All the auto makers are marketing to the Military. A few years ago, I read something about Military strategy for mobility. The HMMWV was a change where the military was chosing a single vehilce to fit all light load duty. After fielding it for many years they decided it was not the way to go. They had/have a preference to use vehicles from mainstream in non-combat operations. All of the big three have presented 4 door pickup trucks to the military for testing. These were pretty much Assembly Line vehicles with a few add ons (like lockers and I am sure some other things).

The benefit that the military sees is that they will not have to "stock" parts for the vehicles and the automakers will, and they will be common parts. I could see the JK having it's niche as well in a similar capacity.

This may be full of mis-information, but it is what I remember from something I read quite some time ago.

 

I don't see it being too far fetched for a variation of the jk to be developed for hostile zones either. The willys had a lot more thrown at it over the years than the V has. General Walton Walker had a pair of jeeps modified that he did all his recon . . . basically armor for mined roads and M2s. He got killed in one of them when a deuce and a half popped out of a convoy suddenly and hit his jeep head on.

 

I can't see that- No armor. If it did get armor, it would have no engine to be able to get it to move. Times have changed and future troop transport vehicles will be able to withstand IED blasts. The JK will NEVER ba able to do that.

 

agreed. .

 

We might finally get an engine worth a damn. Even a stout turbo diesel. A jeep back in the millitary would be nice to shut up the hummers.

 

Chrysler Officially Announced the J8 - Military Wrangler Unlimited

http://www.jeepnewsnow.com/modules/n...p?storyid=1757

 

Gen. Walton Walker had a pair of modified Willys in Korea that he personally used for recon. They had the Hurricane 4-banger that replaced the Go-Devil. What you are basically saying is that our current tech isn' t good enough to build a jk. I didn't suggest the current engine. Although a cam and supercharger would help that some.
Getting blown to hell on the roads has been a problem ever since motor vehicles have been used by the military. Thats why mine sweepers were developed. Part of our problem is no body can learn from history. Every one has to re-invent the wheel.

The big mistake was trying to make the V do everything or any other one for that matter. What happens if a vehicle is perfect against the IED and gets a mortar round in the front seat . . . like in Kosovo or 'Nam.

The J8 has already been modified significantly to make it suitable for military use and is armor ready. It has a adequate diesel that could be improved up on but isn't shabby in the towing dept rated at over 7000 pound towing. http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/09/jeeps-new-war-m.html

 

whoa, whats with eh 7700lb towing capacity? Just from a engine/tranny swap? I wonder if its still using dana 44's? What abput brakes?

 

rear leaf springs, if I recall!! (towing)

 

Has anyone heard the source of the diesel? I hope that’s not the same crappy 2.8L / 5 speed auto combo that the Liberty had all the problems with.

I could write a book on all the problems I had with mine.