I was out to dinner a few months ago with a Chrysler designer who hangs out with the jeep crew quite a bit. We were mostly talking about the mighty FC but he did say that the new wrangler was going to be incredible and much more "organic" looking, whatever the hell that means. He did also hint at the end of the solid axle.
2016 Wrangler: Reading the tea leaves
- Thread starter haven
- Start date
Clutch
<---Pass
Wonder what that says about the demographics.?.Guess we (society today, not me) want our BIG 'ol cake and eat it too! haha
Kinda what is happening with regular cab pickups, they are dying a slow death.
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/04/is-the-regular-cab-pickup-doomed.html
Very interesting and helpful thread.
I am debating whether or not to buy a current generation JKUR or wait a bit longer for the long rumored diesel JKUR in a few years.
My 2005 Wrangler Unlimited is in good shape and the content here has given me a bit more comfort about waiting till 2016 model year.
R
I am debating whether or not to buy a current generation JKUR or wait a bit longer for the long rumored diesel JKUR in a few years.
My 2005 Wrangler Unlimited is in good shape and the content here has given me a bit more comfort about waiting till 2016 model year.
R
While IFS does work well for KOH, for the cost, would be surprised if Chrysler-Jeep put in an IFS system that was as robust and capable off-road as a current solid axle setup. That said, as long as they keep it body on frame and leave some space for a Dynatrac up front, I would survive.
I would certainly be interested in a lighter weight Wrangler due to the potential benefits off road, on road, and at the pump.
I would certainly be interested in a lighter weight Wrangler due to the potential benefits off road, on road, and at the pump.
X-plorenow
Adventurer
Every other Jeep product has IFS, and they consider them "trail rated". Let's not forget that the infamous Hummer and Toyota products are all IFS, and considered very robust.
expedition4x4
Explorer
If the redesign of the 2014 cherokee is any indication of what is to come, the death of the brand is imminent.
Agreed, and for light trails, every other Jeep, Toyota, or Hummer would be a great option. If you are going on technical trails with a lot of rocks and off-camber goodness, a standard, street biased suspension does not perform as well. If it did, I would not have had a chance to use my TJM recovery gear as often as I have :sombrero: .
Scott Brady
Founder
Not so sure.
They need to make SUVs like that for CAFE standard averages. Lots of people will buy them, which is good for Jeep and allows them to keep building Wranglers. Just look at the evolution of the Wrangler from the YJ. Each model gets better. The current 10th Anniversary JKUR is the most capable Jeep ever made, and it is a 2013 model.
It is much like the Evoque and Land Rover. Sure, none of us will buy an Evoque, but if they sell enough of them, it paves the way for the new Defender.
Justincredible
Adventurer
Money talks, and Jeeps sells as many Wranglers as they can produce, all while costing very little to make (compared to other vehicles).
I just don't see them saying "well, we sold 1,000,000 wranglers from 2007-2013, now let's do a complete 180°."
I see them making it lighter, a little more aerodynamic, and maybe adding some performance or a deisel, but I doubt they will mess too much with a proven (and very cost effective) formula.
I just don't see them saying "well, we sold 1,000,000 wranglers from 2007-2013, now let's do a complete 180°."
I see them making it lighter, a little more aerodynamic, and maybe adding some performance or a deisel, but I doubt they will mess too much with a proven (and very cost effective) formula.
The Swiss
Expedition Leader
I had been talking to several Jeep engineers in the last couple months and got from all of them very similar answers when it comes to the next generation Wrangler. Here some quotes.
The Jeep brand is probably the Chrysler organization's most valuable asset, and the Wrangler the most valuable asset of Jeep, followed by the Grand Cherokee. I’m confident that everybody in the team working on the next gen Wrangler is aware of the responsibility they have.
- "We don't want to make the Wrangler different, just better."
- "Every change is carefully discussed, over and over and over and then again."
- “With other models we try to push the envelope, but the Wrangler is all about tradition."
- "C’mon, the car industry is about making money. The JK is already in its 7th year and we still can’t build enenough of ‘em, sell ‘em like hot cakes. We would be insane messing with what it stands for".
The Jeep brand is probably the Chrysler organization's most valuable asset, and the Wrangler the most valuable asset of Jeep, followed by the Grand Cherokee. I’m confident that everybody in the team working on the next gen Wrangler is aware of the responsibility they have.
Scott Brady
Founder
As an interesting note, the Wrangler Rubicon is the most costly of all Jeeps to produce, even more so than the Grand Cherokee Overland.
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Not at all, I just cant see the engineers redesigning everything else and leaving the TC as is.