Jeep_® and Mopar have teamed up once again to produce a selection of concept Jeep vehicles for the 46th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. The Jeep Mighty FC concept, Jeep J-12 concept and the Jeep Wrangler Apache are three of six new vehicles that will be shown to enthusiasts in Moab, March 31 – April 8. Look for more on all of these new vehicles later this month.

Jeep_® Wranglers are exported to over 90 countries across the globe, and each vehicle starts in Ohio at the Toledo South Assembly Plant. The plant employs 2,500 workers, and produces 360 Wranglers per shift, 720 a day, 6 days a week. “We’re at maximum capacity,” said Diego, plant quality specialist. “Not many people can say, ‘hey, I’ve got a problem, I can’t build enough cars.’”

Diego was quick to point out the perfect symbiosis between mechanized production and human workers on the line. “Like in the windshield,” he said. “The craftsmanship of a windshield – a machine just can’t do, so we do it by hand. On the other hand, the urethane ON the windshield can’t be duplicated by a human, so that step is done by machine.”

Either way, it’s looking good to us. To view more photos from the Toledo South Assembly Plant, like this Trail Rated® 3-wheel drive parts conveyor, visit facebook.com/Jeep.

The history of the Jeep_® brand and the U.S. Military is well known.We thought it would be a good time to take a closer look at the Tuskegee Airmen. Jeep Blog sat down with Washington DuBois Ross, LTC, USAFRES, RET, a 93-year old veteran of the Tuskegee Airmen, for a first-hand account of his service.

Jeep Blog: Tell us a bit about growing up. Where are you from, and when did you first know you wanted to be a pilot?

Ross: I was born in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, the fourth son in a family of five boys and one girl. We moved to Ashland, Kentucky when was young. In Ashland they didn’t have an airport, just a field. I was 12-years old and the pilots would barnstorm, and one Sunday they announced you could take flights at noon. On Sundays you went to church so I missed the first round, but we got our pennies together for the second round of flights. They started the engines and it shook. I started to think maybe it wasn’t such a good idea, but it staggered into the air and circled Ashland, and I told my parents I wanted to be a pilot.

Jeep Blog: So where did you go from there, from knowing you wanted to be a pilot to actually flying?

Ross: I went to college at Hampton University in Virginia, where I was in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, which is where I received my pilot’s license. While I was in college, the U.S. knew war was coming, and Congress started training pilots in colleges. In 1940 I got a report from the local draft board and I was a senior so I got deferred. I planned to hide out in Ashland. Two weeks later I got another card. They’re on my trigger, I thought. I went to DC and it took them three more to weeks to find me. So I took the test on advanced aviation training. It was all whites when I went to take the test and they looked at me like a foreigner. While we waited for test results, everyone else was worried, like they’d struggled. So I pretended it was hard, I faked it, but I knew I had done well. Then I got the call for Tuskegee.

Jeep Blog: Could you tell us a bit about your training?

Ross: I arrived at Tuskegee as part of the class 43-I. In my class 42 started, 22 graduated. Actually, they needed instructors, and I could have taught but I wanted to be a fighter pilot – you’re young and crazy, you want to fly.

In 1943 I graduated as a Fighter Pilot with the rank of second lieutenant, and in October of 1943 we were sent to Selfridge Field in Michigan for overseas training. No one told me anything about P-40s. The first time I took off, I gave it throttle and looked down at the airspeed – 50, 60, 70, 80; we’re still on the ground. Good thing it was a long runway. I said to myself, now or never. I pulled back on the stick and up it went.

Funny story, we used to fly the P-40 over summer homes on Lake Huron. On the way home my engine fails. I went down, split two trees, and sheared off the wings. About 100 people came out from their homes. I’m wearing all my gear and they said, “Were you the one flying that thing?” I said “No.” [laughs] The worst part: I called the base and the asked, “Did you damage the plane?” No. [laughs]

Jeep Blog: What happened after training? Where did you serve?

Ross:  The majority of my class joined the 332^nd Fighter Group and left for the European Theater in December of 1943. Because of an unexpected hospitalization, however, I was unable to leave then, but followed later as part of a group of 10 replacements.

We traveled on a passenger ship that had been converted in order to carry troops. The ship was fast, and once we left the coast of the U.S., we continued on unescorted, the theory being that the ship was able to outrun enemy U-boats. I suppose that theory was right since we arrived safely in Oran, Algeria. After spending some time in North Africa, where we were to receive additional training (which we didn’t get), we were flown to Naples, Italy. There we joined the 332^nd and from our base flew, P-39s, P-47s, and finally P-51s on long escort missions protecting bombers. The first mission was to capture Rome. We flew over to keep the Germans out, and that was the first time I’d seen the projectiles come out of the gun. Rome was declared an open city.

