Jeep Wrangler "Willys Wheeler Edition" Review by Larry Nutson +VIDEO
SEE ALSO: Jeep Wrangler Specs, Prices and Comparisons 2016-1997
2015/2016 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition Review
By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel
More often than not, timing is everything. In one particular case for me my scheduled drive of the 2015 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler happened a few weeks before the 2015 MAMA Fall Rally.
MAMA, the Midwest Automotive Media Association, is a Chicago-based organization for automotive journalists and automotive OEM and agency communications professionals. The MAMA Fall Rally takes place at Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois and provides our membership the opportunity to drive and experience a wide variety of vehicles on the road, on the club’s north road-race circuit and also on the club’s off-road course.
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The Wrangler Willys Wheeler edition has been offered by Jeep for a few years now and has become a widely popular model. It salutes the earliest civilian Jeep vehicles with additional off-road hardware for increased capability.
Like it says on the instrument panel passenger grab handle, “Since 1941”.
Based on the Wrangler Sport model, the 2015 Willys Wheeler Edition features upgraded hardware, including a Dana 44 rear axle with Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential and 3.73 gears, BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain LT255/75R17 tires, rock rails and a Jeep Trail Rated Kit that includes a D-Ring, tow strap and gloves in a Jeep-branded bag. This works with the Jeep Command-Trac 4x4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio to give the Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition its improved off-road chops.
Special exterior design cues include a gloss black grille with black Jeep badge, gloss black front and rear bumper appliques, historic satin black “4 Wheel Drive” rear tailgate decal and “Willys” hood decals and unique high-gloss black 17-inch aluminum wheels. The Willys Wheeler Edition comes standard with a Sunrider soft-top and deep-tint sunscreen rear windows. A premium Sunrider soft-top and black-splatter Freedom Top, the removable hardtop, are available.
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On the street, the Wrangler is not the smoothest ride around. No surprise here, since it’s outfitted for mud, muck, snow, wading through small rivers and streams, climbing rocks and the like. The Willys Wheeler is a 2-door and thus shorter in overall length. This does make for in-city convenience with maneuvering and parking.
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The folks from Jeep Jamboree, courtesy of Jeep, were on hand to guide us around the off-road course I mentioned. One of the trail professionals just happened to have a Willys Wheeler as his driver. Along with this a number of other very capable off-road suitable trucks and SUVs had been provided by various OEMs.
The Wrangler’s 285HP 3.6-liter V6 coupled to a 5-speed automatic provided plenty of motive power to drive us through the off-road trail. We crossed a fairly mushy-bottomed 12 inch deep stream, climbed up a few hills that had us at some times with one wheel hanging in the air, and we descended some slippery slopes with the hill descent control taking over all but the steering.
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For 2016, the Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler continues to be offered in the same configuration as 2015. The Wrangler lineup for 2016 gets a new Black Bear edition and the Sahara gets a few exterior and interior updates.
On a closing note, on recent travels of mine to the Altantic Ocean coast in France, a Jeep Wrangler was not an uncommon sight. Jeep: a true global icon.
© 2015 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
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