FCA Australia has revealed the specs and prices of the JL Wrangler, which is appearing in some Jeep dealers already but won’t officially go on sale until April.
The JL will be available in both short-wheelbase two-door and long-wheelbase four-door variants, with a choice of the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine or the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. Both engines are offered with the eight-speed automatic transmission only.
Sure to disappoint many Wrangler buyers is the fact there will be no manual gearbox offered in Australian Wranglers, nor will we get the 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol or the 3.0-litre diesel V6 engine offered elsewhere. There’s also no SWB Rubicon model.
The cheapest JL Wrangler is the SWB Wrangler Sport S at $48,950, which is a considerable step up in entry price from the current $38,990 JK Wrangler Sport with the same engine. Likewise at the top end of the price range, where a LWB JK Rubicon which started at $53,990 with an auto will now set you back in excess of $63,950. Want a diesel engine in that Rubicon? That will add $5000 to the price!
This is the first time the Wrangler Rubicon has been offered here with a diesel engine alternative. The 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine delivers 147kW at 3500rpm and 450Nm at 2000rpm.
The four-door JL arrives in three specification levels: Sport S, Overland and Rubicon, with only the off-road-oriented Rubicon getting the diesel option. The two-door will only be available as Sport or Overland spec and V6 petrol engine only.
Sport S and Overland Wranglers get the conventional Command-Trac 4×4 system offering two-wheel drive and 4×4 high and low range, while the Rubicons get the off-road-biased Rock-Trac system which adds 4:1 low range in the transfer case. The full-time Command-Trac system offered on some US specifications will not be available here.
Also in the Rubicon’s off-road arsenal are locking differentials front and rear, lower 4.1:1 gears in those diffs, a disconnecting front sway bar and 32-inch BFGoodrich All Terrain tyres, among other extras.
Justifying the added cost of the JL is the fact it comes with a lot more comfort and convenience features, including AEB and radar cruise control on Overland and Rubicon models.
As in the past the Wrangler will be available with a choice of removable soft and hardtop roof configurations, the hardtop featuring the separately removable Freedom panels. Jeep will also have more than 130 factory MOPAR accessories to add to the price or, as we saw at the SEMA Show, the aftermarket already has more gear than you could ever imagine.
Wrangler Sport S specifications: – 17-inch Alloy Wheels – Daylight Running Lamps (DRLs) – Automatic Headlamps – Parkview Rear Backup Camera – ParkSense Rear Park Assist System – Push-Button Start – Leather-wrapped Steering Wheel – 7.0” Uconnect Touch Screen Display – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – 8-Speaker Audio System – Black Sunrider Soft Top
Wrangler Overland specifications: – 18-inch Alloy Wheels – Auto Emergency Braking – Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop – McKinley Leather Trimmed Seats with Overland Logo – Body Colour, Removable Hard Top with Freedom Panels – LED Reflector Head Lamps/Tail Lamps/Fog Lamps/DRLs – Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection – ParkSense Front Assist System – 9-Speaker Alpine Premium Audio System – Uconnect 8.4-inch Touch Screen Display – Satellite Navigation – 230V Power Outlet – Remote Start System
Wrangler Rubicon specifications: – 17” Polished Alloy Wheels with Black Pockets – Tru-Lock® Front & Rear Locking Differentials – Auto Emergency Braking – Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop – Front Stabiliser Bar Disconnect – Heavy Duty Front and Rear Axles – Heavy Duty Rock Slider with Step Assist – Removable Black Hard Top with Freedom Panels – Rubicon Hood Decal – 32” BFGoodrich Off-Road Tyres – Winch-Capable Steel Front Bumper – 9-Speaker Alpine Premium Audio System – LED Reflector Head Lamps/Tail Lamps/Fog Lamps/DRLs – Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear Cross Path Detection – Uconnect 8.4-inch Touch Screen Display – Satellite Navigation – 230V Power Outlet – Remote Start System – Off-Road Pages
2019 Jeep JL Wrangler prices: Sport S 2-dr 3.6L 8AT 209kW 4×4 Petrol: $48,950 Sport S 4-dr 3.6L 8AT 209kW 4×4 Petrol: $53,450Overland 2-dr 3.6L 8AT 209kW 4×4 Petrol: $58,450 Overland 4-dr 3.6L 8AT 209kW 4×4 Petrol: $62,950Rubicon 3.6L 8AT 209kW 4×4 Petrol: $63,950 Rubicon 2.2L 8AT 147kW 4×4 Diesel: $68,950
THIS street-driven pre-runner you’re ogling right now was put together by Nefarious Kustoms, a downtown shop located in Las Vegas, USA.
