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Happy 50th birthday, Jeep Wagoneer

The Wagoneer got the SUV on the radar of buyers looking for something capable, comfortable and rugged.
The Jeep Wagoneer was introduced 50 years ago, and it's that vehicle we have to thank for the herds of excellent crossovers and SUVs that make up our current automotive landscape. On a personal level, I have always loved the full-size Jeeps and their crisp Brooks Stevens styling, which aged well over their long tenure on the market. The SJs, as they're known among enthusiasts, were the Wagoneer and its two-door counterpart, the original Cherokee. The Wagoneers had become true luxury vehicles by the end of their run, which stretched form late 1962 as a '63 model all the way to 1991, when they were offered exclusively under the Grand Wagoneer nameplate.

Tour the Jeep Wagoneer Icon Reformer with its creator Jonathan Ward

Icon has released a plethora of amazing machines, and has more coming down the pike. One of the company's latest creations is a Jeep Wagoneer that was done as part of Icon's Reformer line, which Jonathan Ward, the head of Icon, explains is a thorough restoration and upgrade, but with a fresh restored finish. This is in contrast to the company's Derelict series that keeps the rough exterior while upgrading everything underneath. And the level of detail in the Reformer Wagoneer is amazing, as shown by this video from The Hoonigans in which Ward gives a tour of the SUV. Starting on the outside, the truck is pretty close to stock in appearance, though the color and faux wood trim were never offered on it. Badges are a mix of originals, and a few tweaked ones for use on this Jeep. For instance, the front fender badges now feature the engine displacement of the Chevy LS V8 under the hood. Also, the round Jeep badges front and rear now have the Icon lizard badge. Inside, custom upholstery was added featuring patio furniture fabric for durability and the nifty pattern. Anything that would have been plastic, such as some of the chrome trim and the gauge cluster fascia, or vinyl, such as the door panels, have been upgraded to genuine metal or leather components. Icon even re-created a casting for the steering wheel to replace the old one. As already mentioned, this Jeep Wagoneer has a Chevy LS V8 displacing 6.2 liters. It naturally connects to a four-wheel-drive system with a Dana 60-size rear axle and 44-size front axle. The chassis was built by Art Morrison, a company known for its custom vintage car chassis. The suspension consists of coilover shocks and springs from Fox Racing and Eibach respectively. This is all just a brief overview. Check out the whole video above for all the neat details. Related Video: Image Credit: The Hoonigans / YouTube Aftermarket Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles Classics Videos icon

A hybrid Jeep Wrangler could be in the cards for new generation

Jeep could make a hybrid version of its iconic off-roader, the Wrangler, the head of the Jeep brand suggested in an interview with Autoblog. Speaking this week on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show, Jeep's global chief Mike Manley said "the hybridization could actually help Wrangler," noting it could improve torque distribution, a critical element for four-wheel drive vehicles. Manley added, "Electrification, absolutely. I could see Wrangler being a form of electric." The Jeep boss didn't offer further details, though a hybrid Wrangler has been rumored for years. The next-generation off-roader is due for the 2018 model year, which means a reveal is imminent. Hybrid technology would likely be used to assist the Wrangler's performance and efficiency, rather than as a total fuel-economy play. The next-gen Wrangler is expected to have LED lights, updated and more aerodynamic design, and greater use of aluminum. A turbo four-cylinder gasoline engine, a diesel engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission are also among the powertrain rumors, though the diesel may be in jeopardy after the EPA accused FCA US of installing emission-control software on its EcoDiesels. Despite the changes, this new Jeep will be instantly recognizable as a Wrangler, Manley told us. "It's the icon of our brand." View 30 Photos Also heartening for enthusiasts, the Wrangler is getting a pickup variant built alongside the utility vehicle in Toledo, OH. Manley wouldn't speculate on a name, though it has a long list of historic choices. Jeep used "Comanche" on a Cherokee-based pickup from 1986-92 and had the Gladiator/J-Series for a larger truck from 1963-87. "Of course we could go back to one of the record books [for a name]," Manley said. Meanwhile, Jeep also confirmed that the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer models will return to its lineup in 2020, slotting above the Grand Cherokee and giving Jeep an entry in the upper luxury SUV segment. Manley said the Wagoneers will compete in the $60,000-to-$100,000 price range. They will be based on a body-on-frame platform sourced from the Ram and built in Warren, MI. "Ever since I've been associated with Jeep, in my mind, they needed to come back to the portfolio," Manley said. Jeep's other spotlight vehicle, the Grand Cherokee, will get a new generation launching in 2019, Manley said. Though the current line has been on sale since 2010, Jeep has added interior updates and special variants to keep it fresh.