well I'll say one thing i am fearing DC will f--- up the next wrangler and make it not off road worthy i sure hope they make a off road worthy 4 door wrangler with soild axles in front and back and with the rebicon package and a 6 speed it would be nice to have a dual top option but it must remain a full open top with the hard core off road things otherwise I'll wait for the returning land rover defender

Scratch my last comment. Here is the website:
tcvinc.com

"That's because they make no sense, very few people ever have 4 passengers in a convertable"

While it may be rare you have both 4 passengers and the top down, there are numerous occasions when you have either passengers or the desire to have the top down. Most of the time, vehicles have only one person in them - the driver. And he should be free to do what he pleases, including putting the top down. When you pack the family in for the weekend getaway, the top can go up.

Further, the SWB Wrangler falls short of being an offroad vehicle in that the offroads are rarely in your backyard. So you have to drive a distance to get to your destination. And the Wrangler is impractical for long journeys, due to lack of storage and/or passenger capability. So the ideal combination would be a four door that get get you there, and an open top once you are there.

"Additionally, it's difficult to maintain adequate body stiffness with any soft top, let alone one with two additional door openings."

That is why DC needs to take this opportunity to totally redesign the Wrangler. And use intelligence, doing things like make the roll bars into a structural member. This could reduce the horrific shake that it experiences. While they're at it, make those roll bars serve as the door surrounds, with window seals. That way, they wouldn't need the upper half of the half doors.

Besides, for those who don't like the wind, they will still offer a hard top.

I don't think Jeep made the Unlimited to get us used to a longer Wrangler. I think they thought they could make a quick buck on an aging platform. A big thank you to all those who purchased one, because I think they quickly realized that they could make a quick buck with very little investment by making variations of the Wrangler platform. Based on the sales so far, with Jeep sales up mainly because of the Unlimited. I think they saw that, and said, hey, here's an idea, maybe if that worked, why not a four door. Let's hope with the next Wrangler, we might have 15 different versions. Jeep was pretty stupid not to make the Dakar, they finally made a different version of the Wrangler with about $5 total investment and to the shock of no one except the Jeep accountants, it sold well. It would take a real dummy not to keep expanding on that.

I like the concept of a 4-door Jeep Wranger, Open top of course!!! Jeep dropped the ball once by not making the DAKAR, and again by not making the JEEPSTER.
Jeep should make better use of their nameplates that they own.
JEEP should always stand for absoloute capability.
The WILLYS nameplate should brought back and focus on utility with simplicity.
The EAGLE name should be brought back to stand for performance.

I would like to see in a future JEEP lineup, a 2 and 4 door Wrangler, SWB and LWB...
A retro styled WILLYS wagon and pickup...
A JEEPSTER screamer under the EAGLE name... A TALON-type road screamer under the EAGLE name

I couldnt agree more that Jeep should stay true to its heritage, and I think that could be done while also expanding the lineup. Im just going to wait and see if they can pull it off (or even try to).

If this news story is at all credible, it will be interesting to see how closely a four-door Wrangler will come to the Dakar concept concept vehicle.

I would think there would be a very large market for the four-door Wrangler.

The details on the Rubicon Unlimited sound like they are from a document that got posted a while back regarding the 2005 Wrangler line-up. It looks legit, but my dealer still can not confirm there will be a Rubicon edition of the Unlimited.

To see the document, one place is the Jeep Unlimited forum (http://www.wranglerunlimited.com/).

Here is a link to the document:

http://wunlimited.proboards27.com/index.cgi?board=files&action=display&num=1092790235

here is my comment

Wasn't the VW Thing a 4-door convertible?

I think a Dakar with dual canvas sunroofs would be cool.

I was referring to the line of Overland vehicles that were produced starting in 1908.

Interestingly enough, I believe the original Compass concept was built on the Liberty frame?

This is the most activity we have seen from Jeep for a long time and you guys still seem to find things to complain about.

It sounds like there is going to be something in the lineup for everyone with maybe the exception of a pickup truck. I know Jeep had trucks in the past but when I think of Jeep I don't think of pickups. Leave that for Dodge and Ford.
It sounds like there may be more Jeeps in the lineup than ever before.

Wrangler
Unlimited
future 4 door Wrangler
Liberty
Grand Cherokee
Commander 7 passenger
Compass (Jeepster?)

This sounds a lot better than just the three vehicles we had when Chrysler was the sole owner.
Thanks DC!

