Jeep is the first vehicle ever built for offroading and was first introudced by americans as a military light vehicle as first 4x4. Now the brand is the most established name anywhere in the world for a 4x4. It makes the native name in many languages including Egyptian "Jebb" for any 4x4.
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Its earliest prototype (=models for testing and demo) were called "Bantam BRC" (with BRC = Bantam Reconnaisance Car) on 1940 before it was launched to military on 1941 as both "Willys MB" and "Ford GPW". Both official names. "Jeep" was the informal name used by the soldiers of the US Army. This famous brand wasn't used officially before 1943 when the owner Willys-Overland has registered the Trademark as "Jeep".
On 1987, the then owner American Motors (AMC) sold the brand to Chrysler who is the current owner/designer now.
AAV (Arab American Vehicles Company) is an Egyptian joint venture between AOI (51%) and Chrysler Group (49%) on 1977 to build Jeep cars in Egypt with over 40% of local components.
All The Jeep Models
It's a long history and many models, so here is a list to help recongize each of them.
Jeep Wrangler
This is what its called now but the name didn't arrive before 1987 when the YJ model came to be. Before that year, simply it was Jeep and other Jeep products had to take a name of their own like Cherokee, etc.
CJ-5 (Civilian Jeep 5) 1954
This was only import in Egypt.
CJ-6 (Civilian Jeep 6) 1955
This was only import in Egypt.
CJ-7 (Civilian Jeep 7) 1976
In Egypt's AAV factory, CJ-7 were sold in Egyptian market starting 1978 and ending 1986 when its line was stopped with other lines of Jeeps such as the CJ-8 Scrambler
CJ-8 (Civilian Jeep 8) 1981 (aka Scrambler)
Assembly of CJ-8 started in Egypt by AAV and this jeep was sold between 1982 (along with Egyptian CJ-5) and then discontinued on 1986 with other Jeep lines.
Wrangler YJ on 1987 (in Egypt)
The YJ was the only ever Wrangler done with rectangular headlights. This has been dropped quickly on 1997 TJ model and never done again. It seems to have been inspired by then best-seller Cherokee XJ.
In Egypt, the YJ has had a special re-design to become a long-wheelbase (aka, LWB) YJ which is basically a stretched chassic with long-bed at the back that was coded among Egyptians as YJL as in the following pic taken in Egyptian Ghoroud Samuel field. YJL is not known in USA and Egyptians sending for spare-parts to USA were always faced with a service that couldn't handle its chassis number (which would appear to some as Cherokee in their serial numbers)
Jeep Wheelbases | |
CJ-5 | 206/213 cm |
CJ-6 | 256 cm |
CJ-7 | 237 cm |
CJ-8 (Scrambler) | 263 cm |
Wrangler (YJ, TJ) | 237 cm |
TJL | 284 |
Wrangler TJ on 1997
In Egypt this jeep was not produced until 2003 to the civilian market due to unusually higher price than market can take. It's Long-wheelbase (TJL) exclusively assembled in Egypt to specs requested by Egyptian Army was an instant hit in other countries.
The TJL has quickly inspired the Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited and Military Jeep J8 both with the long-wheelbase.
Wrangler Unlimited (JK) on 2007
Jeep J8 on 2008
Jeeps have became a civilian offroading vehicle long time ago with none of its models turning with military specs. However, their Egyptian plant is a joint venture with a company owned by the Egyptian Army (AOI). That has guaranteed that some of the Jeeps were indeed still used in military operations. This was the case almost only in Egypt until the Egyptian lines of Jeep produced on 2007 the first J8 with interesting military specs. Since then many armies all over the world (now including US Army) are fitting it with some weapons to replace some of its vehicles (such as Hummers). The J8 remains assembled in Egypt and does not sell to civilian market in Egypt.
Some of the military specs are helicopter-lifting rated rings in front and rear bumpers, turbodiesel engine, heavy duty leaf springs for rear suspension for heavier loads with better rated Dana axles, re-inforced body, higher ground clearance, etc.
