4 Wheel Drive Zone

The Jeep Hurricane is a concept vehicle unveiled by Daimler-Chrysler at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. It opened with and continues to receive rave reviews! So many in fact that it was rumored that Daimler-Chrysler was considering a limited production run of the vehicle. Those rumors have died down, but the Hurricane continues to draw the interest and attention of 4×4 afficianados, and hey, why not?

As Daimler-Chrysler has said: “Jeep Hurricane is simply the most maneuverable, most capable and most powerful 4×4 ever built,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design. “It pays homage to the extreme enthusiasts’ Jeep vehicles in form and off-road capability, but is a unique interpretation of Jeep design. Simply stated, it is the extreme example for the Jeep brand.”

Why build such a vehicle? The Hurricane broadly successfully and dramatically illustrates Daimler-Chrysler’s ingenuity, technical ability and wherewithal. Still, the Hurricane does have practical applications out in the real world. As a Daimler-Chrysler spokesman put it, “Out in the wilderness, changing direction in minimal space can mean the difference between an afternoon of adventure and a distress call back to the trailhead…..The multi-mode four-wheel steering system on Jeep Hurricane is designed to offer enthusiasts the next level of performance and unexpected maneuverability.” It’s not hard to imagine that we’ll eventually see a military vehicle built off of this original design.

The Hurricane possesses an extremely powerful power system with not one but two 5.7-liter HEMI engines, one in the front and one in the back. Both engines deliver an impressive 335 horses for a total of 670 hp. The Hurricane set-up uses the Chrysler Group’s Multi-Displacement System which allows it to run on 4, 8, 12 or all 16 cylinders enabling it to adjust for speed, power and torque giving the driver ultimate power train control. The Hurricane is responsive and can go from 0 to 60 in less than five seconds!

The power is transferred through a central transfer case with split axles and has a mechanically controlled four-wheel torque distribution system. The suspensions, both front and rear, are short/long arm independent with 20 inches of travel, featuring coilover shocks with remote reservoirs.

One of the most impressive features of the Hurricane is its zero turning radius, which enables the vehicle to turn virtually in a circle in place! This is all thanks to a skid steer capability and toe steer, which is the ability to turn both front and rear tires inward. The Jeep concept vehicle has two types of 4-wheel steering: the traditional method with the rear tires turning opposite of the front wheels and an innovative one in which all four wheels turn in the same direction. This actually allows the Jeep Hurricane to move sideways without changing where it is pointing.

Topping off all of this is the Hurricane’s fantastic ground clearance of 14.3 inches and impressive approach-departure angles of 64.0 and 86.7 degrees. It really is a go anywhere do anything vehicle.

The Hurricane also features an innovative way to combine body, power-train and suspension. The suspension along with the power-train is mounted directly to the one-piece carbon fiber reinforced body, eliminating the weight and need for a frame. The vehicles belly is protected and connected by an aluminum spine, which acts as a huge skid plate mechanism. This is a lightweight and structurally strong set-up.

The general public wasn’t the only ones who loved what they saw. The Jeep Hurricane won Autoweek’s “Most Fun” Concept award at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. As we noted earlier there were rumors that Daimler-Chrysler was toying with the idea of a limited production, but those rumors have died down amid the company’s statement that this was indeed a concept vehicle and that’s all (at least for now). Kids, however, will be able to enjoy the Hurricane as Fisher-Price has introduced an all-new Jeep Hurricane toy.

When we speak of 4-wheeling or offroading one brand quickly comes to mind, Jeep. This iconoclastic auto currently built by the Daimler-Chrysler has an outstanding reputation of being a tough, dependable and terrain chomping machine. Jeeps reputation was first earned during World War II where the US Army and its allies used it as a small general transport vehicle. Jeep didn’t sit on its already lofty laurels. The brand has continued to build and develop its off-road reputation over the years following the war. Today the Jeep name is synonymous with off-road performance.

For such a durable and reliable vehicle to withstand the dangers and punishment of offroad driving, extremely dependable and strong parts are needed. Many aftermarket Jeep part manufacturers such as Warn, ARB, Bestop, Tuffy, SkyJacker, and Rough Country carry the very same reputation for toughness and dependability, and they should. After all, they’ve been used and abused by Jeep 4×4 aficionados over the past 20 years and they’ve stood up to the punishment! For those of us dedicated to 4×4 adventure, it is a necessary requirement for our Jeeps to have only the best replacement auto parts and aftermarket accessories made today to maximize the already impressive offroad capabilities of our vehicles.

Understanding that our Jeeps deserve the best replacement Jeep parts and accessories, Xtreme Terrain Concepts offers only the most reliable performance auto parts, replacement aftermarket auto parts, and accessories for all of the Jeep models, including the Willys, Jeep CJ, Jeep Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Liberty.

Among the best quality Jeep parts offered at Xtreme Terrain Concepts (XTC) are high quality offroad Jeep lights by KC KiLites. They offer fog lights, driving lights, and long-range driving lights. All built to take the pounding out on the trails. XTC also carries reliable aftermarket replacement Wrangler headlights, side lights, and taillights. These products will ensure that you have the lighting you need out in the wilderness where visibility is low and your chances of having an accident are higher. We all know it is important to be equipped with the proper auto lights when driving off-road, but having the basic headlights and taillights is not enough when you’re out on the trails pounding through the mud, rocks, dirt and snow. Especially when the weather is not cooperating. High performance Jeep driving lights and fog lights will cut through the fog, rain and whatever else you’ll run into so you’ll be able to see where you’re going.

Even though the coldest months are behind us, you still need to maintain your Jeep by getting top quality replacement parts when you find your existing parts not in top-notch working order. Doing the best job to maintain your Jeep will help reduce the risk of costly damage by part malfunction or even worse, an accident.