When I think of Jeep heritage I think of the MB, CJ, Jeepster, Grand Wagoneer, Cherokee XJ, J-10, Willys Wagon etc.....
J-10 etc....

I still think Jeep should build the Jeepster concept or some sort of Rally car instead of an entry level SUV based on the Neon. I understand the logistics of shared platforms and mass production, but I like the fact that Jeep builds niche vehicles. It gives the brand character and instant recognition. When you see a Jeep brand vehicle, you know it's a Jeep. When you see other brands, you wonder what it is until you see the company's emblem. And, is it just me, or does that Mitsubishi SUV look a lot like the Grand will look?

Jeep's heritage is much more than just the MB through the TJ.

The Jeep, Willys, and Overland brands have made everything from luxury roadsters (nearly 30 years prior to the appearance of the MB) to pickups (1947 Willys pickup truck).

The four door Wrangler is very similar in concept to the Willys wagon that began production in 1946.

If you want a jeep rubicon unlimited got to ebay,they are taking deposits

to qrpr... cant remember how to spell it... check out gljt.org, its chicago area, but theres wheeling in indiana at the badlands offroad park. not sure where in ohio you are, but its worth a look. personally i wonder at what people are doing with hard-topped full-doored wranglers with the AC on driving down the street... even though that might have offended some people, jeeps were meant to be topless, doorless and roadless. not to say that in the winter i dont use my softtop, but i also offroad. goodluck finding a place to wheel...

I'd still like to see an Amphibious Jeep in the not too distant future. Look at the success of the AQUADA in Europe.
If the benchmark of the WRANGLER is to conqueer the RUBICON trail, and the RUBICON trail is generally accepted as the harshest trail in the world then, what other challenge is there to conquer...And what if in the not too distant future, HUMMER comes along with the H4 and also conquers the RUBICON trail, then what??? Will the benchmark now be who can cover the RUBICON trail the fastest? Will bragging rights come down to whether the WRANGLER or HUMMER driver red-lights at the start of the RUBICON trail?

In all seriousness, JEEP needs to expand the capability of what the WRANGLER can do, because it can already do anything. I would like to see JEEP make vehicles that are just as capable, but more efficient at doing what they do. Even if that means things like (hold your breath) Hybrid Powertrains, Integrated rollbar systems, and 4 doors on a convertible.

As a family man who still likes to go off road, I love the idea of a the Unlimited. As a family man with 3 kids, I like the idea of a four door even more, especially if it means I can fit all three in the back seat (my wifes not to keen on the idea of leaving one at home all the time, especially the tree year old!!! :-)

I came across the Jeep Rescue concept (four doors), but it looks like a hard top :-(. http://www.charleston.net/images/011804/8656_512.jpg

One can always hope!!!

Mike,

If I need a craft which features inherent unsinkability and good
sea-keeping qualities, I turn to my Boston Whaler—not my Jeep
:)

AND ANOTHER THING!!!!
Mabye JEEP should look to expand the capability of the WRANGLER by expanding where it can be driven. It can already be driven on rocks, snow, pavement, fire-road, sand, snow, sleet, mud, but not water!!
It is not REALLY the go-anywhere-do-anything vehicle, until it can drive on water!
Mabye JEEP should make the next WRANGLER Amphibious, like the SEEP from WWII.
There are new closed cell urethane compounds that can be sandwiched inside the hull to make the WRANGELR unsinkable (if U dont believe me, do an internet search on unsinkable boats) and a simple PTO can power a jet-drive for water propulsion, Now that's what I call go anywhere, do anything!

AND ANOTHER THING!!!!
Mabye JEEP should look to expand the capability of the WRANGLER by expanding where it can be driven. It can already be driven on rocks, snow, pavement, fire-road, sand, snow, sleet, mud, but not water!!
It is not REALLY the go-anywhere-do-anything vehicle, until it can drive on water!
Mabye JEEP should make the next WRANGLER Amphibious, like the SEEP from WWII.
There are new closed cell urethane compounds that can be sandwiched inside the hull to make the WRANGELR unsinkable (if U dont believe me, do an internet search on unsinkable boats) and a simple PTO can power a jet-drive for water propulsion, Now that's what I call go anywhere, do anything!

here is my comment
Jeep produces a wrangler like vehicle in china under Beijing Jeep Company named "city cruiser" which offer four-door soft top( check out beigingjeep.com). The body of this version is actually very similar to the Russian UTZ which, incidently, also has a four door soft top product. However, I don't think any of these design, including the current wrangler soft top would meet up&coming safty stander.
Alternatively, removable modular body panel has been demenstrated in car shows before where the roof, and windows can be removed or lowered but leaving the pillars inact. Could this be in the future design?

