Jeep J8 marks brand's return to military duty
by Alex Nunez on Sep 14th 2007 at 11:22AM 
Click image for high-res gallery of the Jeep J8
Remember those Jeep Wrangler pickup spy shots? Now we know the details. That vehicle was one of the variants of the new Jeep J8. The J8 is based on the Wrangler Unlimited and has been designed for military and civilian government use. It sports a reinforced frame and upgraded suspension that includes the much-discussed rear leaf springs that were pointed out in the earlier spy photos. Maximum payload is 2,952 lbs. as a result.
It'll be offered as both a four-door that looks mostly like the civilian Wrangler Unlimited and a 2-door pickup. Jeep sneakily showed off the pickup body on the very awesome SEMA-bound JT Concept earlier this year. The J8 is designed to be very flexible, and will be available in a variety of seating/cargo configurations in both left- and right-hand drive (again, this explains the RHD version captured in spy photos).
Power comes from a 158-horsepower / 295 lb-ft 2.8L 4-cylinder turbodiesel mated to a 5-speed automatic and Jeep's Command-Trac 4WD system. The powertrain affords the J8 a maximum towing capacity of 7,716 lbs. Another feature unique to the J8 is its air-intake system, which uses a hood-mounted snorkel that lets it ford bodies of water up to 30 inches deep and operate in sandstorm conditions up to five hours.
For full information on the J8, follow the jump for the official press release from Jeep. The truck made its debut today at the DSEi trade show in London, and it will be produced in Cairo, Egypt at a Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility. It will officially become available next Spring, though only for military and civilian government use. Sorry, no civilian sales will be offered.
[Source: Chrysler]
Gallery: Jeep J8
PRESS RELEASE:
Jeep® is Back in Uniform: New Military Versionof Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Reports for Duty
Iconic off-roader returns to its storied roots with J8 multipurpose model primarily developed for military use – but also suitable for civilian government applications
London, England – Chrysler LLC today unveiled the Jeep® J8 multipurpose vehicle at the 2007 Defense Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) military trade show, making the legendary vehicle available for reenlistment in active military service.
"Jeep vehicles made their original debut in 1941 for military duty, and have built their reputation with more than 65 years as the world's benchmark for off-road capability and versatility for civilian and military vehicles," said Thomas Hausch, Vice President – International Sales, Chrysler LLC. "The new Jeep J8 marks the brand's return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use – the same capability that makes the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited famous also makes the Jeep J8 a truly multipurpose vehicle."
With the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as the starting point, Jeep engineers increased its capability and versatility. The frame of the Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for increased ruggedness and to allow greater payloads – up to a maximum of 1,339 kg (2,952 lbs.). Axles, brakes and suspension components are engineered specifically for more demanding military and civilian government use, including utilizing a leaf-spring suspension system in the rear. The J8's Command-Trac® four-wheel-drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in both on- and off-road conditions.
The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 118 kW (158 hp) and 400 N·m (295 lb.-ft.) of torque, providing towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs.). The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel that enables the J8 to ford water up to 762 mm (30 in.) deep and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.
The Jeep J8 is available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle. It may be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand- or left-hand-drive.
While not designed for front-line combat operations, the Jeep J8 is fully armor capable and excels in a variety of duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, communications vehicle and other duties – also making it suitable for civilian government applications. Tow eyes and heavy-duty bumpers allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by airplane or helicopter.
The Jeep J8 will be produced in a Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available beginning in spring 2008.
Jeep in the military
In June 1941, the U.S. Army received its first shipments of the Willys MA, the rugged 4x4 vehicle that came to be called the Jeep. This predecessor to today's Jeep Wrangler would prove so vital to the Allies' World War II effort that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that the war could not have been won without the Jeep vehicle.
Jeep vehicles have been produced for various militaries around the world. The Jeep J8 marks the start of Jeep's renewed commitment to supply the defense community with the highest-quality 4x4 vehicles available anywhere in the world.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Robert Ryan 12:27AM (7/13/2008)
Come to Australia and you will find that two vehicles are freely available here: Toyota Landcruiser 70 Pickup with 4.5 V8 diesel, Nissan Patrol Pickup with 3litre (older model better 4.2 ) diesel. Even the Jeeps here have the 2.8 and 3 Litre Motori diesels. The 300c also has the 3 litre diesl as an option nad it has a higher towing rating than the Hemi version.
Reply
alan_fisher97 5:16PM (1/28/2009)
ORDER YOUR Wrangler J8 NOW from AAV, LLC & Chrysler, LLC. Shipping Cost to USA and North America is approx. USD $2800.
http://www.jeep.com.eg
http://www.jeepclubegypt.com
http://www.aav.com.eg
AAV Jeep Egypt
Export Division - Overseas Sales"
P.O Box: 2419 Horreia -
Heliopolis Cairo, Egypt
Tel :011-20-2-2902000 /2902285
Fax :011-2903562
Chrysler Group Egypt
Export Division - Overseas Sales"
Head Office
Telephone: 011-202-2529-7000
Address: 28th Floor, Sofitel Tower,
Corniche El Nil
Maadi, Cairo. Egypt
P.O BOX: 1125
Reply
alan_fisher97 8:22PM (1/28/2009)
ORDER YOUR Wrangler J8 NOW from AAV, LLC & Chrysler, LLC.
