If the Jeep Wrangler is among your potential options when searching for used cars for sale, you might have noticed that Jeep seems to speak a different language. You might have a few terms translated; for example, the Rubicon is the standard top trim, and the more numbers and letters added after the word “Rubicon,” the more exciting the vehicle is.
One term that confuses some folks who are shopping for a used Jeep Wrangler is the term “Unlimited.” This doesn’t make you some kind of unknowledgeable Jeep newbie—it is actually confusing. The term “Jeep Wrangler Unlimited” has actually meant two different things in the past 20 years. As a result, a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a totally different model from a 2025 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The good news is that telling the difference between the two types of “Unlimited” is pretty easy. Take a quick spin through Jeep’s history to learn which is which while trying to find your ideal Wrangler.
The 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Makes Its Debut
In the Jeep Wrangler world, actively shopping for a 20-plus-year-old used car isn’t unheard of. However, if you’ve been shopping for Wranglers lately, you might notice that the prices for a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and a 2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are oddly similar. That’s not because one hastily depreciated or that the other is made of adamantium. It’s because they’re two separate things.
From 2004 to 2006, the term “Unlimited” was given to Wrangler models with a longer wheelbase. While still traditional 2-door Wranglers, these models are equipped with a box-section frame. The Unlimited models gain a 10-inch longer wheelbase, which is divided into extra legroom for the rear passengers as well as increasing the cargo capacity from 9 to 22 cu.ft. The extra stability of the longer frame gives early Unlimited models the advantage when towing, as well. The towing maximum for these models is 3500 lbs, compared to the 2000 lb towing capacity of the smaller models.
What to Expect in a 2004-2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The extended wheelbase version of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited continued through model year 2006. Throughout that time period, the vehicle saw a few changes that helped mold it into the Wrangler Unlimited we know today. The base engine for this early era of the Unlimited is a 4.0L inline-6 that provides a pleasant 190 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Though the 2004 Wrangler Unlimited comes with a four-speed automatic transmission only, the 2005 and 2006 models offer a choice of manual or automatic.
2005 also marked the addition of a new Unlimited model. Based on the success of the 2004 model, Jeep produced an extended-wheelbase Unlimited Rubicon for the 2005 model year. This version gained 15 inches of length—two of which were added to the backseat, with the remaining 13 added to the cargo area.
Though some early critics were concerned that a larger Jeep Wrangler Rubicon couldn’t possibly perform with the agility of the smaller original, Jeep made sure that the Unlimited Rubicon had everything it needed. That means front and rear Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok front and rear locking differentials, Rock-Trac transfer case with a 4:1 low range, and four-wheel disc brakes.
The 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon also introduced the world to the Sunrider soft top. Thanks to the longer length of the Unlimited body, this soft top can do the full top-down thing Wranglers are known for, but it can also be folded to create a 45×23 sunroof-type opening over the driver and front passenger.
The 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Brings New Enhancements and Four Doors
In their press release announcing the upcoming 2007 Wrangler, it is clear that Jeep could not have been more thrilled about the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Encouraged by the sales of the long-version Wrangler, Jeep decided to give the Unlimited badge a permanent home in the form of a lineup of four-door Wranglers.
This was, in fact, the first four-door version of a Jeep Wrangler. Before model year 2007, we simply crawled in through or over the front doors, through the cargo hold, where the roof would be before it was removed, or through the front if the driver had the windshield off. The point is that it suddenly became much more convenient to get in and out of a Jeep Wrangler.
It suddenly became more convenient to have a Wrangler as your daily driver, as well. The post-2007 Wrangler Unlimited offers seating for five. The 2007 Unlimited models gave rear passengers 56.7 inches of rear hip room and 37.2 inches of rear legroom—a significant boost from the extra two inches offered by the extended wheelbase two-door version. A 46.4 cu.ft. cargo bay behind the second-row seat could expand to 83 cu.ft. with the rear seats folded. This was unheard of in Wrangler terms; in fact, it tops several contemporary models, like the 2006 Nissan Xterra or Hummer H3.
In addition to size, the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited gained power. Offered in X, Sahara, and Rubicon trims, they each included a 3.8L V6 engine that provides 205 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Features like a Command-Trac part-time two-speed transfer case are offered on the X and Sahara trims, while the Rubicon continues with the Rock-Trac system. A standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) adds directional stability during strange driving conditions, including full-on, full-off, and partial-on settings to give drivers the right amount of control.
What to Expect in a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Today
Since 2007, the Jeep Wrangler has seen plenty of changes. So how does the 2025 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited differ from the 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, besides the obvious things, like the number of doors? The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is issued with a 3.6L V6 with 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque—considerably more than its predecessors. Drivers also had the choice of a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 engine, which gives the Wrangler Unlimited 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. If that’s still not enough, look for used Rubicon 392 Final Edition models, which are equipped with a 470 hp 6.4L V8.
Another major difference is the number of trims offered in the Unlimited configuration. Over the years, more and more trims have been getting the 4-door treatment, giving the 2024 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited lineup a full range of choices: the Sport, Sport S, Willys, Rubicon, and Rubicon X. The Sahara and Rubicon 392 trims are offered as four-door models only. Best of all, the standard off-roading equipment is essentially the same for each model, regardless of whether it’s a two-door or Unlimited model.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited’s Story Continues
If you’re looking for a car that has the off-road prowess and agility of a Jeep Wrangler but wishes it was just a little bit larger, consider the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. In both two- and four-door versions, you will have more in-cabin room without sacrificing the ability to ford, climb, and crawl with the best of them. We once lived in a world where a four-door Wrangler wasn’t even a concept. Today, four-door sales account for a large chunk of Jeep’s annual sales, leaving critics admitting that maybe it’s not such a strange idea, after all. Besides, you can’t spell “functional” without “fun.”
