Did we determine if the Unlimited will be 104" or 112" or somewhere in between?

I read that the new stretched unlimited is the forerunner for a four door wrangler. I sure hope this is correct. I know i would put money down for a stretched four door wrangler the current model is just to small for use with my family and i do not like the look of the liberty so i have settled for the grand. On the sidelines waiting and fingers crossed.....

what would be the overall length then? How does that compare to AEV and their 104" vehicle? What was the original CJ7 wheelbase?

The kj is just as capable as a stock wrangler or grand. Most people tend to forget that most of the wranglers out there have been hopped up..

Go to www.kjjeep.com Read thier message board.
Look at the picture section. You might be impressed.

here is my comment

Just wishful thinking on my part, or some bad logic, but if the new Grand Cherokee is going to be called a Grand Wagoneer then it can be concluded that there may be a Wagoneer in the near future -- Hence, why have a Grand Wagoneer and no Wagoneer?

DC, in the USA Today article, claims to be comming out with a vehicle smaller than the KJ to compete with the HUMMER H3 - possibly the Wagoneer.

Wouldn't it be nice if this so called "Wagoneer" was an updated XJ (e.g., rear tire carrier, 3/4 split rear seat...?

Just thoughts though. I ain't getting my hopes up.

At least the new Jeep KJ Renegade will look more like a Wrangler.

I hear people say that the KJ is a good off-roader. Then I hear others say it can't be due to it's IFS.

I'd be interested in responses from those who have taken the KJ through some pretty tough trails.

I have a TJ and and XJ but I've never driven a KJ. How would you compare the KJ - off-road - to XJ or TJ? Is Jeep blowing exhaust up the old tail pipe when they say that the IFS in the KJ is still trail worthy?

I went to a Freelander site. Man those guys have Jeep envy. Rather than talking about how their vehicles do off-road, the talk about Jeeps and can't believe that Jeeps can make it across the Rubicon trail.

Why does everyone forget the CJ6? It was EXACTLY
what Jeep is doing again with the Unlimited..more so than the CJ8 which was a pickup!
The CJ6 was a true 2 door Jeep body with more cargo space in the rear..just try to find one today! Extremely rare and apparently forgotten by
all the Jeepers out there.

To answer Jon’s questions regarding dimensions:

Model WB Leng Width
CJ7 93.5 147.9 65.3
CJ8 103.4 177.2 65.3
YJ 93.4 152 66
TJ 93.4 152.8 68.2
Unlm 103.4 167.8 68.2

As far as the Unlimited being the forerunner to Jeep coming out with the Dakar, I kind of doubt it (but I could always be wrong)

Let’s look at the facts:

The Wrangler TJ is at end of life cycle. The vehicle will probably be replaced by a new platform in 2007 (IE IFS, V6, lower to the ground, maybe even unibody).

The Unlimited is a very low cost way of keeping the Wrangler production at the 60-80,000 units per year. Notice that they are not planning on adding to the work force at the plant to produce the new vehicle. The Unlimited requires little to no ‘red tape’ since it basically is a modified version of the Wrangler (IE no expensive crash tests). The Unlimited is very close to what AEV has been producing with their 104LWB Jeep conversion, so Jeep knows how the vehicle is going to operate. Basically, Jeep had very little engineering work to do on this one.

Personally, I think DC management is really hurting Jeep. We have seen concepts from Jeep (Dakar, Compass, new Scrambler), and they just keep plodding along with only 3 vehicles in the line.

The 2005 Grand will share components with the poor selling Mercedes M class, and it still does not get the third row of seats. The Grand goes IFS in 2005, what next? (ok, they give you the Hemi, but you can buy the new Dodge Durango mini School Bus for that).

The Rubicon and Unlimited are good things, but on the other hand, how much of a ‘stretch’ did Jeep go to make these? The Rubi has components that came from the sub-contractors, and the Unlimited uses all of the same components in the current Wrangler. Jeep keeps passing up opportunities (like building the Brute from AEV, or giving us the Egyptian TJL Wrangler instead of the Unlimited). The Unlimited is not even available, and already there is talk that the Rubicon version will probably not be available.

