 Stretch Wrangler Getting Ready for Production?
Posted by mike on 2002/11/5 23:00:00 (260) reads
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Local media outlets around Toledo, Ohio reporting a variant on the Wrangler is on the way.
From 13 ABC Action News: Great news coming from the Jeep union today. 13 Action News has learned that a new vehicle will likely be coming to Toledo. It's called the Stretch Wrangler and it could mean hundreds of jobs. According to the union, it's almost a done deal. Toledo will be the new home for the Stretch Wrangler. Best case scenario: as soon as 2004 the new product could be rolling off the line and the Jeep plants could be back to full employment. The Stretch Wrangler is 18 inches longer than a standard Wrangler and offers more room in the back seat. It would be produced alongside the Wrangler at the North Cove plant and at Stickney. The UAW's Nick Vuich says, "Actually I believe it is coming; the only thing we don't know right now is the volume. That will depend on the market." The number of Stretch Wranglers Daimler Chrysler decides to produce impacts the number of jobs. The new vehicle could mean more overtime but workers hope it means another shift. Daimler Chrysler declined to make official comment but UAW tells us workers are already making modifications inside the plant to make way for the Stretch Wrangler. Pricing is important for the Stretch Wrangler because if it's only a little more expensive than a standard Wrangler, people will upgrade and abandon the Wrangler. The goal is to tap into a new market with a larger Wrangler. We're told production could begin on this product in early 2004. In addition we've learned from the union that a new plant manager is on the way, so some big changes in store. We'll keep you updated. Here's a link to the original article. This information goes along with some of the other rumors that we've been hearing, so hopefully it will only be a matter of time before we hear (or see) something official from DaimlerChrysler.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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 Originally posted by: scooter Daddy here is my comment
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: A When I bought my TJ, my CJ owner freinds looked behind the rear seat and laughed... I'd love to have enough room back there for more than one small bag...
Do you think it will be able to tow more than 2000 pounds?
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: James Hash That would absolutely ROCK!!!!! I'm ready to camp out at my dealer to order one right now!!!!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Mookie Any chance it will offer rear seating for three?
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: to hell with hondas rich, why are you so mad? i was just giving another point of view. and by the way im not "made of money", and most people that own trail rigs arnt either. i have no problem with people that use thier jeeps on the street and i am one of them.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich I'm with you Doc.I would also rather see a
Dakar type TJ, but we seem to be rather in the minority on this sight. Many readers out there are dying for a Scrambler knock off. From what
I've seen from the pics, it looks more like an
El Camino than a Jeep. Maybe doing alot of
aftermarket beefing up would make it look good.
Apparently alot of other jeepers here either have
no kids, or are empty-nesters who need no serious
inside cargo and passenger space.
Hey! I'm impressed your wife would even go for
a TJ over som Soccer-Mom suv! My ex wanted very
little to do with such an "impractical, dangerous,
midlife boy-toy!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Nissans Offroad Actually it's not, go to www.nissanoffroad.net and www.xterrain.com if you don't believe me! |
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: SC Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 This truck is hardy a rice burner, it is a sleek, power, extremely cabable offroader. I loved my Cherokee but there really is no comparison to this incredible truck....sorry.... I can't lie. You'd be suprised though, all the XTerra owners on their board get in a tizzy when you refer to the SC Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 as an Xterra SUT..... even though that's essentially what it is. Anyway you'd be suprised at the number of former Jeepers now driving Nissans as a result of the Liberty.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: JASON I FOR ONE AM HOPING TO SEE A S
AMBLER.ITS JUST ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO GETTING ANOTHER J-SERIES OUT OF DC.AND AS FOR FRONTIER BOY AND HIS SO CALLED TRUCK I HAVE A 1-TON J-20 AND A BIG LOG CHAIN WITH YOUR NAME ON IT! LETS HOOK'EM UP,WHAT DO SAY? NOTHING WORSE THAN A RICE BURNER!!!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich Well we won't miss you Frontier-boy!
