The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most mod-friendly off-roaders one can buy today. The company itself offers hundreds of accessories and packages through Mopar, but that doesn’t limit other aftermarket companies to work on the Wrangler.

One such company is the U.K.-based Chelsea Truck Company. The company currently works on the Jeep Wrangler, Land Rover Defender, and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It makes many iterations of the Wrangler and the Defender, but in this piece, we’ll be looking at the Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition.

2019 Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition by Chelsea Truck Company

Specifications
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  • Model: 2019 Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition by Chelsea Truck Company
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

- LED headlights and Daytime Running Lights - Four-slat grille - Power bump on the Iron Man vented bonnet - 20-inch black Jeep 1986 design for the wheels - Cooper STT PRO Tires - LED Lightbar on the Roof

This is one of the best renditions I have seen in a while by an aftermarket company. Chelsea has managed to give the Wrangler a new look without actually eliminating the signature look. The company has changed the signature seven-slat grille to a four-slat unit with industrial mesh. Chelsea engineers have also added LED Daytime Running Lights on this edition. The round headlights remain as they were, but now get a shadow chrome effect in them. The front bumper has been replaced with a chunkier piece that features not just the fog lights, but also two auxiliary lights known as Tron rings and two little LED bars at the corners. The hood, too, has been tweaked into what Chelsea calls an ‘Iron Man vented bonnet’.

Other than the new wheels and the fenders, nothing else is changed. But these changes are enough to make the two-door SUV look much different than the stock Wrangler. The fenders are changed to wide wings with integrated apertures. The new wheels are 20-inch black Jeep 1986 design in 3D texture. They are wrapped in Cooper STT PRO tires measuring 275/55/20. These off-road tires have a lovely tread pattern that not only does the work, but also looks aesthetically pleasing.

Head over to the back and you will notice that the spare tire comes with a Chelsea cover. Although it’s a nice, tight fit, it feels a little el-cheapo. The tailpipes are swapped for much better Quad Crosshair Exhaust System tailpipes. The fuel filler cap is now in Satin Black and matches with the overall looks of the Wrangler. Other than that it’s all standard affair. Then there's the removable rear windshield with the rear wiper mounted on the top end of the glass and a high mounted stop light placed above the spare tire. These are a lot more durable than the stock units and will last longer. On the roof is an LED light bar that illuminates the road ahead. Chelsea has also installed a Targa Roof on the Black Hawk Military Edition. It goes unsaid that the SUV is lifted to give it a tougher look and accommodate the bigger tires.

Interior

- Stainless steel plates on the door sills - GTB Sports Seats - Pedals are finished in machined aluminum - All the upholstery is wrapped in quilted leather - The infotainment system is untouched - Six speakers for the audio system

Chelsea Truck Company has paid attention to the inside of the Wrangler as much as it did on the exterior. As soon as you open the doors, you will be welcomed to the Jeep by the stainless steel plates on the door sills. The floor mats have been swapped for toughened rubber mats that look to be as versatile as the all-weather mats. The dash and steering wheels have been left untouched. The glove on the passenger side also receives the same treatment. The accelerator and brake pedals are finished in machined aluminum. As for the seats, Chelsea has thrown out the stock seats and replaced them with GTB Sports seats that are also re-upholstered in quilted and perforated leather. These seats are heated.

To further add exclusivity, the company offers the Interior Chelsea Truck Co. Identification Plate and the Interior Investing in British Industry Badge. Chelsea is not a small name in the U.K., so these badges are worth something. The infotainment system is untouched and comes with six speakers. Even the air conditioning is the stock system with auto temperature control. The interior wears a dark scheme overall and despite having big windows and windshields, the cabin feels a bit claustrophobic. Nevertheless, the changes made by Chelsea further enhance how the SUV looks and feels on the inside.

Drivetrain

- 2.8-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine - 197 Horses - 339 Pound-feet of torque - Five-speed automatic gearbox - Lift kit installed - Quad Crosshair Exhaust System tailpipes

Surprisingly, the aftermarket company has not made any changes under the hood. The most preferred engine in the lineup is the Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine that churns out 285 ponies and 260 pound-feet of twist. This is the same mill that is present under the hood of the Jeep Gladiator as well. An eight-speed automatic transmission is optional. Jeep offers a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged mill as optional in most models. In the Sahara trim, you can have it with the e-Torque assist system as well. This, by the way, is based on the Sahara.

However, this particular example comes with a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that makes 197 horses and 339 pound-feet of torque. Although the specs seem meager at best, it is much better than it looks on paper. There is not much turbo lag and the engine enters to rev band quite quickly. Thanks to the widespread torque range, the Wrangler sprints to high speeds quite quickly. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox which is the Achilles’ heel here. All in all, it may not be a free-revving mill like the Pentastar V-6, but the engine will not leave you wanting for more.

Pricing

The Jeep Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition is not a cheap vehicle by any means. Chelsea sells the modified Wrangler for £73,999, which comes up to approximately $91,000.

Final Thoughts

The Wrangler Black Hawk Military Edition looks absolutely stunning from the outside and is luxurious on the inside. It would’ve been good if the company had made changes to the 2.8-liter diesel mill by adding more power to it, or riding it on a new suspension setup. All it gets is a new exhaust system and a lift job. If you want exclusivity with a fancy company’s badge, this is the go-to vehicle. But if you’re looking for bang for the buck from this Jeep, you'd better look elsewhere.

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler.

Driving the 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL