It’s been said that Jeep wrote the book on four-wheel drive, and that’s a statement difficult to refute. From the early days of World War II, the Jeep has been a versatile vehicle used by millions in both combat and peace time. The CJ (Civilian Jeep) series evolved over the span of five decades and created an industry of aftermarket suppliers for virtually any part on the vehicle.
By the early 1980’s the CJ series was getting a little long in the tooth and executives at American Motors, who then owned the brand, began development of a replacement model that would retain the sporting spirit of the CJ but offer a safer driving experience. It was also a rather turbulent time at the company, as ownership would be something of a revolving door by the middle 1980’s.
The new Jeep, dubbed the Wrangler, was developed by American Motors but at the time of its 1986 debut the brand was under control of Renault. By the second year offering in 1987, Chrysler owned the company and continues to do so today. Under Chrysler leadership the Wrangler has gone through four distinct generations and while retaining much of the original character of those that came before is a much more refined vehicle today.
Another constant in Jeep lore is the availability of aftermarket parts allowing the owner wide latitude in creating a unique custom vehicle to suit their individual taste. Numerous companies exist that specialize in parts for CJ’s and Wranglers outside of the product support provided by Jeep itself. From complete body tubs to custom lighting, it’s actually possible to build a Wrangler or CJ from the ground up!
In the early years of the Jeep and for many years following, power came from four cylinder engines which was adequate to propel the lightweight vehicles through just about any driving condition. As time passed and the original four-bangers became tired, Jeep enthusiasts began transplanting six cylinder engines and even V8 engines into the engine bays of their vehicles and the aftermarket soon responded with kits to make that swap easier. With the introduction of the CJ5 series, both four and six cylinder power was available from the factory and in the 1970’s under American Motors ownership a 304 cubic inch V8 was a factory option for several years. While typically found in the higher trim levels, the combination of V8 power in either the CJ5 or CJ7 was impressive.
The V8 option was removed from the CJ option list following the 1980 model year, leaving the four cylinder and six cylinder engines as the only available options for either the CJ or the Wrangler through today. In November 2020, Jeep announced that a Wrangler with power from Chrysler’s 392 cubic inch hemi engine would be available sometime in the spring of 2021 but at this date has not been made available to the public.
Here is the Jeep Wrangler that Chrysler Corporation SHOULD have built. This is a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JK two door model that has been retrofitted with a 6.1 liter hemi engine and a lengthy laundry list of high-end aftermarket parts and accessories making this a very unique Jeep. The swap appears to have been professionally done as the V8 looks like it came there from the factory. A four-speed automatic transmission backs the hemi and transfers power to factory Rubicon axles front and rear.
The litany of aftermarket parts is extensive. Both front and rear bumpers are heavy-duty off-road units with the front carrying a Warn winch and the rear sporting a swing-away carrier for the spare tire. Auxiliary lighting is provided by Delta and K.C. The Jeep is obviously lifted to accommodate the Fuel rims wrapped with 35x12.50R18 Toyo Open Country tires. Inside a set of highback bucket seats sourced from another Chrysler SRT-8 vehicle provide for the driver and passenger with the rear fold-down seat upholstered to match. The full compliment of factory gauges can be found in the dash and an aftermarket Alpine head unit with video display replaces the factory stereo unit. There is some cosmetic damage to the removeable fiberglass hardtop just above the rear of the driver’s door (pictured) and some minor paint chipping on the top above the driver’s rear tire (pictured) which could be expected from using this vehicle they way t was intended. We believe this vehicle has most recently been in Florida and Louisiana prior to becoming a part of our portfolio in a trade several months ago. While the overall condition of this Jeep leads us to believe that the just over 50,000 miles shown on the odometer might be accurate we have no way to confirm this. In accordance with regulations governing licensed Missouri auto dealers, this vehicle will be sold “mileage exempt” due to age.
Evergreen Digital Showroom offers this very unique hemi-powered 2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon for $54,900 USD. Delivery can be arranged at buyer’s expense, or we will gladly assist in whatever transportation arrangements the buyer makes. Financing may be available to qualified individuals, with information available under the “Financing” tab on our website, www.evergreendigitalshowroom.com. For additional information or to make an offer on this vehicle, contact sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.
NOTICE
Because of the number of vehicles we represent we cannot drive every vehicle for long distances. These vehicles have been part of static displays for long periods of time, in some cases for decades, and are subject to the flaws and imperfections consistent with that. While we do our best to disclose all issues we known about a vehicle in our advertising, these are old cars and something that has always worked in the past might not function properly today. Please check the requirements of your state regarding the licensing and registration of classic vehicles and make sure the vehicle you are looking at meets those if applicable. Unless otherwise noted, all vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom possess a clean (non-branded) title which will be provided the new buyer when purchase funds clear our financial institution. Virtually all our vehicles are sold as mileage exempt due to their age. We do not warranty any vehicle, nor any part of the vehicle including air conditioning systems, brake systems, electrical systems and gauges, fuel systems, accessories or powertrain components.
These are old vehicles and it is very common for them to require certain maintenance and upkeep for them to be operational. In many cases issues with leaks may develop when being driven after a long period of not being used. This is common, as classic cars at some point will leak fluids. For this reason, we do not encourage buyers to attempt driving their purchase home as we cannot guarantee functional reliability of these vehicles. We strongly encourage prospective buyers to be sure they are comfortable with these issues before purchasing a classic car.
Descriptions of vehicles represented by Evergreen Digital Showroom are intended to be informational in nature and do not in any way constitute any sort of warranty, expressed or implied. Again, these vehicles are presented “as-is, where-is” without guarantee or warranty. Vehicles manufactured prior to 1981 will likely not be included in the databases of companies such as CarFax and AutoCheck that provide vehicle history information to consumers. If you have specific questions regarding a vehicle we urge you to contact us at 417-532-8000.