If they really ever build the "Dakar", it will be a smash hit, can't imagine why they've waited this long. A diesel engine option (with a 6-speed stick) would make it an even a bigger hit. I sure hope Detroit News knows what they are talking about.

I just think that Jeep is going to trash. I am a hardcore XJ man, and the fact that they replaced the tried and true Cherokee with the Libby drives me nuts. I know you Libby lovers think they are great, but I have driven them, and they along the lines of a rav4 (a sorry excuse for an SUV). If people want something rommy for on the road, buy a minivan, don't promote the production of crap SUVs which can't handle real sport, or utility.

Now the Libby is still better than many SUVs out there, but it looks to be just beginning of a downward spiral. I am all about heritage, but I am more about performance. There are plenty of mall-running SUVs out there, we don't need more!!!

"Sounds like a Grand Wagoneer"

And your pont is.....? :)
my point is that even the Grand Cherokee is seldom seen (by me) in anything more than slushy streets.

Luxury SUV?? Sad day??
Sounds like a Grand Wagoneer.

I'm concerned...VERY concerned! I don't like the whole concept of a luxury SUV. It's a vehicle that will never use half it's potential. All they are, in my opinion, are station wagons with high ground clearance...grocery getters or kid haulers. You could take away the x-fer case and no one would know the difference! It's a sad day for the Jeep legacy.

A 4dr Wrangler is already being built by a company in Tn. Google 4drjeep wrangler and you should be able to find the site

I truly enjoyed the capabilities of my Jeep while living in Arizona, but here in Ohio, they can't hardly stand to have a road that is not paved. Everything else is farmland and fenced off. I love my Wrangler, but unless they come out with the diesel option, I can't stomach wasting so much gas on commutes.

As for having a convertible for passangers, my kids love the top off, but never wait for me to open the doors, they go in over the side! But with the top on, they'd rather ride in Mom's 2000 Toyota Anonymous.

Hopefully the new '06/'07 Wrangler engineers and designers follow their own words and credo as nicely stated above.........The Future of Jeep is Riding on It........"Remember Pearl Harbor....and Never Forget the JEEP"

Thank Goodness some of you do not have control over jeep, it would be outta business long ago. I never understand those that do not want change or cannot handle change. Jeep is changing to bring in more consumers by broading their line. Their is nothing wrong with this if they still continue to sell the Icon Wrangler. I read one that said the Unlimited is diluting the Jeep Brand, my gosh ya mean an extra 10" inches is gonna kill the jeep brand?? Give me a break here...Jeep is doing the correct thing, those that cannot handle this, buy the old stuff and drive it till it dies, stay old school, while im cruising in my Unlimited Rubicon or 4 Door Wrangler....

cj jack, edmunds forum section under jeep. Could very well be a bogus report.

Rubicon Unlimited

Where did you get that press release? I didn't see it on the DailmlerChrysler media site...

THE JEEP® LEGEND CONTINUES WITH NEW 2005 WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON


With unmatched off-road capability, the 2005 Jeep® Wrangler lineup continues to grow the Jeep legend with new options for Jeep enthusiasts. For 2005, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited adds a new Rubicon model (late availability), allowing hard-core Wrangler Unlimited owners to “Go Anywhere, Do Anything and Bring Everything.” Also adding more capability for Jeep in 2005, all Jeep Wranglers feature an all-new six-speed manual transmission. A new Premium package is available on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The Premium package features new and unique cloth seats, silver painted center stack and instrument cluster bezels, bright grille and body color fender flares. Also new for 2005 is an optional
six-disc in-dash CD changer system (late availability). No vehicle illustrates the legendary Jeep 4x4 capability better than the Wrangler, the heart and soul of the Jeep brand. Wrangler is the icon of the brand, offering open-air fun and freedom with award-winning off-road capability to young buyers, seasoned off-road enthusiasts and those who are young at heart. With the addition of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited in 2004, Jeep has delivered the joys of “Jeeping” to new customers.“The Jeep Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited are the heart and soul of the Jeep brand,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President—Jeep. “We have expanded the rugged appeal of the standard Wrangler to a whole new group of Jeep enthusiasts with the Wrangler Unlimited and now the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. The Wrangler Unlimited builds on the unique elements of the original Wrangler and continues to deliver a true emotional connection to Jeep customers. But with the Unlimited, Wrangler now appeals to a broader range of core customers who require more space.” All Jeep Wranglers wear the Jeep Trail Rated® badge, indicating that the vehicle has been designed to perform
in a variety of challenging conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, circulation and water fording.


