Found a couple of great new products for Jeeps recently:

First up is the universal fit d-ring shackle kits from Rampage Products. Designed primarily for CJs and Wranglers, these tow points mount without driling using existing holes in the frame. Obviously they could be used in other applications. Rated at 10,000 lbs static pull and available in black or chrome.

We apologize for the crappy image quality here - it’s what they have on their site…

Next up we have tube doors for 1997 - 2006 Wranglers, Rubicons and Unlimiteds.

These great units feature padding for your arms and an integarted pouch for maps, etc. Performance Automotive Group makes these things.

Well, it was a typical entrance for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. Not typical that new Wranglers are normally shown this way, but typical for what it can, and does, often do.

Buried under six-tons of mud, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was introduced at the New York International Auto Show Wednesday.

Picture this: A fire truck roars in with sirens blaring. The team of firefighters blasts mud off the first-ever four-door Wrangler.

When uncovered, Jeep’s classic featured room for five passengers, removable tops and doors, and class-leading off-road capability.

…and now we have a 4-door Jeep Wrangler. This should be a worthy replacement for the old Cherokee - so all those whining about it’s passing and lamenting the Liberty as it’s replacement can shut up - we now have a worthy successor.

Due to debut this weekend at the 2006 New York International Auto Show, the Jeep Wrangler 4-door has been eagerly anticipated. Here’s one of the first official shots of it.

It’s a great looking rig which should be a solid performer. The added versitility of 4 doors should open new opportunities for Jeep and help them expand sales of this profitable platform.

Look for updated pics over the rest of the weekend and early next week.

If you haven’t been keeping up lately, Motorola has been launching creative phones with lots of style. First we had the RAZR. Next came SLVR. Now meet PEBL.

The thing looks great if you’re a flip-phone fan and given the bugs have been sorted with the nifty design features pioneered with the RAZR, it should be a handy, small, unit.

Can’t wait for the fall when it’s time to upgrade!

The folks over at eCoustics have a review…

Read the full article after the jump.

The Chevy Trailblazer SS is the next best thing to the Grand Cherokee SRT-8.

And at almost 7 large LESS than the Jeep, it’s hard to argue that, even for brand-loyalists like us.

PLUS, it’ll tow more…

Well, be all that as it may, it’s still not a Jeep, now, is it?

Nope. It’s really just a very well put together collection of parts-bin items. It’s one of the few things the General seems to do right these days, too.

Stuff in the V8 from the Corvette, back it with a bulletproof 4 speed auto, lower it, strap on 20’s and enjoy! …and you know they make a TON of money on these “specials”.

James Healey at USA Today had this to say in a recent review: “To be clear: SS is not just a big-engine TrailBlazer or a mild makeover. SS is the standard-wheelbase TrailBlazer fitted with a Corvette-derived V-8 engine, 20-inch-diameter wheels, stiffened and lowered suspension, big brakes, different interior and exterior trim. If you’re looking for a conventional SUV that happens to be quick, SS is more than you want. It’s more appropriate if you want a full-bore sporting machine that happens to be an SUV.”

While it sounds like a great rig, it’ll never have the cache of the Jeep brand name…but, then again, no SRT-8 will ever go offroad (someone please prove me wrong… ) and live up to that name, either…

Neither truck is what you’d call efficient - the Trailblazer SS only managed around 11 mpg during the test drive.

To be truthful, though, economy is NOT why you buy one of these - you buy one because it’ll do it all: tow the boat, haul the family AND haul ass.

Read the full article after the jump.
(Opens a new window)

Great news for Jeep. The Libert diesel is on pace to double the expected sales figures set for it back in 2005. They’re about to run through 10,000 units since the launch in early 2005. That’s a dramatic difference to the last time Jeep offered a diesel option. Back in the 1980’s, Cherokees equipped with the Renault diesel engine languished on dealer lots and many were sold at cost or below just to get them off the lots.

Today, every Jeep Liberty diesel ships from the factory with B-5 diesel, too. This blended fuel (5% bio-fuel) is the key to an energy-conservative future for us. Since diesels can run on 100% biofuel, the ability exists for us in North America to produce our own fuel supply without dependance on crude oil for diesel powered motors. While not a 100% solution, it’s a very positve step fowrad, and Jeep shoud be commended for supporting it.

If you’ve never driven one of these great rigs, you’re missing out on something unique.

Sure, it’s noisier than a V-6 model, but the amount of low-end torque is eye-opening. Good thing they ship with traction control. Delivering almost the same overall horsepower ratings as the gas models, but with greatly improved real-world fuel economy, it’s no wonder they’ve caught on and become a hit.

Even moderately aggressive tipping-in of the throttle will induce a flashing dashboard light as the traction control works overtime to keep track of spinning rear tires.

Turned off, there’s great fun to be had, not that we’d condone such behavior.

Driven sanely, the Liberty diesel is said to be good for about 800 kms per fill-up. VERY useful range, and given that in our area diesel is cheaper than regular unleaded, worthwhile over the long-run, too.

And if you even think you might ever want to tow anything, this truck is going to be your best friend. Yard-work? Need some soil for the plants, maybe a small tree - hook up the trailer and go - zero drama. In fact, you’ll wonder if there’s anything behind you at all. Only that birch in your rearview mirror pacing you will tell the tale.

Step up and offer to move a friends boat - feel confident. With 4wd and this amount of power, the only limit is the 5,000 lbs tow-rating. THAT is a LOT of boat.

