Car Moon

As well as announcing the U.S. market launch of the JK-8 kit that carries a $5,499 sticker, Chrysler’s Mopar division also released a new time-lapse video that shows us a team of workers turning a four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a pickup truck with a small bed at the back.

According to Mopar Performance Team engineer, Steve Houtman, it took the four-man crew (or at least that’s our count of the number of people seen working on the Jeep) about an hour to complete the transformation using the JK-8 kit. Watch them in action for yourself in the clip after the break.

Those of you that fancy turning your four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck will be happy to know that the firm’s much-talked about JK-8 Kit is available for order now through Mopar at Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram dealerships, with pricing set at $5,499.

However, Jeep does note that the JK-8 kit, which comes with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty, is for “skilled do-it-yourselfers”. For the less handy amongst us, the company said that the kit may be purchased and installed at a Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or Ram dealership.

A dozen vehicles from the three core Chrysler brands covering more than half of the company’s 2011 models are being recalled in the United States to fix a potential problem with the steering column.

The recall covers 11,351 vehicles and affects certain 2011 model year Dodge Journey crossovers, Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler 200s, Chrysler 200 Convertibles, Dodge Avengers, Dodge Nitros, Jeep Liberty SUVs, Dodge Calibers, Jeep Compass crossovers, Jeep Patriots, Dodge Grand Caravans and Chrysler Town & Country minivans.

I’ve been trying out Jeep’s Drive Your Track website for their Wrangler model’s Infinity Sound System. You start by uploading a song from your hard drive: I chose Gary Numan’s, “Cars” for reasons that should be readily apparent.

It takes a few minutes to load your song, and then the sound waves are somehow mapped to certain geographical features from around the world.

You end up with eight or so places, which for me included the Appalachian Mountains, the Himalayas, the Andes, the Ural Mountains and Colorado Rockies.

Earlier this month, the Chrysler Group’s Mopar division unveiled a new do-it-yourself pickup conversion kit for the latest generation of the Wrangler modeled after the 1980’s Scrambler CJ-8. Called the JK-8 Independence, the kit allows the transformation of a four-door 2007-2011 Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door, two-seater pickup truck with a 50-inch long cargo bed.

Now, the Detroit automaker has released new running footage of the JK-8 Independence pickup conversion shot at the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, as well as a walkaround clip with Steve Hautman, a Mopar Performance Offroad Team engineer, providing us a brief explanation on the build. You can watch both clips right after the break.

The refined 2011 Wrangler has only been a few months into its U.S. market introduction but Jeep is already rolling out a special editions of its rugged 4x4. The latest addition to the Wrangler range is the Mojave, which is named after the western desert Mojave Trail, and comes with unique features inside and out, including an aggressive wheel and tire package. Read more »

We've heard of thieves stealing wheels, tires, GPS and audio systems from cars, but pinching off doors from Jeep Wranglers is something new. However, that's exactly what's happening in Overland Park in Kansas, as thieves are taking doors off Jeep Wrangles and selling them online. Local police told KMBC news that four such thefts took place in the past few weeks alone.

According to the report, because the Jeep Wrangler's doors are hinged on the outside of the vehicle, it's very easy to remove the bolts if the vehicle is unlocked. The Overland Park police suggested that owners should keep their cars locked [maybe a warning sticker similar to the one found on mirrors could help...] adding that there are special bolt kits that make it very difficult to remove the doors.

The automobile is such an integral part of so many people’s lives that it’s no wonder than artists and sculptors often use them for inspiration. Take Sandy Sanderson of Hamilton, New Zealand, for example. He takes beer and soft drink cans and crafts them into meticulous, highly detailed replicas of hot rods and other classic cars. And Mr. Sanderson really is a meticulous sculptor.

We have to admit that we feel for Ferrari's F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa. As if being forced to wear jokey caps, blouses and t-shirts full of ads, and drive around exclusively in Fiat Group products such as the Abarth 500 wasn't enough of a pain in the behind (a quick look at their bank statements should ease the pain though...), the dynamic duo is now being used to promote the Chrysler Group's offerings such as the Jeep Wrangler.

After releasing a barrage of refreshed models, Chrysler's Jeep division is now banking on a series of special edition models created to celebrate the brand's 70th anniversary.

