Welcome to the JeepSpecs.com feature of Jeep’s 2004 news releases. Did we miss any? Please get in touch with us and let us know!
Chrysler Group Launches Jeep(R) 101 Cross-Country Weekend Driving Adventure
Jeep® brand kicks off nationwide tour; 13 scheduled stops include eight military bases
Thousands of consumers will have the opportunity for a first-hand Jeep® brand experience with the entire line of Jeep vehicles during this year’s Jeep 101 tour. The traveling, two- day event will visit 13 locations around the country and will offer event- goers the opportunity to put Jeep vehicles through a series of capability tests on specially designed on- and off-road courses. The Jeep 101 events also will offer a variety of other activities and opportunities to win prizes, including a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
The national tour begins at the U.S. Army’s Fort Dix in Wrightstown, NJ, on May 8-9. It will visit eight military bases and five general-public venues, winding up in Tampa, Fla., in November. Each two-day weekend (Saturday and Sunday) event is free of charge.
Along with being among the first to drive the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited — the go anywhere, bring everything, larger version of the Jeep Wrangler — guests will have the chance to experience the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler models. To demonstrate further the Jeep brand’s superior on-and off-road capabilities, competitive vehicles also will be available for test drives.
“The Jeep brand continues to be the only American brand dedicated solely to the sport-utility market,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Jeep, DaimlerChrysler Corporation. “Jeep has been helping people to expand their boundaries and life experiences for more than 60 years.”
“When it comes to sharing the experience of legendary Jeep 4X4 capability with consumers, Jeep has done it through Camp Jeep, Jeep Jamborees, music, gaming and many other award-winning initiatives. It’s a heroic brand with a rich heritage — just like the men and women serving in the United States Armed Services,” Bell added.
The unique Jeep 101 courses let consumers experience a variety of driving conditions, both on- and off-road. The street course offers everyday driving tips including safe acceleration, steering and braking techniques on a variety of surfaces. The off-road course helps guests learn to navigate off-road challenges such as steep grades, rocky trails and log crossings under the guidance of a trained driving instructor. Each driving program conveys safety and educational messages in a fun, interactive environment.
The lifestyle side of Jeep 101 features a number of interactive displays and activities, including a mountain bike course, Jeep brand video games, informative product displays, historical vehicles and a special “Jeep Kidz” area where future Jeepers can drive “Power Wheels” mini-Jeep vehicles. New partner SoBe Beverages will also bring the SoBe Love Bus on site, with giveaways of SoBe beverages, interactive games and chances to win other prizes.
In honor of the Jeep brand’s heritage with the armed services, the historical display will highlight Jeep’s rich military history. This will include a number of vintage Jeep military vehicles dating back to the 1942 vehicle used during World War II. The special displays will help members of the armed services connect with Jeep’s origins as a primary transportation vehicle for military personnel. Exclusive to the military venues, guests will be able to register to win a 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Jeep 101 will visit the following locations in 2004 (remaining dates):
- Fort Dix, N.J. (U.S. Army), May 8-9 (military only)
- Albany, N.Y., May 22-23 (open to the public)
- Ft. Bragg, N.C. (U.S. Army), June 5-6 (open to the public)
- Norfolk Naval Base, Va., June 19-20 (open to the public)
- Ft. Campbell, Ky. (U.S., Army), June 26-27 (open to the public)
- Detroit, Mich., August 7-8 (open to the public)
- Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., September 11-12 (military only)
- Fort Lewis, Wash. (U.S. Army), September 18-19 (open to the public)
- Fort Carson, Colo. (U.S., Army), October 2-3 (military only)
- Chicago, Ill., October 16-17 (open to the public)
- Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, October 30-31 (military only)
- Dallas, Texas, November 6-7 (open to the public)
- Tampa, Fla., November 20-21 (open to the public)
Hours for the Jeep 101 event will be 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Drivers who wish to participate in the ride-and-drive activities must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license.
Jeep 101 is one of several owner-loyalty programs created by the Jeep division of Chrysler Group. Jeep Jamborees, which began in the 1950s, are the original off-highway vacation. The success of Jeep Jamborees spawned Camp Jeep, an annual outdoor lifestyle vacation experience launched ten years ago. The enthusiastic response to Camp Jeep led to the spin-off of Jeep 101.
For more details and registration information call 1-800-789-JEEP or visit www.jeep.com .
b>To see photos of the new 2005 Grand Cherokee at this event see Jeep 101 images on the WKJeeps.com web site.
