ewillys (vehicle for sale)Įven before the military M678 and M679 variants there was a prototype Jeep Commuter van based on the FC chassis and built by Reutter Karosserie in Stuttgart, Germany (they also built some German sports car bodies I think) based on drawings by renowned designer Brooks Stevens, also designer of the Wienermobile (sorry but I refuse to call it the Frankmobile, some things don’t need to change). These didn’t make it to the civilian market, and rare surviving versions fetch top dollar if they ever come up for sale. In the early 60’s Jeep modified their Forward Control truck into a military van and ambulance variant. Jeep actually has built a van in the past, so you could say there is history to do so again. Jeep isn’t afraid of cool colors, so the Jeep Wrangler-Van meetups won’t be all grey, white and black. But wouldn’t it be better if a van were designed with Jeep off road prowess to start, and live-in-ability from the initial sketch? The 4xe Diesel Hybrid Wrangler Van with solar roof panel integration has a nice ring to it. The fact is that most of the vans available now were designed and engineered for commercial use, hauling plumbers, electricians, or packages. Long wheelbase frame with various engine options? Yes (think Gladiator frame with a house on top).
#Van life storage ideas windows#
Lots of windows or solid panel sides? Yes. Three row seating for grown up kids? Yes. But where a Wrangler has to pump the brakes on sleeping inside the vehicle or locking up the bikes (or fido) the Wrangler-Van will have room for it all. The van lifestyle is similar to the Jeep buyer lifestyle: outdoorsy, adventurous, maybe they have kids, maybe they’re retired, they might need room for mountain bikes, they might need room for a dog or three.
Offer it fully built with tires, lift, lockers and winch, or in this case fold down bed, water tanks, solar panels, ground clearance and various Mopar mounts for every outdoor toy imaginable, or offer it as a stripped down Sport, in this case a 4×4 box with a two speed transfer case, and let the new Jeep Wrangler-Van owners build them out as they please. Luckily the key to a successful van offering is on par with how Jeep offers Wrangler (or how you can get it equipped from the vast aftermarket options). So why Jeep and why now? The truth is that the brand should have pushed this to the front of the To-Do list 10 years back because the Van-Life trend may have already peaked.
Oh, and if you think the RAM Promaster has anything to offer to the van-lifer, well, it’s basically the worst option with horrible ergonomics and front wheel drive meh! A Jeep Van GM doesn’t offer the high-top euro style vans, but thankfully still offers body on frame and healthy V8 options (400 horsepower 6.6L gas Power!), but you can only option them new with 4×4 if run through an upfitter such as Quigley 4×4 for a final price on par with the prior two brands. Ford is right there with Mercedes with the Transit at maybe a little less expensive to buy in, but on par when outfitted. Mercedes of course has its Sprinter lineup, which starts at $50k+ and climbs quickly to five times that when built out with AWD. But the options for those looking to outfit a van are slim on the new vehicle front.
0 kommentar(er)
