drive

THE Jeep YJ is
arguably the most
recognizable vehicle
in.the world.

‘Its distinctive shape origi-
nated with the 1941 Willys-
Overland MB General
Purpose Vehicle (shortened
to GP, hence “jeep”), a vehi-
cle commissioned by the
U.S. Army: to replace the
motorized tricycle side-car
combination traditionally
used for messenger and
advanced reconnaissance
duties. In total, 368,714
Willys-Overland MBs were
built from 1943 to 1945 to.
serve.in the Armed forces
throughout the Second
World War.
Following the war, a
civilian version of the MB
was sold called the CJ2A. It
was followed by the 1949
_ CJ3BA, 1954 CJS, 1965 long
“wheelbase CJ6, 1976 C17,
1987 Jeep YJ, and now the

1997 TJ — a span of 55
“years!

Though the TJ has jitte
‘in. common with the original
Second World War jeep, it
retains those easily recogniz-
able distinctive features,
.such as vertical grille bars,

 -narrow-set headlamps, open
~ front fenders, low-cut side

. ‘doors, and flat folding wind-
screen. ©. :

“Jeep” has become a
brand name which encom-
passes models like the |
Cherokee and Grand
Cherokee, but most people
still think of the small four-
wheel-drive vehicle when
‘they think of the: word

. “jeep.”

_ With such strong brand
recognition and a loyal cus-
“tomer base, it didn’t make
any sense for Chrysler
(Jeep’s current ovner) to

- alter the styling of the new
Jeep TJ: However, some
changes were necessary to
bring the YJ up to current

24 ~ Friday, July 5, 1996 — North

Shore News

NEWS photo Terry Peters

THE 1997 Jeap Td retains the Yu's traditional looks, out offers new round headiights, a call spring suspension

to Improve ride and handling, and an improved heating and veriilation system. : :

"SERVICE & USED PARTS .

comfort standards — partic-
ularly as newer mini sport-
utes, like the Suzuki
Sidekick and ‘Toyota Rav 4,
were much beiter in areas
such as ride and interior
design. ‘

The result is a redesigned
Jeep that looks much the

. Same on the outside (except

for the return of round head-
lights) while offering some
important improvements te
the interior, suspension and
top. ;
For example, to improve
handling and ride, Jeep engi-
neers gave the TJ a new
front and rear coil spring

suspension, much like that of

the Grand Cherokee.

On or off the pavement,
there is a marked difference
in the way the new TJ sides;
handles and steers. The new
suspension provides a
smoother ride on the high-
way, improved straight-line

a:

|) (MECHANICAL & BODY PARTS).

tracking, improved steering
response, and more stable
handling. .

Off-road, the T3 is more
adept at traversing major
obstacles thanks to 18 cm (7
inches) more diagonal sus-
pension travel.

To improve comfort and
safety, a new dashboard was
designed that included driver
and passenger airbags, a new
instrument panel with easier-

‘to-see instruments and an

updated heating and air-con-
ditioning system. To accom-
modate the new HVAC sys-

ETaES

tem, the base of the wind-
shield was moved forwards
by 10 cm (4 inches) and the
cow! was raised by 2.5 cm
C1 inch}.

The rear seat still seats .
two, but now. it’s 15 cm (6
inches) wider. To increase
cargo space, the backrest
folds down, or the whole
seat folds and tumbles. The
rear seat can also be unbolt-
ed for maximum cargo area.

Another important change:

is a redesigned soft top that’s
easier to lower, and takes
legs time (about ten min-

Rye

i JEEPS

lites). Soft top owners can ~
also purchase an optional
hard top to use in the winter.
All TJs have a standard roll
bar cage for safety.

The flat windshield still
folds down, but now it

See Jeep Ti page 22. -

OVE

Choose from:

| ‘96 CAMRY DLX.
sspcco "2 Eyl 33 -

(WILL SELL FOR LESS”
DURNG THIS SALE) -

‘ae No reasonable offer

DES
CONE
refu

RSTOCKE!

| Over 75 Camrys in stock :

CAMRY PLUS.
CAMRYLE 4
CAMRY Vé'S —

some with leather,
most with ulr -

sedi!» :

YOUR CHANCE TO SAVE
“THOUSANDS!

Personal shopping only during this event

~ LEASE OR BUY ~ you choose ~,

\Yaricouver ‘orer Da

pede zs

0