After 15 missions I got to go to rest camp in Naples but we snuck off to Rome and other cities to see the sites – there’s only so much can see from the air. Sightseeing in Pompeii is something. ‘How old are these buildings’ you wonder, ‘how did they build these things?’ The Coliseum is a sight.

I took off and landed 63 times. Missions were 4.5 hours total. Sometimes you’d fly solo, sometimes you would scatter. It was pretty scary flying over the Alps.

As the war wound down my squadron was disbanded, and since I had enough missions I was able to come home. I was overseas for almost a year.

Jeep Blog: What did you do after the war?

Ross: Stateside, I was assigned to Tuskegee Army Air Base in Alabama, this time as a twin-engine instructor for the B-25. When the Tuskegee base was closed we were transferred to Lockbourne Air Base in Ohio. In 1947 I was honorably discharged after serving four years on active duty. After being discharged from the service I worked for a year an auto company, and ten years as a clerk for the United States Postal Service. Then I spent twenty-nine years with the Detroit Board of Education as both a math teacher and a department head, retiring in 1984.

All the while, I was a member of the United States Air Force Reserves (USAFRES) where I served for twenty years. In 1981 I retired from USAFRES with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. I earned the Air Medal, American Campaign Medal, EAME Medal, 1Star Rom Arno, 5 Oak Leaf, Clusters WWII Victory Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal. I was inducted into the Kentucky Aviation hall of Fame November 12, 2011 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Jeep Blog: What about personally? How has retirement treated you?

Ross:  My wife, Willie Pearl White (passed in 2003), and I have four children and three grandchildren. I am an active member of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and I am a member of the Speakers Bureau. I am a Life Member of the Reserve Officers Association. I belong to and am an active member of Berea Lutheran Church in Detroit, and an active member of the Detroit Chapter of the National Hampton Alumni Association, where I served as president as well as other offices. I like to travel and I like to listen to jazz and classical music.

For more information, visit tuskegeeairmennationalmuseum.org.

The Jeep_® Brand has been recognized by Polk for having the ‘Most Improved Loyalty to Make’ for the 2011 model year. According to Polk’s U.S. loyalty analysis for the 2011 model year, the Jeep Brand had the greatest percentage point increase in make loyalty over the previous model year. 

Jeep brand sales increased 44 percent in 2011 – versus an industry increase of 11 percent – with each Jeep model up at least 30 percent for the year. Jeep Wrangler – new, more powerful and fuel efficient for 2012 – set seven consecutive monthly sales records, and won several awards including two from leading enthusiast publications; the “4×4 Of the Year” from Petersen’s 4 Wheel & Off-Road and “Four Wheeler Of The year” from Four Wheeler magazine. Jeep’s redesigned Compass enjoyed a 200 percent sales increase, and sales of the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – increased 51 percent in 2011.

The Polk awards recognize manufacturers for superior owner loyalty performance, which is determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same model or make. The 2011 awards are based on an analysis of 5.5 million return-to-market events during the 2011 model year.

The Jeep_® brand is celebrating 2 Million Facebook fans. Our loyal Jeep enthusiasts have helped make the brand the first to hit the 2 million mark. Thank you for joining us on the journey.

If you’re a newcomer to the Jeep_® brand, you may be unfamiliar with certain off-roading terms and techniques. Lucky for you, the Jeep Blog is featuring an ongoing series of posts aimed at helping those who are interested in experiencing the full potential of their Jeep vehicles, but may be feeling a little overwhelmed about getting started.

Jeep Blog contributors Jackie and Alan have provided posts aimed at helping Jeep brand owners become familiar with off-road techniques for getting through mud and water. In the spirit of the series, let this post act as an introductory guide to terms that you may hear on the trail, in the mud bogs, or at a get-together with fellow Jeep brand enthusiasts.

Modification

Aftermarket – Usually refers to parts that are not installed at the factory by the manufacturer. There are a number of aftermarket companies among Jeep 4×4 enthusiasts. Chrysler Group’s in-house Mopar brand also produces aftermarket parts and accessories to customize your Jeep vehicle.

