Celebrating Jeep’s 75th with an Anniversary Off-Road Jaunt
Recently, the folks at Jeep thought it was a good idea to drop off a new Wrangler for me to play with. Whenever that happens, you know it’s going to be a good week. So I loaded up the Jeep, found some friends, and heading to an off-road park to help celebrate Jeep’s birthday going where Jeep intends their products to be driven.
The Jeep that was dropped off was an Unlimited 75th Anniversary Edition in Billet Silver. Friend and fellow journalist Josh Smith also had a 75th dropped off the same day in Sarge green. We then gathered up fellow JK-Forum contributor Jerry Perez and The Awesomer‘s Paul Strauss and headed to Badlands Off-Road Park in Indiana.
It was a monsoon the day we were at the park, which made many of the off-road obstacles and trails even more tricky than normal. The sand resembled quick sand more than anything. But none of the obstacles were any concern for the Wrangler. Four-wheel drive is a fantastic invention.
When you drive a lot of different vehicles for a living, you see what each manufacturer is doing to make their vehicle better. For off-roaders, that means tons of new technology, electronically-controlled differentials, and modern traction control systems. The JK Wrangler has none of that. It just has a solid axle, a locking rear-differential (on this version), and 75 years of mechanical engineering.
And it shows. Of all the vehicles I’ve tested at this particular park, the Wrangler was the most confidence-inspiring vehicle. The ride height, the approach and departure angles, the break-over angles, they’re all stellar. Being able to ford 30″ of water definitely helps, considering we went up a flowing creek at one point.
The Renegade and Cherokee — in Trailhawk trims — are very good here. But they just don’t feel the same as the Wrangler.
So what does the 75th Anniversary Edition get you? From the functional side, you get rock rails, the locking rear differential, and the premium soft top. You also get the upgraded 430 radio, a driver information center that shows tire pressure, a gorgeous tan leather interior, and excellent rubber floor mats. There are also bronze wheels, tow hooks, bumpers, and other trim pieces.
You also get more 1941 badges than I can physically count. There are a lot, and I think they’re a bit much, but you may love them.
Josh and I’s Wranglers were configured the same way, except for the color, and carried a sticker price of $48,530. Even though that includes the hardtop and the extra two doors over a normal Wrangler, that’s still a decent amount of change. A fully-loaded Rubicon Hard Rock is just about a grand or so more.
But hey, if you’re looking for a new Wrangler and want to celebrate the heritage of the company celebrating their 75th with a special edition, this is the Jeep to get. Just, if you are going to get it, get it in the exclusive Sarge color. It looks great, and will help the resale value even more down the road if you decide to sell it.
What do you think? Let us know over in the forums!
photos via [Paul Strauss, Josh Smith]