The decision to turn the FJ45 – originally destined to be a rock-crawler – into a pre-runner meant the solid axles needed were ditched and the IFS frame of a donated 2007 Tundra would instead be utilised.
The Tundra was stripped to a bare chassis and the back half was chopped off, replaced by a fabbed new back half made from steel tubing. A pair of 56-inch trailing arms and the now-trussed Tundra differential on a set of King coilovers were hung from the rear end.
This shortened the Tundra’s wheelbase to match the size of an FJ45. The tube work extends to the front to incorporate the full roll-cage and pick-up points for the front suspension, which features an LSK Suspension long-travel race kit, and King coilover and hydraulic bump stops.
The cab was cut and lengthened by 4 inches, and the floor and roof were hand-fabricated to suit. The bonnet is a Campbell Racing fiberglass piece. At the rear an aluminium sheet is used for the sides, and the top edges from an old Datsun pick-up bed were grafted to the top sides. NACA-style ducts divert cool air to the shock absorbers.
The FJ45 runs Toyota’s 5.7-litre DOHC V8 engine, which makes 283kW at 5600rpm and 543Nm at 3600rpm in stock form. The trophy truck adds custom headers and a free-flowing exhaust system.
There’s plenty more to this build. To read about it, pick up a copy of the January issue of 4X4 Australia.
IT SEEMS there isn’t a manufacturer of one-tonne utes and 4×4 vehicles that can escape the wild modifications of Iceland’s Arctic Trucks.
The company best known for its monster-tyred polar roamers has in more recent years been partnering with OE manufacturers to create factory-backed off-road rigs wearing AT’s signature big tyres.
From Isuzu we’ve seen the AT35, which is popular with buyers in Europe and the UK. There have been AT35 Hiluxes in both 4×4 and 6×6 guise, and Nissan recently introduced an AT32 variant of its Navara ute. The numbers in the model names indicate the tyre diameter in inches, but one-off specials from Artic Trucks are often equipped with 44-inch (and even bigger) rubber.
The latest manufacturer to partner with AT is Volkswagen and, while the Amarok AT35 is a one-off at this stage, it could become a regular ‘special edition’ in Europe.
“In the UK, the ability of our van centres to convert vehicles through recognised partners remains one of our unique selling points,” said Nick Axtell, Specialist Sales Manager for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK. “It doesn’t matter whether that’s fitting racking for a plumber, refrigerators for a supermarket chain, or something altogether more extreme like the AT35 – we are always committed to working with you.”
The Amarok AT35 was a partnership between Icelandic Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles dealer, Hekla, and Arctic Trucks, and it’s being put to work as a support vehicle for winter driving experiences, leading customers out onto the snow and ice.
Most significantly, the AT35 wears those massive 315/70R17 All-Terrain tyres. To get them under the Amarok, Arctic Trucks had to first install a 25mm suspension lift front and rear, as well as flared fibreglass wheel-arches and larger mud flaps.
The double-cab Amarok retains the standard V6 diesel engine and four-wheel drive powertrain, and it can still carry an 1154kg payload. Inside it has been equipped for freezing expeditions, with a fire extinguisher, portable generator and, of course, a coffee machine. A VHF radio, toolbox, jack and first-aid kit with defibrillator are also part of the off-road kit.
There’s no official word yet on the AT35 being a regular Amarok model anywhere in the world, but Arctic Trucks has shown it can be done. And from its recent work with other OE manufacturers, we reckon you might see this in Volkswagen showrooms in the UK sometime soon.
