2011 Grand Cherokee hits the Rubicon Trail

 egmCarTech is sharing some cool pictures of a group of Jeep Engineers tackling the Rubicon Trail with the all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee guided by some folks from Jeep Jamboree USA.

To check out all of the awesome pics, click here.

What do you think?  Still rugged after all of these years or too fancy for off-roading?  We personally can’t see taking a $31,000 plus vehicle on the Rubicon Trail, but that’s just us.

Old Timers make the Rubicon Trail look EASY.

Those early Jeeps were TOUGH.  No lift kits or big tires to be found anywhere.  This footage is awesome!

Featured Jeep of the Week: 1999 Wrangler Sport (TJ)

From Ashley in Sparta, NJ:

“My Jeep (Rex) hasn’t failed me yet. We’ve survived several near-misses on the roads, and at least a dozen mountain-top snowstorms. He never, ever lets me down on the road or the trail. I run all stock, Rex tackles everything like a champ. Wherever I gotta go, my Jeep will get me there.”

It looks like the only thing Rex hasn’t tackled is a carwash!  (That’s a good thing) – JW

For all of the cool stuff to make your Jeep Wrangler even better, check out JeepWorld.com.  We’ve got enough Jeep Seat Covers, Jeep Side Steps, Jeep Floor Mats, Jeep Winches, and Jeep Bumpers to make every Jeep a happy one!

Featured Jeep Products of the Week.

JeepWorld is constantly striving to find new cool products to help you make your Jeep even better.  We plan on using the blog from time to time to help announce new product launches  on our website.  Please let us know if there is a product you don’t see on the site that you’d like us to carry.  We hope you like what you see!

Lady Jeepers, Hippies, Peaceniks, & Gardeners are bound to love the Life is Good Daisy Tire Cover .  We feel the Life is Good message goes hand in hand with the Jeep Lifestyle.  Just in time for Spring, this cool, new design spruces up the back of your Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Liberty.  Available in 28″, 29″, 30″, 31″, & 33″ at JeepWorld.com .

We’re now carrying Jeep Wrangler JK Brush Guards by Real Wheels LLC.  Combining both front-end protection and classic Baja-inspired styling, this Jeep Grille Guard gives a whole new look to your JK.  Available in either stainless steel or black powdercoat, this beefy brush guard installs easily with no drilling required.

Jeep Trek: Paris to NYC “The Long Way” Take 2!

A while back, we posted about a group of German Adventurers who were attempting a trek for Paris to NYC, “the long way” in Jeep Wrangler Rubicons.  This hearty crew was forced to shut down the expedition in early 2009 due to the horrific Siberian Winter.  Bogged down by countless snowstorms and mechanical failures, the team was delayed long enough to prevent them from crossing the Bering Strait into Alaska.  According to the Toledo Blade , our brave adventurers are back at it:

“The German adventurers attempting to drive two modified Toledo-built Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicons from Paris to New York the long way have restarted their journey after a nine-month hiatus in western Siberia.

Extreme Events founder Matthias Jeschke and his team departed from Egvekinot, on the coast of the Bering Sea’s Anadyrski Gulf in southeastern Russia, on Dec. 29. That location was where the team suspended its journey March 26, because of poor weather and mechanical breakdowns. The team had traveled 18,000 miles from Paris eastward across Europe and Asia. The original plan was to cross the frozen Bering Strait, drive into Alaska, into Canada and then across the northern United States and reach New York City and complete the 27,000-mile trip last spring. The two Rubicons will attempt to reach the village of Uelen – on the Russian side of the Bering Strait – by the end of January before attempting to cross the strait via an ice bridge, using outrigger pontoons attached to the vehicles as a backup. The expedition’s schedule calls for the team to visit Toledo – where the Wranglers were made – on or about June 1, on their way to a June 11 expedition end in New York City.”

To read the entire Toledo Blade Article click here .  Good luck gentleman!  All of us at JeepWorld.com are pulling for you!

Featured Jeep: 2007 Wrangler Sahara (JK)

From Larry in TN:

My Jeep doesn’t really have any thing stock. I have 5 22 inch tires for a total of 120 inches of chrome. That doesn’t include the chrome grill, chrome mirrors, chrome step bar, chrome hinges for all the doors including the engine hood, chrome fuel cover, chrome exhaust pipe, chrome door handles, chrome locking door hinges. When you see this baby driving down the road on a sunny day it really makes you look twice.

It’d be a shame to get all that chrome muddy, Larry.  Heh Heh Heh.  No it wouldn’t!  -JW

We carry some great chrome Jeep accessories for your Wrangler.  Spice up the front of your Jeep with our Wrangler Chrome Grill or Jeep Grill Inserts .  We also carry chrome hood scoops and chrome mirror covers as well.  Check out JeepWorld.com for all of your Jeep Parts needs!

Great Holiday Jeep Gifts (pt. 1) Stocking Stuffers!

Ho! Ho! Ho!  Jeepers!  It’s that time of year again.  Time for mistletoe, eggnog, snowflakes, peace on Earth, good will towards men, and most importantly… PRESENTS!  Stocking presents are some of our favorite presents, little bits of happiness in an oversized sock!  Here’s a list of cool Jeep Stocking Stuffers to give to your favorite Jeep Enthusiast this Christmas.  Or feel free to put some on Santa’s list for yourself if you’ve been nice this year, naughty Jeepers need not apply (you know who you are).

