Jeep Wrangler TJ (1997-2006)

2006

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Midnight Blue

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

• • • Electric Lime Green

    • Patriot Blue

    • Moss Green

    • Shale Green

• • Jeep's compact SUV revives the Golden Eagle moniker as an option package for 2006. This package includes Tire and Wheel Group AAS plus spare-tire cover, unique interior and exterior trim, and badging.

2005

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Impact Orange

      • Deep Beryl Green

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Sienna

      • Inca Gold

  • 6-Speed NSG370 manual transmission replaces the 5-speed NV3550 & NV1500 transmissions in all models

    • • 6 forward 1 reverse

      • Max torque input 272 ft/lb

      • 1- 5.014:1

      • 2- 2.831:1

      • 3- 1.789:1

      • 4- 1.256:1

      • 5- 1.000:1

      • 6- 0.828:1

      • Reverse 4.569:1

      • Weight 40.5 kg

  • SE gets 3.73 axle gears in place of 4.11's/4.56's

  • Sahara Edition Discontinued

  • Second soft top on Unlimited, called "Easy-Folding Soft Top" now an option. (Dual tops still not an option on the Unlimited.)

  • New Premium H-Package on the Unlimited model features unique 2-tone cloth seats, silver painted center stack and instrument cluster bezels, bright grille and body color fender flares.

  • Optional six-disc in-dash CD changer system that arrives later in the model year.

2004

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Solar Yellow

      • Lime Green

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Intense Blue

  • Trail Rated badges

  • The Canyon wheels in the 30" package are now "Ravine" wheels.

  • Can be purchased in the U.S. with right-hand steering

  • The standard AM/FM Tape is now a CD.

  • There is a standard spare tire cover that comes with the 30" wheel/tire package now.

  • There is a new "cubby bin" in the center "stack".

  • Willys Edition:

    • • Exclusive Moss Green exterior color

      • Camo and black seats

      • Unique "WILLYS" decal at cowl side

      • Diamond-plate sill guards painted Dark Green

      • Body-color fender flares

      • AM/FM stereo radio with CD player and seven speakers (includes subwoofer in center console) - no extra charge

      • 4.0L Power Tech I-6 engine

      • Tow hooks

      • Fog lamps

      • Full-size spare tire with matching wheel

  • Columbia Edition:

    • • 4.0L I-6 Engine

      • 15-inch graphite painted aluminum wheels

      • Unique graphite fender flares

      • Fog lamps

      • Columbia badging

      • Dark Slate Interior

      • Khaki two-tone seats with the Columbia logo

      • Silver painted instrument panel accents

      • Available in Black, Bright Silver, Flame Red, Solar Yellow and Patriot Blue

      • Complimentary Columbia Bugaboo parka featuring a zip-in Chehalis or Shoshone fleece vest

  • Rocky Mountain Edition: (Nearly Identical as Columbia Edition Except:)

    • • 4.0L I-6 Engine

      • 30 Goodyear GS/A Tires on 15x8-Inch Alcoa Cast Aluminum wheels w/ full size spare

      • Unique graphite fender flares

      • Fog lamps

      • Rocky Mountain Edition badging

      • Dark Slate Interior

      • Idential two-tone seats as Columbia Edition, but with Jeep embroidery replacing Columbia logo

      • Silver painted instrument panel accents

      • Available in Black, Bright Silver, Flame Red, Solar Yellow and Patriot Blue

      • Diamond sill plates

      • Tow hooks

      • Dana 44 rear

  • Introduction of Unlimited Model (2004 1/2):

    • • 10" longer wheelbase

      • 5" extra rear overhang

      • Additional 13 inches behind the second row of seats (doubling rear cargo capacity to 29.5 cubic ft.)

      • Passengers in the rear seats pick up an additional two inches of leg room, and can now access the area with tip and slide seats.

      • 3500 lbs. towing capacity (Extra 1500 lbs.)

      • New Sunrider soft-top, which lets drivers open a sunroof or take the entire top down

      • More sound insulation

      • Revised springs/shocks as well as an additional cross member out back to ensure an improved ride and no loss of structural rigidity

2003

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Bright Silver Metallic

      • Light Khaki Metallic

      • Inca Gold Pearl Coat

      • Intense Blue Pearl Coat

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Silverstone Metallic

      • Solar Yellow

      • Steel Blue Pearl Coat

      • Amber Fire Pearl Coat

  • Exterior Labeling:

    • • On Sports, the word "Sport" now appears at the top of the fender where the word "Wrangler" used to appear.