Shipping Cost to USA and North America is approx. USD $2800.
http://www.jeep.com.eg
http://www.jeepclubegypt.com
http://www.aav.com.eg
AAV Jeep Egypt
Export Division - Overseas Sales"
P.O Box: 2419 Horreia -
Heliopolis Cairo, Egypt
Tel :011-20-2-2902000 /2902285
Fax :011-2903562
Chrysler Group Egypt
Export Division - Overseas Sales"
Head Office
Telephone: 011-202-2529-7000
Address: 28th Floor, Sofitel Tower,
Corniche El Nil
Maadi, Cairo. Egypt
P.O BOX: 1125
Reply
John P. 11:30AM (9/14/2007)
...but that's the Jeep I wanna buy!!!! 4cyl turbo diesel.
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Alex Nunez 11:37AM (9/14/2007)
Time to start a letter-writing campaign...
Spalind 12:08PM (9/14/2007)
Damn...they HAVE to produce that for use in the U.S. civilian market...that would eat the H3's market for lucnch!
devin_sylvester 11:50AM (9/14/2007)
that's what I want to hear. i'll be first in line to get a diesel wrangler.
Josiah 11:36AM (9/14/2007)
I wonder how it handles a roadside IED? Probably not well considering the lack of armor.
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Mr. Oak 12:03PM (9/14/2007)
Jackass.
Mike 12:06PM (9/14/2007)
Yeah you're an idiot...I wonder how your Taurus would handle an IED? Obviously this is not armored nor is it meant for combat operations. "Military use" does not mean combat.
Greg Koenig 7:12PM (9/14/2007)
The thing is, in most of the current areas where militaries operate, EVERYWHERE is a combat zone. Most of the conflicts being fought across the globe today are Western style, formally organized militaries fighting Islamist militias. The predominant forms of attack employed by Islamist militants are roadside IEDs, vehicle born IEDs (VBIED) and walking suicide bombers (because your typical Islamofachist doesn't have the balls to stand up and gun it out). These attackers make little differentiation between civilian and military forces.
So where does the lightly armored Jeep J8 fit into that picture? Jeeps aren't big enough to seat the rear passengers outwards, so they have a difficult time fighting out of the vehicle. It is - at best - lightly armored and cannot withstand an IED. So basically, this is a vehicle that couldn't leave the confines of the Green Zone or one of our major base encampments.
As far as civilian use, well, the same rules apply. Though UN Aid workers don't need to fight out of the vehicle, there have been enough attacks against civilian aid organizations that those guy do not leave their camps in anything less then heavy, up-armored Suburbans and Ford Excursions. A lot of these guys are now beginning to demand V shaped hull, purpose built armored vehicles.
USAFMech 11:38AM (9/14/2007)
Me too. If Jeep doesn't sell it to the public, I may comandeer one off of an active-duty base. If they do sell it to the public, it would probably be my very first "new" car purchase. That's how badly I want it.
Reply
pedro 11:51AM (9/14/2007)
I really, really am interested in the Jeep JT pickup , but this would also be perfect. Just like the original Jeep, I'm sure this will eventually be made for private sales! Either that, or we'll just have to wait a few years until our local governments starts to sell them and we can pick them up used!!
Reply
Alex Nunez 12:01PM (9/14/2007)
There will be fistfights at the auctions where the pickups are up for sale.
500 1:49PM (9/14/2007)
Actually, I've read that old military Jeeps and Hummers are now cut up for scrap to keep them out of the hands of the public for liability reasons. Anyone have more info on the subject or know anyone who has bought a military Jeep at auction recently?
Diesel or not, they'd be crazy not to sell the pickup to the public. My dad had several of the old Jeep pickups back in the day -- he'd be one of the first in line.
Bugger 12:06PM (9/14/2007)
Finally a Jeep that fits the bill and all we can get are leather clad, shiny rimmed, gas guzzeling pieces of crap. Evidently, even in the desert the grass is greener.
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Icon149 1:53PM (9/14/2007)
Bugger that was great. "Evidently, even in the desert the grass is greener."
LMAO I have to clean the coffee off the keyboard...
J. D. Billiford 12:20PM (9/14/2007)
>>> Two thumbs up!
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DriverG 12:25PM (9/14/2007)
I was in Israel last year during that dust-up with Lebanon and the Israeli military made extensive use of 4 door Wranglers. Not sure if they were military-spec or not, but they were up on the front lines.
Reply
Mike 12:25PM (9/14/2007)
Just how many zillions of vehicles do you think Jeep could sell if they offered them to the public?
Morons...sheesh!
Reply