The legendary CJ6 had only 2 doors, and
an extra 15". Ever see one dresseed up for the trails? hardly "butt ugly".
i agree I would like the 4 doors, but I'll be just as happy having a longer TJ that I can still remove the top, for warm weatrher cruising!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: ScramblerKen There are 2 prototypes, and neither one is like the Dakar. Both the prototype are 2-door models.
One Prototype is like the regular 2-door Wrangler with a removeable hardtop. The difference is that there is more room behind the back seat.
The other prototype is a pickup truck version similar to the old CJ8 (Scrambler).
Based on the article, they are mentioning the 2-door stretched Wrangler, not the pickup version. There is a chance that both of these prototypes will be made. Chrysler stated earlier in the year that they had 11 new vehicles that were planned.
for 2002:
New Dodge RAM pickup
Jeep Liberty Renegade
Dodge Viper SRT10
for 2003:
Chrysler Crossfire
Chrysler Pacifica
Dodge Neon SRT4
Ram SRT10
For 2004:
Dodge LX
Chrysler LX
This leaves 2 unmentioned vehicles. The stretched Wrangler and the upgraded Grand Cherokee might be the missing 2, which might hint that the pickup version is being dropped. Then again, we have not seen what the Wrangler Postal vehicle will look like.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich AAAhh,,umm.. Scrambler guys?
It says more room in the "back seat"!
Scramblers don't have back seats.
Personally I hope it IS a "stretched
Wrangler, aka, Dakar, or CJ6, not a
Scrambler
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Dan All they need to do now is make a Stretched Wrangler Rubicon!!!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon thank you thank you thank you
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich ditto!
Shit why did I add all that aftermarket
crap to my damn 2000??!!!!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Mike Finally! A stretch TJ would be perfect for those of us that love our tjs but also have family to consider. If they buid this thing, you can be sure I'll be at the dealer with a cheque book. It would be the perfect jeep for me, my wife and two kids to go on holidays/camping trips.
As it is we'll be pulling a small trailer this summer on our holidays. A longer tj with more room behind the seat, and a cargo rack would be perfect for us!
BUILD IT! BUILD IT!
Mike
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Robert I work at the Toledo Jeep Plant and the only thing we have been told is that it would be longer and have the Rubicon everything(axles,tranf.case,lockers,engine) and so far no start up date though. And to Rich, the Scrambler was not a dud, sales slowed so the company made a choice due to economics that it was not profitable any more. If it was a dud why are they so hard to come by,(nobody want to sell their's)
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Scooter Daddy 17 years as a SCORE official, 4x2 trucks always got me in and out. Got my archeologist daughter a 2001 Wrangler (no, I will not adopt you) and now I want the Tennese company's 30" stretch ($17k) with 2 more of the front buckets, 4 doors and still the flip and fold rear. Seats 6 or four and weekend luggage. Really uselful for me. 18" stretch would be better, but want the 4 buckets and luggage space.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: kwr make a rubicon version with the 4.7 V8 or a
turbo-diesel, and I'm there
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: A.James Wrong! Guess again. Its about time for a DAKAR!!!
Dakar! Dakar! Dakar!!!! Everyone I have ever met
Including Myself has wanted a Dakar. And I do Tons of
Jeep Jamborees and other (E.J.S.) runs.My 2000 TJ is
a pretty serious Rock Crawler but my wife needs her
2001 Grand for people shuttling. so on road trips, there
is no place to store gear. Please forward The entite
page to D.C. so they can see what a grave mistake they
made not producing the Dakar. I don't think this stretch
will do the trick. Make The DAKAR!! It wont hurt the
Damn Liberty Sales. I haven't met any serious jeepers
in one any way. No offense Liberty owners. Its still a
jeep and we respect you. Stretch wrangler? Not worth it
to get jeep #3 in the Stable. Jeep Dakar? Now give me
the checkbook, then lift it, Lock it and Load it!!! See me
at oxtrax.com owners rides
A James, Vegas Valley 4 wheelers
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: NorthWest If they build it, I will buy it. I would like a Rubicon passenger version (not the Scrambler) with the same Diesel engine they are going to use in the Liberty. Please introduce it in the fall of 2003 as a 2004 model. Thank you Santa!
