View source for Engineering:Jeep J8

{{Short description|Military vehicle based on the Jeep Wrangler platform}}
The '''Jeep J8''' is a military vehicle originally based on the [[Company:Jeep|Jeep]] [[Engineering:Jeep Wrangler (JK)|Wrangler JK]] platform, but currently based on the [[Company:Jeep|Jeep]] Wrangler JL platform. It is also used by government agencies, security groups, peacekeepers, fire departments, underground mining and other industries requiring a heavy duty off-road vehicle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeep J8 for underground coal mining |url=https://www.worldcoal.com/product-news/31072014/world-coal-jeep-j8-for-underground-coal-mining-coal1135b/ |website=World Coal |accessdate=11 January 2019 |language=en |date=31 July 2014}}</ref> The model was introduced at the Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) trade show on September 13, 2007. The J8 is assembled in Gibraltar by Africa Automotive Distribution Services Limited. [https://www.aads-gib.com/index.html AADS] has developed and tested the entire range of J8's for deployment to various missions including logistical and front line operations.
[[File:Jeep J8 IDET.jpg|thumb|Jeep J8]]


== Design ==
[[File:Texas State Fair army vehicle.jpg|thumb|Jeep J8 at the State Fair of Texas 2008, Fair Park, Dallas]]
The J8 is equipped with larger brakes, axles and suspension components than the civilian version and can be upgraded further depending on the end user requirement. It has a base payload capacity of {{convert|1339|kg|lb|0}} which can be extended for Armoured or Utility variants. The Jeep J8 is powered by a range of petrol and diesel engines, but more commonly the 3 litre V6 diesel power units are used, the latter delivering 260&nbsp;hp and 600Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Available in a number of different variants, the J8 can be produced as a patrol vehicle, utility vehicle, armoured vehicle, and ambulance. All J8 variants have a range of upgrade options to choose from and are designed to be easily transportable by rail, sea, [[Engineering:Fixed-wing aircraft|fixed wing aircraft]], [[Engineering:Helicopter|helicopter]] (either inside a CH-47 or underslung).

== Production ==
[[File:AEV J8 2.8L Turbodiesel 02.jpg|thumb|225px|AEV J8 Milspec American Expedition Vehicles version]] 
The first J8 was first planned for assembly at a Chrysler joint-venture facility in [[Place:Cairo|Cairo]], [[Place:Egypt|Egypt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_091307.html|title=New Military Version of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited|work= jeephorizons.com|accessdate=September 16, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0709/gallery.jeep_wrangler_history//index.html?cnn=yes|title=Back in the Army|work=CNN.com|accessdate=September 23, 2007 }}</ref> On July 2, 2008, the production version of the Jeep J8 was unveiled at Euro Camp Jeep 2008, a customer event in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, {{wipe|Germany}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_071008.html|title=Iconic Jeep J8 Offers Cargo and Towing For Humanitarian, Commercial and Military Uses|work= jeephorizons.com|accessdate=September 7, 2008}}</ref>

On November 13, 2008, Chrysler LLC and Arab American Vehicles officially announced the manufacturing launch of the Jeep J8 at AAV's assembly plant in Cairo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_111308.html|title=Jeep J8 Production Begins at Arab American Vehicles Company|work= jeephorizons.com|accessdate=November 13, 2008}}</ref>

The J8 is also assembled in Israel, by Automotive Industries Ltd (AIL) of Nazareth. It is locally badged '''[[Engineering:AIL Storm#Storm III|Storm 3]]''', and will be supplied as a command vehicle to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). A pair of production J8s was tested by Israeli web magazine [http://www.jeepolog.com Jeepolog.com] journalists in April 2009. It was dubbed "probably best Jeep ever". A civilian version was apparently considered for the local Israeli market, but the idea was abandoned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep%20j8%20road%20test.htm|title=AIL Storm 3, AKA Jeep J8 - world exclusive road test|work= jeepolog.com|accessdate=April 21, 2009}}</ref>

In 2012 a variant of the Storm 3 was introduced by AIL in Israel under the name '''Storm 3 Type R'''. According to Israeli Blog [http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeepolog_english_homepage.htm Jeepolog.com], this is a door-less, no windshield Jeep J8, running on 35" tires, and sporting metal tube fenders and roll-cage. It is intended for special forces use in the border patrol, pursuit, and deep strike missions.<ref>http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep%20j8%20storm%203%20type%20R%20road%20test.htm</ref>

American Expedition Vehicles, a Montana-based Jeep aftermarket parts producer, has struck a deal with Chrysler to sell 120 J8 component chassis in the US. These chassis are sold fully assembled but without an engine or transmission. This allows the customer to install or have installed either a 2.8L VM Turbodiesel with 339&nbsp;lb.-ft. of torque (460 N • m) or a 5.7-liter V-8 Chrysler HEMI. The vehicle can then be legally registered as a "component vehicle".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/j8_milspec.php |title=American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) - the AEV J8 MILSPEC, the toughest jeep available to civilians ever |access-date=2010-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114225649/http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/j8_milspec.php |archive-date=2010-11-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Since 2019 all J8s are produced by AADS using base vehicles manufactured in the US.

