The History of the Jeep Wrangler: An American Icon

If you are considering purchasing a used Jeep Wrangler, we at Orange Coast CJDRF are here to tell you that there has never been a better time than now, with a number of generations and tons of models to pick through. As arguably the most recognizable vehicle in history, this American legend is a great vehicle even if you buy it used. Athletic, practical, and fun to drive, you cannot go wrong with this powerful SUV. When we call the Jeep Wrangler an SUV, we mean it in every sense of the word. The Wrangler is a full-on sport utility vehicle that can handle just about anything you throw at it. So, without further ado, let’s explore the colorful history and evolution of this iconic ride!

The First Generation

Although open-topped Jeeps have been around since World War II, the first Wrangler, known as the YJ, wasn’t released to the public until 1986. Making its debut at the Chicago Auto Show that year, this sport utility vehicle took the country by storm. Almost every driver was excited to get their hands on one. Featuring a wide track and several components from the Jeep CJ-7, the first Jeep Wrangler was quite impressive. It also had a few features that the CJ-7 didn’t have, such as anti-roll bars, upgraded springs, and a much nicer interior.

In production until 1996, this model had quite a long run. Its distinctive exterior styling made it very recognizable. Featuring rectangular headlights, it was unlike any other SUV that came before it. The Wrangler YJ came with a trio of powertrain options. These included a 2.5-liter I-4 engine, a 4.0-liter I-6 engine, and a 4.2-liter I-6 motor. All three engines could be paired with either a three-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission. These models are hard to find today but can provide a great and unique experience if you can.

The Second Generation

The second-generation Jeep Wrangler, known as the TJ model, was in production from 1997 to 2006. These, like the first generation models, are relatively rare, but you might be able to find a used one every now and then. One notable change that occurred during this production run was with the headlights. The unpopular rectangular shape was retired, and Jeep’s rounded headlight housings units were installed. This decision was made to make the Wrangler look more like the older CJ-7 model.

Another significant change was with the suspension. The old-fashioned leaf springs were replaced by coil springs intended to improve the vehicle’s handling. In other words, the ride was much smoother. Powertrain options included the 2.5-liter I-4 and 4.0-liter I-6 options from the YJ, but a new 2.4-liter I-4 was added later in the production run. Transmission options were also upgraded with a four-speed automatic and a six-speed manual.

Up until 2004, there weren’t any significant changes or revisions done to the Jeep Wrangler. But just two years before the third generation came out, the second-generation lineup saw the creation of the Wrangler Unlimited. This model featured a long wheelbase with four doors, more legroom for back-seat passengers, and additional cargo space. It also came with a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs, whereas the traditional two-door body style could only pull 2,000 lbs.

This generation of Wranglers was offered in tons of trims and special editions, making it one of the most customizable vehicles in the world. The Wrangler SE included a two-speaker stereo with AM/FM radio. This was later upgraded with two more speakers, a cassette player, and a CD player. Next, the X trim came with the four-speaker stereo, cassette player, and CD player from the beginning of its run. Air conditioning was optional to keep the price low.

The Sport model removed the vinyl upholstery and replaced it with cloth upholstery. It was also equipped with a special limited-slip differential for optimized off-roading. Moving up to the Sahara added mostly cosmetic features like body-colored fender flares, rocker sills, and unique badging. However, later models in the second generation came with a seven-speaker stereo and a subwoofer. Lastly, the Rubicon features front and rear Dana 44 locking axles and a Rock-Trac low-ratio transfer case. It was designed to conquer the great outdoors with no problem at all.

The Third Generation

In your search for a used Jeep Wrangler, the models you will most likely find will be from the third generation, known as the JK. Manufactured from 2007 to 2018, these models are the best used Wranglers on the market. This is mainly because they are equipped with the most advanced technology for their time and are much more affordable than a new Wrangler.

You can expect to find a 2.8-liter I-4 diesel, a 3.6-liter V6, or a 3.8-liter V6 engine under the hood of a third-generation Wrangler. The transmission options are a six-speed manual, a four-speed automatic, and a five-speed automatic. The JK Wrangler is available in the regular two-door body style and the four-door Unlimited body style. However, the regular body style has been lengthened by 2 inches and widened by 3.4 inches. Also, the Unlimited body style has gained an extra 20 inches of length for more legroom and cargo space.

You can find this generation of Wrangler in a variety of trims, allowing you to find a customized experience. New features across the trims include full power accessories, an electronic sway bar disconnect, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, USB ports, and even an auxiliary jack. Getting your hands on one of these used Jeep Wranglers will have you in a modern, powerful SUV.

The Current Years

You may find some fourth-generation used Jeep Wranglers out on the market as well. This lineup rolled onto dealership lots in 2018, so it is possible to find 2018, 2019, and perhaps even a pre-owned 2020 model, but they will be few and far between. The engine options include a 2.0-liter I-4, 3.0-liter V6 diesel, and a 3.6-liter V6, which allows for every driver to get the exact performance they are looking to get. These are all usually found with an eight-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is also available for the V6.

Produced in many unique trims, the Sport model is the base. It comes with push-button start technology, which is hard to find on the used vehicle market on a base model. Then, the Sport S adds keyless entry, air conditioning, and full power accessories. Next, the Sahara brings in new door handles with touch sensors, LED headlights, and leather seating. Finally, the Rubicon is geared for the wild outdoors with rock rails, high-clearance fenders, and electronic-locking axles in the front and back.

You may also find one of the Altitude editions. These are available on the Sport and Sahara trims. They come with glossy black 18-inch wheels and black accents on the grille and headlight housings. If you happen to come across a Moab special edition, grab it! This one gets a three-piece removable hard-top, the UConnect infotainment system, a 9-speaker stereo, heated seats, and navigation. In all, these would be the absolute best used Jeep Wranglers to find because they offer all of the performance and features expected in modern-day vehicles.

Find a Used Jeep Wrangler

Now that you have a better understanding of the Jeep Wrangler’s history and what you can find on each generation, it should be a lot easier to decide which one you want. So if you are ready to start your search for a specific version, or you want some more help figuring out which model would be best for you, contact us at Orange Coast CJDRF. We look forward to helping you start your Jeep journey with a Wrangler.