New Wrangler Might Not Have Solid Axles

[ride172]

Hornbrod bought one... is he a "true jeeper"? Or is he a 1%. There are plenty of faithful Jeep owners out there who will not buy a new ifs Jeep of any name. I am one of them. There are others that feel the same in the comments of the article. That is lost profit. Period. To say otherwise is foolish. Like I said Jeep can do what they want. Please tell us why 99% of people who bought new wranglers aren't "true jeepers". I actually misread your comment. Please tell us why anyone who buys a new wrangler isn't a jeeper.

[ride172]

99% have flowery or its a Jeep thing tire cover? I'm calling you a liar.

[Minuit]

99% have flowery or its a Jeep thing tire cover? I'm calling you a liar.

 

Call me whatever you want. I'll just add it to my list. Sure, 99% is hyperbole and shouldn't be understood as my or anyone else's serious opinion but I do see an awful lot of JKs that are treated much more like cars than Jeeps. :thumbsup:

[HOrnbrod]

Hornbrod bought one... is he a "true jeeper"? Or is he a 1%. There are plenty of faithful Jeep owners out there who will not buy a new ifs Jeep of any name. I am one of them. There are others that feel the same in the comments of the article. That is lost profit. Period. To say otherwise is foolish. Like I said Jeep can do what they want. Please tell us why 99% of people who bought new wranglers aren't "true jeepers". I actually misread your comment. Please tell us why anyone who buys a new wrangler isn't a jeeper.

 

Not that this deserves a response, but I'll respond anyhow.   :yes:   "True Jeeper"? WTF is that? Everyone has their own opinion, and they mean nothing to me. In my mind, if you have build several Jeeps of varying models to varying degrees over time to attain what you want from them and have exclusively driven Jeeps for many years, you are a "True Jeeper". Doesn't matter what the trolls say.

 

As far as justifying buying a new JKU, I bought a new 2012 end-of-the-year model equipped all the options I wanted (and because of the 1st year 3.6 Pentastar engine) and paid cash because I can, because got a good deal, because it holds it's resale value better than most any other new US vehicle does, and because Mama wanted one. I consider her a "True Jeeper" too. I immediately made suspension and steering mods for it, and it's a safe, secure, and reliable ride for her with decent mileage. And no, it's never going off road. 

 

"True Jeepers"  :hmm:

[JeepcoMJ]

That was no insult to you guys with money who buy new cars here and there.

 

That was definitely a slight to the people who piss and moan about the "new jeep IFS" and have no intention of buying new anyways, much less the income to afford it. Which seems to be most jeepers, or a good percentage of the people on forums.

 

 

I agree with Don's definition of a "true jeeper", just saying that most people who know how to turn a wrench aren't in a position to buy a vehicle straight off the lot, so your opinions just do not matter, because you won't affect the sales either way of those vehicles.

[nitroxsteve]

99% of trucks sold never haul anything other than groceries, 99% of sports cars never see a track, 99% of all convertibles drive around with the tops up 99% of the time. I don't see anyone saying the manufactures should stop building these vehicles. Lots of people buythings that may not be the most practical for their needs but thats what they want to drive. I'm not sure I consider my self a true "Jeeper" or not but I did buy the first JK at my local dealer in 2007 and is got a fair amount of off road use, I also purchased a new 2012 grand Cherokee and it sees a little off road even if it does have independent suspension front and rear. Would I buy a new wrangler with ifs/ irs no but as I said earlier I still don't think it will change anytime soon but I could be wrong.

[nitroxsteve]

As far as not people who don't buy new cars not affecting what is on new lots is untrue IMO. I am sure that Jeep would not want to loose the resale value of the wrangler. I don't think Chrysler would want a bunch of used wrangler sitting around their lots in a couple of years with no market to move them into.

[HOrnbrod]

That was no insult to you guys with money who buy new cars here and there.

 

That was definitely a slight to the people who piss and moan about the "new jeep IFS" and have no intention of buying new anyways, much less the income to afford it. Which seems to be most jeepers, or a good percentage of the people on forums.

 

 

I agree with Don's definition of a "true jeeper", just saying that most people who know how to turn a wrench aren't in a position to buy a vehicle straight off the lot, so your opinions just do not matter, because you won't affect the sales either way of those vehicles.