Camp Jeep Heads to California for the First Time
August 19-21, 2004
[Aug 05, 2004] — Camp Jeep(R), the annual summertime gathering of Jeep enthusiasts, is making its inaugural visit to the West Coast this summer. The first-ever Camp Jeep California will be held in the Santa Ynez Mountains in Santa Barbara County from August 19-21. With more than 4,000 anticipated participants and 1,000 vehicles registered, the event offers individuals an opportunity to brush up on their off-road driving techniques and celebrate “Jeep Pride.”
“Camp Jeep has been so successful and attracted so many participants over the past 10 years that it was time for the program to expand its reach to the West Coast,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President Jeep. “Camp Jeep is a wonderful opportunity for families from all over to gather and celebrate the utility and versatility of their Jeep products.”
Unique to Camp Jeep California will be Californiano Heritage Area. This special area located within the Expression Village will provide campers with the opportunity to experience Hispanic heritage through music, food, history and art. A Mariachi band will provide live musical entertainment on Friday and Latin finger foods will be available inside the Heritage Area throughout the duration of Camp Jeep California. Families can also learn about the history of California Missions and view replicas of famous Diego Rivera paintings, which will be raffled off on the final day of Camp Jeep California.
One of the most popular highlights of the event is Jeep 101, a series of specially constructed courses designed to teach off-highway driving, safety skills and demonstrate the Trail Rated(R) capabilities of the Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Participants are paired with experienced guides as they navigate steep grades and tackle challenges such as large rocks, log crossings, sand and other off-highway obstacles. Once they master Jeep capabilities, they will have a chance to navigate various levels of 4X4 trails in their own Jeep vehicles.
The die-hard Jeep owner can also visit the Engineering Village and participate in roundtable discussions with Jeep engineers to learn more about their vehicle’s design and capabilities.
In addition, Camp Jeep offers more than 150 activities for the entire family. The Kids Village features arts and crafts and a driving course with miniature Jeep vehicles. The Sports and Adventure Village features a variety of outdoor adventure sports including: kayaking, climbing, hiking, fly- casting. The SoBe(R) Thrills and Spills Village features extreme athletes performing stunts on skateboards, mountain boards and free-style BMX bikes, with opportunities to take a lesson from one of the athletes. The World of Jeep Village features a Jeep museum and the Jeep Store, where attendees can purchase Jeep Gear items and Mopar(R) accessories. Also on-site will be Camp Jeep Financial, sponsored by Chrysler Financial and Jeep Rewards Visa(R).
Jeep owners can spend Friday afternoon with Los Lobos, enjoying their unique blend of rock, folk, blues, R&B, country and Tex-Mex — all combined with traditional Mexican music. With a new album out, “The Ride,” the Grammy(R) Award-winning group is sure to get the Camp Jeep crowd moving.
On Saturday afternoon, LIVE brings their dynamic rock edge to cap off the first-ever Camp Jeep California Jeep Jubilee! Together for 16 years, LIVE has produced two No. 1 albums on the Billboard top 200 album chart, five No. 1 singles, nine Top Ten singles and No. 1 albums across the world. The band promises an energy-driven close to the weekend.
Jeep owners can register for Camp Jeep California online at Camp Jeep California until 7 a.m. on August 11, 2004. For those who miss the online registration deadline, on-site registration will also be available at Camp Jeep California. Jeep owners who choose to register on-site should go to the Deviation Tent located just outside the entrance to the Camp Jeep parking lot. Registration is required prior to entering the Camp Jeep parking lot. For more information about Camp Jeep, visit the Jeep Web site or call 1-800-789–JEEP.
A record 10,000 Jeep® enthusiasts rendezvous
in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia
Camp Jeep 2005 July 15th-17th
[July 8, 2005] — 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of the annual Camp Jeep summertime gatherings of Jeep enthusiasts from around the country. Since 1994, more than 63,000 Jeep enthusiasts have shared in the experience of Camp Jeep. The July 15-17th weekend event offers more than 150 activities for the entire family. The Kids Village features arts and crafts and a driving course with miniature Jeep vehicles. The Sports and Adventure Village features a variety of outdoor adventure sports, including kayaking, climbing, hiking, fly-casting, scuba diving and paintball. The Thrills and Spills Village features extreme athletes performing stunts on skateboards, mountain boards and free-style BMX bikes, with opportunities to take a lesson from one of the athletes. The World of Jeep Village features a Jeep museum and the Jeep Gear Store.