We’ve got a great selection of Jeep Key Chains in stock and ready to ship same day.  They come in a wide variety of shapes and colors, won’t break the bank, make a super cool gift for that Jeep lover in your life, and most importantly you can fit at least 100 of them in your stocking!

Jeep Hats make another great gift.  While working out in the garage or cruising around in your Jeep, these comfy ball caps show off your love for the brand you drive.  These are a must for ladies with long hair who cruise with the top down or the men who need to keep the sun off of their domes!

We love our dogs and we love taking them with us in our Jeeps.  We’re now carrying a full line-up of Jeep Dog Toys, Jeep Dog Leashes, and Jeep Travel Food and Water Bowls to keep our four legged friends healthy and happy as they ride along with us!

There are a lot of great Jeep Gifts to give this year.  How about these great oversized and wildly colorful Jeep Beach Towels?  Use them as a beach towel or attach to your Jeep’s seat (using a carbiner and grommet system) to protect it from sand, dirt, water, or mud after you’ve been out enjoying the great outdoors.  This is a must for those of us living the Jeep lifestyle!

We think the all new Jeep Street Sign makes a great gift, but you may have to turn it on it’s end to get it to fit into a stocking!  They’re heavyweight and hardcore and a heck of a lot of fun.

Some Jeep Wrangler specific stockings stuffers and “must haves” include the Jeep Grab Handles .  We’re partial to the EK version with the Red and Black Skulls, how about you?  The EK Light Saber Jeep Flashlight Holder and the EK Burnout Jeep Fire Extinguisher Holder are durable and dependable ways to carry tools when out on the trail.  Try the Life is Good License Plate Frame or Recovery Shovel for your Jeep for those “hard to buy for” Jeepers in your life.

We know how stressful holiday shopping can be, so hopefully this guide can help you out or at least point you in the right direction.  We’ll be back soon with a guide to larger gifts that fit right on the Jeeps themselves, but not so well in the stocking.  Until then, get out there and have fun!

Featured Jeep of the Week: 2003 Jeep Wrangler (TJ)

From Robert in San Antonio, TX:

“The fact that within a year and a half I have gotten the Jeep to this point. Had no prior experience wheeling yet I have managed to get fairly good at it. Also the fact that my wife and daughter love it as much as me.”

Good Stuff!  Just make sure your wife and daughter don’t end up loving it MORE than you! -JW

If you’re into taking your Jeep off-road (and if you aren’t you should be), you’ll want to check out these Jeep Rock Rails and Rocker Guards .  Hold your flashlight and fire extinguisher in place with the EK Light Saber and EK Burn Out respectively.  Other “must-haves” for your Jeep are the Off Road Recovery Kit and the Jeep Shovel.  Get all that good stuff and more at our website www.JeepWorld.com .

Chrysler Group’s plans for Jeep through 2014

From Automotive News:

“By 2014, 12 nameplates from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram will have heavy Fiat influence. They will either be developed on Fiat Group platforms or rebadged and imported from the Fiat Group.”

Here’s what they have in store for Jeep:

“Subcompact SUV: A small SUV is planned in 2013, based on the platform for the next generation Fiat Panda Cross.

Patriot: Minor exterior and interior changes are planned for 2010. Production ends in 2012.

Compass: Minor exterior and interior changes are slated for 2010. The Compass will be dropped in 2012.

Compact crossover: The unnamed crossover will be developed on a Fiat Group platform. Sales begin in 2013.

Wrangler: A new interior is scheduled for 2010. A new powertrain will be offered in 2011.

Liberty: Minor cosmetic and interior changes are planned for 2010. The redesigned Liberty debuts in 2013, based on a Fiat Group platform.

Commander: U.S. production ends late in 2010. The Commander may be assembled outside North America for export markets.

Grand Cherokee: The redesigned Grand Cherokee and next-generation Mercedes-Benz full-size SUVs are linked at the hip. Vehicle development started when Daimler owned Chrysler. Component sharing is expected to continue for several years. The redesigned Grand Cherokee debuts in May 2010.”

To see what’s in store for Chrysler & Dodge Models, read the full article here.

 

Chrysler bringing in Fiat, Alfa Romeo. Dropping several Jeep and Dodge models.

From Motor Authority:

“The Fiat-Chrysler partnership has been brewing since well before the economic meltdown and federal loan bonanza of late 2008, but it’s still taking shape as the automakers find ways to work to their mutual benefit. The combined companies’ new CEO Sergio Marchionne is set to reveal the future plans for both Fiat and Chrysler in just a week’s time but we already have much of the details on hand.

According to people briefed on the plans, Alfa Romeo is set to return as a volume player in 2012. Fiat will be here too, although the only model planned is the 500 minicar, which should in early 2011…

Don’t feel too bad Fiat isn’t coming here in full force. Chrysler will introduce several new models that rely on Fiat platforms and technology. The first of these will be a new mid-sized sedan from Chrysler based on Fiat’s C-Evo platform, followed by new hatchback and a compact Jeep. There will also be redesigned versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300 arriving as early as next year.

Several models will be dropped from Chrysler’s U.S. lineup as well. These will include a number of Dodge models, such as the Caliber, Nitro, Avenger, and several Jeep models, too, such as the Commander, Compass, and Patriot. Other vehicles getting the axe include Chrysler’s PT Cruiser and Sebring.”

Full article here.