Some of the military specs
Jeep Wagoneer
The direct pre-decessor of Jeep Cherokees.
jeep Wagoneer J20 (Jeep Truck) on 1978 by Egypt's AAV
It has been discontinued in Egyptian assembly lines on 1982 to leave room for CJ-8 (LWB Jeep Scrambler) production.
Jeep Cherokee
This model came to be for softer rides. Cherokees are fundamentally different design with its very rigid unibody (Arabic: على علب) with plenty of luxury equipment added. That kept the vehicle light as the classic wranglers.
Cherokee SJ on 1974
Cherokee XJ on 1984 (in Egypt's AAV 1992-1997 then revamped 1998-2001)
This one has been assembled and marketed in Egypt from 1992 till 2001 when the Cherokee KJ Liberty was launched and replaced it. One of the best seller of all times and a prized well balanced 4x4 for Egyptian dunes with special advantage over all in value-for-money.
The Chinese have launched the XJ with a different frontal design.
Please read here on how to operate and maintain Cherokee XJ. From the previous link to article, you can also download the copy of Owners Manual produced by Chrysler.
Cherokee (KJ) Liberty on 2001 and discontinued on 2007 (in Egypt's AAV 2002 till 2007)
Cherokee Liberty (KK) on 2007 and discontinued in 2013 (in Egypt's AAV 2008 till 2013)
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Those 4x4s are meant to have the ultra luxury in interiors and power of engine that the Cherokees don't have
Grand Cherokee (ZJ) on 1993
Grand Cherokee (WJ) on 1999
Grand Cherokee (WK) on 2005
Grand Cherokee (WK2) revamp on 2010
Jeep Commander
Commander (XK) on 2006
Jeep Concepts Cars
Concepts are designs of a car without looking into the prospects of its production to market. Concepts are very practical and revolutionary designs that show case future of the car but without looking into will it be a success in the market or not wether because of prohibitive price or difficulty of design in all terrains, etc.
Jeep Hurricane
Specifications
- Curb Weight (estimated): 1,746 kg
- Length: 3,856 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,746 mm
- Front Overhang: 635 mm
- Rear Overhang: 475 mm
- Width: 2,033 mm
- Height: 1,732 mm
- Track, Frt/Rr: 1,715/1,715 mm
- Engine: Two 5.7-liter, 8-cylinder HEMI engines
- Power: 670 hp (500 kW) (2 x 335 hp)
- Torque: 740 lbf·ft (1000 N·m) (2 x 370 lbf-ft)
- Transfer Case: Custom multi-mode with 1:1, 2:1 and 4:1 ratios
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic
- Front and Rear Suspension: Long-travel, short/long arm independent
- Ground Clearance: 363 mm
- Break-Over Angle: 31.5 degrees
- Approach/Depart Angle: 64.0/86.7 degrees
- Tire Size: 305/70R20 (all four)
- Wheel Size: 20x10 inches (51x25 cm)
- 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h): 4.9 seconds
Jeep Renegade
Not to be confused with the subcompact crossover Jeep Renegade launched in 2014 and codenamed BU.
This Jeep Renegade Concept was a 'Hybrid' model (ie, combining electric with internal combustion engines) at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
To a certain extent, it was Jeep's first GREEN CAR made from minimal components, the car is reportedly fully recyclable. The chassis and the car interior are made from a single piece of aluminum. The floor of the car is designed in such a fashion that that any water is immediately discharged outside.
Specifications
- Hybrid Engine: 2 electric motors; each produce 134 hp as well as a 1.5L Bluetec diesel engine, which produces 115 hp.
- The total range of the car is 650 km, thanks to the electric drive.
Jeep Gladiator
This truck was conceptualized during the merger of Daimler-Chryzler when the Germans were in control and was announced by 2004.
It was an extension to the trucks of SJ Wagoneer produced during the 1960s.
Specifications
- 2.8-liter, 4-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel engine with 165 hp and 400 N·m torque.
- 6-speed manual transmission
- Ground clearance is 34.8 cm
- break-over angle of 23.2°
- approach angle of 47.6°
- departure angle of 38.0°
- Front and rear tires are 34 in and are mounted on 18 inch wheels.
- Payload up to 680 kg
- open-air canvas roof, fold-down windshield, removable doors, and has an forward-expandable truck bed