One of the most popular highlights of the event is Jeep 101, a series of specially constructed courses designed to teach off-highway driving, safety skills and demonstrate the Trail Rated™ capabilities of the Jeep Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee. Participants are paired with experienced guides as they navigate steep grades and tackle challenges, such as large rocks, log crossings, sand and other off-highway obstacles. Once they master Jeep capabilities, they have a chance to navigate various levels of 4×4 trails in their own Jeep vehicles. More than 10,000 Jeep owners and enthusiasts will be in attendance, along with Chrysler Group Executives. More than 2,500 Jeep vehicles have been registered for the event.
Jeep Jubilee, the grand finale of Camp Jeep held on Saturday night, will feature live musical performances by Michelle Branch and Nickel Creek followed by a fireworks spectacular.
The die-hard Jeep owner can also visit the Engineering Village and participate in roundtable discussions with Jeep engineers to learn more about their vehicle’s design and capabilities. In addition, the new 2005 Grand Cherokee WK will be showcased.
Camp Jeep is one of several owner-loyalty programs created by the Jeep division of Chrysler Group. Jeep Jamborees, which began in the 1950s, are the original off-highway vacation. From the Maine Mountains to the famed Rubicon Trail, approximately 7,000 owners participate in the more than 30 Jamborees held each year. The excellent response to Camp Jeep led to the spin-off of Jeep 101. Jeep 101 driving courses are offered in cities across the nation to provide owners and prospective owners basic skills of safe, yet adventurous off-road driving.
Jeep Trail Rated™ communicates the legendary Jeep capability that is designed into every Jeep 4×4. As the brand’s lineup expands, Jeep branded vehicles will continue to be what they have always been – the most capable.
Four-Wheeling Thrills Coming to a Town Near You
| There are spectacular regions of North America you can’t see from the paved roads of daily life. Living up to its “go-anywhere, do-anything” motto, the Jeep(R) brand announces dates and locations for its innovative customer relationship program, Jeep Jamboree, to get you there.For more than 50 years, Jeep owners and their families have been participating in weekend four-wheel-drive adventures called Jeep Jamborees. Jeep Jamborees are family-oriented events designed to allow Jeep owners to hone their skills in challenging off-highway situations.
“Jeep Jamborees are weekend adventures designed exclusively for Jeep owners and their families who wish to explore seldom-seen, hard-to-reach places that only their Jeep vehicles can travel,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Jeep. “Our trail instructors help our owners learn how to maximize their Jeep vehicle’s capabilities over challenging trails and more importantly, to do so in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.” For 2004, there are 30 remaining Jeep Jamboree events, including the new “Mark A. Smith Rubicon Trail Adventure” August 27-29. The “Mark A. Smith Rubicon Trail Adventure” is an exclusive crossing of the trail by which all others are measured — the mighty Rubicon. Following a welcome reception in spectacular Lake Tahoe, participants will spend three days and two nights conquering the Rubicon in the company of Four-Wheel Hall of Famer Mark A. Smith and his handpicked personal guides. And they’ll do it all in a custom-prepared Jeep Wrangler Rubicon supplied by Jeep Jamboree USA. Jeep Jamborees have a trail rating of one — the least difficult, to 10 — the most difficult. Levels of difficulty vary depending on trail conditions, but beginners and experts are welcome to participate. These are not competitive events — they are family oriented outings with fun for everyone. Cost to participate in a Jamboree is $250 per adult, $125 for children seven to 14, $75 for children three to six, no charge for children under three. Some Jamborees have slightly higher registration fees due to additional program elements and park fees. All registration fees include meals. |
2004 Jeep Jamboree USA Schedule (remaining dates)
Jeep Jamboree Date City State
16th Arch Canyon Apr. 30/May 1, 2 San Juan County Utah
3rd Ozark Mountains Apr. 30/May 1, 2 Potosi Missouri
12th Big Bear May 14, 15, 16 Big Bear Lake California
16th Palo Duro May 14, 15, 16 Amarillo Texas
7th Land Between