Now if only we could get the Australian arms of the car companies to the Arctic Trucks party.
There’s 4×4 gear that requires a fair bit of installation work, and there are easy plug-and-play items that don’t need many modifications and can be easily removed.
Here’s some straightforward and easy-to-install gear that’s touted to deliver an improvement to your 4×4 rig.
Bushranger Night Hawk VLI Series driving lights
The new Night Hawk nine-inch LED driving lights are a totally new development from Bushranger and are jam-packed with the latest and greatest lighting tech.
Light output is 21,600 lumens (for a pair), and the design incorporates cooling ducts to funnel air to the heatsink to promote dissipation of heat from the LEDs. This allows the ATCS (Advanced Temperature Control System) to run the LEDs at maximum output through the monitoring and adjustment of output according to the external environment. Yep, they’re clever.
There is also a brightness control function (via the relay-free VLI Series wiring system – RRP$89 for each light – which allows for easier wiring and fitment). There are two covers supplied with each light, allowing you to change the beam pattern from spot to spread. As you’d expect from a Bushranger product, these lights are uber-tough.
RRP: $895 (pair); $447.50 (each) Website: www.bushranger.com.au
Narva Ultima 180 LED driving lamps
Narva continues to produce excellent lighting products, with its latest Ultima 180 LED. As the moniker suggests, the Ultima 180 is a more compact sibling to the Ultima 215 and measures 180mm in diameter, making it ideal for fitment when space is an issue.
The hybrid beam pattern punches out a white light (5700K) with an output of 22,000 raw lumens that throws a beam of light up to 600 metres (at 1 Lux; when used as a pair). Each light has 25 5W XP-G2 Cree LEDs with polished aluminium metalised reflectors.
The housing is die-cast aluminium with an ‘Active Thermal Management System’ to ensure the lights run brighter for longer. There’s also a breather vent, and they’re rated to IP66 and IP67 for proof against water and dust ingress. The kit comes with all the gear you need to fit the lights, and there’s a five-year warranty.
Website: www.narva.com.au
Steinbauer Power Modules
Highly regarded diesel fuel injection gurus, Cornell Diesel Systems, uses the Steinbauer Power Module to up the performance of a common rail diesel donk.
The Steinbauer module differs from other units that rely on ‘remapping’ of the engine’s injection parameters. Instead, the Steinbauer operates independently of the vehicle’s electronics via its unique plug connection.
This offers all the benefits of improved grunt by optimising the main injection setup but with no negatives. There is no change in fuel pressure when the module is fitted and, if you decide to do so, you can remove the unit and the engine reverts to the factory standard settings – there is no electric ‘footprint’ left behind.
The Steinbauer Power Module is available for a number of popular 4×4 vehicles and comes with a three-year extended warranty.
Website: www.cornells.com.au
RAM has lifted the very big covers off its 2019 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pick-ups, revealing the show-stopping 1355Nm (1000lb-ft) Cummins turbo-diesel engine atop its three-engine line-up.
Unveiled at the 2019 North American Auto Show in Detroit, the high-powered 6.7-litre inline-six Cummins engine delivers 400 horses (298kW) at 2800rpm and the as-mentioned 1355Nm. It’s mated to an Aisin AS69RC six-speed automatic.
The engine weighs 27kg less than the previous-gen engine and features changes including a cylinder block made from compacted graphite iron, a new cast-iron cylinder head, new exhaust valves and springs, new rocker arms, and lighter and stronger pistons.
A second variant of the Cummins engine nets 370 horses (276kW) at 2800rpm and 850lb-ft (1151Nm) at 1700rpm, running through an upgraded 68RFE six-speed auto; while the petrol-powered 6.4-litre HEMI V8 version has been upgraded to produce 410hp (306kW) at 5600 rpm and 429lb-ft (582Nm) at 4000 rpm, and it’s connected to a TorqueFlite 8HP75 eight-speed auto.
