The Long History Of The Jeep Wrangler

THE LONG HISTORY OF THE JEEP WRANGLER

2021-02-12

The Jeep_® Wrangler is one of the most recognizable nameplates in the industry and the model’s history is quite fascinating. Although the Wrangler was officially introduced in 1986, it can trace its origins back much further than that.

The Wrangler’s history dates back to World War II, when the U.S. Army asked a handful of companies to build a small and powerful vehicle with four-wheel drive that would be used as a reconnaissance vehicle around battlefields on different fronts. Willys ultimately won the contract and began building the Willys MB. The popularity of the MB soared back in the United States with President Eisenhower once saying it was “one of the three decisive weapons the U.S. had during World War II”.

This led Willys-Overland to create a commercial version of the MB, dubbed the CJ. The first, built in 1945, became the world’s first mass-produced four-wheel drive vehicle. Over 1.5 million Jeep CJ units were built until 1986.

Jeep_® Wrangler Unveiling at the 1986 Chicago Auto Show

Although the Wrangler isn’t a direct replacement to the CJ, many of its elements such as the body-on-frame design, open top and solid axles are consistent with the CJ. The first Jeep_® Wrangler was introduced at the 1986 Chicago Auto Show and since, there have been four generations of the famed model.

Jeep_® Wrangler YJ

The Jeep_® Wrangler YJ was a two-door model exclusively and was produced until 1995. Promoted as more comfortable and usable, the Wrangler YJ had distinctive square headlights as opposed to round headlights which would define every Wrangler generation since.

Jeep_® Wrangler TJ

The Wrangler TJ was introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model. One of the most notable changes brought on by the arrival of the TJ was the switch to a coil-spring suspension as opposed to a leaf-spring setup. The TJ generation also saw the introduction of the first Unlimited model which was still a two-door version, but with a longer wheelbase.

Jeep_® Wrangler JK

The Jeep_® Wrangler JK arrived in 2006 and was completely redesigned, specifically the body, frame, and suspension. The JK was also the first Wrangler to offer a four-door Unlimited model.

Jeep_® Wrangler JL

Unveiled in 2017 and arriving as a 2018 model, the current Jeep_® Wrangler JL received new powertrain options that today include a turbocharged four-cylinder and the EcoDiesel engine as well as a plug-in hybrid engine in the Wrangler 4xe. The JL was also designed to be more refined and comfortable for daily use.

The 2021 Jeep_® Wrangler continues the tradition of excellence associated with the Wrangler name, a name that every automotive enthusiast knows very well.

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"Net Amount" includes the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP"), any current discounts and government rebates, freight (from $2,095 to $2,795), federal A/C, Green Levy and Luxury Tax surcharges (as applicable), and any finance adjustment values entered (down payment, trade-in, owe on trade). Price does not include sales tax, insurance, registration, license, retailer administration fees and other charges, or new tire duties (in Quebec). Your dealer may charge a Luxury Tax surcharge on vehicles priced over $100,000 under the Government of Canada's Select Luxury Items Tax Act. The actual value of the Luxury Tax surcharge will be calculated based on the vehicle's final negotiated selling price (before applicable taxes), and will represent the lesser of: (i) 10% of the vehicle's selling price; or (ii) 20% of the final negotiated selling price that exceeds the $100,000 threshold. Please see your dealer or visit the Government of Canada's website for further details.

"MSRP" represents the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price including freight. Price does not include taxes, insurance, registration, licence, retailer administration fees and other charges, and new tire duties (in Quebec). Retailers may sell for less. See your retailer for complete details.

