Jeep J8 production under way
November 17, 2008 by Matt Brogan
You might recall that some time back we bought you news of Jeep’s intention to build an uncompromised multipurpose non-military variant of the Wrangler to be known as the J8.
The vehicle, which is to see action in work for groups such as aid and humanitarian type organisations, geological survey teams and other miscellaneous commercial applications has today been officially announced as ready to build with the vehicles to come from Chrysler LLC and the Arab American Vehicles Company (AAV) Cairo assembly plant.
“We’re pleased to recognise this important milestone and the role of both Chrysler and the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation,” said Hussein Mustafa Mohamed, Chairman, Arab American Vehicles Co. “The launch of the incredibly versatile Jeep J8 and the anticipated demand for its export is an economically significant event for Egypt.”
The Jeep J8 marks the brand’s return to commercial and military vehicle production with a vehicle designed to meet the needs of both government and non-government organisations and agencies.
Available in two-door extended pickup bed, or a four-door multipurpose configuration the J8 will be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right or left hand drive.
“The Jeep J8 combines legendary capabilities and dependability that makes the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited famous, with unmatched cargo capacity and an exceptional towing rating,” said Thomas Hausch, Chrysler LLC Vice President – Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The Jeep J8 is also an exceptional value, priced below other vehicles designed for humanitarian and military work. Jeep vehicles debuted in 1941 as the workhorse of the military. The Jeep J8 brings us back full circle. With a 67-year reputation for off-road capability and utility in both civilian and military applications, Jeep is the benchmark.”
Based on the MY08 Wrangler Unlimited the frame has been reinforced and allow payloads up to 1,339 kg. Axles, brakes and suspension components are engineered specifically for more demanding military and civilian government use, including utilising a leaf spring suspension in the rear.
Under the bonnet a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine produces 118 kW and 400 Nm to allow a 3,500kg towing capacity. Power is delivered through Jeep’s Command-Trac 4×4 system. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The J8 also features a bonnet mounted snorkel that affords it a 762mm wading depth, and with a special air filtration system, can operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.
Although the J8 is not intended for combat situations, it is armour capable and with its heavy duty bumpers and tow eyes (as seen on the Hummer H3) can be easily transported by airplane or helicopter.
Despite the J8’s obvious intended purpose, we can’t help but wonder if it’ll become the next Hollywood style Hummer-esque vehicle of choice.
Print it: 
No free roadside assist?
I love the extreme accuracy of the wading depth. 762 mm? Does that take into account any waves splashing about?
Good to see an intelligent design of a real off road 4×4. Trust Jeep to do it.
Another Toorak Tractor these things should be banned. They wreck the environment and they also wreck pedestrians! *** PRIMO ***
Loaf clearly you have a complete lack of understanding about the intentions of this vehicle… no leather, climate, ESP or alloys means it is no Toorak tractor, its actually a real 4×4. Although i do wonder how Egyptian build qual;ity and American design will go together… it could be a real disaster.
^Loaf^
The RACV and Melbourne University did a study published in Royal Auto that considered all factors of the impact of all cars on the environment such as the materials involved in manufacturing and end of life recycling etc, not just fuel economy.
The results in a nut shell are the above Jeep wrangler was found to be the most environmentally friendly car due to its simplicity! Toyota prius for example was one of the worst due to its batteries and complexity!
True these cars have their place. So long as the owner uses the 4wd for its intended purpose and or has a rural address there is no problems with this vehicle at all!
Make educated comments please champ!
Never understood why Jeep chose to leave this market in the first place, Landrover continued with the bare bones 90 & 110’s and then built better versions above them. Jeep should have done the same, instead it stopped being a household term. Used to be take the Jeep dowwn the beach (didn’t matter if it was a cruiser or patrol) much like hoovering the carpet.
