8 Modern Jeeps with the Fake Wood Treatment
One of the features that makes the Grand Wagoneer so grand is the luxurious look of the fake wood applied to its flanks. Over the years AMC, Chrysler, the aftermarket and even regular owners have applied this look to various model Jeeps, and here are some favorites.
1. 2004 Jeep Liberty Wagoneer Package
This may go down as the last woody Jeep ever officially produced. In 2004 (and possibly later) Jeep released an accessory package for the top of the line Liberty called the Wagoneer. When fully applied it included retro touches like a chrome grill, spare tire cover, and the wood grain applique. No one knows for certain how many were made, as it was typically a dealer installed package, and packages may even still be available now, as listed on Jeep Auto Parts. It may not elevate the little Liberty to real Grand Wagoneer status, but it certainly does make it grander.
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2. Phantom Jeep Patriot Woody
If you do an internet image search you can find wood paneled versions of just about any car or truck out there, except the Jeep Patriot. That makes no sense because the slab sided little Jeep just begs to have a retro look to it. This one is just an image I created in Photoshop with hickory applied over the Patriot in Rescue Green Metallic, because I have always liked that color combination on old wagons.
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3. Teraflex JK Wrangler Woody
Speaking of slab sided, the Wrangler certainly can be described as such, no matter which generation you are talking about. The simple shape of the wrangler is one of the reasons we all still love it. You could screw the door hardware to a 3/4 inch thick piece of plywood and make them latch properly. This JK was built by Teraflex for the SEMA show in Las Vegas, and started with a mail carrier (or possibly Australian) spec right-hand drive Jeep, then applied a custom wood panel paint job. A matching wood accent longboard was stashed in the back.
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4. 2014 Jeep Cherokee Woody Concept
When the new Jeep Cherokee debuted in 2014 it was controversial because it was a huge change from the typical solid axle Jeep 4x4 of the past. Under the sleek new modern style skin was the heart of a Fiat based crossover, with transverse engine and front or all-wheel drive. A whole wood sided version would seem a bit odd, but the thin spear seen on some 1970's versions of the Cherokee and Wagoneer might look good and lend a little class to this modern Jeep.
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5. 2006-2010 Jeep Commander Woody
The full sized Jeep Commander was not a big hit with the buying public and only lasted 4 years in the lineup. From the beginning, aftermarket suppliers have been selling wood grain applique kits to turn the Commander into the reincarnation of the classic Grand Wagoneers of the 1960's-90's. You can still get the kits (from here for instance) but you are on your own when it comes to making a Pig Nose or Rhino grill for it.
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6. 2015 Jeep Renegade Woody Concept
If ever a Jeep needed to be butched up, it is the cute little Renegade. Based on the same platform under the Fiat 500X crossover, the Renegade gets good mileage, but it would be left for dead on the type of trails the Wrangler was made for. Slapping some wood trim on the side not only makes it look tougher, it makes it look more luxurious too. If Fiat Chrysler doesn't offer a trim option like this, surely one of the aftermarket suppliers will come through? After all, there have been wood sided version of the Fiat 500L for sale for years.
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7. 1993 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Limited
The last wood sided Jeep to be produced in any large numbers was way back in 1993. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer Limited was the top of the line at the time and was resplendent in leather, real wood interior trim, and faux wood outside. The previous year you could still get the XJ Cherokee with the Briarwood trim (which replaced the Wagoneer package) and fake wood exterior panels, but 1992 was the last year that was a factory option. The Jeep ZJ Grand Wagoneer is not as sought after as the classic Wagoneers, but all the ingredients are there for this, and the XJ woodies, to eventually become collectible.
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8. 2018 Jeep Grand Wagoneer?
There has been speculation about a big new luxury Jeep at the top of the lineup since that day in 1991 when the Grand Wagoneer stopped rolling off the line. The Commander certain had the big part down, but it just wasn't grand enough for a Wagoneer. The internet rumors have been buzzing with talk of a new Grand Wagoneer for 2018 or possibly 2019, but all the images you ever see are a mashup of classic Wagoneers, Dodge Durangos, Jeep Commanders, and the current Grand Cherokee. In the picture above are 4 examples from around the internet.
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