“Ram Heavy Duty owners constantly demand the highest levels of capability to tackle the biggest jobs and with 35,100lb (14,288kg) of towing capacity [7680lb; 3483kg payload], pulled by 1000lb-ft of torque (1355Nm) from our Cummins engine, we now hold the most important titles within the segment,” said Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand, FCA.
“We’ve also surrounded owners in luxury and technology that, until now, was unavailable in a heavy-duty pickup. The highest quality interiors, active safety systems and of course our award-winning Uconnect technology contribute to the best Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks we have ever built.”
A BorgWarner part-time transfer case is fitted to all 2500/3500 HD 4x4s, with the 1355Nm-powered model getting an all-new BorgWarner variant codenamed BW 44-48, said to cater for higher input loads. The 2019 models also get new front and rear axles, with 3500 HD offered with an all-new, larger 12-inch AAM rear axle.
Suspension runs to Frequency Response Damping (FRD) shocks, while progressive springs and upgraded bushings were added, as well as the 2500’s five-link coil design; while Active-Level rear air suspension is available for both variants.
Courtesy of new 98.5 per cent high-strength steel, in addition to an aluminium hood and lightweight materials in the frame and powertrain, the new models have shed up to 143lb (65kg).
Safety kit runs to a new 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance, an upgraded braking system, Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system, adaptive cruise control, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and AEB with trailer brakes.
Expect a 12-month wait before we can start to see the diesel-powered pick-ups at importers and distributors, including at Ateco Automotive, the official factory appointed importer and distributor of RAM Products for Australia and New Zealand.
THE 20th Anniversary of Aussie flick Priscilla: Queen of the Desert has forced Drive 4 Life organisers to shuffle the dates for the upcoming Flinders Ranges Tour.
The movie, which was filmed in and around Broken Hill, wrapped up on the weekend of September 14 and 15, 1999, and people will be flocking to the area to celebrate the movie’s 20th anniversary.
For this reason, hotels and motels in the area can only be booked for a minimum of three nights, and Drive 4 Life’s desired dinner venue has also refused to accept the charity’s booking for 80 people as it means other guests would need to be turned away.
Drive 4 Life has rearranged the tour, which will now start on Sunday, September 1, and conclude on Sunday, September 8 – the first time in Drive 4 Life’s 14-year operating history where the dates have been altered.
Drive 4 Life’s director, Chris Bates, said bookings can be cancelled if the new dates aren’t suitable for punters who have already signed up, and refunds will be available if required.
Drive 4 Life has raised $804,500 for the Northcott foundation since its inception, supporting children and young adults – and their families – with disabilities.
For more information, go to: www.drive4life.com.au
If our annual gear guide is any indication, delving into the market for 4×4 gear can be like falling down the rabbit hole with the sheer variety of offerings in the market for nearly every component imaginable.
This time around we are turning the spotlight on some of the more big ticket items for the more dedicated of 4×4 enthusiasts.
Patriot Campers PCOR tray body
Patriot Campers continues to build on its Supertourer range, and now offers owners of the more popular 4×4 utes the Patriot Campers PCOR tray.
The tray body is lightweight, tough aluminium, and includes 70 litres of water on-board, as well as central-locking on its rear drawer (on select models). There’s space for more gear in the side storage compartments and the fit and finish is exemplary.
The headboard includes fuel and water fillers, and you can remove the tray’s folding aluminium sides for a low-profile look. An OEM towbar still fit and the extrusion bed features tough material to cope with gear stowage and all associated scrapes and bumps. It’s a quality, versatile product.
Website: www.pcor4x4.com.au
PWR LC200 intercooler
PWR has engineered the world’s first direct replacement performance-focused intercooler for Toyota’s Land Cruiser 200 Series.
The intercooler is an engineering work of art and features CNC billet machined tanks, PWR’s Formula 1 Core Technology, a twin thermo fan kit and it all fits neatly under the big Cruiser’s bonnet. So what that means is there’s no need to cut into the bonnet or add a bonnet scoop, the unit is a direct bolt-on jobbie making for a simple but super-effective fitment that will add plenty of grunt to that 4.5-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel donk.
