History of the Jeep Wrangler

After the war, Willys took the design of the Jeep MB and created the Willys CJ, short for Civilian Jeep. This was put to use by millions of farmers and workers in other industries. It was said that the CJ-2A could do the work of two heavy draft horses, 10 hours a day, without the engine overheating. The earliest Willys model that would later be used as inspiration for the modern Jeep Wrangler is the CJ-5, produced from 1955 to 1983, and the CJ-7, which was produced between 1976 and 1986. Subsequently, the Jeep Wrangler was introduced in 1987, launching the 4x4 vehicle market into the future. The first-generation Wrangler, named YJ, maintained key elements of the CJ-7, like the upright grille, round gauges, removable soft top, and removable doors. However, it swapped out the circular headlights for square ones and gave the Wrangler a modernized interior, an angled grille, and a wider track. While maintaining the open-body style of the CJ-7, the 1987 Wrangler had more in common mechanically with the Jeep Cherokee. The first-generation Wrangler was available in seven trim levels, S or SE, Laredo, Islander, Sport, Sahara, Renegade, and Rio Grande.

The 1997 model year brought the introduction of the Wrangler's second generation, dubbed TJ. The second-generation Wrangler was advertised as "the ultimate escape machine" because of its other-worldly on-road handling and off-road performance. The 1997 Wrangler was the fifth model produced by Jeep that earned the 4x4 of the Year award. The second-generation Wrangler brought back the CJ-7's round headlights and upright grille, which still remain to this day. Beyond that, however, the 1997 Wrangler saw one of the brand's most significant transformations, with nearly 80 percent of its components upgraded. It was the first Jeep model to introduce coil suspension to replace the leaf springs from previous model years for enhanced comfort while driving on the road. However, the Wrangler's off-road capability was enhanced with added ground clearance, more aggressive approach and departure angles, and better axle articulation. While continuing to evolve, the inspiration for the original Wrangler remained, featuring removable soft or hard tops, round headlights, an upright grille, and removable doors. Under the hood of the Wrangler TJ sat a four-liter AMC inline six-cylinder engine also used by the Cherokee and Grand Cherokee at the time.

The 2003 model year saw the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and suddenly, the off-roading community was changed. Surpassing the off-road capability of the other Wrangler trim levels, the Wrangler Rubicon featured enhanced suspension tuned for rugged off-road trails and added an array of additional off-roading equipment. The Wrangler Rubicon earned its name from the Rubicon Trail. High in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe, the Rubicon Trail is hailed as one of the world's toughest off-roading trails. In 2004, Jeep introduced the Wrangler Unlimited, which stretched the Wrangler's wheelbase by ten inches and the overall length by fifteen inches, creating the first four-door Wrangler. The added length also gave rear seat occupants an additional two inches of legroom. In 2005, these two impressive models came together when the four-door Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited was made available.

The 2019 model year was when Jeep gave the Wrangler its latest full overhaul, creating the Wrangler JL. The fourth-generation Jeep Wrangler heavily honors its heritage with an upright seven-slot grille, round headlights, removable doors, numerous removable soft or hardtop options, round gauges, and standard 4x4 in the form of Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac. This generation also saw the introduction of more advanced technologies and modernized exterior notes. Jeep upgraded the Wrangler's powertrain options in 2021, adding the Rubicon 392 to the lineup with a 6.4L HEMI V8, while the 4xe plug-in hybrid electric vehicle system was also introduced. The HEMI engine affords the Wrangler Rubicon 392 a heart-pounding 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, the Wrangler 4xe upholds the model's legendary capability with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Now, in the 2024 model year, the Wrangler has received a mid-cycle refresh, adding a new standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, the all-new Rubicon X trim, a stealth windshield-integrated antenna to replace the former steel mast, and more. 

Over the years, the Jeep Wrangler has evolved into arguably the most iconic vehicle on the road by staying true to its roots and not straying too far from its heritage while keeping with the times. If you're interested in getting your hands on a new Jeep Wrangler in the Philadelphia area, look no further than Reedman-Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram! Here, you can find an array of new Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler 4xe models. Shop online or visit us in-store to find the right one for you. If you have any questions regarding our new Wrangler inventory, feel free to use the contact form below!