Built – If you’re hanging out with an enthusiast crowd, you may hear the term ‘built rig’ being thrown around. ‘Built’ refers to a modified vehicle that is in some cases more capable than it was in stock form.

Drivetrain

Locking Differentials – Often referred to as ‘lockers’, these differentials greatly improve capability in low-traction environments. When needed, lockers will essentially ‘lock’ both the right and left wheels of an axle together, providing additional traction.

Solid or Straight Axle – A solid axle suspension that acts as a single unit, including the driveshafts. The advantage of a solid-axle, also referred to as a ‘Live axle’, is that ground clearance below the axle remains the same despite the height difference that could be experienced when going over obstacles such as rocks or logs. Solid axles also help in gaining articulation, allowing wheels to stay on the ground in staggered terrain. In addition, the solid axle is fairly simple, resulting in increased capability, strength and durability.

Tires

Traction – Can be most easily described as the level of friction between two surfaces. The more you have, the better your Jeep vehicle will perform. Slipping tires would be an example of losing traction.

Tire Bead – The tire bead refers to the edge of the tire that seats into the wheel rim, creating an air tight seal. When the tire is inflated and the seal is created, this is referred to as ‘seating the bead’.

Beadlock – In many off-road situations, the bead of a tire may be compromised. Climbing obstacles becomes easier when tire pressure is lower than what is needed for driving on public roads. The disadvantage of lower tire pressure is that this also greatly compromises the bead. A common off-road device known as a ‘bead lock’ holds the tire to the wheel, forcing the bead to hold load and therefore maintaining tire pressure.

Suspension

Ground Clearance – The distance from flat ground to the lowest point on the underside of the vehicle. With greater ground clearance, your Jeep 4×4 can clear taller obstacles. When hitting beginner-level trails, the stock ground clearance of a Jeep Wrangler will suffice; try out a more advanced trail and you may need to modify your vehicle. When this happens, refer to our Outfitting your Jeep Vehicle 101: Suspension post.

Articulation – Described as the amount a suspension system can combine compression on one side and droop on the other for each axle. Articulation is experienced when climbing over obstacles such as rocks or logs, where one axle may experience a different height to climb than the other, creating an uneven suspension compression. Jeep vehicles feature impressive articulation, allowing for easy climbs over obstacles.

Last but not least, let us introduce you to the Jeep Brand Wave. If you drive a Jeep vehicle and you see another Jeep 4×4 owner, wave to them. Welcome to the Jeep brand community.

Hope this glossary of off-road terms and technology has helped increase your knowledge and interest in venturing off the pavement and into adventure. See you on the trail!

Jeep® Time

They say timing is everything. “They” say. We say you make your time, and you make it the time of your life when you go off-roading in a Jeep_® Vehicle, whether you’re talking about minutes, days, or generations. Here are a few photos of some of our favorite times. 

Morning Sunrise

Photo by Flicker user DR Ranch

Evening Sunset

Photo by Flickr user zombieite

In Your Youth

Photo by Flickr user omninate

Reliving the Good Old Days

1955 CJ5

Anytime is the right time to Go Anywhere, Do Anything™. When do you do your off-roading?

We’re less than a month from the 46^th Annual Easter Jeep_® Safari. Join the Jeep Blog in Utah as we go off-roading in the desert with hundreds of other loyal owners and product experts. If you remember Pork Chop (pictured above) from last year’s event, you know this an adventure you don’t want to miss. As you prepare for your trip, check out Moab Jeepers Magazine’s guide to ultralight packing, and view our photos from last year’s Easter Jeep Safari. Hope to see you in Moab. 

When the Jeep_® Compass points to True North you know Mopar® had something to do with it. The concept vehicle was on display at the Chicago Auto Show, Trail Rated® and ready to head in any direction, as long as that direction is off-road. 

The Jeep Compass “True North” model features exterior accoutrements like matte black front and rear wheel flares, lower fascia and door cladding, matte black grille with body color inserts, black-headlamp and fog-lamp surrounds, rear fog lights, custom front and rear brush bars, custom rock rails, and a matte black roof. Mopar also points out that the matte black 16-inch alloy wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain tires and a 2-inch lift kit from Rocky Road Suspensions, “Add some additional off-road go over the standard Compass.”

The interior features a high-end Kicker audio system, a custom center stack gauge pod that houses inclinometer gauges (pitch and roll), a bright pedal kit, door-sill guards, rear-cargo tray, shift knob and new neoprene seats.

For more photos of the Jeep Compass True North, visit Mopar.com.