WD Eagle variations. I say build as many variations of Jeeps as you can to support the brand and make possible the true off roaders that we all love.

That's right, feed the pansies cake, but make sure there are enought mud eaters in the jeep line up from bottom to top .... tj, 4 door tj, fullsize gladiator, and we could only hope for a 4-door gladiator/rescue concept to round out the top of the true to jeep mud eaters. One can dream, right?

Why do I have a feeling it wasn't OnlyOneJeep who posted that, or else he's playing an April Fool's joke.

I like the idea of the Compass because I think it might make a good WRC rally car. Not a rock crawler for sure but probably better than the WRX.

I think .....the Compass......will be a great...replacement.....for
my...YJ.

The Dodge Ram Powerwagon would make a pretty formidable chassis for the Gladiator.

I wonder if Dodge released that model in preparation for the Gladiator, it is a much more serious off-road vehicle than I ever remember Dodge having in the past.

Jason has been right so far with his predictions.