The vehicle unveiled itself over 12 years ago in Detroit, Michigan, at the North American International Auto Show. There were some steps, a plate glass window, and (then) Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda driving this new thing that looked like a Jeep Wrangler up the steps and through the window.
Hence the JK Wrangler introduced itself to the world.
Sometime today, that vehicle will finish its run in a somewhat smaller ceremony, as the last of its kind quietly rolls off the line and out the door at Fiat Chrysler’s Toledo (OH) South Assembly Complex.
"“This workforce has been working relentlessly for as far back as quite a while to satisfy the fantasies of Jeep devotees around the globe who need to go where just a Wrangler can take them,” said Toledo Assembly Complex Manager Chuck Padden. “We take awesome pride in the part we have played ever of a vehicle and the effect it has made in the Toledo people group. We anticipate conveying that same sense of duty regarding the all-new Jeep truck.”
It has been a wild run, and something marked by substantial increases in engine technology, as well as the way modern conveniences interact with what nearly everyone considers a more spartan-type vehicle. Not to mention that whole four-door thing.
In reality, this April finale is somewhat weird as FCA has already moved on to its newest Jeep Wrangler, the JL, that is currently churning out units on the north side of Toledo’s complex. This makes for a somewhat confusing shopping adventure for those looking to purchase a 2018 Wrangler. Two options. One Wrangler name.
And maybe, really, this finish is fitting for a vehicle that has always seemed to somewhat confuse all those who put ratings on things like quality, comfort and performance. The JK Wrangler was never at the top of any of those lists. But, yet, it shattered all previous sales records in Wrangler history and was embraced by a whole new legion of fans. Sure, there were some who believed the JK was not a ‘real’ Wrangler, but don’t we always see that when any new one comes around?
“The Wrangler was something that we built and sold in the summer months,” said Jeep Design Head Mark Allen, during an interview about the JK back in 2016. “Jeeps were maintained; they weren’t really pushing it. They would get somebody that was working on whatever and put them in Jeep for a little while, and then move them out.”
“All the attention went to cars and minivans.”
Truthfully, while there are those who look back at YJ and TJ as the golden age in Wrangler history, sales of those vehicles had pretty much plateaued in the 70k to 90k units per year range by 2006. Those who loved the vehicle, well, loved the vehicle and appreciated it for what it was – a two-door, short wheelbase monster that didn’t have the best on-road manners, but could destroy pretty much anything else off road.
While that played well to its base, the Wrangler’s strengths were also its biggest weaknesses in trying to gain a bigger customer footprint for owner DaimlerChrysler, not to mention provide more money for the company.
So when that new JK Wrangler rolled up stairs and through a glass window, complete with just about all its functions computer-controlled, as well as other things like navigation and keyless entry that most car owners took for granted, people took notice.
Then came the big reveal. A new four-door JK Wrangler Unlimited that emerged from under six tons of dirt during the 2007 New York Auto Show. It turned out to be a creative decision by Jeep that many now consider a brand savior. It didn't happen overnight, though, as initial reactions were skeptical. But in time just about everyone came to see the thing for what it was - a lifeline for the brand.
“Honestly, without the four-door, we would have probably killed (the Wrangler).” Allen said. “(The 2-door Wrangler) was never seen as a real big design challenge.”
It also became the last remaining two-door SUV in North America to gain a four-door option, and the only four-door convertible in production. A full 20.6 inches was added to the two-door JK Wrangler's 95.4-inch wheelbase.
It offered more options and equipment than any previous Wrangler model, including standard electronic stability program and optional seat-mounted side airbags, remote keyless entry, navigation system, and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Sales exploded as a whole new category of buyers, ones who would have never looked at purchasing a Wrangler, now saw it as an option because of its four door versatility.
As a result DaimlerChrysler sold almost 120,000 Wranglers in 2007, nearly a 35 percent sales jump versus 2006. The JK Unlimited accounted for about 66,000 of those sales.
Though sales took a hit in 2008-10 because of the recession, they still floated above pre-JK numbers until skyrocketing in 2011 to nearly 125k – its best year ever.
By 2012, Jeep swapped engines to its current 3.6L Pentastar and the more powerful engine excited even more customers, as did other interior refinements that made the Wrangler more passable as a daily driver while retaining all its off-road capability.
The vehicle’s popularity only increased from there, eventually hitting a record 202k units sold in 2015.
Alas, like all things, the JK Wrangler’s time became limited once Jeep announced its next edition JL Wrangler – something even more refined and upscale than any other Wrangler in history.
Following today’s last JK Wrangler roll-off, the production line will shut down and begin a several-month retooling process which, eventually, will lead to it hosting the new Jeep JT truck. That vehicle is expected to begin construction sometime early next year.
For everything JK, including respective specs and vehicle info on each year of the entire JK Wrangler line, check out our Quadratec Wrangler JK Showcase.
