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)

]]> http://ruggedridgeoffroad.com/blog/our-sema-2010-booth/feed 6 http://ruggedridgeoffroad.com/blog/rugged-ridge-wins-2-sema-awards http://ruggedridgeoffroad.com/blog/rugged-ridge-wins-2-sema-awards#comments Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:39:45 +0000 Guy http://ruggedridgeoffroad.com/blog/?p=726 That’s right! We have won top award in best new interior accessories this year for our 2007-2010 JK Interior Trim Kits! We also won Runner Up for our Tire Carrier Linkage! Stay tuned for more updates from this year’s SEMA Show!

The MSRP is $30,625 for the two-door model and $33,500 for the four-door.