Body and Interior
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 4: J-Series Jeep Wagoneers, Gladiators, Cherokees, and Panel Trucks
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 5: Willys Jeepster, Kaiser Jeepster, and Jeepster Commando
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 6: Jeep Wrangler YJ and TJ
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 7: Jeep Wrangler JK and JL
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 8: Jeep Cherokees, Comanches, and Wagoneer XJs
Legend and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
Chapter 9: Jeep Grand Cherokees
Legends and Lore
Body and Interior
Engine and Drivetrain
Suspension and Brakes
Numbers Crunching and Press Commentary
DEDICATION
To the greatest Jeep men of all time: designers Bob Nixon and Vince Geraci. These two men led teams that were responsible for creating some of the most legendary vehicles ever produced, and I’m proud that they are among my best friends as well. God bless you both!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
One of America’s best-known automotive journalists is Patrick Foster, a dedicated historian/author who has been writing for more than 25 years. Patrick is a feature writer and columnist for Hemmings Classic Car.
Patrick has written 27 books and contributed material to several others. He has won numerous writing awards including the AACA’s prestigious Thomas McKean Memorial Cup Award, an Outstanding Periodical Article for the year by the Society of Automotive Historians, and numerous International Automotive Media Council (IAMC) Awards. In 2011, Patrick was honored with the Lee Iacocca Award, perhaps the most coveted award in the car hobby, for excellence in automotive writing.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank Bob Wilson of CarTech Books for giving me the opportunity to author this book. I’d especially like to thank legendary Jeep designers Jim Pappas, John Sgalia, Bill St. Claire, John Starr, Jack Kenitz, Eric Kugler, George Krispinsky, Thelma Sibley, Susan Tassi, Phil Payne, and the late Jim Angers and Claude Trambley for their insight and for always being there when I needed them.
Thanks also to my good friends Frank Pascoe, Ron Konopka, and Jack Wildman of AMC/Jeep Styling; Joe Cappy and Gerald Meyers, both former CEOs of American Motors; Dean Greb; and the late Chuck Mashigan and Cruse Moss. I also want to thank Dan Clifford and Jay Cowperthwaite for suggesting some good facts. Special thanks go to Steve Magnante for all his help. You guys are the best!
A QUICK NOTE ABOUT THESE FACTS
I’ve been involved with Jeep vehicles for decades; first as a mechanic, then as a successful salesman, and finally as a journalist. In my time with Jeep I’ve accumulated one of the largest collections of Jeep literature in the world, which I consulted while writing this book. However, having noted all of the above, I have to tell you that you may find a few errors in the text. It’s practically inevitable when you spend a year writing more than 80,000 words that your fingers accidently type 1962 when you really meant to type 1963, used the wrong word to describe a component, or just plain made a dumb mistake. I’ve written four previous Jeep books and hopefully am getting better as I age (like a fine wine?). So, if you find any errors, please accept my apology now, and send me a letter in care of the publisher so I can correct any future editions. Thanks!
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