RRP: $3895 Website: www.pwr.com.au
Moab wheels Discovery 4
Owners of Land Rover Discovery 4 vehicles can now fit an 18-inch wheelset to the big Brit off-roader.
Up until now it has not been possible to fit any wheel sizes other than those from 19-inch and above, due to the size of the D4’s front brake calipers. This has meant anyone keen to fit off-road rubber to their D4 has to put up with the fact those tyres that were suitable had less sidewall flex than desired for off-road conditions, due to their lower profile/height.
Moab has designed this 18-inch wheel specifically to clear the caliper, meaning D4 owners can now choose from a wider variety of off-road rubber to fit the wheels and thus gain a bit more sidewall height. The wheels have a 980kg load rating, a 44mm offset and meet international standards.
RRP: $550 each (free delivery Australia-wide) Website: www.4wd1.com
Sherpa 4×4 10MT snatch block
The team at Sherpa 4×4 has been at it again, producing another top-notch product in this snatch block. The snatch block can be used with both synthetic and cable winch lines (although care needs to be taken when using it with synthetic ropes, as there is potential for the rope to be pinched between the pulley and plate). Compatible ropes/cables are 5/16-inch to half-inch.
The snatch block is suited to a 10,000kg load and is of a heavy-duty scissor design. It includes a grease nipple for easy relubrication of the spindle when necessary. The design itself is simple to ensure it is close to bombproof when in use and for maintenance out in the field (or at home), and the tough powdercoating also reflects that focus on durability. Plus, there’s a handy carry bag.
RRP: $69 Website: www.sherpa4x4.com.au
HELD deep in the expansive deserts of Sonora, Mexico, the Yokohama Sonora Rally is a five-day off-road navigation rally and a true Dakar-style adventure.
Created by Dakar veterans Darren Skilton and Scott Whitney in 2014, the venue has brought rally raid, a mainstream attraction in Europe and Africa, to the forefront of the North American automotive world.
Organisers have fueled the passion and growth of the sport authentically, bringing decades of experience in the form of world-class road books, pre-event navigation classes and professional logistics management.
The region’s uncharted territory, massive sand dunes and spectacular landscapes lend perfectly to rally raid, and nuances of Sonoran culture render it an authentic international venue. The Sonora Rally is also the only North American race to be deemed an official “Road to Dakar” event.
This prestigious affiliation with Dakar has landed it squarely in the centre of the global media stage. Traditionally open to dual-sport motorcycles, UTVs and four-wheeled vehicles, this year they are introducing a non-competition Adventure Raid component to the rally.
The Raid
ADVENTURE Raid is designed for those who want to experience rally raid and navigation without the stresses of racing. This guided trip is open to street-legal four-wheel drive vehicles such as Jeeps, Raptors and Tacomas, as well as dual-sport BMWs and KTMs.
Sonora, Mexico’s second largest state, is home to an area of million-year-old sand dunes, or ‘ergs’. Geologically, the Sonoran erg is one of only five of its type in the world and the only one in North America.
It is a mystical and mesmerising place with unparalleled landscapes, indigenous cultures and stunningly beautiful beaches. Celebrated for its premium steaks, seafood and authentic tortillas de harina (flour tortillas), Sonora captures the essence of Northern Mexico.
On the first day, after the racers make their way through scrutineering, Adventure Raid members will join competitors in an instructional navigation class. The next day the group will travel at an easy-going pace, allowing time to take in the scenery and absorb the full Sonora Rally experience.
At pre-determined points, they will turn off on lonely two-tracks that intersect the racecourse to get close to the action. Participants have the choice of following their guide or venturing out on their own, navigating via provided GPS tracks. When the sun dips toward the horizon, they will head for the nightly bivouac to experience rally raid at its finest.
The Bivouac
SONORA Rally is renowned for its unique bivouacs. Erected deep in the desert or near sandy beaches on the Sea of Cortez, they are a place of camaraderie where world-class competitors, amateur racers and crews mingle and share tales of their exploits.