I know there are many creaming in their jeans over the ‘Rescue’, but at the rate we have seen concepts from Jeep materialize into production, I would not hold your breath. Heck, the Unlimited has been around for a couple of years, and there is not much engineering work in that one. Sorry for being cynical and I hope Jeep and DC have some surprises up their sleeves, but the future just does not look that bright.

I have found my Liberty to be a fine small SUV, but I'd trade it in on a 4 door Wrangler (read Dakar) in a New York minute. I will seriously consider trading it in on the Unlimited if they actually get around to building it.

The lack of an Unlimited Rubicon edition is a mistake.

From what i have read the Unlimited has a 10" increase in wheel base and 6" longer behind the read wheels. That puts is right at 104" wheel base.

here is my comment

I like the Unlimited idea. I hope that it can tow more than a TJ. Of the three things that I don't like about the TJ is lack of storage space, towing capability and the interior looks too much like the Dodge K-Car. It looks like the Unlimited will solve at least one of those issues. I do like the TJ which is why I bought one. It's interesting that Jeep is finally making some variations with it so late in its life cycle.

Thanks for the KJ comments. I'm looking forward to seeing the 2005 Renegade. I think the V6 is a downgrade from the I6 due to its high RPM torque but the diesel will be cool. If anyone can get any spy shots, please post 'em.

I know this is going to make the SWB guys angry but why not make ALL TJ's stretched? They will definately ride and climb better than a SWB TJ. The general concensus is that a 104" wheel base is optimal for climbing, sounds like a good trail rig to me.

Pop a fixed, steel, hard top on it and four doors as option and you have a Dakar! Then they could satisfy the side impact standards and add side curtain air bags as an option as well.

Now all they need is to update the I6 engine, kind of like what GM did with their I6. I would love to have an all aluminum I6 with 230+ HP in a 104" wheel base TJ!

chill dude, this is 2003 not 1979.

The KJ is a more capable vehicle than I ever expected it to be, however I'd definately say that it is NOT as capable as a stock TJ (probably close to an XJ). I lead a trail ride with some folks from a mag testing a stock KJ. It did not make it thru spots stock TJs made it, but made it much futher and better than I expected, and this was with a very experienced driver at the wheel.

As far as the Unlimited Wrangler, I could care less what they call it as long as they build it. I wanted one since the Dakar concept. Timing is pretty good as I was expecting to purchase a new TJ end of 04. I would prefer to have a Rubicon version, but will definately settle for just the stretch. It'll cost me more, but I can add the lockers myself (don't really need the 4:1 as this is primarly a daily driver and light duty off-highway vehicle, my present TJ will be the heavy duty off-highway rig).

Robert

The kj is just as capable as a stock wrangler or grand. Most people tend to forget that most of the wranglers out there have been hopped up..

Go to www.kjjeep.com Read thier message board.
Look at the picture section. You might be impressed.

What the hell ever! Those wankers wish it was a CJ 7!!!! If they introduce some new revolutionary vehicle that looked like a retro CJ 7 fine, but one variation of the current wrangler? Please don't make me BARF DC!!!!

I suppose they may want to keep Rubicon exclusive to the shorty Wrangler to keep people buying the regular wheelbase TJ.
When the Unlimited is sitting on the lots next to the TJ for a few bucks more most everyone will opt for it.
I like the Unlimited name. Very fitting.

We are a Jeep family I have been driving them
for over 20 yrs. My wife drives a cheroke and I drive my pride and joy a cj-8 Scrambler I am dreaming of the day when I can park the jeep
rescue right next to my other Jeeps. I have only seen it in pictures since the Clouns in Detroit
did not have it at the Los Angeles Car Show.
In so many ways I wish that AMC could get the Jeep
trade mark back. It is clear to me that Chrisler
managment is not up to the task.