1997-2005 Jeep Wrangler technical details
exterior design
Appearance
When you have one of the most recognizable industrial products on the face of the earth, common sense suggests that the Wrangler receive minimal exterior design changes, if any. Wrangler buyers belong to a "functionalist" school of thought that accepts function-driven changes but not cosmetic ones. As a result, the 1997 Wrangler exterior is a subtle but nearly complete redesign of the classic Wrangler form.
Customer expectations for compactness and excellent maneuverability dictated that exterior dimensions remain unchanged for 1997. Front fenders, front and rear wheel openings, and rear wheelhouses are all higher to provide ample clearance for increased suspension articulation and optional 30 x 9.5-inch tires, which are one inch (25 mm) larger than the largest tire previously available on Wrangler.
Beginning with round headlights, which return from earlier models, Wrangler has a wider, more aggressive appearing front end. The headlights are more widely spaced than in 1995, but the grille appearance remains basically unchanged. Contributing to the sense of width, park and turn signal lamps are relocated from the grille to the front fenders. One piece front fenders provide an uncluttered appearance.
New front and rear bumpers are taller giving the appearance (as well as the function) of added strength. Sturdy, molded plastic bumper end caps are available with all equipment levels. New fog lamps and a new frame valence panel are executed in a modern style without losing the Jeep® character. The sturdy molded plastic overlay panel functions as a cover for the front stabilizer bar and prominently displays the Jeep name in raised letters.
New hood hinges and their fasteners remain exposed to communicate function but are flush with the surrounding sheet metal for a cleaner appearance. Flushness of these components is also a European homologation requirement. The fixed half of the hinge is concealed by the removable cowl plenum cover. New exposed hood latches help maintain character while offering neat appearance and easy operation.
Exterior form followed the functional need to package an integrated HVAC system and a passenger air bag. The cowl was raised by approximately one inch (25 mm) to package the HVAC unit. This gives the hood a modern “sloping” line in the side view that contributes to a solid appearance.
The windshield header was held in its former location and the base of the glass moved forward, increasing its angle 4° to accommodate the air bag. A more robust windshield pillar appearance is the result of leaving the rear line of the pillar in its prior location and making the base thicker. This also allows the use of carryover door outer panels. The folding windshield remains by popular demand but the glass is taller because the wiper mechanism is now located in the plenum, instead of inside the passenger compartment. The wipers now park at the base of the glass. Functional exposed windshield hinges with exposed fasteners continued but they are recessed flush with the adjacent body panels and windshield frame.
The top of the full door upper frame is raised to provide a horizontal line and a crisper rear corner. Upper door hinges are integrated with the windshield hinges and remain exposed as do the lower hinges.
Two new fender flare designs have deeper cross sections that are more robust. The shape neatly conforms to 30-inch tires that are available for the first time on the 1997 Wrangler Sport and Sahara. SE and Sport flares remain a functional mold-in-color black but are now grained to hide scuffing. They are also wider than those on earlier models, at 3.5 in. (90 mm), for better tire coverage. Matching front mud guards are included. With Sahara equipment, the flares are even wider ‹ 4.25 in. (110 mm) ‹ and have a smooth, body color finish. They are taller and blend with new body-color sill moldings that connect them and proved added splash protection.
Contoured front side marker lamps are recessed in the forward top corners of the fender flares. They conform to the curvature of the flares. New Sahara sill moldings are integrated with the larger fender flares and new body side steps. The sill moldings are recessed over the side steps. The molding repeats the steps' lozenge pattern in the recessed area. The "Jeep" decal on the cowl side is placed on a continuous stamped plateau, rather than on individual letter plateaus. This facilitates having the logo appearance consistent in all locations on the vehicle, to enhance the effectiveness of identification. The fuel filler cap is recessed in the body side aft of the left rear tire. Its large diameter head has a functional “wing” design. The license plate is mounted on a durable molded plastic bracket. Forged aluminum tailgate hinges present a neater appearance while retaining the functional exposed look that includes exposed fasteners.
Aerodynamics
An aerodynamic Wrangler may be an oxymoron, but aerodynamics did play a significant part in the design of the 1997 Wrangler. Wind noise, buffeting and soft top flap were at the head of the list of aerodynamic concerns with drag a secondary consideration. The primary objectives were achieved and drag was also reduced by 10-12%, improving highway fuel efficiency. The hard top drag coefficient is 0.55 and that of the soft top 0.58 (by comparison, a 1994 Ram was 0.42 and a 1995 Neon was 0.28). Because of a need to maintain the basic identity of the profile, changes are subtle. Changes include:
- a refined shape for the leading edge of the hood
- addition of a lip at the top of the windshield header
- addition of rounded soft top and hard top windshield headers
- rounded windshield pillars
- removal of the upstanding flanges on the windshield pillars and windshield header with the soft top
By reshaping the leading edge of the hood and adding a rounded windshield header to the soft top, top flapping is minimized. These changes guide air flow to keep it attached to the vehicle envelope and reduce the turbulence that causes flapping. These refinements also stabilize air flow at the cowl plenum, reducing pressure pulsation inside the vehicle and making HVAC system performance more stable. Rounded windshield pillars also reduce buffeting and wind noise around the soft top side curtains. The windshield header lip and rounded windshield pillars smooth air flow around the windshield to minimize buffeting of passengers with the top down.
