The History of the Jeep Wrangler

Jeep is one of the most iconic American vehicle brands. Its Wrangler series has sought to bring a modern level of comfort and style to the historic off-road origins of Jeep vehicles. Keep reading if you’re interested in exploring the history of the Jeep Wrangler.

Brief History of the Jeep

The Jeep's history started in World War II when it was born out of wartime necessity. The US government needed a reliable off-road vehicle, and thus the Willy's MB came into existence. The 4x4 Willys MB was an iconic part of the war landscape, commonly riding alongside infantry into the heat of battle. It was an incredibly versatile vehicle, as soldiers could modify it as needed for any occasion. Once the war was over, Jeep made the transition to civilian automobiles.

Introduction of the Jeep Wrangler YJ

The first iteration of the Wrangler debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 1986 with the YJ series. The YJ series brought over the suspension and interior of the Jeep Cherokee along with a wider track, angled grille, and rectangular headlamps. In the company's own words, these comfort features made for a more "civilized" Jeep. However, some hardcore Jeep enthusiasts jokingly referred to the YJ series Wrangler as the "Yuppie Jeep" because of these features.

Transition to the Wrangler TJ

In 1997, Jeep made a significant upgrade to the Wrangler design with the TJ series. This version brought back round headlamps and used the "Quadra-coil," a coil-spring suspension that replaced the standard leaf springs. This series emphasized the vehicle's off-road performance with enhanced axle articulation, ground clearance, and more dynamic approach and departure angles.

Giant Leap With Wrangler JK

The debut of the Jeep Wrangler JK in 2007 marked an extraordinary overhaul of the Wrangler. This series was the first introduction of the widely successful four-door design, which is now extremely common in most newer iterations. The JK was also larger than the previous models and rode on a longer wheelbase. The JK represented a new triumph for the safety and comfort of the Wrangler series.

Modern Day With the JL Series

The JL series is the latest iteration of the Wrangler model and came out in 2018. The JL boasts a slew of new and upgraded features, including a revamped eight-speed automatic transmission, simpler fold-flat windscreen, new zipper-less soft-tops, contemporary interiors, and a backup camera. The JL series also marks the first time Jeep offered a diesel engine option for the North American Wrangler.

The history of the Jeep Wrangler links closely with American traditions. If you’re a Wrangler owner, we offer a large selection of high-quality Jeep Wrangler aftermarket performance parts to get the absolute best out of your vehicle. We would be delighted to assist you in making your Wrangler uniquely yours.