Source (Youtube via DriveOffRoad)

Jeep becomes the first automaker to have over 1,000,000 fans on Facebook

n 2010, the Jeep brand experienced triple digit growth in its fan base on Facebook. In July, Jeep brand fans tested the size limits of Facebook’s photo album, “Photos by Others.” Fans exceeded the 20,000 photo-limit resulting in a need for Facebook to accommodate the increased number of images. We are guessing that nearly all of these fans that hit like have (or wish they have) a Jeep Wrangler accessorized with Rugged Ridge parts.

“We are honored to be the first and only domestic automotive brand that can claim more than 1 million Facebook fans,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “This reinforces the fact that Jeep is clearly one of the most well-known and loved brands throughout the world, and comes as we continue to gain sales momentum and begin to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the brand.”

So have you added us on Facebook yet?

Spanish-language speakers can now more easily find up-to-date information regarding parts and accessories for their Jeep® or 4×4 vehicle when visiting ruggedridgeoffroad.com. You can toggle between English and Spanish by selecting the language flag in the top right corner of the page.

Like its English-language counterpart, the Spanish-Language site, will enable consumers to learn about the Rugged Ridge and its history, view product information, find distributors and other valuable resources.

Los que hablan Español ahora pueden encontrar fácilmente  información actualizada sobre las piezas y accesorios  para sus Jeep® o vehículo 4X4 al visitar ruggedridgeoffroad.com. Pueden alternar entre Inglés y  Español seleccionando la bandera del idioma preferido en la esquina superior de la página.

Igual a su contraparte en Ingles, la pagina de web en Español le permitirá a los consumidores aprender sobre Rugged Ridge y su historia, ver información sobre los productos, encontrar distribuidores, y otros recursos valiosos.

Last September in Orlando, Jeep CEO Michael Manley,  set Jeep forums and internet chat rooms ablaze by hinting that a Jeep pickup truck was in the future. No one knew what the tuck was or where it came from… Until now.

By hinting we mean, Manley concluded a speech to Jeep deal group by saying, ” “You never know what might show up in your showroom someday” and coolly exited the stage as the stunned audience glimpsed a yellow Jeep concept through sheer curtains.

Speculation was set aflame by the fact that no one got more a fleeting glance of the truck. There were no images of video footoage taken. Was it based on the Nukizer M715 Jeep released that year in Moab? Perhaps a take off of the J8 Egyptian Military Spec Jeep, the 2005 Gladiator Concept, or something new all together? The Jeep design team certainly didn’t know. They were busy sketching concepts of the redesigned Wrangler due out in 2012. The guys in charge of the Ram Truck division over a hearty, “Hell, no!”  when asked about the possibility of production.

Automotive News and other news sites were quick to debunk the production of a Jeep based truck; calling it all hype.  Ram certainly wasn’t happen about a the possibility of it’s sister brand cannibalizing their sales. Let’s face it Michael Manley never said the Jeep was headed for production when he walked off the stage. But what no one counted on was the fact that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was behind the idea.

The Jeep is none other than the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept with a new yellow job covering the original Armour Green. After crisscrossing the states for media blitzes and auto shows in 2005 the concept was retired to the Walter p. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. After disappearing from display for a few short weeks it is now sitting back behind the velvet rope sporting its new bright yellow paint.

The 2013 Gladiator will most likely be a cross between the 2005 concept and the Nukizer M715. It will be powered by the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, 280 horsepower (209 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm, that sits under the hood of the 2011 Grand Cherokee, and will power all Jeep Wrangler in 2012. The bed will be shortened to 5ft too add two more feet to the passenger compartment, but will use a tailgate extender (like the Ford Explorer Sport) to accommodate larger objects.

Like the current Wrangler the new Jeep truck will be built in Toledo and will sit atop a front Dana 30 and rear Dana 44 axles, and be mated with a new Fiat transmission. The word is the Jeep is consider using the Gladiator name or reviving the Scrambler moniker.

Photo Credit: Yellow Jeep (USA Today)

The office is basically like the gridiron. A certain amount of trash talking is  expected and even acceptable. In our industry that usually means guys with oversized egos compensating for undersized lifts and tires, if you know what I mean.

