Current Wrangler to live-on until 2018?

[EMrider]

Natural Gas anyone??

The " Big Three " are also going to in next couple of years will be introducing an LNG engine, there's an abundance of NG from lack manufacturing and fracturing!

There will be a transition from oil to gas because oil will too expensive for lower class portion of this country ( Middle Class ) and NG will the peoples propellant!

Also, Chrysler needs to make money and take time to do the proper morphing of the JK!

Look at the stir the " Cherokee " pod/shuttlecraft has done through out the Web!

IMHO, this is where we are going in terms of motor vehicle technology over the next 20 years. We are now in the "gas age" and the petroleum age is coming to an end. Thank goodness too.

Unlikely that CNG vehicles will be mainstream in the next 5 years. Will likely take 10-15.

R

 

[Dan Grec]

I have a friend that bought a totaled GC with a 3.0 and installed it in his 2008 JKU. It was a tight fit, and the weight of it has collapsed the aftermarket lift springs BUT it runs great and gets descent mileage...

Can you get us any more details on that?
Is there a build thread anywhere?

What transmission is he running?
What computer? Do all the stock gauges work?
Mileage?

Thanks,
-Dan

 

[Scott Brady]

I definitely don't want a 4 banger in a Jeep. I am praying for the 3.0 V6 CRD. The euro 4 banger diesel is like driving a tractor.

The 4-cyl turbo diesel is pretty sweet, and frugal on fuel. I have never felt a lack of power appropriate to the vehicle.

 

[David Harris]

I think it's inevitable that the next one will be at least IFS, if not fully independent, as well. It's actually amazing that the current one went to production with a SFA.

 

[haven]

Using CNG as fuel is a straightforward mod for a gasoline engine. One problem is in the size of the fuel tank needed to provide the 250-300 mile range that people enjoy with gasoline powered vehicles. Because the CNG is stored at high pressure, the tank is usually cylindrical (like a scuba tank) to maintain strength. For example, the Honda Civic CNG fuel tank occupies the space of the conventional gasoline tank, and about half the trunk space, yet provides a range of only about 225 miles. It's easier to fit a CNG tank to a larger vehicle, like a pickup truck.

 

[haven]

"it's inevitable that the next one will be at least IFS"

Maybe not. Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee and new Cherokee with IFS. It makes little sense for Jeep to have three similar size vehicles in the same approximate price range (mid to high $30K). The Wrangler's solid front axle helps buyers see it's intended for a different use than the others.

 

[David Harris]

"it's inevitable that the next one will be at least IFS"

Maybe not. Jeep offers the Grand Cherokee and new Cherokee with IFS. It makes little sense for Jeep to have three similar size vehicles in the same approximate price range (mid to high $30K). The Wrangler's solid front axle helps buyers see it's intended for a different use than the others.

Well since most Wranglers are arguably bought for looks, the fact that it is clearly a different visual concept from the GC, etc is really all that matters. i.e. open top, rugged, safari/off road looks compared to conventional refinement like the others. The reason I think it is inevitable is that so many people who buy these just drive on the road, so IFS makes more sense. That's why other manufacturers, such as Toyota and Land Rover went to IFS long ago.

 

[Hawkz]

If Jeep decides to sell the standard Wranglers with IFS/IRS, but the Rubicon with solid axles, I would be ok with that. The problem is the designs are different enough that I don't think it's practical...

 

[TexasTJ]

If Jeep decides to sell the standard Wranglers with IFS/IRS, but the Rubicon with solid axles, I would be ok with that. The problem is the designs are different enough that I don't think it's practical...

The R&D on that would not be cost effective, Chrysler is in to to make money.

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

Well since most Wranglers are arguably bought for looks, the fact that it is clearly a different visual concept from the GC, etc is really all that matters. i.e. open top, rugged, safari/off road looks compared to conventional refinement like the others. The reason I think it is inevitable is that so many people who buy these just drive on the road, so IFS makes more sense. That's why other manufacturers, such as Toyota and Land Rover went to IFS long ago.

THis will never happen. It is what defines the vehicle and is Jeep's halo car. That would be similar to chrysler putting a 4 banger in a Viper. Putting IFS into a Wrangler would basically discredit the brand.

 

[David Harris]

THis will never happen. It is what defines the vehicle and is Jeep's halo car. That would be similar to chrysler putting a 4 banger in a Viper. Putting IFS into a Wrangler would basically discredit the brand.

It would be great if it turns out that way. The Viper is a poor comparison because it is a very low volume exotic sports car and people don't buy it as a daily driver, for good reason. However, most of the people who buy a Wrangler will never look under the vehicle and honestly probably don't even care what's underneath as long as it drives well, and it will drive better with IFS. They just want it because it's cool, makes them feel rugged and sporty and can still be a practical daily driver. I know a guy who has a brand new Rubicon. He noticed my scarred up Range Rover and I talked with him a bit about the Rubicon's off road ability and invited him to go off roading sometime. He didn't even know what Rubicon meant and said he would never take it off road because it was too new and cost too much.

People said that IFS/IRS would discredit Land Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser/Pickup too, and it has for only a very small number of potential old-school buyers who want them for their off road ability and don't want to compromise that. However, Land Rover is doing better than ever and so is Toyota with the pickups and the FJ. This shows that the automakers were correct about giving up on straight axles in terms of marketability to the masses.