Adventure Raid participants will enjoy locally sourced food and artisanal beer, as well as Mexico’s famous Guadalupe wine provided by celebrity chefs. Four nights will be spent in hotels (included with registration), while others will be camping under the stars. After the morning gathering for breakfast, participants will head out for another day of exploration.
This year’s Adventure Raid will be led by Chris Collard, an internationally recognised journalist and adventurer. He began traveling in Mexico in his youth, has crossed all seven continents by four-wheel drive, and is an Off Road Motorsports’ Hall of Fame inductee. You will be traveling in good company.
This year’s Sonora Rally takes place March 17-22, 2019, and there is limited space available in the Adventure Raid Class.
For more information visit http://sonorarally.com/entry
Ron Thomas wasn’t always a Defender guy, or even a staunch fan of Land Rovers. However, he loved the idea of a good adventure and one day while traveling in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, he glimpsed the boxy lines of a 110. It was simple and oozed coolness. So-much-so that he took a photo and saved it on his cerebral desktop.
He thought, albeit mistakenly, a Defender would be a stylish alternative to his full-size truck and he could eliminate the heavy-handed payment (he’d obviously never owned a Landy).
When the timing was right he called Tower Auto sales, who specialises in exotic imports, to check its inventory. There were a few in stock, so Ron and his wife took a road trip to Pittsburg to kick some tyres. They told the salesman they were “just looking,” but by the end of the day they were en route home in separate vehicles.
With plans to do a major refit, Ron said, “I bought the crappiest one they had.” It was a 1988 110 wagon with Defender badging and a 200Tdi. The drivetrain worked as it should, but the underpowered 200Tdi was deplorably slow; so much that he felt the need to raise an apologetic wave to truck drivers that became stuck behind him on the slightest of grades.
He’d heard rumours that Cummins would be releasing a crate version of its 2.8 turbo-diesel, a powerplant that has been utilised in commercial equipment for a decade. He tucked the idea of a repower on his desktop as well. But the first task was refitting the interior.
After stripping the cabin down to the floorboards, he designed an interior that would fit his travelling lifestyle as a BMX event producer (his previous career was as a pro rider). With the glass and doors removed, the body was treated to a fresh Olive Drab green paint job before being refitted with new seals.
The seats were treated to brown Serengeti leather accented with black trim, as were door panels and select portions of the dash. Out back ExMoor fold-down jump seats were fitted to custom mounts and the entire ensemble was placed over dirt-resistant black carpet and OE mud mats. New power windows and door locks were added, along with homemade billet aluminium hardware (Ron is also a hobby machinist).
As a pseudo audiophile, the sound system needed to rock the house. The result was a mix of 13 Alpine and Pioneer speakers strategically placed to optimise the listening experience. Rounding out the interior is a custom console, navigation system, and homemade aluminium and walnut steering wheel with a BMX rider doing a backflip off the centre. The final touch was a reversing camera monitoring system.
Intending to spend many nights in the backcountry, Ron looked to Front Runner Outfitters for the appropriate equipment. He selected its roof-top tent and Monsoon gear bag, and mounted them on the full-length aluminium rack.
Auxiliary LED driving lights were fitted to the OE bumper, and a diamond-plate panel kit and rock sliders from Rovers North protect vulnerable body parts. The heavy-duty rear bumper and tyre rack were sourced from Proline. To maximise contact with the terrain, BFGoodrich A/T KO2s wrapped around Kahn alloy wheels cap the OE Salisbury axles.
The Repower factor
With the interior buttoned up, the future looked bright until the clutch went south during a road trip across Michigan. He figured that while half the drivetrain was removed, he should revisit the idea of updating the engine. A call to Cummins, which had just released the R2.8 turbo-diesel crate motor, sealed the deal.
The cool thing about selecting the R2.8 for a repower is that it includes most components to make it run; pumps, alternator, wiring harness, Murphy gauge, and even a drive-by-wire accelerator pedal. Just add a battery, fuel, plumb the exhaust, cooling and wiring, and presto! Right?