      • On Saharas there's a brand new Sahara logo (much more discrete) that appears about where the "4.0L" used to

      • appear on early TJs, roughly where the "Sport" label appears on 2002s

      • Rubicon has RUBICON label on hood.

  • New Interior Colors:

    • • Dark Slate replaces Agate

      • Khaki replaces Camel

      • Khaki color for Saharas instead of green trail cloth

  • Soft Top Colors:

    • • Dark Khaki replaces Tan

  • Seat Changes:

    • • Additional 20 millimeters of rearward travel

      • Taller seat backs

      • Softer seats

      • Seats are lower sitting (more like a car)

      • Lever on the side of the front passenger seat for easier access to the rear.

      • Rear seats are equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and upper Tethers for CHildren)

      • New fold-and-tumble rear seat -- release now on the top center of the rear seat and a new spring mechanism helps it fold and tumble easier than ever before

  • New 3-ply Soft Top that is as quiet as the previous 4-ply

    • • NOTE: Change in driver's side window: male zipper is now on window, female zipper on the top, previous years was vice-versa

  • Plastic windshield trim (Interior Upper Head Impact Protection to meet 2003 federal standard?)

  • Trim on back of hardtop and vents removed (vents added to tailgate)

  • New interior electrochromic rearview mirror with map lights, temperature and compass display

  • A new exterior mirror design reduces vibration, while increasing stability and durability. Shorter, fatter, and all plastic Now "ratchet" out from the body rather than swing out in a smooth motion.

  • Doors - the key cylinder is now chrome instead of black

  • Dashboard redesigned, openings for the radio and HVAC controls are now oval rather than rectangular

  • New 4-spoke vinyl steering wheel for SE and X models

  • New 4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel for Sport, Sahara and Rubicon models

  • Smokers Package optional on all models

  • On-Board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)

  • Additional power outlet on the dash

  • New flush-mounted AM/FM cassette radio with CD changer control

  • New flush-mounted AM/FM compact disc radio with CD changer control

  • Replacing the optional sound bar, new standard corner pods located just behind the b-pillar on both sides of the vehicle house interior lamps, providing theater lighting and optional speakers

  • Energy-absorbing foam is added to the sport bar

  • 4-wheel disc brakes optional on Sport and Sahara

  • 42RLE 4-speed automatic option

  • New transfer case skid to work with new 4-spd auto (lower ground clearance)

  • Jeep Wrangler SE Changes:

    • • NV1500 five-speed heavy-duty transmission. Also used on Jeep Liberty, this transmission gives Wrangler a synchronized reverse gear and improved shift quality in cold weather. 4.56 gears available with SE and 4-speed auto.

      • Jeep Libertys 2.4-liter Power Tech I-4 replaces the 2.5-liter I-4 as the standard engine on 2003 Jeep Wrangler SE models. This 2.4-liter engine provides an estimated 150 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 165 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm, representing a 25-percent increase in horsepower and an 18-percent increase in torque. This increased power and torque is achieved through the use of aluminum cross-flow cylinder heads, dual overhead cams and a four-valve-per-cylinder design. The new 2.4-liter engine is quieter, more fuel-efficient and engineered for longer life and ease of maintenance.

  • Introduction of Rubicon Model:

    • • Tru-lok selectable pneumatic lockers, activate in 4-lo and under 10mph, engaged until out of 4-lo or deselected

      • Limited slip in rear when not locked

      • NV241 Rock-Trac 4:1 transfer case -- fixed yoke

      • Heavy-duty driveshafts with 1330 universal joints

      • Dana 44 Front (Dana 30 outers)

      • 4.10 gears

      • Goodyear Wrangler MT/R LT245/75R16 (31") Tires

      • 16-inch, five-spoke aluminum wheels

      • Diamond plate rock rails

      • Rubicon Lettering on Hood

      • 4-wheel Disc Brakes

  • Apex Edition:

    • • Special hood emblem

      • Special seats

  • Freedom Edition:

    • • Body colored fender flares

      • Special side badges

      • Outlined white letter P225/75R15 Goodyear all-terrain tires mount on 15-inch chrome wheels.