 

Well stated Pat.  :thumbsup:

[jpnjim]

The next Wrangler will probably be a Greyhound Bus with a 7 slot grille & a trail rated sticker ;)

 

IFS?

We'll see,

if they were smart (and we know they are not)

they would do a full on IFS Wrangler prerunner first,

at least as a concept vehicle

ala Ford Raptor 

and get some excitement going for the idea.

 

Until then,

it would receive as much acceptance as the KJ did.

[HOrnbrod]

The next Wrangler will probably be a Greyhound Bus with a 7 slot grille & a trail rated sticker ;)

 

IFS?

We'll see,

if they were smart (and we know they are not)

they would do a full on IFS Wrangler prerunner first,

at least as a concept vehicle

ala Ford Raptor 

and get some excitement going for the idea.

 

Until then,

it would receive as much acceptance as the KJ did.

 

Where you been Jim? How 'bout them Sox?   :yes:

[jpnjim]

 

The next Wrangler will probably be a Greyhound Bus with a 7 slot grille & a trail rated sticker ;)

 

IFS?

We'll see,

if they were smart (and we know they are not)

they would do a full on IFS Wrangler prerunner first,

at least as a concept vehicle

ala Ford Raptor 

and get some excitement going for the idea.

 

Until then,

it would receive as much acceptance as the KJ did.

 

Where you been Jim? How 'bout them Sox?   :yes:

Hi Don!

just been (trying to) focus on other stuff for a bit,

I don't know why I bother, haven't gotten crap done lately :)

 

I thought of you when the Sox were closing in on #3   :)

 

Life is good :D

[JeepcoMJ]

 

That was no insult to you guys with money who buy new cars here and there.

That was definitely a slight to the people who piss and moan about the "new jeep IFS" and have no intention of buying new anyways, much less the income to afford it. Which seems to be most jeepers, or a good percentage of the people on forums.

I agree with Don's definition of a "true jeeper", just saying that most people who know how to turn a wrench aren't in a position to buy a vehicle straight off the lot, so your opinions just do not matter, because you won't affect the sales either way of those vehicles.

 

Well stated Pat.  :thumbsup:

Thanks.

 

I love MJ's, I tolerate XJ's, but they just do not compare to the ride quality of a KJ with IFS

 

I personally would have no use for a wrangler unless it had independent suspension. I'd rather use it as a convertible that looks cool and build a buggy or another throwaway xj trail rig...which, if I built a buggy...guess what? It would have IFS.

[Incommando]

Some people do wheel new jeeps.The only jeep I ever purchased new was the aforementioned KJ. I bought it on a Tuesday and took it for an organized trail ride that Saturday with the temporary tags still on it. The biggest limiting factor was the horrible stock tires. It was lifted & had a locker installed as soon as the main 12 month/12,000 warranty was surpassed.

 

That being said such examples are a rarity & that is the reason I cited earlier in this post as to why manufacturers really do not care about how expensive or hard it will be to modify vehicles. Such actions do not make them any money and most moderately off-roaded jeeps are not purchased off of a used car lot from my experience. They are bought from private owners, usually a few owners down the line, and in a well-used condition. I would say that the demographics of those buying a late-model used jeep on a lot, especially one that was a trade-in at a dealer, are not all that much different from those who buy new and that the vast majority of such late-model used jeeps are financed. That they are making payments on it is probably a common reason that keeps down the number of people hammering on their late-model used jeeps pretty hard, I suspect. I can assure you that XJ's (started sales in '83) and YJ's ( started sales in '87) were pretty rare trail sights into the early '90s but they are everywhere now.

[jpnjim]

I can think of maybe a dozen or so wheeling friends who bought brand new TJs to Wheel in the early 2000's.

Two of them even had the dealer slap on some goodies so they could be financed in & covered by the new vehicle warrentees.

 

Maybe not typical,

but there were dozens of TJ's on the trails as  early as 1997-1998, when they were brand new.

 

Lots of people bought new JK's when they first came out, just to wheel too.

 

Not typical either,

but the manufacturers know those Jeeps each spawn untold numbers of buyers who copy them for trips to the mall only.

[Oyaji]

I can think of maybe a dozen or so wheeling friends who bought brand new TJs to Wheel in the early 2000's.

Two of them even had the dealer slap on some goodies so they could be financed in & covered by the new vehicle warrentees.