The challenge was that few R2.8 conversions had been done, and none in a 110 with a manual transmission. Not only were there no YouTube tutorials available, aftermarket manufacturers had yet to develop a transmission adapter, motor mounts, or any of the other bits and pieces required. Additionally, Ron had little experience as a mechanic and this would be his first engine swap. The repower adventure began.
After prying the crate open and sourcing an engine stand, he took detailed measurements of the bellhousing interface, flywheel and pilot bearing, frame rails, and critical engine dimensions. The next task was to purchase 6061 billet aluminium plate in a variety of thicknesses and dimensions. During the next three weeks, his patience and fabrication skills would be tapped extensively.
Emerging from his machining man-cave, he had a custom-milled transmission adapter, flywheel attachment, slave cylinder mount, and engine mounts in-hand. When the day of reckoning arrived, everything lined up and bolted together with the precision of a military marching band.
With the R2.8 sitting in the engine bay, the wiring harness and throttle pedal were integrated into the dash and footwell, and a custom exhaust was fabricated. A Summit Racing radiator and intercooler were installed via a mix of stainless steel and aluminium plumbing. Air supply was also custom, short of the Specter filter, and a second radiator was mounted under the bumper behind a skid plate.
After 10 months of playing in his garage – three weeks just on the heart transplant – the Landy was repowered and ready for a proper evaluation. Ron said, “After I finished installing the R2.8, we decided to drive it across the country for a test run.”
We caught up with Ron and wife Samantha on the Cummins Repower Cruise across America’s Pacific Northwest. They said they loved the new interior, camping in the roof-top tent, and the additional power and grunt the mill provided on long climbs.
No trucker apologies were needed, and they were averaging 13 to 14.5L/100km. By the time they returned home to Detroit they had spun 4200 miles (6759km) on the odometer. We’d say that’s not a bad “test run”.
1988 CUSTOM LAND ROVER DEFENDER 110 SPECS: Engine: Cummins R2.8-litre turbo-diesel Power/Torque output: 120kW/429Nm Transmission: LT77 5-speed manual, LT230 transfer case Axles: OE Salisbury Bumpers: Proline rear bumper and swing-away tyre carrier Armour: Rovers North sliders, diamond plate skins Tyres/Wheels: 265/65R18 BFGoodrich A/T KO2, 18-inch Kahn alloy wheels Interior: Serengeti leather, walnut trim, ExMoor jump seats Electronics: Alpine/Pioneer audio, reverse camera monitoring system
THE 2020 Jeep Gladiator is one of the most anticipated vehicles to hit the market in recent times and will be one of the most exciting when it goes on sale in the USA in 2019 and in Australia in 2020. You only have to look at the excitement around the JL Wrangler from the aftermarket industry and at events like the SEMA Show to get a handle on how popular this vehicle will be.
Jeep’s JK Wrangler has been the SEMA Show favourite for almost a decade, and there was a JL on every other booth at the show in 2018. You can bet the farm there will be more Gladiators on booths at the 2019 show than you could ever imagine.
The fact the Gladiator is based on the Wrangler and the Wrangler is the best aftermarket-supported 4×4 vehicle ever means that the tens-of-thousands of products that are made for the JL wagon will transfer over to the pick-up. And, being a pickup, there’ll be a whole new range of accessories for the tray area as well.
By its size, the Gladiator falls into what the Americans call the mid-size pickup market, along with vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado. Pundits here will group it in with the popular one-tonners like the Ranger, Hilux and Colorado.
However, comparing the Gladiator to any of these vehicles is akin to matching a Jeep Wrangler to a Toyota Fortuner or Ford Everest. Anyone considering one of the former vehicles will not be in the market for the Jeep.
Like the Wrangler, the Gladiator is a more off-road-focused vehicle, with live axles front and rear and compromises many buyers wouldn’t be prepared to put up with. It’s a vehicle for a different buyer than the popular utes, even though there will always be those who want one purely on style. Any new vehicle with more off-road ability will be a welcome addition, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel of one.