<big>'''Underground Mining'''</big>

A special version of the J8 was developed in 2009 by Jeep and VM Motori for the underground mining market.  This version is equipped with a version of the 2.8L VM turbodiesel that is approved by MSHA and CANMET for use in underground mines.

==Operators==
[[File:Military Light Tactical Vehicle Type C Display at ROCMA Ground 20160604a.jpg|thumb|250px|Republic of China Army Wrangler Unlimited]]
<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
* {{BLZ}} 7, USA donated to BDF- 3 Jeep J-eight transport vehicles, 3 Jeep J-eight Patrol vehicles, and one Jeep J-eight Ambulance.<ref>url=https://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/92559</ref>  
* {{CRO}} 5, USA donated to Croatian Army, used for peacekeeping.
* {{DOM}} 15, 5 used by the Dominican Army and 10 used by the Dominican Navy (Marine Infantry Command)<ref>url=http://mirandoloscuarteles.blogspot.com/2017/03/embajada-de-los-estados-unidos-dona-15.html</ref>
* {{SLV}}: used by Salvadoran Army.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sv.usembassy.gov/united-states-donates-boston-whaler-boat-to-el-salvadors-navy/|title=United States donates Boston Whaler boat to el Salvador's Navy|date=19 June 2020}}</ref>
* {{GHA}}: 40, used by Ghana Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/1114228/akufo-addo-presents-40-jeep-j8-vehicles-6-toyota.html|title = Akufo-Addo presents 40 Jeep J8 vehicles, 6 Toyota Hi-ace mini buses, 14 Toyota Hilux pick-ups to GAF to fight terrorists}}</ref>
* {{ITA}}: 210, used by Italian Army.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://moparinsiders.com/community/threads/jeep-j8-for-italian-army.3352/ | title=Jeep J8 for italian army | date=24 December 2020 }}</ref>
*{{PAN}}: 20 used by National Border Service (SENAFRONT).
* {{GTM}}: 250, used by Joint Task Force Tecún Umán, fuerza chorti son a combined military and police force in Guatemala<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.infodefensa.com/latam/2013/06/17/noticia-estados-unidos-dona-250-vehiculos-blindados-al-ejercito-y-policia-de-guatemala.html|title=Estados Unidos dona 250 vehículos blindados al Ejército y Policía de Guatemala|publisher=infodefensa.com|language=es|location=San Salvador|date=17 June 2013|accessdate=7 December 2013}}</ref>
* {{MGL}}: 35, used by Mongolian Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=gogo.mn |title=U.S assistance to the Mongolian Armed Force |url=https://mongolia.gogo.mn/r/149002 |access-date=2022-04-17 |website=gogo.mn |language=en}}</ref>
* {{PER}}: 38, used by Peruvian Army<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.andina.com.pe/agencia/noticia-peru-receives-usj8-vehicle-fleet-for-war-on-drugs-482836.aspx|title=Peru receives U.S.-J8 vehicle fleet for war on drugs|publisher=Andina|location=Lima|date=16 November 2013|accessdate=7 December 2013}}</ref>
* {{TWN}}: 3598, used by Republic of China Army
* {{TJK}}: 5, used by Tajikistan Peacekeeping Battalion<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://tj.usembassy.gov/u-s-embassy-dushanbe-conducts-handover-vehicles-tajikistans-peacekeeping-battalion|title=U.S. Embassy Dushanbe Conducts Handover of Vehicles to Tajikistan's Peacekeeping Battalion|publisher=U.S. Embassy in Tajikistan|date=9 November 2015|accessdate=18 November 2015}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}} 
* [http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_091307.html "New Military Version of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited".] jeephorizons.com. Retrieved September 16, 2007.
* [https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0709/gallery.jeep_wrangler_history//index.html?cnn=yes "Back in the Army".] CNN.com. Retrieved September 23, 2007.
* [http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_071008.html "Iconic Jeep J8 Offers Cargo and Towing For Humanitarian, Commercial and Military Uses".] jeephorizons.com. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
* [http://www.jeephorizons.com/news/j8_111308.html "Jeep J8 Production Begins at Arab American Vehicles Company".] jeephorizons.com. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
* [http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep%20j8%20road%20test.htm "AIL Storm 3, AKA Jeep J8 - world exclusive road test".] jeepolog.com. Retrieved April 21, 2009.
* [http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/english_pages/jeep%20j8%20storm%203%20type%20R%20road%20test.htm "AIL Storm 3 Type R - world exclusive road test".] jeepolog.com. Retrieved August 5, 2012.

==External links==
* [http://www.aads-gib.com/] The current manufacturer, agent and seller of the J8
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101114225649/http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/j8_milspec.php AEV J8 page]
* [http://www.jgms.com/ Jeep Government and Military Sales page]


[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]
[[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Military light utility vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|Jeep J8}}