History of the Jeep

• The genesis of the Jeep dates back to the early 1900s, when the U.S. Army looked at building a sleek, lightweight, all-terrain vehicle for reconnaissance. The army sought manufacturers to create a prototype vehicle in less than 50 days during the 1940s. Willys-Overland won the contract over Ford and the American Bantam Car Company.
  
  

YJ

• The Jeep Wrangler, introduced in 1987, was known as the YJ and was produced in Ontario, Canada until 1992. Models were known for their signature rectangular headlights. After 1992, the YJ was manufactured at Chrysler's plant in Ohio. YJ models featured three different engine choices: 2.0, 4.0 or 4.2 liter. From 1991 to 1994, YJs had an advanced options package called the Renegade Decor Group. Options included off-road gas shocks, fog lamps in the front fenders, added cup holders and interval windshield wipers. The Wranglers also came with a 15- or 20-gallon gas tank. YJs were produced until 1995 and almost 700,000 vehicles were manufactured.
  
  

TJ

• From 1997 to 2007, the Wrangler was manufactured as the TJ. This model was available with three different engines: 2.0, 2.5 or 4.0 liter. TJs came as either a two-door convertible or a two-door truck. In 2003, the Wrangler Rubicon debuted and in 2004 Jeep produced the Wrangler Unlimited. Wranglers during this span had four-speed automatic, five-speed manual or a six-speed manual transmission. Wranglers came with a 19-gallon gas tank.
  
  

JK

• A new generation of Jeeps was unveiled in 2007---the JK. For the first time, the Wrangler was offered in a four-door version, along with power windows. The new model had a larger wheelbase and wider track. The JK came equipped with a removable hardtop that separates in three pieces. The JK came with a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
  
  

Awards

• Throughout its history, the Wrangler has received numerous awards for design and value. The 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK was honored as the most access friendliest SUV at the 2006 Speciality Equipment Market Association Show. "Four Wheeler" magazine awarded the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the 2007 Four Wheeler of the Year award.The 2009 Jeep Wrangler was named as Cars.com's Best New Car for Off-roaders. The 2009 Wrangler received the Best Resale Value award in the SUV category by Kelley Blue Book. Kelley also offered this distinction to the Jeep Wrangler in 1998, 1999 and 2003.