The longest running office spat started when a tech guy called out of one of our engineers and asked when he was going to trade in his 2WD Grand Cherokee for a “real Jeep”. The engineer asked replied in kind asked the tech guy the same question. When was he going to trade in his YJ for a “real” Jeep?

To be fair the YJ is the perennial red headed step child of the Jeep family. (How quickly can you say square headlights?) Half CJ7, half TJ it seems the YJ got the worst of both worlds. The ribbing knows no bounds. Example:

Question: Why don’t you see more YJ’s on the trail? Answer: Cash for Clunkers.

Question: What is the best upgrade you can make to YJ? Answer: A TJ

For the better good we decided it was time for this hate fest to end. Love heals all wounds. So, we tried to convince them to fight it out.  They need wounds before they can be healed, right? We have been religiously offering helpful solutions: Duels, Bicycle Jousting, Arm Wrestling, but the absolute best solution we came up with was a tug of war.

So, we ask you: WHO WILL WIN? The grocery getting 2004 2WD Grand Cherokee that is one step above the soccer mom minivan, or the 1993 anemic 2.5L YJ Wrangler? The Grand Cherokee is bone stock (minus the addition of a car seat). The YJ (Yuppie Jeep) is out fitted with a 4″ ORV Lift, 1″ shackle lift and the perquisite 3″ body lift with 35×12.5×12 super swampers.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Saturday is would have been the King’s 75th Birthday, for those of you who don’t believe he is quietly leaving out his days playing shuffle board with other seniors in cozy Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The King of Rock loved fun, fast cars and women. His fondness of the now notorious women and Cadillacs is well documented, but most people don’t know that Elvis dug more than just his Caddie’s in light rose hues: He even liked his Jeeps pink.

When Elvis Presley returned home to Graceland in 1960, fresh from a stint the army, he purchased a 1960 Jeep Surrey for use on the grounds. His love for the Jeep was most likely experience in the Army and on the set of his first film G.I. Blues.

The Jeep “Surrey” or “Gala” was a package on the two-wheel drive DJ-3A Dispatcher. Produced as a resort fleet rental vehicle the playboy pink Jeep was produced by Kaiser Willys from 1959 until 1964.  The Surrey was usually dressed out in Elvis’ preferred pink (actually Tropical Rose/Coral Mist), but also was offered in Cerulean Blue/Glacier White, and Fountain Green/Glacier White.

Oddly enough the pink Jeep shared screen time with Presley in the 1963 B flick Fun in Acapulco. In which Elvis played a down and out lifeguard / lunge singer and former trapeze artist. The Jeep is now on permanent display at Graceland his Memphis, Tennessee estate.

Photos Credits: Robin Walker (PBase), Derek Redmond (CJ3B)

Canadian soldiers stationed at CFB Gagetown, near Halifax, have become so proficient they can tear down and reassemble their Jeep in under four minutes.

Jiffy Jeep

Jeep has finally taken the wraps off the 2011 Jeep Wrangler! Its been 70 year since the first Jeep (Willys) rolled of the assembly line. To commemorate the 70th anniversary the 2011 is sporting a revamped interior, but those hoping for the new Penstar 3.6L V6 have to wait one more year till the 2012 arrives. Production started this week, so look for them soon at your local Jeep Dealer, or you could come to SEMA yourself and check out the tricked out Rugged Ridge version!

Download the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Options Guide

Download the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Owners Manual

A minor refresh is in store for the 70th Anniversary 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The exterior and powertrain of Jeep’s flagship 4×4 will go unchanged till the 2012 model year. However, the 2011 Jeep Wrangler is sporting a all new interior.

The 2007-10 Jeep Wranglers suffered from an all plastic interior and under preforming 3.8L (mini van) engine. Jeep is fixing the interior and ergonomics of the Wrangler by picking up where the 2006 TJ Wrangler took off. Look for full door panels, a soft dash and other plush treatments meant to soften the harsh cabin.

Allpar is reporting that the Sport B model will gain steering-wheel mounted audio controls, cruise, and hill descent control; Sahara will gain an AC outlet, auto headlights, and optional body-color hardtop; and options now include heated power mirrors and heated front seats.

Rubicon gets “Rock-Trac®” 4×4 which uses an electronic sway bar disconnect, Tru-Lok locking differentials (front and rear), and NV2410R transfer case with 4:1 gear ratio, fiving the Wrangler a 73:1 gear ratio. [Thanks to Justin Trevor for his clarification.]

