Jeep's J8 Ready for Duty

Before Jeep became the legendary off-road brand that it is today, it got its

It's more than just a Wrangler in fatigues. (Photo: Chrysler)

start by producing vehicles for the military. The original Jeep (the Willys MB) served its tour in WWII and other battles, and from there, as they say, the rest is history. After being absent from military duty for years, Chrysler LLC has just announced a new military Jeep based on the Wrangler called the J8.

The J8 will be available in two body styles, a four-door (similar to the Unlimited; pictured), as well as a two-door version with an extended wheelbase. The latter was previewed earlier this year by the JT pickup truck concept vehicle, which will also be shown at this year's SEMA show this fall. It's not just a standard Wrangler, though, as Jeep has significantly re-engineered the frame. While the J8 wasn't intended to do patrol routes, instead it's supposed to be an ambulance, troop transporter and communications vehicle. It can be ordered with armor plating. In addition, the J8 can be transported by air or helicopter thanks to its heavy duty

Four-door isn't the only shape available. Here's a blueprint of the two-door model. (Photo: Chrysler)

bumpers with hooks.

A vehicle that's going to serve duty needs to be built strong, which is where the uprated underpinnings come into play. The J8 receives heavy-duty leaf springs at the back, which give it an impressive payload of 2,952 lbs. That's about three times as much as a standard Wrangler, which has a payload of 1,000 lbs.

But perhaps the item that will get Wrangler fans here riled up is its engine. The J8's main powerplant is a 158-horsepower 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel with 295 lb-ft of torque. It's the perfect engine for military use, delivering the fuel economy most needed for long stints between fill-ups, and as importantly the durability that vehicles in service need. Fitted with a newly designed snorkel system, attached to the left hand side of the hood, which gives the J8

Heavy duty AND a diesel? A tough Jeep that's too good to be true, so they're only keeping it for military and government use. (Photo: Jeep)

the ability to ford 30 inches; it can also sustain up to five hours operating time in a severe sandstorm.

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