The Top 7 Jeep Stories of 2017
It’s no surprise that news of the all-new 2018 Wrangler was popular.
Looking over all the threads from the past 12 months, it is obvious that everyone on JK-Forum is eager for information on the latest Wrangler. More than half of the top ten stories from the front page involved the JL Wrangler, be they spy shots, official shots, latest news, or that one time a test mule broke down.
The other popular topic was extreme off-road adventures, with two of the ten top stories devoted to off-road feats you have to see to believe. Of course, it is no surprise that we all like to modify our Wranglers, but you would be surprised at how many people are thinking about turbos. Three of the top 15 stories concerned turbo Wranglers or how to do it.
1) LEAKED! 2018 JL Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
This was far and away the biggest story of the year on JK-Forum. It was spring, in most of the country we were still shivering and snowed in. But then confirmed spy shots of the next Wrangler Unlimited popped up and thankfully, it looked as if they hadn’t screwed it up!
It was going to be months before anyone saw the real thing, but at least we all could relax knowing it was still boxy on body and frame with a removable roof.
2) Man Rolls Jeep Wrangler Down a Mountain and Lives
This news story was a testament to just how tough the JK Wrangler is built. While off-road in Colorado, and perhaps in a bit too much of a hurry to get to safety before a storm hit, driver Ken McCoy ran into trouble. McCoy said “While traveling up the trail around several switchbacks, the trail at the top created a rock slide under the back right tire pulling the jeep down the steep incline.” The Jeep to slid down the hill, flipping end over end.
McCoy and his dog were both ejected, even though he had his seatbelt on, but looking at the collapsed roll bar that may have been a good thing. Neither had life-threatening injuries, but the Wrangler didn’t make it.
3) 2018 Jeep Wrangler: Official Interior Photos Are Here
In November, at the SEMA aftermarket show, we finally got some official images of what the new Wrangler looked like inside. The verdict? Definitely nice, but still rugged. The color-keyed interior panels–probably plastic and not painted steel like on the Jeeps of old–are a welcome retro touch amidst the fully modern convenience features and climate control.
4) Two-Door 2018 Jeep Wrangler Reappears With Less Camo
Among Jeep fans, everyone knows the two-door Wrangler is for hardcore off-roading, and the four-door Wrangler Unlimited is more family-friendly. With everything on the market growing with each update, and two-door vehicles few and far between, we were all very excited to see these 2018 Jeep Wranglers without much camouflage and with just two doors. Just as importantly, the new JL doesn’t look significantly bigger than the old JK.
5) 2018 JL Jeep Wrangler Spotted Broken Down During Testing
With the changes that come from one generation to the next of a Wrangler, things need to be road tested. And sometimes they hit a snag. Some quick-on-the-draw fan caught images of next year’s Jeep having to be towed back to the test facility in March.
No need for alarm though. In order to catch problems early, test drivers will often shut everything down over minor issues, so they can be diagnosed ASAP. We all appreciated this goof anyway, especially because we got a good look at the test mule because of it.
6) Custom Jeep JK Pulls Off One Insane Decline
Unlike the earlier extreme decline, this one was done on purpose and there was no damage to Jeep or driver. There are many reasons this story was so popular.
First, the video is just insane. It looks like this Jeep is driving straight down a sheer wall, and without a winch.
Second, Agility Customs has made an awesomely articulated Wrangler, with huge tires and tons of travel. And then they added the insanity of four-wheel steering!
Third, the added a custom pickup bed kit to the Jeep, and up front the nose from a 1960s Jeep Wagoneer.
7) Does Gas or Diesel Work Better for Off-Roading?
If you love Jeeps, then you must love the “Dirt Everyday” show from Motor Trend. Our 7th most popular story last year was about their Cummins diesel swap vs. LS swap vs. 4.0 straight six Wrangler showdown. Obviously when you pit one of the best stock Jeep power plant offerings in recent memory vs. the two dream swaps you are going to draw a lot of eyeballs, and they certainly did with this.
So there you have it, the top seven Jeep stories of JK-Forum for 2017. What does the new year hold? Might we see a head to head 2018 Wrangler vs. 2020 Bronco showdown?
What are you looking forward to in 2018? Let us know in the comments.