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The Jeep is one of the most recognizable vehicles in the United States and the rest of the world. For more than 75 years, the brand has been associated with freedom, passion, and adventure. It's known for its unique, rugged style as well as its extensive life story. Keep reading to learn more about Jeep's rich history. Military Roots Just before World War II, the United States War Department asked auto companies to come up with a light reconnaissance vehicle. The government wanted the car to be capable, durable, and light. Willys-Overland, a company in Toledo, Ohio, created the first Jeep, called the Willys MB. Almost 700,000 were shipped to battlefields in Europe and Asia. Today's Jeeps have the same iconic look as the ones from the 1940s. Many new models and styles are available as well. more Unique Name Jeep was a slang term for GP, the military abbreviation for General Purpose. The name may have come from a Popeye comic strip as well. A character called Eugene the Jeep could teleport and walk through walls. The vehicle could get through tough terrain as well. Jeep CJ After World War II ended in 1945, Willys started selling Jeeps to civilians. The first model was the Willys CJ-2A. It could work as a mobile generator for power tools, farm implements, and industrial tools. It had more features than military models, including a tailgate, a side-mounted spare tire, an external gas cap, and larger headlights. CJ was an abbreviation for Civilian Jeep. In 1953, the Kaiser Company purchased Willys-Overland. It introduced the Jeep CJ-3B with a taller hood and an engine with 25 percent more horsepower. The CJ-5 came in 1955, and it was longer with a less angular profile. In 1965, it got a new V-6 engine with 155 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, almost twice as much power as the previous four-cylinder engine. The CJ-6 was 20 inches longer than the CJ-5, and it became available in 1956. Wagoneer The 1963 Jeep Wagoneer was the first luxury four-wheel drive SUV. It was also the first four-wheel-drive vehicle to have an automatic transmission and an independent front suspension. It combined style, comfort, and lots of capabilities. Cherokee The 1975 Jeep Cherokee was a two-door version of the Wagoneer. It had bucket seats and sporty trim. A four-door version became available as well in 1977. Wrangler The Jeep Wrangler replaced the CJ in 1987. It had a similar profile, but most of its components were new. It had a wider wheelbase, rectangular headlights, and a more comfortable interior. In the same year, Jeep became part of Chrysler. Grand Cherokee The 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee was the first SUV with a driver's side air bag. A 5.2-liter V-8 engine was available as well. Today, the Grand Cherokee is one of six Jeep models on sale for 2019, including the all-new Gladiator. To discover more about the fascinating history of this popular brand, contact Sea View Jeep.We can help you choose the best Jeep for your needs from our extensive inventory. Some rights reserved by US Army Africa

The Gladiator is an all-new model coming to the Jeep lineup that takes all the best things about a Jeep Wrangler and combines it with a pickup truck. This truck will have all the capabilities of a 4x4 Jeep and the functionality of a pickup truck. It's the only open-air pickup on the market and comes with a number of special features. Here are some of the reasons you need a 2019 Jeep Gladiator. The Look Up front, the Gladiator will look just like a Wrangler, but when you get around back, it has a pickup truck bed. It will feature fully removable soft and hard tops, removable doors, and a folding windshield. It borrowed its doors from the Wrangler Unlimited, and up front, you'll find the round headlights that Jeep is known for. Jeep will build the Gladiator on a new frame that's 31 inches longer than the Wrangler Unlimited, and it will have a longer wheelbase. Jeep will add a 5-foot bed made from steel, and an aluminum tailgate. The bed will incorporate several tie downs and will have several power outlets. more The Power Jeep hasn't confirmed it yet, but experts believe that a 3.6-liter Pentastar engine will power the Gladiator. It should get about 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, and Jeep will offer it with both an automatic transmission and a six-speed manual. There's also speculation that a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel will come later, which would produce 260 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. This will work with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Towing Capabilities You can expect to see best-in-class towing from the Gladiator with a maximum of 7,650 pounds, which is more than most other trucks in this market. It will also have a max payload of 1,600 pounds. Every model will come with heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles and Jeep's capable 4x4 system with both high and low range. The Models Jeep will offer the Gladiator in Sport, Sport S, Overland, and Rubicon trim levels. The Rubicon will add several off-road features, such as lockable wide track axles, FOX shocks, 33-inch all-terrain tires, rock rails for the rocker panels, and an electronic disconnecting front sway bar. It will also come with a new forward-facing TrailCam Camera designed for off-roading trips. This will help the driver navigate obstacles. The Interior Inside, the cabin will look a lot like the Wrangler Unlimited. The rear seats will now have a locking storage system underneath them, and the sports bar gets pushed to the back of the rear seats to make room for the bed. A 5-inch touch screen comes standard with an available 8.4-inch screen with the Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It will also have an exclusive removable Bluetooth wireless speaker that you can store in the back. This will stay charged so you can use it any time and anywhere. The exciting new Gladiator should hit showroom floors in the second quarter of 2019. Keep an eye out for more information as we approach the launch date. Image Courtesy of Jeep.com