Offer based on "Net Amount", which represents the "Starting at" price (which includes freight (from $2,095 to $2,795), federal A/C, and Green Levy and Luxury Tax surcharges (as applicable)). Net Amount does not include sales tax, insurance, registration, license, retailer administration fees, new tire duties (in Quebec), or lien registration fees (up to $75.75, including registering agent fees, where applicable, and which are due at signing). Your dealer may charge a Luxury Tax surcharge on vehicles priced over $100,000 under the Government of Canada's Select for further details. The actual value of the Luxury Tax surcharge will be calculated based on the vehicle's final negotiated selling price (before applicable taxes), and will represent the lesser of: (i) 10% of the vehicle's selling price; or (ii) 20% of the final negotiated selling price that exceeds the $100,000 threshold. Please see your dealer or visit the Government of Canada's website. Estimated payments, cost of borrowing and total credit charges will vary depending on down payment/trade. On approved credit on eligible retail deliveries. Retailers may sell for less. See your retailer for complete details. The APR (where applicable) is the effective interest rate which includes the Consumer Cash which lower rate financing customers forego as a cost of borrowing. For further offer details, click here.

Estimated payments based on "Net Amount", which represents the "Starting At" price (which includes freight (from $2,095 to $2,795), federal A/C, and Green Levy and Luxury Tax surcharges (as applicable)). Net Amount does not include sales tax, insurance, registration, license, retailer administration fees, new tire duties (in Quebec), or lien registration fees (up to $75.75, including registering agent fees, where applicable, and which are due at signing). Your dealer may charge a Luxury Tax surcharge on vehicles priced over $100,000 under the Government of Canada's Select Luxury Items Tax Act. The actual value of the Luxury Tax surcharge will be calculated based on the vehicle's final negotiated selling price (before applicable taxes), and will represent the lesser of: (i) 10% of the vehicle's selling price; or (ii) 20% of the final negotiated selling price that exceeds the $100,000 threshold. Please see your dealer or visit the Government of Canada's website for further details. Estimated payments are calculated based on the difference between the residual value and the Net Amount, plus any lease finance charges. Estimated payments will vary depending on down payment/trade. On approved credit on eligible retail deliveries. Low lease kilometre limit as low as 12,000 km/year for Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, FIAT® and Alfa Romeo vehicles. Charge of $0.16 - $0.20 per excess kilometre will be applied to Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, FIAT vehicles, plus applicable taxes at lease termination. Charge of $0.20 - $0.30 per excess kilometer plus applicable taxes will be charged at lease termination for Alfa vehicles. The APR is the effective interest rate which includes the Consumer Cash which lower rate financing customers forego as a cost of borrowing. For further offer details, click here.

Offer based on 'Dealer Price' which includes any current discounts, freight (from $2,095 to $2,795), federal A/C, OMVIC/AMVIC fee (as applicable), tire levy, administration and any retailer charges, and Green Levy and Luxury Tax surcharges (as applicable). Price does not include sales tax, insurance, registration, license, or new tire duties (in Quebec). Your dealer may charge a Luxury Tax surcharge on vehicles priced over $100,000 under the Government of Canada's Select Luxury Items Tax Act. The actual value of the Luxury Tax surcharge will be calculated based on the vehicle's final negotiated selling price (before applicable taxes), and will represent the lesser of: (i) 10% of the vehicle's selling price; or (ii) 20% of the final negotiated selling price that exceeds the $100,000 threshold. Please see your dealer or visit the Government of Canada's website for further details.

"Starting At" price represents the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ("MSRP") plus freight (from $2,095 to $2,795), federal A/C, administration fees of the selected dealer, and Green Levy and Luxury Tax surcharges (as applicable) minus current Manufacturer Discounts which allow the dealer to sell for less. Sales tax, insurance, registration, license, and new tire duties (in Quebec) not included. Your dealer may charge a Luxury Tax surcharge on vehicles priced over $100,000 under the Government of Canada's Select Luxury Items Tax Act. The actual value of the Luxury Tax surcharge will be calculated based on the vehicle's final negotiated selling price (before applicable taxes), and will represent the lesser of: (i) 10% of the vehicle's selling price; or (ii) 20% of the final negotiated selling price that exceeds the $100,000 threshold. Please see your dealer or visit the Government of Canada's website for further details. Manufacturer discounts may vary from time to time and may vary considerably by model, trim and engine option selected. Please see your retailer or visit Build & Price for further pricing information. Price listed is for base models. Vehicles shown may be an upgraded model. Retailers may sell for less.

The Long History Of The Jeep Wrangler | Jeep Canada