When the Jeep Wrangler JK debuted in 2007, it battled for superiority at the SEMA Show with the FJ Cruiser. How times have changed since then. The FJ Cruiser is just an afterthought at this point, but new products continue to be developed for the Wrangler and companies still choose the Wrangler to showcase their products. The dominance of the Wrangler is so overwhelming (it has been named Hottest 4x4 by the SEMA Show for the past four years) it made us wonder why no one has challenged Jeep. Ford, where is the Early Bronco? Toyota, where is the FJ40? If Jeep can produce a vehicle with a removable top and solid axles, someone else with a heritage in off-road should be able to as well. Since they haven’t, Jeep continues to dominate the SEMA Show. Here are some of our favorite examples from the numerous Wranglers at the show.
[caption id="attachment_26836" align="alignnone" width="1200"] How do you top turbochargers poking out through the hood? You put Gatling guns on the front of them! River Raider built this aircraft-inspired Wrangler complete with custom riveted aluminum panels and a custom interior. While it was built to turn heads in the Dub booth, it is also a legit wheeling rig, complete with one ton axles, coilover shocks, and full hydraulic steering. We would just hate to get a dent in it.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_26837" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Casey Currie calls this JK8 pickup a Raptor killer. CRC Enterprises performed an IFS conversion on the front of the Jeep that retains the 4WD system and uses Bilstein 9100 Series coilovers. Under the hood the LSX just wasn’t enough so a Magnuson supercharger was bolted on to make north of 1,000 horsepower.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_26838" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Pink Jeep Tours has been leading tours through Sedona and the Grand Canyon since 1960. As the company became more successful their vehicles grew to meet the demands of a growing business. Recently they have been using Ram trucks custom built to haul guests and fitted with a seven slot Jeep grille to honor their heritage. We are happy to see them using these custom built JKs complete with Dynatrac axles and 35-inch tall tires instead of trying to convince us that a Ram is a “Jeep”.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_26839" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Fab Fours insane JK is what the SEMA Show is all about. What to get people talking? Built a chop top Wrangler with red windows and giant tires covered by crazy fenders. You can’t have too big of tires at the SEMA Show, and this Jeep stands out by having a roofline the same as a stock Wrangler! Surprisingly, the Fab Fours bumpers on the The Legend were understated compared to the rest of the vehicle.[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_26840" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Poison Spyder Customs christened this Jeep “Crispy” because they bought it after it had been consumed in a fire. It is hard to tell now that it has been completely rebuilt for King of the Hammers, complete with coilover and bypass shocks and Currie Rock Jock axles. It was refreshing to see a legit race car amongst all of the show trucks.[/caption]