Well today was the day - my very first close encounter and test drive in the all new, 2007, Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited. And, let me just say right off the bat - this thing is HUGE!! No, no, no… maybe I should say more accurately that this thing was just SUPER LONG. No joke, this JK Unlimited was parked next to a 2006 TJ Unlimited and looking at the two side by side, the wheel base of the JK was considerably, noticeably and measurably longer than the TJ!!

Okay, having said all that, I will say that with all its extra length and longer wheel base, the Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited also gives you an extraordinary amount of cargo space, rear passenger room and a ride like no other Wrangler I’ve ridden in - period. Taking it out for a quick spin on a fairly rough road and over two rail road crossings, the JK Unlimited provided a very smooth and comfortable ride but without feeling mushy like an oversized SUV or harsh like an unloaded pickup truck. The other thing that really took me by surprise was how absolutely quite this thing was. Granted, I’ve been driving in a TJ on 35″ mud tires and an aftermarket muffler for sometime now but compared to it, the JK Wrangler was like driving with pillows over my ears.

The only real downside to the test drive that I’d have to point out was its sluggish feel it has under foot. I don’t know if it due to all the extra weight or because of the automatic transmission or a combination of both. Stepping on the gas to get going up a freeway on-ramp, the engine did eventually find itself and jumped to life but it still felt like it was laboring to pick up speed. Perhaps a JK Wrangler equipped with a 6-speed may put a little more pep out if for no other reason than the fact that you can control the shift points.

In my opinion, the new Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited really is an impressive step up for Jeep. Not that it couldn’t benefit from a few modifications here and there if you know what I mean, but the basic platform offers a lot right out of the box. The length of this thing is really gonna take some getting used to for me but I have to admit, I am starting to think it really has potential. Coming in this morning, I was convinced that I would be getting a 2-Door Rubicon but after today, but now… I may just have to get an Unlimited.

Anyway, be sure to check back soon as I will definitely have more to come. In the mean time, click on the link below to see all the pics

>> 2007 Jeep JK Wrangler Unlimited X - Blue Steel Photos

Eddie

P.S. I really need to thank Jeff Sladick over at Don-A-Vee Jeep for spending so much time with my wife and I and for being so accommodating with all the photos I wanted to take.