Rubicon Edition Wrangler
Imagine driving your new Jeep TJ off the showroom floor and straight onto the Rubicon. Or how about one of the Hammer Trails in Johnson Valley, California? Tellico? Moab? Well, now you can. Providing the Jeep you're in is the '03 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Model. No doubt responding to the ever-growing appeal of the Jeep TJ in any form, and recognizing how quickly consumers modify their new rigs, the Chrysler Group began offering the new vehicle last January. And truly, it's one of the most capable out-of-the-box rigs we've ever seen.
The Wrangler Rubicon isn't just a TJ with big tires. In fact, it has a host of primo parts often lusted after by 'crawlers. Dana 44 axles sit in the front and rear, both stuffed with switch-activated locking diffs spun via a NVG241OR 4:1 transfer case. This all-new 'case, made specifically for the Wrangler, slows vehicle speed to a crawl and increases the amount of torque available at the wheels. Four-wheel disc brakes were added to stop the 31-inch Goodyear Wrangler MT/R tires mounted to 16-inch five-spoke, aluminum, dish-faced wheels. In the power department, Jeep went with the popular 4.0L PowerTech I-6, capable of 190 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque, and is offering it with either manual or automatic transmissions. Check your local dealer for pricing and availability.
Liberty Demographics
According to an initial customer survey carried out by DaimlerChrysler AG, the average Jeep Liberty buyer is a bit older, wealthier, and more female than those who bought the Liberty's much-missed predecessor, the Jeep Cherokee. Still, however, among the Top 10 reasons for buying either vehicle, customers stated their reasoning as: It's American-made, has four-wheel drive, and is off-road capable. Of the 300 or so surveyed, the average Liberty buyer makes $71,000 per year, is 41 years old, and half of them are women. Jeep reports that the demographics are likely to look different for next year because they introduced a cheaper four-cylinder Sport model in late 2001.
Specialty Top Company BuysKayline Manufacturing
After 43 years in the business, Kayline Manufacturing, a maker of soft tops for a number of makes and models of 4x4s, has sold its tooling and patterns to Specialty Top Company in Denver. Specialty employs many people formerly of Kayline and ensures that it'll continue the level of quality, using the expertise built by Kayline. Specialty offers soft tops for Jeep, Bronco, Scout, Blazer, Suzuki, Ramcharger, and Isuzu applications. For more information, contact: Specialty Top Company, Dept. 4WDSU, 200 E. 64th Ave., Denver, CO 80221, (303) 487-9939, (866) 487-9944, www.specialtytopco.com.
ARCA Signs Skyjacker For 2002/2003 Seasons
Ranch Pratt, President of the American Rock Crawlers Association (ARCA), is a happy man. Not only did he spearhead one of the coolest off-road event series around, but he also harnessed two of the largest players in the off-road aftermarket industry to sponsor it. With help from Goodyear, and now Skyjacker, Ranch and ARCA are aiming for a minimum of a $20,000 payout per event. Moreover, thanks to pledges of support from Goodyear and Skyjacker, the series winner will take home a total of $45,000. Not bad bucks for crawling over rocks.
In other ARCA news, and as previously reported in this news section, ARCA will not be dividing its series into separate classes and will maintain a single Open Class. Thoughts on two classes were examined, yet ARCA decided it was in the sport's best interest to stay with the previously used Open Class. Other changes to the 2002 rulebook cleared up the rear steer controversy. During the 2001 season, competitors were fined three points per obstacle for the use of rear steer.The new rules for 2002 state that competitors will now be penalized eight points per obstacle for the use of rear steer. Changes were also made concerning gate scoring. For the complete rulebook, visit the ARCA Web site at www.rockcrawler.org.