Personally I want straight axles and I think they drive well enough on the road too. So, I am willing to live with older trucks. Besides, the Jeep aftermarket is so strong that if/when they switch to IFS/IRS, there will undoubtedly soon be a straight axle swap kit offered for those few hard-core owners.

I think this guy on a JK forum made some good points:

Do you think they will ever make a four door jeep?

*masses rise*

Do you think the straight six will ever be replaced with a minivan engine?

*pitchforks come out*

Do you think jeeps will ever replace the simple leaf springs for coils?

*torches are lit*

________________________

Yes, it could happen and I wouldn't be happy about it. I love the JK, both for looks and capability. There is a problem for us true offroad enthusiasts though. The problem is that with each new model year things get more and more complicated. Leaf springs are easy. A CJ/YJ/TJ box shape is easy to cut and fabricate for. Solid axles are as simple and strong as it gets. Carbs are a pain in the ***, but a backyard mechanic can rebuild and tune one. Fuel injection on YJ and early TJ models fixed the carb issues and are hassle free for the most part. Tons of room under the hood. Very little computer controls for any of those and thus easy for us enthusiasts to work on ourselves. By nature a Jeep lover does a lot of the dirty work on our own.

Now enter the newer models. Computer controlled this that and the other. A freakin' sensor to determine if the steering wheel is straight? Tire pressure monitors that flash at you when you air down on the trail. Not to mention all the engine management and traction controls. More rounded edges and weird angles that make fabrication more difficult and expensive.

And don't even get me started on the new 2012 JK crap that will put your Jeep in limp mode if you freaking change gears. Are you freakin' kidding me???

Yes, a IFS can make for a better ride and can be done beefy enough to stand up to abuse. It would just be another thing though that would make it less accessible to the do-it-yourself guy with the basic tools under a shade tree.

Just like these pictures. Would be a nightmare to develop products for or to fabricate and work on yourself.

Besides, Jeep has already worked on such a concept:

 

[NFRs2000NYC]

It would be great if it turns out that way. The Viper is a poor comparison because it is a very low volume exotic sports car and people don't buy it as a daily driver, for good reason. However, most of the people who buy a Wrangler will never look under the vehicle and honestly probably don't even care what's underneath as long as it drives well, and it will drive better with IFS. They just want it because it's cool, makes them feel rugged and sporty and can still be a practical daily driver. I know a guy who has a brand new Rubicon. He noticed my scarred up Range Rover and I talked with him a bit about the Rubicon's off road ability and invited him to go off roading sometime. He didn't even know what Rubicon meant and said he would never take it off road because it was too new and cost too much.

People said that IFS/IRS would discredit Land Rover and the Toyota Land Cruiser/Pickup too, and it has for only a very small number of potential old-school buyers who want them for their off road ability and don't want to compromise that. However, Land Rover is doing better than ever and so is Toyota with the pickups and the FJ. This shows that the automakers were correct about giving up on straight axles in terms of marketability to the masses.

Personally I want straight axles and I think they drive well enough on the road too. So, I am willing to live with older trucks. Besides, the Jeep aftermarket is so strong that if/when they switch to IFS/IRS, there will undoubtedly soon be a straight axle swap kit offered for those few hard-core owners.

I think this guy on a JK forum made some good points:




Besides, Jeep has already worked on such a concept:

I do think that Chrysler will have a Wranglerish vehicle based on the 500L that will sell to the IFS market, but IMHO, the Wrangler is an iconic vehicle for the brand, and I think they will keep it true...but who knows. Stick in a moron CEO, and nothing is off limits. I mean look at the idiots at BMW killing of the 3 series coupes calling them the 4 series.

 

[McZippie]

I betcha we have taken our street tire JKUR off pavement more than 99.9% of all JK owners.
Half or more of our miles are off pavement.
I don't give a crap about tradition or solid axels, IFS/IRS, coil or leaf springs.
I'll buy whatever vehicle works for exploring the back country.
We been doing this long enough to understand, that most any short wheel base, high ground clearance vehicle with 2WD is all one really needs to go just about anywhere, that's legally open for off pavement travel.
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[aristobrat]

Obviously rock crawlers, racers, hill climbers, mudders etc. need highly modified Rigs for their sports.

As someone who recreationally plays on rocks with his DD JKUR, all that was required was higher ground clearance (similar to your back country exploring vehicle) and bigger tires. IMO, that's not highly modified.

To me, highly modified would be having to pay someone to replace a factory IFS with a solid axle.

As a guy who's never been under any vehicle he's owned before a JKUR, I've had an incredible amount of fun learning (and doing) all of my Jeep's modifications (except for regearing and mounting new tires on rims). The thought of IFS on JKURs bums me out, but it does sound like a logical step.

 

[cshontz]

Regarding IFS, and the general softening of the Wrangler, this has been said (and feared) before the advent of the formidable JK, and before the ever-so-capable TJ, and presumably before every other incarnation of the CJ too. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it.

While most car manufacturers react to trends, and to the statistics that dictate how "most" people use their vehicles (even Jeep), I've come to believe that the Wrangler is the exception to this rule. Sure, it'll evolve, but I think the "legendary capability" of the Wrangler model is too iconic to dilute, and the Jeep designers and engineers are keenly aware of this. It's a brand-defining vehicle, in a class of its own, and its unique qualities lend credence to the rest of the model line-up.

If I'm wrong, and the 2018 is just a shadow of its former self, then the world will be in an uproar - much like it was when Ben Affleck was cast as Batman.