Why the Wrangler Is Much More Than a ‘Truck’

The idea that a Wrangler is commonly called a Jeep and not a truck probably seems pretty clear to most here at JK Forum. But I’m beginning to realize that maybe you need to own one to truly understand what that means.

A couple of weeks ago, Jonathon Klein, a colleague here at JK Forum raised the question of why some Jeep owners get upset when a Wrangler is called truck. While reading his post here, it occurred to me as a Wrangler owner myself, that it really takes a more personal connection to understand why it’s much more than that.

For all intents and purposes, my colleague is right — the Wrangler does function much like a truck. It’s engineered to be as capable, as Jonathon points out while touching on things like its body on frame construction. Depending on the model, it’s pretty good for towing and hauling stuff around as well. It also offers a few more features that probably could be considered “truck-like.”

The trouble with that perspective, however, is that it ignores the most important attribute of the Wrangler, which is its uniqueness as a vehicle unlike any other in the world — especially when compared to your average pickup truck.

As someone who grew up near the Old Willys Overland Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio, Wranglers have always been “Jeeps” and not “trucks” to me. As a matter of fact, I can’t recall ever hearing anyone refer to the vehicles as trucks, even as a kid. And I imagine that it would probably be even tougher to sell it as a just a truck to any adults who live in Toledo where the Wrangler is built.

Still, it wasn’t until I took a 2,000 plus mile road trip from Toledo to Los Angeles in my 2009 Wrangler that I began to really appreciate the true essence of the Jeep Wrangler.  I can’t recall exactly when that deeper clarity began to shine through, perhaps while sharing the journey with others on Facebook? Or maybe venturing high up in the Rockies during my stay in Denver? Or meeting other Wrangler owners along the trip?

Now that I reflect back on the experience, it probably was a number of things along the journey that actually gave me a better understanding of what makes the Wrangler special.

There’s also this deep connection to the ideas of freedom and American pride you get when driving a Wrangler (especially when the top’s off) that defines the essence of it being a Jeep. In addition, there’s this great sense of history tied to the Wrangler, which speaks to it being much more than other comparable vehicles.

To put it simply, it’s something that goes way beyond the sheet metal that comes with owning a Wrangler — whether you use it for off-roading, taking in the sights, or as an everyday vehicle — that makes it much more than a truck, or an SUV for that matter.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

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