interior design
While the exterior envelope receives only the subtlest of changes, the instrument panel and interior are completely redesigned to house new functions, increase passenger comfort, and improve ergonomics.
Though all new, the instrument panel retains the rugged, functional Jeep character. Design and function combine in an extended center "stack" that provides convenient access to the radio, HVAC controls, accessory switches and the ash receiver. The panel design incorporates integrated HVAC outlets for the first time. A functional bin-type glove compartment replaces an open box.
Analog gauges are grouped in a modern cluster unit with simple white-on-black graphics inspired by World War II vehicles and early Willys' designs. A full complement of instruments is standard to support Wrangler's functional character.
New one-piece molded polypropylene door trim panels include map pockets with slots along the lower edges to assure "wash out" capability. Full and half-door versions are alike in design but differ in detail because the half doors are cut lower than the full doors and inside hardware is in different locations. Both designs include a pull handle.
The main hoop of the sport bar is farther forward than its predecessor, increasing rear passenger visibility. It aligns with the windshield pillar in the side view for a consistent flow of lines when the top is down. The rear legs of the sport bar are parallel with the centerline of the vehicle and aligned with the forward extensions, providing an integrated appearance and contributing to rear passenger head clearance.
Control Ergonomics
Ergonomics played a major part in designing the instrument panel and driving environment, placing controls within easy reach of the driver. The following areas were designed using human factors (ergonomic) data to assure a comfortable, convenient and easy to use interior:
€ Instruments and indicator lamps are combined in a unitized cluster positioned for clear viewing
€ A center stack that houses radio, HVAC controls and auxiliary switches fits within the envelope of normal reach
€ Ample hand clearance is provided to use the steering wheel, shift levers, transfer case lever, parking brake lever, instrument panel switches, console cup holders, inside door handle and lock mechanisms, door pull straps and door window cranks
€ Window regulators on full doors are relocated rearward
Interior Packaging
Additional Equipment
The 1997 Wrangler interior incorporates an integrated HVAC system and driver and passenger air bags*. Packaged behind the instrument panel on all models are integral ventilating air ducts with panel and side window demister registers. A single housing for both heater-only and air conditioning equipment is now packaged behind and below the instrument panel. Packaging of these components dictated that the cowl be raised, as described above, and the instrument panel made deeper.
The passenger air bag required a space allocation on the right side of the panel that was used, along with the HVAC system, to determine the depth of the new instrument panel and the location of the base of the windshield. Knee blockers, which are required with driver and passenger air bags, determined the planes of the steering column lower cover and the glove compartment door.
Passenger Accommodations
The front seat tracks provide 1.6 inches (42 mm) of additional travel, increasing the size range of the US driving population that can be comfortably accommodated to 90% (5-95%). The floor pan has a smaller tunnel section to enhance foot room.
The rear floor pan riser is over 3 inches (76 mm) rearward of its position relative to the rear seat than in the previous Wrangler, increasing rear passenger foot room. The sport bar mounting points on the floor pan are forward and outboard of their locations on the previous model, also increasing rear foot room. Furthermore, outboard placement of the sport bar enhances rear-seat entry and exit. The footprint of the front seat attachments is smaller and farther forward than before, adding foot room and contributing to easier entry and exit. As in the front, a smaller floor pan tunnel adds to foot room.
Redesigned rear wheelhouses afforded the opportunity to widen the rear seat by six inches (152 mm) and increase hip room by 9 inches (229 mm). The seat is also three-inches (76 mm) taller than in 1995 for increased passenger comfort. The wider seat also allows rear passengers more comfortable foot placement relative to the console and front seat mounting. Front seat-mounted inboard seat belt buckles also frees up foot space for rear passengers.
wash out capability
The 1997 Wrangler retains the traditional Wrangler wash-out capability. This capability is addressed by the following features:
€ The air bag electronic control unit, which is mounted on the floor forward of the console, is water resistant and has a sealed wiring connector.
€ Map pockets in new one-piece molded polypropylene door trim panels include slots along the lower edges
€ Carpet is removable, as on prior models
€ Seat fabrics are water resistant
€ Removable floor pan plugs are provided in selected locations