(P.S.: Please bring back chilli pepper red!)
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: bud I just hope they make it and don't fold the idea away in a cabinet. Make it base, with a few options. Go forward with the diesel they are projecting for the Liberty; just got back from Germany and drove three diesel powered vehicles and enjoyed it. Who needs speed off the line? It'll make up for the MPG issue and give the low end power we want anyways.
Cheers,
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Stephen My dream is a convertible stretched Wrangler with a diesel engine. There, remove the top and back seat (that should seat three) and it's a "Scrambler", top down up and it is a "Dakar." I'm not too worried about the four doors (those hopping in the back of a Jeep are probably less likely to be worried about convenience). The engine would improve fuel economy and still, I think, be an excellent off-road hauler.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich Ummm..TO HELL WITH HONDAS,
Thanks for the detailed lesson! I've owned Jeeps
since 1986. I've owned 2 Wranglers,and an old
CJ7.(as well as Broncos and Chevy pickups)
I know what a Scrambler is. I know it was a model
that failed by the early 80's. I actually always loved them. Apparently so do "hardcore" offroaders.
Actually many offroaders would like a model like the Dakar, and yes we know this won't happen because of the Liberty. Why a 4 door or even a
stretched Wrangler? Cargo AND passenger capacity!
Why not have the rear seat not only fold down,
but actually come out liker the current model?
(Now the gen-y kids will be buying Honda Elements!)
You now have alot of cargo space that's PROTECTED!
Scramblers are great for you guys who are apparently made of money and only use their Jeep on weekends! As for me, I practically live in it. Commuting,carrying kids, and offroading. I can't afford a 2 seater just to go to the dump on
weekends or into the woods with some fishing gear!
For years I've been telling people to go to AEV.com to check that copanies aftermarket stretch jobs and only now are most readers even aware of the awesome Jeeps they've been putting out! The Brute. The 104" and 112" Wrangler mods
are worth the 30 to 40,000 bucks they cost!
I wish I had it!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: 1947 willys I am intrigued about the idea, however, to whom does it appeal to?(except other jeepers) Is DC going after the Sport trac (explorer) types? The exterras? or do they think they will bolster sales of 4 door dakota's with a jeep nose? personally, I loved the CJ8, and still enjoy my CJ7, but both are impracticle for growing families.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Dave Daley here is my comment
For those of you who have owned scramblers like me. The longer wheelbase gives them a better highway ride. As most of my fellow wheelers who drive TJ's thier biggest complaint is lack of cargo capacity(camping gear and kids). This new jeep might make me change from a Cherokee Now on my 5th since 1985, to a extended TJ.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: scramblerken Although a Dakar is more practical, Jeep engineers have been told that there will not be a 4-door Wrangler. (at least not in the US). The bean counters have shown management that having 2 similar sized 4-door SUVs that are near the same price is not econmical for Jeep. A Dakar would take away sales from Libby. Back in 1997, Jeep had a similar dilema with the Dakar compared to the Cherokee.
I know, the Dakar and Liberty are miles different, but remember, you are dealing with suit management, and they do not know the difference between IFS and solid axle.
