Peak Box

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux) 09/08/2019 at 15:30 • Filed to: None

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A) I wanted to avoid spoiling my first choice. B) I wanted to give a shout-out to the Flex because box!

I was reminded by !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! how much I adore the FJ-4x and FJ-6x vehicles, and how indifferent I am towards any of their successors. Since becoming a Jeep owner I have become a box devotee (arguably “box snob”), and I thought I’d look at some popular SUVs and try to pinpoint peak box for each.

(I won’t tackle pickups here, but I’d encourage someone who cares more about them to do so.)

Jeep Wrangler

This is a bit of a trick question. Technically peak box for the Wrangler predates it; the flat fender CJs were more boxy than anything AMC or more recent.

While David Tracy prefers the high hood of the CJ-3B, I’ll stick with the original CJ-2A as peak box.

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Jeep Cherokee

This is easy. Whether or not you consider the Jeep Liberty to be part of the Cherokee lineage (it was named Cherokee overseas, after all), the XJ Cherokee was absolutely peak box, with all due respect to the SJ Cherokee that preceded it.

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Chevy Suburban

It’s amazing to me that peak box for the Suburban arrived during its 6th generation. 6th! What an incredible heritage.

I am an absolute sucker for any two-toned box. Expect another piece on two-toned vehicles, eventually.

Ford Bronco

First generation. Was there ever any doubt?

Toyota Land Cruiser

I’ve long thought that if I had a dream driveway that could either contain a Wrangler/XJ combination or an FJ-40/FJ-60, I’d have a brutally hard time choosing. The Jeep driveway would probably win out just because the Wrangler would be less brutal on my bad back than an FJ-40, but still.

Because I distinguished Wrangler and XJ as two different vehicles here, I’ll give Toyota the same benefit of the doubt and call the 40 and 60 each peak box. Honorable mention to the FJ Cruiser that tried valiantly (but awkwardly) to reclaim that classic SUV heritage.

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Scout is tricky, in part because I don’t know much about them, in part because they didn’t change much over the years. Unlike the CJ/Wrangler series where I think, given 5 minutes or so, I could figure out each model blindfolded (yes, that’s a slight exaggeration), I’d have a hard time using Wikipedia to distinguish one Scout from another.

I saw what I think was one of these a few months ago, and it was sexy as hell, so I’m going with the Scout II Traveller.

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Suzuki Jimny

Much like the Scout, I struggle distinguishing Jimnys, but I’ll go with the SJ30.

What did I leave out? Let me know.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 15:47

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You forgot one, the only one that reached peak box and never came down from the top.

Just Jeepin' > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) 09/08/2019 at 15:51

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Good catch. I’ve never heard anything about it except from the FP. Wouldn’t even know it exists otherwise.

(Lada Niva for anyone unfamiliar like me.)

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 15:56

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Great post! Peak box is peak car IMO. I  only know because of FP too. The reason I didn’t include the name is I think it is no longer produced by Lada as the ‘Niva’ but under some other weird name. I’m also pretty sure they are made under license under other names too.

fhrblig > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 15:59

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I don’t know, I think the current ‘ Burb is even boxier than the one you mentioned.

fhrblig > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 16:03

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In the non-SUV category, I always loved the ‘80 Corolla wagon. Boxy but with round headlights.

Just Jeepin' > fhrblig 09/08/2019 at 16:33

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I agree the lines are straighter, but it was in part because of the Suburban I declined to offer any definition of peak box. The current model has straight lines but no character.

(And I’ll never define what I mean by “character” either lest I be placed...in a box.)

Just Jeepin' > fhrblig 09/08/2019 at 16:33

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Nice. I saw an early Camry the other day near work and was amazed at how boxy it was. 

Boxer_4 > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 17:09

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I’m undecided on whether the pre-facelift or facelift XJ is boxier:

Boxer_4 > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 17:16

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The first generation, pre-facelift Forester (SF) is definitely peak box for the Forester.

Just Jeepin' > Boxer_4 09/08/2019 at 17:44

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My vote is pre, but it’s not something I spend a lot of time thinking about.

Future Heap Owner > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 18:32

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Are only SUVs/off-roaders eligible?

Edit: oh, yes, I see that now in the first paragraph.

I want somebody to do this for Volvos... but maybe that’s not very interesting.

Just Jeepin' > Future Heap Owner 09/08/2019 at 18:40

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I think a look at wagons would be great. 

OPPOsaurus WRX > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 20:32

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may I present to you, the all time peak box.

Just Jeepin' > OPPOsaurus WRX 09/08/2019 at 20:42

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Time for you to do a post on boxy vans.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Just Jeepin' 09/08/2019 at 23:53

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Pretty much every Land Rover made until 2000?  

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Future Heap Owner 09/09/2019 at 07:19

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I always feel like Volvos look about 10 years behind the curve.

If I see a Volvo and it looks like a 1995, it’s probably a 2005. If it looks like a 1970, it’s probably a 1980. Etc.

Even my wife notices this trend, it’s odd.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Just Jeepin' 09/09/2019 at 07:21

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I would argue that era Suburban is too swoo py/rounded to be peak box, this is clearly peak box Suburban ( while still having character )

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Just Jeepin' 11/06/2019 at 09:26

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The L040 was definitely the Pajero/Montero/Shogun/Raider peak box

Hamtractor > Just Jeepin' 11/06/2019 at 10:12

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I think the 88-91 Suburbans are peak GM box.  WAY more box.