Aftermarket Firms Develop Power Operated Soft Top for Jeep Wrangler

Along with myriads of new concept and project cars, next week's SEMA Show in Las Vegas will also see many aftermarket companies debuting numerous new vehicle components and accessories.

Jeep specialist RuggedRidge and RoadWire both revealed that they would use the SEMA Show to launch new power operated convertible tops for the JK Wrangler.

Read more »

Jeep Launches Special Edition 2012 Wrangler "Call of Duty:MW3"

The Chrysler Group has once again collaborated with the makers of the popular Call of Duty gaming franchise for the development of a special edition version of its Jeep Wrangler.

The new model is based on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler powered by the 285HP 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and is dedicated to the upcoming game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (abbreviated as MW3), which will be the third chapter in the Modern Warfare series, and the eighth Call of Duty installment.

Read more »

Video: Watch the Mopar Team Turn a Jeep Wrangler into a Pickup Truck

As well as announcing the U.S. market launch of the JK-8 kit that carries a $5,499 sticker, Chrysler’s Mopar division also released a new time-lapse video that shows us a team of workers turning a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck with a small bed at the back.

According to Mopar Performance Team engineer, Steve Houtman, it took the four-man crew (or at least that’s our count of the number of people seen working on the Jeep) about an hour to complete the transformation using the JK-8 kit. Watch them in action for yourself in the clip after the break.

Read more »

Jeep Prices New JK-8 Kit to Transform Wrangler Unlimited to a Pickup Truck at $5,499

Those of you that fancy turning your four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck will be happy to know that the firm’s much-talked about JK-8 Kit is available for order now through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships, with pricing set at $5,499.

However, Jeep does note that the JK-8 kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is for “skilled do-it-yourselfers”. For the less handy amongst us, the company said that the kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership.

Read more »

Multiple 2011MY Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Vehicles Recalled to Fix Steering Columns

A dozen vehicles from the three core Chrysler brands covering more than half of the company’s 2011 models are being recalled in the United States to fix a potential problem with the steering column.

The recall covers 11,351 vehicles and affects certain 2011 model year Dodge Journey crossovers, Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler 200s, Chrysler 200 Convertibles, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Nitros, Jeep Liberty SUVs, Dodge Calibers, Jeep Compass crossovers, Jeep Patriots, Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

Read more »

Jeep’s Drive Your Track Lets you Plan World Road Trip from Your Music

I’ve been trying out Jeep’s Drive Your Track website for their Wrangler model’s Infinity Sound System. You start by uploading a song from your hard drive: I chose Gary Numan’s, “Cars” for reasons that should be readily apparent.

It takes a few minutes to load your song, and then the sound waves are somehow mapped to certain geographical features from around the world.

You end up with eight or so places, which for me included the Appalachian Mountains, the Himalayas, the Andes, the Ural Mountains and Colorado Rockies.

Read more »

New Footage of Jeep’s Build-it-Yourself Wrangler JK8 Independence Pickup Truck

Earlier this month, the Chrysler Group’s Mopar division unveiled a new do-it-yourself pickup conversion kit for the latest generation of the Wrangler modeled after the 1980’s Scrambler CJ-8. Called the JK-8 Independence, the kit allows the transformation of a four-door 2007-2011 Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door, two-seater pickup truck with a 50-inch long cargo bed.

Now, the Detroit automaker has released new running footage of the JK-8 Independence pickup conversion shot at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, as well as a walkaround clip with Steve Hautman, a Mopar Performance Offroad Team engineer, providing us a brief explanation on the build. You can watch both clips right after the break.

Read more »

2011 NYIAS: Jeep Launches New Wrangler Mojave with Bespoke Features

The refined 2011 Wrangler has only been a few months into its U.S. market introduction but Jeep is already rolling out a special editions of its rugged 4x4. The latest addition to the Wrangler range is the Mojave, which is named after the western desert Mojave Trail, and comes with unique features inside and out, including an aggressive wheel and tire package. Read more »

Teen Girl Rams Stolen Jeep Wrangler into a Church During Police Pursuit [with Video]

A police video camera has captured the pursuit of a speeding Jeep Wrangler that ended with the 4x4 plowing a Church in Socastee, South Carolina on Friday. The driver turned out to be a 15-year-old girl who had stolen the red-colored Wrangler. Despite the severity of the crash, the teenage girl managed to escape with serious but non-life threatening injuries. Read more »

Project Kahn Does its Thing on the Jeep Wrangler

The tuners over at Project Kahn have released photos and details on their latest offering based on the Jeep Wrangler. The restrained tuning programme is limited to a cosmetic touch up of the popular 4x4 model. On the outside, Project Kahn’s team added a set of new 20-inch RS alloy wheels wrapped around beefy 275/55 tires. Upon request, the Wrangler can be finished in either black or silver with matching alloy wheels.

Read more »

Jeep’s 2011 Moab Easter Safari Specials in Pictures and on Video

Earlier today, we showed you the Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence pickup truck [DIY] conversion, and now its time to give you a sneak peek of the rest of the vehicles Jeep and Mopar are planning to bring to the upcoming 45th annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari in Utah on April 16.