Standard Wrangler 4x4s get Command-Trac I®, with shift-on-the-fly 4WD (at speeds under 60 mph), low gear, and neutral setting for towing without uncoupling the driveshafts. In low gear, torque is multiplied by 2.72:1. The front axle is a Dana 30, the rear axle is a Dana 44; a Trac-Lok differential is available.

No one disputes the legendary origins of the Jeep. The versatile 4×4 helped change the tide of the war and won the affections of GI’s and civilians everywhere. By the time World War II ended more than 647,000 Willys MB’s and Ford GPW’s had been built… The Jeep accounted for over 15% of the total wartime military vehicle production.

Before first GI’s were shipped home Willys began looking for way to capitalize on the popularity of the Jeep. They began by offering the first CJ (Civilian Jeep) in 1946 as the CJ2A. The 1/4 Ton 4×4 was designed as the go anywhere & do anything vehicle: It was a tractor, it was a truck, it was a power plant, it was a wagon… Soon others look to capitalize of the phenomenon. Ads began popping up in magazines like Popular Science and Boy’s Life advertising Jeep’s in a Crate for as little as $50.

Like most surplus ads run today scammers sought to take advantage of consumers by promising them great deals like $50 Jeeps in exchange for $20 and a self addressed stamped envelop. The advertiser’s of course were selling free public information concerning government auctions. The truth is even though thousands of MB’s and parts were auctioned off the vast majority were scrapped following the war.

So, what happened to the Jeep in a crate? Were there ever Jeeps in a crate? Certainly not for $50. The US military received their assembled Jeeps from Ford and Bantam for nearly $750. Ford shipped the GPW from their Richmond , California assembly plant partially “knocked down” so they could fit more Jeeps on a ship, and fill military orders quicker.

The good news is if you are looking for a Jeep in a crate today Omix-ADA has the solution for you. Omix is the official licensed supplier of Jeep bodies and sheetmetal from 1941 to present:

Omix body panels are more than just parts; they are built with a legacy and heritage in mind. No other supplier can match Omix’s passion and dedication to quality. This is why we have been authorized to use the “MOPAR Authentic Restoration” and “MOPAR Official Licensed Product” logos for the more than 30 licensed body tubs and panels we produce. We take pride in being one of the few manufacturers strong enough to stand behind the legendary Jeep® name.

Our Body Tub is a completely assembled body shell from the firewall to the tail light panel. Fitted, welded and assembled together with the cowl panel, rear wheel housings, dash panel, and glove box already in place. Or you can upgrade to a Body Tub Kit. It features the same great body tub, (2) front fenders, windshield frame, hood and tailgate. It is the ultimate restoration accessory, primed and shipped to your door.

No more grinding, welding, or cutting out rusty panels, just to struggle as you fight to line up the new part. All the hard work is done for you. Primed and nearly ready for paint. The hardest part will be picking out the new paint color. How quickly can you say Olive Drab?

Of course the body tubs are not completely finished, there will still be some fitting and working to make everything line up. Just the same; as if you were working with a 50 year old body tub. –But our tubs are as close as you can get today to a body off the original Toledo assembly line. Why else would MOPAR authorize us to use the “Willys” and “Jeep” scripts on the officially licensed bodies and panels we produce?

• Replace Steel Body Tubs and Body Kits from 1941 – 1986

• Replacement Body Panels from 1941 – 2010

• Jeep®/Willy’s Licensed Body Tubs, Kits & Panels Available!

• Body Tubs are completely assembled, and primed. Ready to be shipped to your door.

• 16 gauge steel used on body tubs for all side and tail panels. In most cases it is thicker than original!

• 18 Gauge steel used on body tubs in the front and rear flooring, all mounting brackets, top cowl assembly, and wheel housings.

• Manufactured using a seven-step metal preparation process, including:

o A 5 bath dip to totally eliminate rust, dirt and grease.

o A phosphate and acid rinse step to ensure corrosion resistance and proper adhesion of the primer.

o New primer formula and application method that is designed for a smooth and even finish.

• Includes all major factory mounting locations, including channels for body mounting.

• Dashes and shifter tunnels left blank in some applications with varied OE locations.