2005 JEEP® WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON: THE LEGEND GROWS AGAIN


Building upon the success of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon takes extreme off-roading to a new level.The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon model builds on the award-winning capability of Wrangler Rubicon with an off-road system that includes locking front and rear differentials, front and rear Dana model 44 axles, four-wheel disc brakes and a 4:1 low-range transfer case. Not only is this premier off-road package fully synthesized by Jeep engineers, it’s an exceptional value to customers.“The Wrangler Rubicon was too popular with Jeep owners not to expand it to the successful Wrangler Unlimited,” said Bell. “With the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, we brought the Jeep sense of freedom and adventure to a new customer who required more space. The standard wheelbase Wrangler Rubicon continues as the ultimate off-road Wrangler, but both are rigs that are ready for serious off-road trails—and at a significant savings, compared to the costs of modifying the vehicle with aftermarket hardware.” The Rubicon editions feature a Rock-Trac™ transfer case with 4:1 “low range” that slows vehicle speed to give the driver more control, while increasing the amount of torque available at the wheels. In addition, the front and rear axles include “air-actuated” Tru-Lok™ locking differentials to maximize traction. The Wrangler Rubicon also features Goodyear Wrangler “Maximum Traction/Reinforced” 31-inch tall tires with a beefy tread pattern that wraps around the sidewall to help grab ledges along the trail. This state-of-the-art off-road tire includes a three-ply sidewall and advanced silica compound for excellent durability and puncture resistance. The LT245/75R16 tires add an extra half-inch of ground clearance to the Jeep Rubicon models. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and Unlimited Rubicon feature unique exterior design cues that include heavy gauge diamond-plate sill guards, 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels and a “Rubicon” graphic placed prominently on each side of the hood............"

Boater's license and registration please... do you know why I pulled you over sir? :-P

While I dont fully agree with Qrper that there is no place to go 4 wheeling (because I consider driving through a foot of snow when nobody else is moving 4 Wheeling!), He does bring up a valid point, and that is that JEEP needs to expand it's market through product diversity, while not abandoning their core customer base.

Consider this, desert races, stadium races, and even 'extreme' rockcrawling does not reflect the everyday usage of our vehicles (I'm sorry, I need to get to work come monday), and more importantly, it provides a misconception that 4 wheelers are irresponsible to the environment. Regular, uninformed, people see desert racers and rock crawlers tearing up the racecourse, (which is probably private land, or off-road-designated areas) and being somewhat ignorant to our hobby, they think that we are doing this to our most pristine wilderness, when we are not.
When most of us go 4 wheeling, it is usually back country exploring, done at reasonable and safe speeds.
Also consider that desert racing, while still popular, has waned in the past decade, giving way to closed stadium and closed course racing, which again, is an unrealistic usage of our vehicles,
HOWEVER, what has gained in popularity is World Rally Racing, I point to the success of the SUBARU WRX and the MITSUBISHI EVOLUTION as proof of my example.
Mabye JEEP should build a vehicle aimed at World Rally Domination.
I still wouldn't want to see JEEP abandon RUBICON capability, however. The RUBICON trail is not a destination for all WRANGLER owners to conquer, but it is, was and always will be a benchmark for the WRANGLER...If the WRANGLER can navigate the RUBICON, then it will have no problem whatsoever navigating a foot of snow, or for that matter, lasting 250,000 miles or more on the road.

sure sounds like fun! but there no place
around my neck of the woods to go four
wheeling! I can't even find a local club to join.
So, we just drive around with the top off and
enjoy the paved roads in ohio.

That's unfortunate how you never took one of your Jeeps Off-Road...The feeling of the open air as you look down through the open door frames and see and smell just the nature around you..flying thru a mud bog and having the mud fly into the body or over the windshield and soak you......the crisp midnight breeze and clear sky...PRICELESS! My Mother..(over 60) and my Aunt(over 60) take both their Grand Cherokee AND Liberty Roadin....It keeps 'em both young at heart..I'm sorry you haven't been able to do that..It's just SO natural in a JEEP...That's why there's only one.....JEEP!

qrper,

thats very nice, but we're talking about the wrangler on this page, not the compass.