 

Maybe not typical,

but there were dozens of TJ's on the trails as  early as 1997-1998, when they were brand new.

 

Lots of people bought new JK's when they first came out, just to wheel too.

 

Not typical either,

but the manufacturers know those Jeeps each spawn untold numbers of buyers who copy them for trips to the mall only.

.

Agreed.

.

Off-road capability that depends in large part on the superior articulation of solid-axle suspension is part of Jeep's heritage and brand recognition. Abandoning that will cost them sales to some degree in the long run, I am sure, because even though independent suspension (front AND rear) is superior for the street where most miles are driven, when people buy Jeep they are buying the image of capability and rugged individualism, even if they never once take it off the pavement. I guess fulfilling the irrational desires of the consumer that drive marketing is diametrically opposed to the cost of lawsuits that result from rollover accidents... and that the financial bottom line balancing projected lost sales against legal costs is ultimately what will drive the final design decision.

[JeepcoMJ]

Maybe you've missed the cue, but most competition offroad rigs are now IFS. You can get ALOT more out of them.

 

BTW, how about articulation while maintaining full tread contact? Solid axles can't do that.

[Pete M]

it would appear to me that superior ride quality is irrelevant in the case of the wrangler.  :dunno:  people seem to be buying them based on looks and the theoretical offroad prowess, regardless of them not having the great ride or numerous cupholders of a minivan.    it would be neat if they had both IFS and solid axle versions, but there would have to be a monetary gain to be had before they would do it.  how many more people would buy them?  they already sell every one they can shove out the door. :yes:  ya don't mess with the bread winner. 

[ComancheKid45]

 ya don't mess with the bread winner. 

 

 

Hahaha, in terms of so much nowadays this phrase is sadly irrelevant. The auto industry is no exception........I still always say "if it aint broke, don't fix it" too bad most things anymore are just built broken it seems.

[Oyaji]

Maybe you've missed the cue, but most competition offroad rigs are now IFS. You can get ALOT more out of them.

 

BTW, how about articulation while maintaining full tread contact? Solid axles can't do that.

.

At what sort of speed?

[Eagle]

The jeep we know and love is dead. Oh well. It's about time to just let it be.

 

This sums it up.

 

I was at the dealership yesterday (at the parts department, naturally). The parts manager had just stepped out of one of the new Cherokees, so I asked him how he liked it. He just rolled his eyes. (Like most at this dealership, he's a long-time Jeep guy.) He said it drives nicely, to has WAY too many gadgets. Apparently there's some kind of driver alert sensor that shakes the steering wheel if it senses wandering out of your lane. The auto transmission is a 9-speed wunderbox. It has 4-wheel disc brakes, and to compress the rear calipers the technician has to use the dealer's scan tool and do it through the ABS computer. No more shade tree brake jobs.

 

IFS/IRS aside, there's just not a lot there for a Jeeper to love.

[ComancheKid45]

 

The jeep we know and love is dead. Oh well. It's about time to just let it be.

 

This sums it up.

 

I was at the dealership yesterday (at the parts department, naturally). The parts manager had just stepped out of one of the new Cherokees, so I asked him how he liked it. He just rolled his eyes. (Like most at this dealership, he's a long-time Jeep guy.) He said it drives nicely, to has WAY too many gadgets. Apparently there's some kind of driver alert sensor that shakes the steering wheel if it senses wandering out of your lane. The auto transmission is a 9-speed wunderbox. It has 4-wheel disc brakes, and to compress the rear calipers the technician has to use the dealer's scan tool and do it through the ABS computer. No more shade tree brake jobs.

 

IFS/IRS aside, there's just not a lot there for a Jeeper to love.

 

Yep this is probably the best way to put it  :(

[dasbulliwagen]

I just came back from tech training today. I asked the trainer about this and he assured me that there will always be a solid axle wrangler. The Jeep heritage of the solid axle and foldable windshield seemed very important to them. These guys are privy to a lot of inside information. So only time will tell. I hope he's right.

[Incommando]

I just came back from tech training today. I asked the trainer about this and he assured me that there will always be a solid axle wrangler. The Jeep heritage of the solid axle and foldable windshield seemed very important to them. These guys are privy to a lot of inside information. So only time will tell. I hope he's right.

Me too. Fingers crossed