Personally, if Jeep does build the stretch Wrangler (pickup or passenger version), at least it is in the right direction compared to the Liberty.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: to hell with hondas hey rich i agree with what you said about the dakar and how its a multi purpose vehicle, but the reason some people want the scrambler instead of the dakar, is because they dont want a multi purpose vehicle. On the weekdays, the dakar will be shuttling kids around and bringing people to work, while on the weekends might see some off road use. Im not knocking the Dakar at all, i think it kicks ass, but it really doesnt appeal to the harcore crowd like the scrambler does. With the scrambler, there is no back seat or carpeting(in the bed that is) just a cab and 5 feet of cargo space. This is better because it will have much more place to hold your gear and stuff, as apposed to the dakar which will probobly have the same amount of space as a WJ. hope this helps explain it!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: hans 2 all Jeepers... stick with your faith... JEEP.
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: rich I'm with you Doc.I would also rather see a
Dakar type TJ, but we seem to be rather in the minority on this sight. Many readers out there are dying for a Scrambler knock off. From what
I've seen from the pics, it looks more like an
El Camino than a Jeep. Maybe doing alot of
aftermarket beefing up would make it look good.
Apparently alot of other jeepers here either have
no kids, or are empty-nesters who need no serious
inside cargo and passenger space.
Hey! I'm impressed your wife would even go for
a TJ over som Soccer-Mom suv! My ex wanted very
little to do with such an "impractical, dangerous,
midlife boy-toy!
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| Anonymous |
Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Doc Savage here is my comment
Well personally I'd much rather see a "stretch" TJ as a Dakar rather than a Scrambler. You'd think that DC would listen to the customers at some point. The reaction to a "scambler" stretch has been as enthuastic as a Dakar. Why the Scrambler over the Dakar though? The Dakar was first, and IMHO much more useful and versitle than a Scrambler. We ended up getting the wife a TJ after we saw the Libby (hoping it had looked more like the Dakar).
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: matt Hey to hell with Hondas... It is true that Scramblers didn't sell well originally and that is why they stopped making them, but they have become very popular today, that is one reason Jeep has decided to build a new version. I guess what I should have said was "given the CURRENT popularity of the Scrambler". I for one have always thought Scramblers were cool.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: to hell with hondas no offense at all to you frontier, i am just wondering what kind of terrain you wheel your frontier in, and what kinda mods you have on it. i think it would be pretty cool to see one on the trails, because its a pretty rare sight.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: to hell with hondas hey matt the origional scrambler was not popular at all unfourtunately, thats why it was axed so early. good news is though the new stretch TJ will be popular, i just hope dc doesnt overhype it like they did with the Liberty Renegade because that thing sucks!!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: matt I think this is great. I have wished Jeep would build a long wheelbase version of the TJ for years. I was at Camp Jeep this summer and I got to see the prototypes for the stretch Wrangler, and ask the Jeep Engineers questions. They said that, if they built it, you would be able to configure it as a wagon, with a full top and back seat, or a pickup by removing the back seat and installing a half cab. Given the popularity of the original Scrambler I think that these will be a big hit, I just hope that we won't have to wait long for the Rubicon version.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: SC Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4X4 Well I had a Cherokee and CJ, I really thought the long Wrangler was a great idea at first, but if it's two door it's going to be butt ugly, useful or not. DC will never have the balls to make 4 door because it would cut too much into Liberty sales. Anyway doesn't matter to me now because I just got a SC Frontier Crew Cab 4x4, and after years of loving Jeep, I have to say this truck blows my Cherokee out of the water, in every way possible. I'm even selling my CJ now because I don't need anything more then this Awesome truck! Sorry fellow Jeepers.
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Simon I've seen this link before. Did they mention that this would be a two-door with a long bed, a la the original Scrambler, or an actual four-door, like the concept released a few years ago, the Wrangler Dakar?
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: jeepzrock lets just not celebrate too fast, I'll believe it when I see it
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Jon thank you thank you thank you dc!!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Erik
The return of the Scrambler, at last!!!!!
To those that think DC is destroying Jeep.......
nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!
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Posted: 1969/12/31 18:00 Updated: 1969/12/31 18:00 |
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Originally posted by: Anthony Gunsworth Well its about time, I just hope it uses concepts from the dakar.
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