Boys and girls...

there' s but one thing that drives the
automotive world and that's money. those
who build cars build cars that people want.
Money talks. The idea of jumping into any form
of 4x4 and taking to the hills is a vanishing
breed. Sure there's lots of people that do just
this, but they are a dying breed. I just read in
one of the 4x4 magazines that several very
popular trails are being closed to four
wheeling. So, why would the guys that makes
Jeeps want to spend design time and money
on a car that 90% of the people who own one,
will never be able to take on the outback?

I have had four Jeeps in the past, own two
now and NONE of them have ever been off of
the road. There's no place to go here in my
back yard. There's NO active jeep clubs. The
nearest one is a four hour drive away. The
nearest rock crawl is the speed bumps in the
wallmart parking lot!

I know this, and I am sure the bean counters
in the Jeep company know this. While I am
sure they won't throw away the past, the future
must be looked at to do one thing: sell new
Jeeps.

With the rubicon trail nearly 2400 miles from
me, if and when a Jeep based on the Neon
frame comes out, I may have one in my drive
way, right next to the wranger and liberty I have
now. Who knows, wallmart may install more of
those class 5 speed bumps!

Amen, Mike #2

I'll say it again, I mentioned this in a previous READERS REACTIONS...Jeep floated the idea of an integrated rollbar/windshield frame(with fold-down glass) side impact/head restraint airbags/removable panel hardtop-soft-top way, way back on the JEEP ICON concept (which despite everyones paranoia, I believe will reflect the next generation Wrangler)
This type of set-up would mean that there would be 5 removable hardtop panels which would interlock to form the hardtop, and 5 zip-in panels which would form the soft-top, (and theoreticaly, any combination of the two, i.e. targa top)
The integrated rollbar was also a structural member of the ICON body, so I don't see why a 4-door soft-top would not be feasable, if not structurally sound.
As far as how the 4 doors would look, it's up for grabs...Saturn, and many pickups have had success with 2 forward opening door/2 'suicide' door combinations, which the rears can only open when the fronts are open, this would leave a double wide door entrance when both are open.
I still also say that as far as removable doors are concerned, the side-impact airbag module and the door locking mechanism can be integrated into one unit, allowing the doorskins to be removable (hard and soft) with the module acting as a saftey bar.
As far as the 'need' for a 4 door convertible, I don't know who DECIDED that most convertibles have only 2 passengers. I have 2 kids that sit in Infant/Child seats, and 2 more doors would be a blessing, but I wouldn't want to give up my convertible top just to have 2 more doors, so please don't make my mind up for me.
JEEP can throw out a flexible platform and let people decide for themselves if they want a 4 door hardtop or soft top, and give people the option of changing their minds and changing tops later (Isn't that how JEEP does it now?).

To RUBICONTRAIL.NET Yes,that is the beginning of "JEEP" on paper that is...all I meant was by the post was that when MOST people think of the JEEP brand...the MB-TJ's come to mind...When a child draws a vehicle usually the first one is a "JEEP"..(ez to draw I guess)..When Bantam, Ford and Willys were fighting over the contract for the new Military-Spec "GP"...in the runs and at war..it's said that "GP" was then nicknamed "JEEP"....I'm just saying that the name is recalled by that certain body style...not necessarily the Co.that produces it. Most people today are not concerned or knowledgeable enough to recognize Oldsmobile or Oakland; let alone Willys-Overland and Kaiser..They sure know Jeep..thankfully for us fans...

"Wasn't the VW Thing a 4-door convertible?"

Yes it was. I stand corrected.

I stand (sit) corrected. I didnt know about the new manual tranny...

and i think that a 4 door wrangler would look damn cool. in terms of stregnth, couldnt something be arranged rollbar wise? i mean just having the back seat not between the wheelwells + 2 halfdoors in back would add a lot to the wrangler. as of now, i just have people climb into mine because its easier then moving the seat. with a 4 door convertable, the jeep would carve out another nitch. As far as im concerned, the wrangler is a nich vehicle, and this would just be another nich within a nich

mikgyver wrote: "But if you want to drive a 4-door with top down, there are no choices"

That's because they make no sense, very few people ever have 4 passengers in a convertable, and 4-doors offers absolutely no advantage in them.

