Prior Convictions: Wrangling with change
How Jeep has brought its icon into the 21st century, without forgetting where it came from...
I've heard it said about everything from leaf springs to live axles, and sometimes, no doubt, it's been true; although sports car customers seem to have embraced independent suspension without too much trouble. But it would be especially true, you imagine, when it comes to the Jeep Wrangler. That is a car, I suspect, that you mess with at your peril.
And so, sensibly, Chrysler hasn't messed with it. Looks good, doesn't it? I think so, especially the 2dr version, though you can have a 4dr variant too.
As well as updating, rather successfully to my eyes, the Jeep's appearance for the 2019 model year, the hardware has been renewed, too. But it's still a body-on-chassis off-roader, with solid front and rear axles. There is a low-range transfer case, all models get skid plates front and rear and it has what Jeep is claiming are the best off-road credentials in the business. The approach angle is 44 degrees, the departure angle 37, and there's a 27.8 degree breakover. Ground clearance is 277mm and it can wade through 762mm of water.
I'll always hold a soft spot for the Land Rover Defender. So much so that I've got one. But drive even a recent version and it becomes searingly obvious how much it was denied the kind of development programme that has kept the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Jeep Wrangler in business. So I'm a bit worried about the replacement, given it missed all of that tweaking and care that could have meant its evolution was a natural progression. Now, surely, it can't be, and I think that's a shame. Because this latest Jeep, particularly, shows how you look after an icon.
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However, whilst I was out there, I had the opportunity to try a Wrangler of similar vintage. And it was simply a much better car, in every measurable way.
If I did that winter again, one of these would be my car of choice.
Unfortunately for Jeep, the UK is not like the USA and the opportunity for people to actually use it off-road is limited, meaning it has the image of a 'lifestyle'/leisure vehicle, and it's not an image that a lot of people covet - not at the prices they're charging nowadays.
I think Jeep are doing a great job in its evolution, love the fact that you can still fold the windshield and take off the doors - it's nice to have a true icon around.
There'd be another in my dream garage - a 2 door Rubicon would do nicely.
Cost was the justification for things like leaf springs and live axles. They're cheap -- whereas more sophisticated solutions add to cost-of-goods and maintenance. Affordability and reliability were of greater priority in a continent-sized country like the US with, at the time, a mostly rural population.
Further, US roads and US driving habits did not require a fastidious devotion to complex suspensions. There was some consumer preference in terms of the live axle for drag racing, but this, too, was subordinate to cost.
Change came with rising household income and with the subsequent diversification of consumer lifestyles.
In contrast, when viewed by Americans from afar, motoring in the UK and in continental Europe appear to be historically defined by the wealthy. And, for the masses, by privation.
Terrible build quality
Leaks
Poor mpg
Gutless engine
2 inches or water in the foot well whenever it rained.
Rust
Candles for headlights
Comical traction control
Lousy dealership service, I mean just awful, after inspecting what I thought was the roof, I was informed it was actually a 'water deflection device' and wasn't supposed to provide a water free cabin.. I had to laugh.
Did I mention leaks....
Terrible build quality
Leaks
Poor mpg
Gutless engine
2 inches or water in the foot well whenever it rained.
Rust
Candles for headlights
Comical traction control
Lousy dealership service, I mean just awful, after inspecting what I thought was the roof, I was informed it was actually a 'water deflection device' and wasn't supposed to provide a water free cabin.. I had to laugh.
Did I mention leaks....
I have had lotd of niggling service issues but no majot failures. They have a deservedly poor reputation for quality. Four windscreens in four years. The flat vertical screen is a magnet for stone chips.
You missed the vague steering;)
Still, they are like penguins -comical out of their element but brilliant doing what they are meant to do.
Off road.
It will be interesting to see what Land Rover come up with next year and how that will be received. For some it is already a write off because it is assumed it will be a unibody not a body on frame. I think that what will matter will be how it performs on road as well as off road to broaden its appeal and whether it will offer the payload, cubic space and towing capacity of the Defender. I also think that hybrid versions will offer lots of power takeoff potential for ingenious users.
I suspect the suspension setup and resulting general driving manners will continue to make it a niche choice however.
Head lights are comedy, I agree, although mine doesn’t leak. But if it does you just remove the drain plugs lol.
Must be taken with petrol 3.6 Pentastar which makes it a very pleasant drive.
Image in the uk more spoilt by Kahn and footballers which is a shame because this car ought to be heartlands Pistonheads.
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