The legend of the "Jeep" 4 x 4 vehicle began 63 years ago when automotive manufacturers across America were challenged to design a compact, lightweight, highly capable vehicle for use by the armed forces. The successful Willys MB sprang from that development challenge. Since, the CJ-2A and other models worked their way into the hearts of civilians while new military Jeep vehicles followed in the heroic path. Notably, the M-38, M-38Al and M-170 answered the call to action in all types of terrain, providing decades of dedicated service. Now, Jeep returns to its roots with a new military vehicle and a new street production version built on the same platform. Now, here I was 18 months later, driving the street production version of the TJL. What exactly does that mean? Well, Jeep has made long-wheelbased Scrambler models before and the time was deemed right to build another, when some internals at DaimlerChrysler's 4WD division saw the smart-looking and capable new military Jeep in July of 2002. The result was some of the fastest development time in this Michigan-based company's history. In production now, the new Wrangler Unlimited adds a new attribute to the tag line-"Go Anywhere, Do Anything", with its "Bring Everything"capability that comes from its stretched wheelbase. A small group of automotive journalists were treated to the first drive of the new 2004.5 model in the Texas Hill Country. Our tour of duty included comparing it to the current Wrangler (the TJ) on paved roads throughout this scenic region of rolling hills and ranches. We also drove it over a course of moderate to serious 4WD trails on the YO Ranch, in TX.
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