Additionally, it's difficult to maintain adequate body stiffness with any soft top, let alone one with two additional door openings.

The reason why the last 4-door convertable made was the '63 Lincoln is because, they just don't make any sense at all.

As for there being a lot of other 4-door hard top suv's on the market, that's true, but none that are body-on-frame with SFA/SRA like the Dakar.

The argument that the Willys, Overland, etc. are not relevant (and that Jeep is only MB-CJ-DJ-YJ-TJ) is seriously flawed historically.

The MB and first CJ's were built by Willys-Overland Motor Company. This was the case until 1953 when Willys-Overland was purchased by Kaiser. Then the company was known as Willys Motor Company division of Kaiser. The Willys MB NEVER carried the Jeep brand name. The first vehicle to carry the Jeep nameplate was the CJ-2 (as this was a preproduction unit, only 9 are known to be in existence). The CJ-2A carried the Willys nameplate but was commonly referred to as a Jeep. It was not until the CJ-5 that the Willys name disappeared.

While Jeep's 4x4 heritage, began with the WILLYS MB, it's overall family lineage dates back much further. It was only the Depression and the War which forced the transition from luxury vehicles to something much more utilitarian.

"A 4-door soft top Jeep...why? "

Because if you want a 4-door SUV, there's about a hundred choices out there. In fact, go with the Toyota, it'll last a lot longer.

But if you want to drive a 4-door with top down, there are no choices. The reason we buy Jeeps is because they are different. That is why they need to make the top go down. Otherwise, it'll be just another SUV.

I doubt very seriously that the 4-door wrangler will have a soft top due to the new side impact requirements, in fact, the next Wrangler in general may not have a soft top, at least not as we know it today. You can thank our government, who thinks they need to protect us from ourselves, for that. Also, I wonder if the Unlimited was produced to get us "used to" a longer Wrangler because the next version may not be available in SWB model, kind of the way the CJ-7 prepared us for the elimination of the CJ-5?

it's great to see site like this here. Too bad Jeep is diluting its' storied brand in this way. It seems that there are 2 views common on this site-Those who think Jeep should expand its offerings and those who wish that Jeep stay true to the heritage. I am part of those who believe the latter...Jeep was (and is)to us from the MB to the CJ to the TJ and nothing else... A 4dr Wrangler was a Cherokee. A 8 passenger Jeep was a Wagoneer or Grand Wagoneer...and if you wanted a pickup..A Gladiator or J10. Pretty simple. And kept the Jeep unique. It's in danger of becoming just like any other appliance or doughnut...something for the masses to consume...just my opinion-Thanks for a great site!

Im not seeing where the article specifically says the 4-door Wrangler s going to be a soft top or removable hard top.

Hopefully it will be a full metal body like the Dakar. Much more usefull.

A 4-door soft top Jeep...why? That's not going to replace the Cherokee for most people.

It's interesting about the Overland trivia..but JEEP is just that; Jeep..Not Willys or Overland....JEEP. MB-CJ-DJ-YJ-TJ..see? Oldsmobile was around the same time as Overland...and they're....no..longer............here. Point is there's only..and shall always be One JEEP...see?

"The Jeep, Willys, and Overland brands have made everything from luxury roadsters (nearly 30 years prior to the appearance of the MB)..."


If you're referring to the Jeepster, it was anything but "popular." It sold for a number of years, but is largely seen as an odd footnote (at best).

I'll be first in line to put a deposit down once the four-door Wrangler is announced. The Jeep faithful swooned at the sight of the Dakar all those years ago, and here's hoping this turns out to be real...

here is my comment

I'd buy a Diesel Dakar today if available.

OPEN TOP 4-door Wrangler!

Once a person expands from only being concerned about himself, to having to be concerned about his family, Jeep leaves him hanging. Sure, you could buy a Liberty, but isn't just a four door car more respectable than a Liberty? And the Grand Cherokee? We're not all rich.

So a four door Wrangler is essential for Jeep if they want to keep those buyers in their client base.

And in regards to the open top - it would be wise to offer it as an option. Consider this:
-People love convertibles
-4-doors vehicles far outsell 2-doors

So how many options do we have for 4-door convertibles? None that I can think of (save for an H1)

Automakers spend so much time researching, trying to devise new product catagories that they can try to convince people to want. Here is a product that a substantial number of people have been begging for.

So build it!