      • Standard soft-top with full metal doors, fog lamps and tow hooks.

      • Standard air conditioning, Sentry Key theft-deterrent system, easy access Fold-and-Tumble(TM) rear seat and a choice of Dark Slate Gray vinyl or cloth seating.

      • Available in red, silver, blue and black exterior colors.

  • Tomb Raider Edition Rubicon:

    • • 16-inch Alcoa forged aluminum wheels

      • Tomb Raider badging with serial number

      • Light bar

      • Riveted fender flares in graphite

      • Black Tubular grille guard

      • Diamond plate bumper guard

      • Rock rails

      • Fog & Taillamp brush guards

      • Aluminum diamond plate bumper guard in black

      • Dark Slate fabric seats with red accent stitching down the center

      • Silver surround instrument panel bezel

      • Red seat belts

      • Available in Bright Silver.

2002

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Shale Green Metallic

  • New Ecco Wheel and Tire Group with P225/75R15 OWL Tire replaces the Grizzly Wheel and Tire Group

  • New appearance for the Full Face Wheel

  • 30" Tire and Wheel Group, speed control, full doors with roll-up windows and sentry key are now standard on the Wrangler Sahara

  • Full doors with roll-up windows, fog lamps and tow hooks are now standard on the Wrangler Sport

  • Fog lamps and tow hooks become separate options

  • New HVAC System with overall improvements in performance and quietness

  • New Fuel Tank Skid Plate with Added Reinforcement

  • Premium sound system that includes 2 new tweeters in addition to the existing subwoofer

  • 7 year/70,000 Mile Warranty Offered (Not on early 2002's however)

  • Introduction of X Model:

    • • 4.0L engine and cloth seats, standard, less options than Sport (no Dana 44)

2001

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Sienna Pearl Coat

      • Steel Blue Pearl Coat

      • Amber Fire Pearl Coat

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Medium Fern Green

      • Desert Sand

  • New 4-ply Soft Top that is more durable and quieter

  • Quarter-Turn Fuel Filler Cap

  • New Anti-Lock Brake System

  • Long Life 100,000-Mile Engine Coolant that is more Environmentally-friendly

  • Quick-Removal Side Steps

  • All-New steering wheel tilt mechanism provides reduced effort and an increased range of adjustment

  • Optional molded plastic Add-a-Trunk for reduced weight

  • Optional Amplified Sub-woofer

  • Re-designed Stereos

  • Mini Console with dual cup holders

  • Re-designed Full Console with rear seat cup holders

  • Sutton Vinyl Seat Material - Standard on SE and Sport Nomad Cloth Seat Material - Optional on SE and Sport

  • New wider inside rear-view mirror

  • New Multi-function Steering Column switch combines headlamp, fog lamp, turn signal and windshield wiper functions

  • Intermittent windshield wipers made standard

  • New Instrument cluster includes a fog lamp tell-tale light and provides Parade-Mode lighting, battery saver control of interior lighting and odometer display with door open

  • User-Ready Child Seat Anchorage System

  • The pull switch for the headlights moved from the dash to the blinker

  • Late Model:

    • • New Fuel Tank Skid Plate with Added Reinforcement

  • 60th Anniversary Edition

    • • Available only in Black or Silverstone Metallic

      • Body-color wheel flares and rocker sills

      • Specially embroidered floor mats

      • Full Metal Doors

      • Canyon 30-inch Tire and Wheel Group

      • Fog Lamp and Tow Hook Group

      • Air Conditioning

      • AM/FM stereo readio with CD player, five speakers and subwoofer

      • Options: Speed control & Dual-Top

2000

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Solar Yellow

      • Patriot Blue Pearlcoat

      • Silver Stone

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Chilli Pepper Red,

      • Gunmetal Blue

      • Intense Blue

      • Deep Amethyst.

  • Alternator moved higher up

  • Ultra Star 16" alloy wheel now standard on Sahara models.

  • 4.0L engine now gets distributorless direct-ignition system, re-designed cylinder head, new exhaust manifold and dual-catalyst system (2.25" exhaust)

  • New NVG-3550 manual transmission replaces the Aisin transmission on the models with the 4.0L engine (includes synchromesh on reverse gear).

  • Sound Bar now standard on Sport models.

  • Tow hook option now includes one rear tow hook.

  • Sport's standard AM/FM radio adds a cassette player, Sahara exchanges a cassette player for CD player.

