Bling-Bling Commander to be auctioned at Ebay

Academy Award®-nominated actor Terrence Howard and Chrysler 300 lead designer Ralph Gilles - unveiled a customized 2006 Jeep® Commander February 25, 2006 on the red carpet of the 37th NAACP Image Awards. The Howard-designed Jeep Commander, which features his signature on doors and headrests, will be donated to the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, and auctioned off on eBay March 3-12, 2006 (www.eBay.com, item number 4616180090). The proceeds of the auction will create a scholarship fund for minoirity students who want to study automotive design at CSS. For more on this initiative and for a picture of the Jeep Commander visit this page.

Update: The Jeep Commander was finally sold for a winning bid of $51,100. The proceeds will fund a minority automotive design scholarship at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) in the name of the NAACP and DaimlerChrysler.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Terrence Howard

Jeep Commander Limited in the snow

A JeepForum reader sent me this picture of his 5.7L Limited after people in the forum complained that there weren't enough pictures of "dirty" Commanders on the web. You can see more pictures here.

Remember, if you want your rig featured in this blog just sent me your pictures and info to xkjeep@gmail.com.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK

2.5" Rocky Road Jeep Commander Lift

I just found out about this 2.5" lift kit for the Commander. According to the manufacturer, Rocky Road Outfitters, this kit is designed for those who want a moderate lift that makes the truck look better and accomodate larger tires, and who don't want to sacrifice handling and road manners. Personally, I don't know first hand of anybody using the kit yet, but the vendor's ebay feedback page shows some good reviews. Rocky Road also mentions that some Jeep dealers are already offering the lift kit as an optional item straight off the showroom floor with full factory warranty, which clearly speaks well of this product. Read more about this lift kit.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Suspension Lifts

Jeep Commander Sweepstakes at All Things Jeep

Surfing through some Jeep sites I found out that the folks at AllThingsJeep.com are running a sweepstakes where you can win a:

• Jeep Freedom Travel Kit
• Jeep LED Lantern
• Jeep Commander T-shirt
• Jeep Commander Key Chain

I figure there must be some Jeep Commander owners out there with some time in their hands who perhaps would like to get their hands around those goodies. The rules are pretty simple: just modify a Jeep Commander picture that is posted on their site in a creative or funny way, and send it to them. They will pick a winner on March 1st, so you still have time. Visit this page for details.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK

Possible enhancements to the Jeep Commander?

There is an interesting thread in the Jeep Commander Forum titled: "What Are Future Enhancements / Options To The Commander Would You Like To See?". It offers a glimpse of what Jeep engineers may be working on for future model years, or what the after market guys may be offering soon. The winners:

• A diesel engine
• Quick disconnect third row seats
• Larger gas tank

Also mentioned: more legroom in second row of seats, air suspension, LED lighting and a cargo holder. Pretty cool list. If you want to add your suggestions, just subscribe to the forum and reply to the thread.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Accessories

Jeep Commander vs. Land Rover LR3

Karl Brauer, editor in chief of Edmunds.com salutes the Commander in a head to head test with the Land Rover LR3.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Land Rover

Jeep Commander ready for international launch

DaimlerChrysler announced last week that the Jeep Commander is expected to reach international showrooms sometime during Q1 - 2006. Production of the Commander for European and international markets is under way at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee is also manufactured.

Unlike its U.S. counterpart, the European Commander will have the option of a "next generation" 3.0 Liter V6 turbocharged diesel engine. Based on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology, Bosch high-pressure fuel injection (1600+ bar), a variable geometry turbocharger and four valves per cylinder, the new V-6 engine meets Euro 4 emissions standards and produces 218HP and 376 ft-lb of torque from 1600 to 2000 RPM.

International sales of Jeep vehicles topped 84,019 units last year (a 15% increase over 2004), with the Commander expected to further fuel top line growth in 2006.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK

Jeep Unveils 65 Anniversary Special Edition Jeep Commander

Jeep presented Special Edition models of the 2006 Jeep(R) Commander, Grand Cherokee, Liberty and Wrangler at the recently concluded 2006 Chicago Auto Show, commemorating 65 years of Jeep heritage and capability. A new color, Jeep Green, was also unveiled and offered in these Special Edition vehicles.

The lineup will feature special "65 Anniversary" logo badges in the interior, and one badge on the front fender.

The 65 Anniversary Special Edition Jeep Commander comes with a base 3.7 Liter V6 engine, while a 4.7 Liter V8 is optional. These are the most relevant features:

• Power sunroof including CommandViewTM Skylights
• Monochromatic exterior appearance with body color door handles and rear license plate brow
• Bright chrome bodyside moldings and tow hooks
• Fog lamps
• Cargo net
• Unique 17-inch Wrench aluminum wheels with gray accents
• Unique cloth seats with embroidered Jeep 65 logo
• Unique floormats with Jeep 65 logo
• Unique center console accents
• AM/FM 6-CD/MP3 radio
• Unique Jeep 65th Anniversary badge

Take a look at the press release for more details on the 65 Anniversary Special Edition Jeep Commander.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK

Why is the Jeep Commander Called the XK?

You may have noticed that the Jeep Commander is often referred to as the Jeep XK, just like the Jeep Cherokee was commonly denominated XJ. This is because Jeep uses a two-letter combination to name the different platforms of their vehicles. For example, the Jeep Cherokee built between 1984 and 2001 was built on the XJ platform. The Jeep Commander is the first Jeep model vehicle built under the new XK platform. You can learn about all the different Jeep platforms in this interesting recap.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK

4" Lift Kit for the Jeep Commander

Being a relatively new market entry, the Jeep Commander still doesn't enjoy a wide availability of aftermarket parts and accessories. However, Superlift has recently launched a 4" lift kit for the Jeep Commander. It definetely gives the Commander a more muscular stance. According to Superlift, the lift system incorporates Superlift's Frame Integrated Technology (F.I.T.) design concept and maintains the factory ride quality.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Suspension Lift Kits

A Jeep Commander Blog by a Jeep Cherokee Fan

As a Jeep Cherokee owner and enthusiast (that beauty to the left is my 1996 XJ) I was appalled when Chrysler discontinued it and replaced it with the Jeep Liberty.

Then, last year I saw the first pictures of the new Jeep Commander, and my first reaction was one of surprise and joy to see the boxy lines of the Cherokee back in a new Jeep product.

While the Commander is a very different vehicle than the Jeep Cherokee, its square lines broutht a smile to my face and keep my hopes alive that Jeep may some day bring back the Cherokee.

So, until the Cherokee is back, I'll be following the evolution of the Jeep Commander in this blog.

If you are a Jeep Commander owner or enthusiast, I invite you to send your pictures and information of your Jeep Commander, for possible inclusion in this blog. You can email your pictures to: xkjeep@gmail.com. Welcome and thanks for visiting.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep XJ