I do beleive there is room for more nameplates in the Jeep line up without losing Jeep's "Heritage". Many people on this site seem to think Jeep's heritage only dates back to the AMC Era. Jeep has had many namplates over the years and not all of them were Rubicon capable vehicles. Jeep didn't design the original Willy's wagon back in the 40's to be an off-road vehicle, they even advertised it as a family car with the added safety of 4wd back then. The thing that concerns me, however, is that the Compass (or whatever they call it) would be based on the Neon platform. One thing that does make Jeep unique from most other brands is that Jeeps are designed from the ground up to be an SUV. Most others are mutations of either a car or a truck. That is what I feel is one of Jeep's strongest points. I would consider buying a less capable Compass as my commuter car, to support the brand, but I would prefer that it still be a Jeep (maybe based on the Liberty platform?), not a Neon on steroids.

"4 doors looks funny"?
You musn't remember how great the Dakar concept
looked! I can't wait! Hopefully my wife will still let me keep my current 2000 TJ...or
maybe I can convince her to dump her Liberty!!
Woo Hoo!

It's nice to see DCX is taking advantage of the Jeep name and expanding the line. (About time!)

To 91YJ, how did DC screw up with the Unlimited? The 2005 model is available in a six speed manual. There are also 3 versions of the Unlimited for 2005, base, premium and Rubicon. I do wish they had come out with a pickup truck version, but those dreams are gone. As far as half doors, since the Unlimited is essentially the Wrangler, you can always put half doors from a Wrangler onto an Unlimited.

Speaking of the Unlimited, does the '4-door Wrangler like' replace the Unlimited? Does not seem likely once the TK Wrangler 2-door and 4-door reach showrooms, there will be much room for the 2-door LWB Wrangler. Then again, the write-up refers to a "Wrangler-like" in one sentence, but states, "four-door version of the classic Wrangler open-top" in another.

What happens to the Liberty if they build a four door Wrangler? My guess is the Wranglers will be the true off-road trucks, and the Grand and Liberty will move more into the luxury class. Having a second small 4-door SUVs in the Jeep line-up maybe a hint that the TK will be solid axle, but with Hyundai building the rolling frame for the TK, who really knows. Looks like the next few years will be interesting.

If the Neon Jeep (do you think they will call it an NJ?) was cabable I would not care, but I have my doubts. Oh, well, BUT the real news here is the 4 door Wrangler! Great! Does this mean that DC is FINALLY going to give XJ Cherokee owners a replacement vehicle? That would be wonderful! Like Christmas in August, except that I have to wait 2 years. I sure hope it has the Tubo Diesel option, as I drive a lot an gas here is still $2.19 a gal for regular and $2.40- $2.60 in the towns north and south of me. Ouch! And, of course give it the option of a 6 speed manual and Rubicon package for those that want to pay extra.

Like the rest of you I want to see Jeep stay with trail capable vehicles, BECAUSE THAT IS WHY WE BUY THEM! If they want to expand the lineup of trail capable models, I'm fine with that too. If they want to come out with a line of less capable vehicles and call them Wusjeeps, or whatever, maybe that is ok too, just don't call it a real Jeep when it isn't.

funny post epic..! If that "Neon" based Jeep Compass isn't drunken bar-room talk....you're right on! I hope you're right!!

Wooooooooooo my next vehicle!!!

I'll just ignore the Jeep based on a Dodge Neon part as just drunkin bar talk. The part about the 4 door wrangler is awesome and hopefully not just talk. So many of us have been waiting for this for so long. I love the part where it says that its a 4 door version of the classic Wrangler OPEN TOP. Hopefully this means that the 4 door will be an open top of some sorts too. That would be even better than the Dakar concept. I'll buy the first one of those that the local dealer gets. Now if they would just do a 4 door pickup, something like the Avalanche based on the 7 seat Commander, I would be able to do all my Vehicle shopping at Jeep.

I think that in terms of "heritage" jeep screwed up with the unlimited. To me (maybe its just cuz i have a YJ) Jeep does mean MB - CJ- YJ - TJ, and that also means half doors and stick. I know I know, automatics have to be there, but stick should at least be an option. In terms of doors though, just picturing a wrangler with 2 sets of full doors looks funny. as long as the new wrangler stays true to heritage and doesnt get any more "car like" in my mind jeep can do whatever they want with the rest of their lineup

Yeah, Mike does a great job. Thanks Mike!

I hope this is reliable information. A 4-door wrangler
should have come out in 1997. I have been waiting a
very long time.