The Lakes May 21, 22, 23 Marshall County Kentucky
11th Pine Barrens May 21, 22, 23 Hammonton New Jersey
14th Daniel Boone June 4, 5, 6 Slade Kentucky
13th Canyon de
Chelly June 4, 5, 6 Chinle Arizona
12th Drummond
Island # 1 June 11, 12, 13 Drummond Island Michigan
7th Penn's Woods June 11, 12, 13 Bradford Pennsylvania
5th Drummond
Island # 2 June 18, 19, 20 Drummond Island Michigan
3rd Poconos Big
Boulder June 25, 26, 27 Blakeslee Pennsylvania
13th Ghost Town
(It's Back!) July 9, 10, 11 Bridgeport California
4th Paragon
Adventure Aug. 6, 7, 8 Hazleton Pennsylvania
8th Rubicon Trail Aug. 6, 7, 8 The Rubicon Trail California
17th Ouray Aug. 27, 28, 29 Ouray Colorado
9th Northwoods
(It's Back!) Sept. 10, 11, 12 Crandon Wisconsin
14th Adirondack Sept. 17, 18, 19 Martinsburg New York
14th Red River Sept. 17, 18, 19 Red River New Mexico
2nd Iron Range Sept. 24, 25, 26 Eveleth Minnesota
7th Catskill
Mountains Sept. 24, 25, 26 Sullivan County New York
15th Maine Mountains Oct. 1, 2, 3 Bethel Maine
11th Gateway to the
Cumberlands Oct. 1, 2, 3 Williamsburg Kentucky
14th Black Hills Oct. 1, 2, 3 Deadwood South Dakota
2nd Red Rock Canyon Oct. 8, 9, 10 Las Vegas Nevada
21st Appalachian Fall Oct. 8, 9, 10 Murphy North
Carolina
15th Mohawk Trail Oct. 15, 16, 17 Charlemont Massachusetts
15th French Lick Oct. 15, 16, 17 French Lick Indiana
15th Ouachita Oct. 22, 23, 24 Hot Springs Arkansas
6th Moab Oct. 29, 30, 31 Moab Utah
For further information visit the http://www.jeepjamboreeusa.com website
or call 800-925-JEEP.
Jeep Grand Cherokee voted the world’s best off-roader
[17 Jun 2004] — In a unique shootout between 10 of the UK’s favourite five-door off-roaders, 4×4 magazine has voted the Jeep Grand Cherokee its ‘World’s Best Off-Roader’.
In a series of tests – each designed to put every vehicle through real off-road situations – the 2.7 CRD Grand Cherokee was awarded 193 points out of a possible 250.
John Carroll, editor of 4×4 magazine, said: “This test wasn’t about just driving the vehicles through the biggest mud-hole we could find. With a spirit-level, protractor and tape measure, it was about measuring their competence in a true off-road environment.”
“Our judges felt that Jeep Grand Cherokee stood out as being the most capable, this-will-go-anywhere vehicle. The Jeep’s coil-spring suspension and Quadra-Drive system puts the Grand Cherokee in a different off-road league to the others and makes it a worthy holder of the title of World’s Best Off-Roader.”
The 10 tests looked at key off-road criteria such as suspension flexibility and approach and departure angles, as well as ground clearance and axle articulation. The testing also included real world tests with each car completing a hillclimb and obstacle courses.
Simon Elliott, Managing Director of the Chrysler Group in the UK, said: “We are delighted that 4×4 magazine has awarded the Grand Cherokee the coveted title of the World’s Best Off-Roader. At home in the city or the country the Grand Cherokee is exceptional in every way. The expert panel of judges from the UK’s top off-roading magazine has certainly proved that the Grand Cherokee is king
| Vehicle | Points |
| 1. Jeep Grand Cherokee | 193 |
| 2. Toyota Land Cruiser | 184 |
| 3. Nissan Terrano | 166 |
| 4. Nissan Patrol | 162 |
| 5. Mitsubishi Shogun | 160 |
| 6. Land Rover Discovery | 157 |
| 7. Hyundai Terracan | 144 |
| 8. Kia Sorento | 143 |
| 9. Mercedes-Benz ML | 130 |
| 10. BMW X5 | 105 |
Chrysler Group’s HEMIDOG sculpture
[9 July 2004] — The designers in the studios at DaimlerChrysler’s Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Mich., have gotten quite used to developing vehicles with the world-renown HEMI® engine.
Now, their lives are imitating art.
The company was approached by the Community House of Birmingham, an independent not-for-profit organization, for a unique fund-raising idea. DaimlerChrysler and other participants were asked to paint or design 40-pound fiberglass dog sculptures that will be placed on Birmingham street corners from July 15 through Oct. 13. The dogs will then be auctioned on Oct. 13 to benefit the Community House at its “OUR TOWN” Gala.
“We were given our dog with design instructions and requirements for painting it,” said DaimlerChrysler’s lead pound keeper on the project, Mark Allen, Senior Manager in the company’s Jeep® studio. “But we’re designers – we don’t do anything by the book and usually see things a bit differently. At that point, we decided to give our dog a bit of horsepower.”
