Jeep® Wrangler 2002
Published: 1st December 2002
Chassis
Although the new Wrangler retains the ladder-type chassis with the body-on-frame construction of its predecessor, there have been significant changes to improve the handling and sheer ability of the car. The frame has been strengthened to increase overall chassis stiffness and to allow for more precise suspension tuning.
Most notable change, however, is the arrival of a new Quadra-Coil suspension, as already featured on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The coil springs offer vastly improved on-road comfort and more precise handling characteristics but with no trade off in the Wrangler"s off-road performance.
Indeed, thanks to a massive seven inches of extra articulation afforded by the coil springs over the previous leaf springs, the Wrangler is even better off-road with improved ground clearance and better angles of approach and departure. For maximum protection off-road, all Wranglers have skid plates under the transfer case and fuel tank.
The suspension system features Quadra Link leading arms at the front and Quadra Link trailing arms at the rear. There are anti-roll bars at both ends along with heavy duty gas filled shock absorbers. All Wrangler Sports have 15 inch steel wheels shod with chunky Goodyear Wrangler 215/75 R15 tyres. All Sahara models have five spoke alloy wheels as standard with 225/75 R15 Goodyear Wrangler tyres.
Brakes And Steering
Steering is by recirculating ball with power assistance with 3.0 turns from lock to lock for a turning circle of 10.25 metres. Sahara models have tilt adjustable steering. Brakes have ventilated discs at the front with drums behind.
Engine And Drivetrain
Both engines offered in the 1998 Wrangler will be familiar to Jeep owners. The 2.5-litre "four" and 4.0-litre straight six petrol engines used in the Wrangler - and which can also be found in the Cherokee - are well proven Jeep units, offering an ideal blend of power with economy. Both now feature state-of-the-art aluminium pistons while recent modifications also include reprofiled camshafts and revised valve springs for a substantial increase in low-speed torque, quieter valve train operation and a smoother idle. The cast iron 2.5-litre unit develops 117 bhp at 5200 rpm and 137 lb ft of torque at 3600 rpm, to give the Wrangler 2.5 a maximum speed of 92 mph with 0-60 mph taking in 13.6 seconds. It returns 32 mpg on the extra urban cycle.
As part of the NVH package, the cast iron block of the 4.0-litre engine was stiffened with extra ribbing while at the same time the valve cover was isolated and a main bearing brace was added. It develops 174 bhp at 4600 rpm and an impressive 213 lb ft of torque at 3600 rpm, to give the manual Wrangler 4.0 a maximum speed of 112 mph, with 0-60 mph taking just 8.8 seconds. It returns more than 31 mpg on the extra urban cycle. Figures for the automatic version are 109 mph, 9.5 seconds and 26 mpg respectively.
Both the 2.5- and 4.0-litre models have five speed manual transmission as standard with a high/low ratio transfer gearbox coupled to Jeep"s proven Command-Trac® part-time four-wheel drive system. Command-Trac allows the driver to shift from two- (rear-) wheel drive to four-wheel drive on the move - or "shift-on-the-fly". Three speed automatic transmission is available as an alternative on Sahara models.