The list includes the Jeep Compass Canyon, Cherokee Overland, Grand Cherokee Off-road Edition, Wrangler Renegade, Wrangler Pork Chop, Wrangler Blue Crush and the Mopar Ram Truck Runner.

One of the most impressive looking models is the Jeep Wrangler Blue Crush, which is said to combine “high-speed off-road racing and rock-crawling capability.” The high-riding Wrangler packs a Mopar 426 cubic-inch HEMI V8 with 540 horsepower that is paired with a 545RFE performance transmission and a gear-drive transfercase.

Read more »

Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence: DIY Mopar Kit Allows Owners To Turn Wrangler Into a Pick Up Truck

Some of you may remember the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept study for a pickup truck version of the Wrangler, which for many reasons, never came to fruition. But if you happened to like the idea of a light-duty hauler based on the Wrangler, then Jeep may have the answer for you with its new JK-8 Independence package.

The do-it-yourself Mopar kit allows owners to convert a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck with seating for two and a pickup style bed. After the conversion, the bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The package includes all the necessary parts such as the bed floor, inner and outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

Read more »

Jeep to Show Six New Vehicles at Moab Easter Safari

At the upcoming 45th annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari event that takes place in Utah from April 16-24, the Chrysler Group will display six new vehicles, including two Jeep Wrangler concepts. The company revealed two teaser sketches of the Jeep Wrangler “Renegade” and “Pork Chop” editions, which are modified versions of the standard Wrangler. Further details are to be released closer to the event. Read more »

Kansas Thieves Targeting....Jeep Wrangler Doors

We've heard of thieves stealing wheels, tires, GPS and audio systems from cars, but pinching off doors from Jeep Wranglers is something new. However, that's exactly what's happening in Overland Park in Kansas, as thieves are taking doors off Jeep Wrangles and selling them online. Local police told KMBC news that four such thefts took place in the past few weeks alone.

According to the report, because the Jeep Wrangler's doors are hinged on the outside of the vehicle, it's very easy to remove the bolts if the vehicle is unlocked. The Overland Park police suggested that owners should keep their cars locked [maybe a warning sticker similar to the one found on mirrors could help...] adding that there are special bolt kits that make it very difficult to remove the doors.

Read more »

Sandy Sanderson’s Can Cars Are Automotive Art Par Excellence

The automobile is such an integral part of so many people’s lives that it’s no wonder than artists and sculptors often use them for inspiration. Take Sandy Sanderson of Hamilton, New Zealand, for example. He takes beer and soft drink cans and crafts them into meticulous, highly detailed replicas of hot rods and other classic cars. And Mr. Sanderson really is a meticulous sculptor.

Read more »

Alonso and Massa Earn their Living Promoting 2011 Jeep Wrangler

We have to admit that we feel for Ferrari's F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As if being forced to wear jokey caps, blouses and t-shirts full of ads, and drive around exclusively in Fiat Group products such as the Abarth 500 wasn't enough of a pain in the behind (a quick look at their bank statements should ease the pain though...), the dynamic duo is now being used to promote the Chrysler Group's offerings such as the Jeep Wrangler.

Read more »

Jeep Announces 70th Anniversary Edition Models at Detroit Motor Show

After releasing a barrage of refreshed models, Chrysler's Jeep division is now banking on a series of special edition models created to celebrate the brand's 70th anniversary.

“As part of our celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Jeep brand, we are creating stunning, premium special-edition models of each vehicle in our lineup that pay homage to the history of the legendary Jeep brand,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep.

Read more »

WaterCar Gator: An Amphibious VW Beetle-Based Jeep Lookalike for the Budget Minded

In October ’09 we brought you details and pictures of WaterCar’s US$200,000 Python: a Corvette-engined sea going convertible / roadable speed boat. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t cheap, but some child-like part of us was enthralled with the sheer absurdity of it. Well, if you're on a tight(er) budget, the company also offers a considerably cheaper model. The Gator is essentially a kit car, albeit an impressive looking one at that.

Read more »

Marchionne: 2012 Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6, Dodge working on a new compact car

In the announcement on Chrysler's third-quarter sales results, the company's CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that next year's 2012MY Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will both get a new 3.6-liter V6 "Pentastar" engine. Mr. Marchionne also spoke of a new Dodge sedan as well, which is currently being developed on the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback.

Read more »

2010 SEMA Awards: Not Surprisingly, Detroit's Three Score a Hat Trick

The organizers of the SEMA show have announced the winners of the very first SEMA Award contest for the hottest and most popular car, truck and 4x4 -SUV models at this year's edition of aftermarket event in Las Vegas. According to SEMA, the inaugural award recognizes the most tuner-friendly new models, based on the number of vehicles exhibited at the show.

The winners for each category were the Chevrolet Camaro (Cars), Ford F-Series (Trucks) and the Jeep Wranger (4x4 -SUV) - and thereby making all three Detroit automakers happy...

Read more »