5 Millionth Jeep Wrangler Sold
With 5 million Jeep Wranglers sold, it’s been a long time coming for the massively popular mid-size SUV. This news allows us to remind our readers of the storied past of the Jeep Wrangler and its development to where the brand will go next. We know the future includes Jeep EVs, but let’s recall the journey to that impressive 5 millionth Jeep Wrangler sold this year in 2023.
Fighting the War With Help From Rivals
The early days of the Jeep Wrangler included a production run based off a redesigned Model T-Ford vehicle. The 4-wheel drive vehicle was light weight and able to move in an effective manner as the Wrangler went overseas in the 1940s. The Willys Quad Wrangler was turned into the GP (General Purpose) vehicle that helped grow the Jeep brand with the advance of the early Wrangler into its Army approved second-generation and over 368,000 of these new Wranglers were made for combat duties. The Ford brand actually helped build 277,000 of these Wranglers to help the world defeat the Axis powers.
Improving the Wartime Wrangler Into a Modern Machine
By the end of World War II, the 1945-1949 era Wrangler saw a CJ model become the beloved Willys CJ-2A, a choice of many. The 4-cylinder engine with its T-90A transmission offered some upgrades over the previous generation. The CJ-3B followed and was the most improved Wrangler yet with an impressive production run from 1953-1968. The range of Jeep vehicles grew over the next two decades, but the Wrangler remained the popular choice with its CJ-5 option that was larger and more detailed with greater interior comfort. The CJ-5 had the longest production run from 1955-1983 and owners enjoyed the massive V8 engine’s power that cranked out 155 horsepower with 225 lb-ft of torque. The CJ-6 came out in 1956 and went through 1976, but it wasn’t till the CJ-7 that the CJ-5 would become replaced. The CJ-7 saw a run from 1976 through 1986 and offered optional steel doors with a major redesign that was the first one in two decades.
Growth In the 80’s and Iconic Status In the 90s
Jeep started to offer modern names for its Wrangler by the 1980s with its 1981-1985 Jeep Scambler, a different take on the famed Wrangler. This vehicle was longer and had the option of a soft or hardtop finish. Just 30,00 Scamblers were ever built, so look out for this rare classic retro Wrangler on the road. The modern Wrangler started to take shape by 1987 as the Wrangler YJ would come and be produced through 1995. For those who know the massive pop-culture smash hit film, Jurassic Park, this is that generation of Wrangler. Complete with the most owner-friendly interior and design, the Wrangler nameplate was used for the first time for this version of the Jeep mid-size SUV product. Fun fact: 1991 saw a Jeep Wrangler Renegade debut with 29-inch all-terrain tires. A very different version than the beloved Renegade sold today. The 1997-2006 Wrangler was the famed TJ model that was replaced by the 2007-2017 Wrangler JK that offered a modern interior and a fold-down windshield.
What the Wrangler Is Like Today
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