Seeing as how those are my photos used in the article, I can say with certainty that that article is over a year old. If you go to Autoweek's new section, you'll see that article isn't listed at all in the current article listing. It appears that someone over at Autoweek blundered up one of their article templates and now the [old] article on the Scrambler is displaying the current time/date, and not the original time/date the article was published.

This would be nice if it were true. I'd definately buy a new long wheelbase scrambler varient if it came with the 6-speed manual tranny that DC says is going into the Unlimited.

It's a lot easier to justify shelling out the money for a new Jeep if it can carry a load in a pickup bed.

here is my comment

sh..it

On the contrary, the Chinese-built Cherokee is derived directly from the same Cherokee sold in the US until 2001.

In fact the Cherokee model being sold in China includes safety features that were never present on the US version, such as back up sensors.

its funny because all of you people except disgruntled think you know everything about jeeps - get ya all in a room and i bet you couldnt tell who was full of the most sh*t.

As much as I want this article to be true, it looks like this is the old article from back on February 3, 2003 back when we first heard about a stretch Wrangler. If you do a search on the archives in autoweek, you will find the article, which is word for word. The date field seems to get updated with the current date/time.

A couple of key points:

1) They never mention the current name of LWB Wrangler (Unlimited).

2) The Overseas model they refer to is the TJL which is slightly longer than the Unlimited and is a full ton pickup truck. This is the model designed for the Egyptian army, and it is used to hold large weapons in the back.

In talking with others, sadly, there is no Scrambler on any plans from Jeep. If you visit www.jeepwarehouse.com, you will see info regarding the 2005 Unlimited (and other Wranglers).

The Unlimited (as well as the SWB Wranglers) will come in 6 speed manual transmissions. There is 2 models to the Unlimited, the E and H package, but that is simply options packages. There is no Rubicon version of the Unlimited.

Now there is always still a possability of a 'Scrambler' version, but sadly, I doubt it.

Some points to ponder about the article:

1. DC held back a few models during it's "sneek peek" (to show customers that new models were finally coming down the Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep end of
business ) to keep the competition off track and interest in DC. Hopefully the Scrambler was one of them.

2. There have been on again - off again rumors that this vehicle would be coming out this July.

3. The Toledo plant is being expanded for more product capacity; the Unlimited and Scrambler together could certainly do that.

4. DC has claimed that there would be a demand for a two year run of Scramblers ( at 20,000 per year )which would coincide with the new Wrangler for model year 2006.

5. The present platform has been around since 1997 and the cost of deriving a Scrambler from and Unlimited which is a derivitive of a Wrangler would be cost effective.

6. Jeep premier days is scheduled this fall; hopefully it is to show the new Grand and the Scrambler. The regional sales rep. told my local dealer that a suprise was in store for this fall. Perhaps it is the Compass or Commander but it seems to me if it were either one of these two vehicles we would have known by now; the Scrambler won't need a specific plant or much tooling investment to start production.


I hope they can get production up quickly and it will come out of the box with a manual transmission. I'll count on the after market to handle soft tops, lift kits, etc.

Let's hope it is true!!

My apologies. This somehow ended up as reaction to the wrong story.

Don't read too much into this article, this article is very old. In fact, it was already referenced here on Mike's back in February 2003.( see http://www.onetomany.com/jeepnews/content.asp?i=518 )