Yo Jimbo, could you please advise where to see this report, I’ve done a quick search and cant find it, thanks
^Pinkie Ponk….Sorry I did a search my self and I could not find the exact article. However I read it in a Royal Auto magazine left in the lunch room at work 12+ months ago and it was all to do with putting the cost to the environment in terms of dollars, a perspective that seems to have more impact than most.
Also It may have been Monash Uni as well?
Cool! I hope they make it to the showroom here. I heard they were going to be Military and Government issue only. Hope not. This would be a cool 4×4 for ever if you looked after it.
^Pinkie Ponk
I think jimbo is refering to the dust to dust cost of a vehicle. Meaning going from raw materials back again to raw materials, so the entire life of the vehicle. This is a link to the website, there is a pdf file at the bottom of the page.
www dot cnwmr dot com/nss-folder/automotiveenergy/
Hey Loaf, what kind of car do you drive? You’ll probably find it isn’t the greenest car in the world either. Also, I don’t have any official figures but I reckon that probably 9 out of 10 pedestrian accidents were because the pedestrian was being an idiot. If anything, you have a better view of people on the road in a high riding car so you shouldn’t be hitting them unless it was their fault. Im glad to finally see a real competitor for the Defender because the Defender is just a little bit too compromised I think. Unfortunately, due to those tough looks, they will probably be in every city six months after they’re released.
Alex,
I happen to drive a 63 VW Kombi – and you should consider the same if you like the view ‘up high.’ I am sticking with this as I REFUSE to support the capitalist car companies churning out unnecessary petrol guzzling plastic monsters. So if you wanted to be environmentally friendly they would stop building cars.
Jimbo – why would you wreck the beautiful environment driving off road. I feel sick at the thought.
This gets a great big TITSWC.
Now that looks like a Jeep SHOULD look. Not like a bloody Compass.
It has classic lines.
Good move to re establish the brand. Somebody must have woken up at Chrysler.LOL.
Yeah, Loaf, I reckon that a 63 Kombi would probably throw out about twenty times as much Co2 as my Range Rover. Most cars that were built in the 60’s and before hand, especially ones as basic as the Kombi, were not kind to the environment. Now you appear to be talking about off roading being bad for the environment and yeah, it probably is but so is Co2 output and a polluting Volkswagen Kombi is not good news for the environment either.
Alex, nor is the stuff he’s probably smoking as well…..
^Hmmm…Loaf, you hate cars but you are posting on a car blog???? Alex has said it all, I always laugh when so called environmentalists spout hypocrytical nonsense about pollution and then climb into their 30 year old CO2 factories!
If you had any credibility you would be driving a small Euro diesel or the like that produce the least CO2 of any cars other than the current hybrids with their toxic batteries.
And true some 4WDers do a lot of damage in places they should not be but most stick to areas set aside by the government for that very activity. I’m sure Alex is responsible with his Range Rover as I am with the Work Land Cruiser. For my personal car I drive a small Euro hatch that probably generates about 10% of your Kombi’s emissions!
So True Alex,
Loafs 1963 Kombi generates more pollution then a H2 hummer… Probably leaves oil puddles everywhere too!!
Don’t see why everyone is getting so excited over the J8, the Wrangler Rubicon is still much better offroad!! Even the Diesel has been detuned in this, and leaf springs have replaced the coils, compared to the standard CRD version!!
Loafs, if you care so much about the environment and hate cars, then why drive one at all? Ride a bike or walk. Honestly, before they all stop driving, i will not take any eco terrorist seriously, they are such hypocrites.
As for accidents involving pedestrians, i agree that majority of the times it’s the pedestrians fault. Is it really that difficult to use a pedestrian crossing? And is it really so difficult to wait for the green man? I’ve nearly drove into pedestrians quite a few times, and always it’s some idiot trying to cross the road without using the designated crossing.
As for this car, i quite like it, this is what Jeep should be about, raw and rugged with great off roading ability.
Loaf you have only confirmed what I suspected when I read your first post. You are a loser.