You say you don’t like your neighbor much? No worries, take Friday off, and while he’s at work, wrap a big tow-strap around his house, and yank it off the foundation. Best to look for an empty lot down the road to drop the house off in BEFORE you execute this move.

OK, while it’s not quite THAT powerful, it sure feels like it. It’s like a Liberty on steroids - like the ones fed to the Dodge Cummins models. The Liberty needs a new name when equipped with this motor…

Maybe the Jeep Torque? Nah, too Fast & Furious.

I KNOW! How about Jeep Liberty - Barry Bonds Edition…? This is one Jeep model that’s easily capable of hitting home runs!

It’s been a very good quarter for Jeep. While others are skirting the Grim Reaper (you know who you are…*cough* GM) or declaring “We will NOT go bankrupt!” (nods to Bill Ford, then offers a finger for cancelling the GT - dork), our merry offroad-image-loving friends have racked up record sales numbers. GO JEEP!

The Liberty slid a bit - perhaps the timing is right for the Compass to bow in as a more fuel-efficient, easier-to-live-with alternative to the full-on SUV experience?

Thanks to CanJeepYJ for posting this over at JeepNewsNow:

Jeep Wrangler Sets New Monthly Sales Record; Sales Rise 21 Percent Year-Over-Year to 8,180 units.

For the 1st Quarter of the year:
Wrangler……………….17,683 up 13%
Liberty………………..35,424 down 13%
Grand Cherokee………….40,567 down 14%
Commander………………19,277 (and still getting 9 MPG)
JEEP BRAND……………..112,951 and up 9%

Here’s snippet from the official DC press release:

“Strong sales of key products like the Dodge Ram pickup, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Commander and Chrysler 300 drove us to outperform the industry in March and the quarter,” said Gary Dilts, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President - Sales. “The Dodge Caliber and the success of our LX platform pushed the company’s car business up 13 percent, making the Chrysler Group a…”

Read the full article after the jump. (Opens a new window)

Oh please don’t tease me! I’ve been a convert to diesels for a while now. I can’t get enough of them - they’re easy to mod for power, they are as reliable as the gravel in your driveway, they make great noises and deliver more low-end grunt than a linebacker in the bathroom after Thanksgiving dinner!

There’s a rumour afoot that Jeep might gussy up the oil-burner on sale in Europe in SRT-8 duds. *lust*

Here’s a snippet of the article from Dieselforecast.com:

�We�re always looking for ways to take advantage of the technology we have within the corporation. An SRT diesel would be the best of both worlds.� (For performance with economy.)

In Europe, where large petrol engines are punished with high taxes, diesel SUVs and even high-performance sedans by makers such as Mercedes and BMW are a popular choice. An SRT diesel…

Read the full article after the jump. (Opens a new window)

Jeep recently announced the pricing on the new cross-over-cute-ute-non-Trail-Rated-officially-Mall-Rated Compass. Here’s the not-too-hard-to-take details:

2007 Jeep Compass Pricing - USD

(All Prices Include $560 Destination)

4×2 / 4×4

~ Jeep Compass $15,985 $17,585
~ Jeep Compass �E� Package $18,585 $20,185
~ Jeep Compass Limited $20,140 $21,740

Canadian buyers can expect a prices to range from about $18,500 CDN to roughly $26,900 - these are estimates as actual prices have yet to be announced in Canada.

Here are the basic specs on what the rig offers:

~ 172-horsepower 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine with dual Variable Valve Timing (intake & exhaust)
~ standard 5-speed manual and the availability of the second generation of Chrysler’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT2) (Autostick optional)
~ active, full-time 4×4 system with a “Lock” function for use on low-traction surfaces
~ Brake Traction Control
~ Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
~ Brake Assist
~ Electronic Roll Mitigation - this should be helpful on certain trails…
~ 4-wheel anti-lock brakes
~ 8 inches of ground clearance
~ 21.1-degree approach angle
~ 32-degree departure angle
~ 21-degree breakover angle

Here’s the official press release from Jeep:

Auburn Hills, MI - April 4, 2006: Chrysler Group today announced the U.S. Manufacturer�s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for its all-new 2007 Jeep� Compass is $15,985 (including $560 destination). A modern-styled Jeep that delivers fun, freedom, utility and Jeep 4×4 capability, the Compass provides excellent fuel economy, safety and interior flexibility � all at a great value � in the compact SUV segment.

The Jeep Compass will begin to arrive in U.S. dealerships and international volume markets in the third quarter of this year.

�With Compass, Jeep continues to expand globally by offering a fun-to-drive, fuel-efficient and affordably-priced Jeep vehicle designed to reach youthful customers who may not have previously considered the brand,� said George Murphy, Senior Vice President � Global Marketing, Chrysler Group. �Compass is a new type of Jeep vehicle for non-traditional Jeep buyers. It allows the brand to…

Read the full article after the jump. (Opens a new window)

Some folks like to restore them to factory new condition…

Some folks like to build them for the trail…

Some folks like to…ah, you’ll just have to see this to believe it. In a nutshell, it involves a SWB Jeep, a honking V8 and a burnout.

…and not your average candy-ass, “I should stop before the cops come, but you saw the smoke, right” type burnout. Oh no - this one involves fire…

Quick vid after the jump. Enjoy!

http://www.dumpalink.com/media/1144139287/Kick_Ass_Burnout