“As part of our celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Jeep brand, we are creating stunning, premium special-edition models of each vehicle in our lineup that pay homage to the history of the legendary Jeep brand,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of Jeep.

In October ’09 we brought you details and pictures of WaterCar’s US$200,000 Python: a Corvette-engined sea going convertible / roadable speed boat. It wasn’t pretty and it wasn’t cheap, but some child-like part of us was enthralled with the sheer absurdity of it. Well, if you're on a tight(er) budget, the company also offers a considerably cheaper model. The Gator is essentially a kit car, albeit an impressive looking one at that.

In the announcement on Chrysler's third-quarter sales results, the company's CEO Sergio Marchionne confirmed that next year's 2012MY Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will both get a new 3.6-liter V6 "Pentastar" engine. Mr. Marchionne also spoke of a new Dodge sedan as well, which is currently being developed on the underpinnings of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback.

The organizers of the SEMA show have announced the winners of the very first SEMA Award contest for the hottest and most popular car, truck and 4x4 -SUV models at this year's edition of aftermarket event in Las Vegas. According to SEMA, the inaugural award recognizes the most tuner-friendly new models, based on the number of vehicles exhibited at the show.

The winners for each category were the Chevrolet Camaro (Cars), Ford F-Series (Trucks) and the Jeep Wranger (4x4 -SUV) - and thereby making all three Detroit automakers happy...

Jeep will debut an updated European lineup in Paris this year, and for the first time in a while it may actually appeal to Western European consumers. The 2011 Grand Cherokee, revised 2011 Wrangler, and the rest of the off-road crew are appearing to showcase two new forms of diesel power.

Naturally, Jeep won't be bringing anything new models to the Parisian table, but the diesel engines are here in order to help entice European buyers into giving the American Commando brand a closer look.

For many, the world's most iconic automobile is not the Ford Model T or the Volkswagen Beetle. For them, it's the humble Willys Jeep. Serving in three wars, the Jeep (or MB) was built to fulfill a 1930s War Department requirement for a light 4x4 utility vehicle that was both simple and reliable.

The Chrysler Group has just lifted the wraps off its update/upgraded for the 2011 model year, Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4s. Highlights include a much-needed redesign of the interior with improved materials (or so the company claims) and a fresh styling, plus an all-new body-color hard top for the Sahara model and equipment upgrades that include a USB slot for the audio system.

Prices and availability for the 2011 Wrangler will be announced at a later date (though, Jeep said production began earlier this week at the firm's Toledo plant in Ohio). Until then, follow the break for a comprehensive high-res image gallery and the official press release.

Following on from last week's scoop with two exterior shots (click here and here) of the upcoming 2011 model year Jeep Wrangler, courtesy of the news website 'Toledoblade', the Chrysler Group enthusiasts over at Allpar have now come into possession of some revealing images of the facelifted 4x4's interior.

The photos show a redesigned dash with a new instrument panel and center console, and possibly higher-quality materials. There's also a new three-spoke steering wheel with a thicker rim, which now houses the audio and cruise controls. Other changes include the restyled door panels, a new audio system and the generous use of aluminum trim throughout the interior for a more upscale feel. For the complete set of scoop photos, hop over to Allpar.

Jeep and Mopar have teamed up to introduce a new pair of Jeep-branded off-road camping trailers that will be offered for sale in the U.S. starting this August. The designs of both the entry-level Trail Edition model and the Extreme Trail Edition are inspired by the Wrangler sharing many parts with the actual model including tail lights, wheels, fender flares and badges.

A pair of limited edition Jeep Wrangler models named Islander and Mountain will make their premiere at next week's Detroit Auto Show. Starting from the Islander special, which is available on the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4x4 models, buyers have the choice of four different exterior colors including the unique Surf Blue Pearl Coat, Stone White Clear Coat, Bright Sliver Metallic Clear Coat and Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat.

The forth Mopar-prepped concept to be exhibited at the SEMA Show next month is the Jeep Wrangler Overland. Based on the 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the Overland ditches the rear seats in favor of a flat, rubberized utility floor while an ARB two-person Simpson II tent is mounted to the cargo rack on the rooftop. The interior of the Overland features water-resistant front-seat covers, rugged slush mats, a Daystar dash bin and lower switch panel that powers the added accessories.