The result was a canine version of the 1970’s television show “The Six Million Dollar Man,” as Allen and his team completely rebuilt HEMIDOG, inserting a mock HEMI engine – complete with chrome exhaust pipes – into the back of its fiberglass Fido and arching its design forward to truly show the illusion of speed and motion.
Allen is quick to note that no real dogs were harmed in the making of HEMIDOG, but it was a bit painful parting with his team’s version of man’s best friend.
“The people in the studio had a great time doing this project and it provided a bit of diversion in our traditionally hectic workdays,” said Eric Kurtz of the Jeep Design Studio and the sculpture of the HEMI-powered pooch. “Creativity is an outstanding gift, but using any talent for such a good cause
New 2006 Commander shown in Germany
[3 Jun 2004] — Shown above, a camouflaged version of the new Commander upscale Jeep. The new 7-passenger Jeep was shown uncovered for the first time at a stock analyst’s meeting in Frankfurt, Germany on June 3, 2004. Chrysler also previewed a new C-segment Sebring sedan (co-developed with Mitsubishi Motors) and the long-awaited Dodge Charger that will be built on the Chrysler 300
World premiere: March 25th, 2004, New York International Auto Show
Jeep® Brand launches safety “Edutainment” game
This online experience is unique for the automotive industry. The Go 4×4 Challenge presents a variety of driving scenarios, within a gaming format, to teach Jeep vehicle owners and prospects about how to maneuver safely through challenging on-road and off-road conditions such as deep water, snow, and sand.
“The Jeep brand has been educating consumers about Jeep vehicle capabilities in fun and engaging ways at events for more than 60 years,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep.
To ensure that the safety features were portrayed accurately, Organic Detroit and Organic New York worked closely with Jeep Marketing, Product Planning, Engineering, Legal, and Product Safety to develop the site. Keen attention was paid to the way the vehicles were rendered and how realistically they interacted within each driving scenario.
“Once the idea of incorporating Jeep vehicle safety instruction into an on-line gaming format, we all knew that we hit on something important,” said Chuck Russo, Vice President and Managing Director of Organic Detroit. “We believe that truly successful online experiences engage both the minds and the hearts of users and this highly animated solution is already producing phenomenal results.”
Camp Jeep NY featured indoor dirt track course
[11 April 2004] — Jeep® brand redefined the auto show experience for consumers at the 2004 New York Auto Show with the first indoor Jeep 101 driving course. The 45,000-square-foot exhibit gave auto show attendees a chance to experience the extreme on- and off-road capabilities of Jeep vehicles without leaving Manhattan.
Visitors to the show were able to ride along with professional drivers on a specially constructed dirt track, located in the 54,000 SQ FT North Pavilion next to the Javitz Convention Center. Vehicles featured were 2004 models of the Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler. Eleven vehicles drove the course, taking 10 minutes to drive from beginning to end.
The 45,000 SQ FT simulated off-road course required over 200 truckloads of dirt (4,000 yards worth) and featured six different surfaces – dirt, rocks, gravel, water, logs and asphalt. Large 18″ diameter logs formed a small bridge. Also on the course was a 20-foot high “mountain” and a 24″ deep stream that was twenty-feet long.
The course construction took 8 days to build. More than 15,000 feet of electrical cabling the equivalent of more than three miles of cable– was used for lights, power and displays. More than five tons of rocks, boulders and gravel and 4,500-square-feet of burlap was used for decorations. All the dirt used will be recycled and returned back to original source.
Camp Jeep NY also featured a Jeep Kidz safe area, where visitors could have digital photos taken of their children and receive complimentary Home Organizer software that includes the M.I.L.K. (Managing Information on Lost Kids) Digital ID kit.
Live bands played on the 20′ x 30′ Camp Jeep NY stage. 30-40 different bands performed 30-minute sets from 4pm to 7pm each day. Performances were mostly electrified acoustic, and from duet to full band. Jeep selected bands in genres including melodic rock to alternative blues, rock and pop and singer/songerwriter. Jeep ran live remotes from Sirius Radio and local radio stations at the event. Jeep also held a two-night after hours VIP event featuring headliner performers like the Counting Crows, at the famed local music venue, the Knitting Factory.
Jeep continues to be the sport-utility sales leader in the Northeast region of the United States with more than 15 percent of the market, said Mark Engelsdoffer, Director, Northeast Business Center. The Jeep brand has a long history with the New York Auto Show and we are proud that the brand conducted the world premieres of three new vehicles in New York.
2004 North American International Auto Show
January 2004 – Detroit, Michigan
