Jeep back in uniform

Jeep made its military debut in 1941 (via the Willys MA), and the iconic off-roader brand is now set to return to combat via the J8 multipurpose vehicle, unveiled last week at the 2007 Defence Systems and Equipment International (DSEi) military trade show in London.

Although based on the Wrangler Unlimited, the J8 has been beefed up to bolster its off-road capability and versatility. The frame of the Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for increased ruggedness and to allow greater payloads -- up to a maximum of 1339kg.

Jeep says it's also toughened up axles, brakes and suspension components for more demanding military and civilian government use, and the mods include the use of a leaf-spring suspension system in the rear. 

The J8 retains the donor vehicle's Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system and 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which ekes out 118kW and 400Nm, providing towing capability of up to 3500kg. As per the showroom Wrangler, the engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

However, the J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel that enables the J8 to wade in water up to 762mm deep (that's two and a half feet in the old scale) and tackle sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.

Available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle, it can be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand- or left-hand-drive.

While not designed for front-line combat operations, Jeep says the J8 is fully armour capable and excels in a variety of duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, communications vehicle and other duties -- also making it suitable for civilian government applications. 

Adding to its military credentials, heavy-duty bumpers with tow eyes allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by aeroplane or helicopter.

Its manufacturer says the Jeep J8 will be produced in a Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available internationally in the latter half of 2008.

The J8 clearly has some big shoes to fill. Its predecessor proved so vital to the Allies' World War II effort that General Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that the war could not have been won without the Jeep vehicle.

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