Did a Detroit Scrapyard Just Sell Someone a 2018 Jeep Wrangler Hood?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The Jeep Wrangler rumor mill has run with a wide-open throttle ever since Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ sweater-clad chairman started work on the next-generation model.

Details are still scarce, but we know that the 2018 Wrangler sports plenty of aluminum parts and an oh-so-careful redesign. However, one Minnesota Jeep enthusiast believes he got his hands on a piece of the real thing, and from an unlikely source.

According to a poster on the American Expedition Vehicles forum, the unique hood he bought for his Jeep Wrangler Unlimited might be from a 2018 Wrangler.

The poster, redrockjk, claims he purchased the hood from a reputable recycler in the Detroit area, thinking it was a 2014 Hard Rock part. The hood features air vents and Rubicon graphics. After installation, the hood revealed itself to be two inches longer than stock, overhanging the grille like a furrowed brow.

In his words:

The guy there was very helpful with sending pics before the sale so I could see what I was getting and getting it freight shipped to me in 3 days. Got the hood unpacked and went to install today only to find out the hood I bought is almost 2 inches longer than my stock hood. There are no vin stickers or mopar stamped part numbers on this hood (which is not the norm for jeep/mopar) The place I purchased from is near Chelsea proving grounds and the guy there thinks there “might have been a mix up”.

One forum member suggested it could be a cheap Chinese aftermarket part, while others coaxed more information out of the confused owner. Another suggested selling it back to FCA, assuming it is from a prototype.

One of the things we do know about the 2018 Wrangler is its heavy use of aluminum to cut down on weight and improve fuel economy. Alcoa has been tapped to provide aluminum for the Wrangler’s doors and hood. The dimensions of that hood is unknown, and the forum poster doesn’t comment on the mystery hood’s weight.

After a slew of questions, the poster reiterated that the hood “came as you see it, painted, stickered and outfitted, out of Detroit from a recycler and that recycler told me there location is close to the Chelsea proving grounds and they receive vehicles to part out from FCA.”

Four days ago, the poster provided another update, and a telling one at that. The recycling yard asked to take it back.

“I wanted to save it but unfortunately I’m not made of money and have an expensive wall art that would only serve as a conversation piece,” said the poster. “I was told it’s going back to FCA.”

If the hood is indeed from a 2018 Wrangler, expect a longer nose when the redesigned off-roader debuts. The Wrangler’s grille, as well as its windshield, is expected to take on a more severe slant to improve aerodynamics. Other fuel-saving measures include an eight-speed automatic transmission and the likely addition of a turbocharged 2.0-liter “Hurricane” four-cylinder making about 300 horsepower.

[Images: forum.aev-conversions.com]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Lou_BC Lou_BC on Oct 14, 2016

    Highly unlikely that ANY pre-production part would find its way to the auto wrecker. The guy got screwed with a 'jobber" part.

  • Commando Commando on Oct 14, 2016

    You'd think that after all these years TTAC would finally hire a proofreader to oversee all these blog "journalists" who learned their A,B,C's Twittering on their iPhone. Humanity is doomed.

    • See 5 previous
    • Tosh Tosh on Oct 15, 2016

      @Kyree Lighten up, Francis.

  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
  • JTiberius1701 Middle of April here in NE Ohio. And that can still be shaky. Also on my Fiesta ST, I use Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires for the winter and Bridgestone Potenza for my summer tires. No issues at all.
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