  • Optional tilt steering wheel in SE and Sport is now the same leather-covered unit that was standard in Sahara.

  • Child-seat tethers added to the rear seat,

1999

• • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Medium Fern Green Pearlcoat

      • Forest Green Pearlcoat

      • Desert Sand Pearlcoat

      • Intense Blue Pearlcoat

  • Discontinued Exterior Colors:

    • • Jade

      • Lapis Blue

      • Emerald

      • Moss Green

      • Gunmetal Pearlcoat

  • New Interior Colors:

    • • Agate

      • Camel

  • New Top Colors:

    • • Dark Tan replaces Spice.

  • Hood cowl changed from a "3 section" wide cowl with alot of plastic around it to a smaller cowl...

  • Removed annoying useless vent that leaks water

  • Cruise control controls on steering wheel

  • Rotary climate controls with bi-level air

  • Defeat switch for passenger-side air bag

  • Improved ECM

  • Re-designed catalytic converter

  • New "JTEC+" engine controller with new engine-function sensors

  • Lighter frame - 16 lbs (8kg) lighter

  • Nineteen gallon fuel tank now standard.

  • 30" tire package came with the "Canyon" style wheels (15x8).

1998

• • Chrylser becomes Daimler/Chrylser

  • New Exterior Colors:

    • • Chili Pepper Red Pearlcoat

      • Deep Amethyst Pearlcoat

  • Smart Key Immobilizer replaces previous Lock/Unlock keyfob system.

  • Cruise control Available

  • Ez-Entry Driver's seat now available

  • Revised torsion bar for improved steering response

  • Revised steering gear ratio that varies from 15:1 on centre to 13:1 at the extremes of travel for more responsive steering

  • New steering wheel

  • Next generation airbags

  • Revised stereo range

  • Hood latch changes

  • 3.73 ratio rears and Dana 44 Rear

  • New engine managment system wiring

  • Dual Tops Option

  • Added pads to front bumper -- front license plate moved to the center of the bumper

  • 30" tire package came with the "Gambler" style wheels (15x8).

  • Late Model:

    • • Defeat switch for passenger-side air bag

1997

• • Introduction of TJ Model:

    • • All-new, refined exterior body panels and hardware

      • Quadra-Coil Suspension

      • Contemporary interior appearance and dash

      • New frame with outstanding torsional and bending stiffness

      • Driver and passenger air bags

      • Optional ABS

      • Improved soft top (quieter and easier to put up/down)

      • Round headlights return

      • Lockable glovebox

  • Available exterior colors:

    • • Black

      • Bright Jade Satin Glow

      • Citron Pearlcoat

      • Dark Blue Pearlcoat

      • Emerald Green Pearlcoat

      • Flame Red

      • Gunmetal Pearlcoat

      • Lapis Blue

      • Moss Green Pearlcoat

      • Stone White

  • AX-15 5-spd Transmission

  • Annoying useless extra vent behind the hood that leaks water

  • No screen to in cowl vent

  • Cambolts for the front control arms

  • Knock-outs for the rear control arm cam bolts

  • Ability to display the diagnostic codes on odometer with key on,off,on,off,on

  • You have to switch a plug to disable the clutch/starter interlock

  • AX15 for the Manual Tranny or a Chrysler 999 for the auto if it is a 6 cylinder

  • AX5 for the Manual Tranny or a Chrysler 904 for the auto if it is a 4 cylinder

  • Optional dana 44 with 3.55's gears

  • Front License plate on the passenger side of the bumper.

  • Late Models:

    • • 3.73 ratio rears and Dana 44 Rear ?

      • Hood latch changes

      • Ez-Entry Driver's seat now available

1996

NO WRANGLERS PRODUCED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR

Jeep Wrangler YJ (1987-1995)

1995

• • Last year of YJ Production

1994

• • Three-speed automatic transmission available with 2.5-liter engine

1993

• • Four-wheel anti-lock brakes available

1991

• • 4.0-liter Power Tech, OHV, 12-valve, SMPI I-6 Power-Tech Six engine replaces 4.2-liter engine

1988

• • Sahara model introduced

1987

• • Initial YJ introduction, square headlights, leaf springs

This list was compiled by Travis J. Cossairt (jeepboy49028/tcossair), and is Copyright © 2003-2010

Last updated on July 28th, 2010