2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Photos, engines & full specs

Jeep tried to see if its customers would appreciate a long-wheelbase version of the Wrangler TJ and introduced the Unlimited variant of this nameplate in 2004.

Ever since the first generation of the Wrangler, customers have appreciated that the short-wheelbase YJ (and later the TJ) can handle difficult off-road situations well. Its tight turning radius and excellent breakover angle made it a darling for many… except for those who needed to carry four people onboard. The lack of legroom for those seated in the back transformed the Wrangler into a two-seat vehicle most of the time. Furthermore, if owners needed to carry anything more than a briefcase and a sandwich, they should fold the rear seats to increase the size of the tiny trunk. Then, in 2004, Jeep dared for more and produced the Unlimited version. Unlike its regular brother, it had a ten-inch (24.5 cm) longer wheelbase, which resulted in more space for everything without spoiling the off-road fun. This version was also known as the Wrangler LJ, and it continued the story of the former CJ-6 and the CJ-8 Scrambler versions.

Viewed from the front, it was difficult for anyone to spot the difference between a TJ and an LJ. They both featured the same round headlights that flanked the body-colored, metallic seven-slat grille. The rounded hood edges and the bold bumper were identical for both versions. So, they were often overlooked by those unaware of this version, which led to slow sales for the LJ.

Trevor Creed was responsible for the Unlimited version, and he tried to lower production costs for this variant. As a result, up to the B-pillar, the car looked identical to the TJ. It featured the same size for the doors and also kept the tilted rearward windscreen that could fold flat on the hood. Behind, the quarter panels were longer. As a result, he had to redesign the roll cage that protected passengers in the event of a rollover crash, the retractable roof, and the hard top. In addition, the car was stripped by side steps, so the automaker didn’t have to create new parts for the vehicle. Despite having a larger trunk area, Jeep still mounted the spare wheel on the rear side-hinged door.

Inside the cabin, customers fronted a modular dashboard, where the driver fronted a rectangular instrument cluster filled with dials for the 100-mph (168 kph) speedometer, a tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, voltage, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The front seats were comfortable but mounted in the same spots as the regular TJ. The biggest difference was for those seated in the back, who could enjoy the most out of those 10 inches added to the TJ’s wheelbase. Another improvement was for the trunk, which was five inches (12.7 cm) longer than the regular Wrangler.

Jeep used the same drivetrains for the Unlimited, albeit with some substantial modifications. The power was sent to the rear or all four wheels via a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic paired with a dual-range Command-Trac transfer case. The automaker also offered a Rubicon version of the Wrangler Unlimited, which added larger wheels and Dana 44 axles on both ends.