Recently, I attended the LA Auto Show to see the unveiling of the first new Jeep Wrangler in many years.
I was impressed. Impressed to the point that it may be my next vehicle build. This coming from a life long Toyota guy albeit with a similar life long Mopar fetish. Try as I might, and despite how good it was, I never could love the JK.
My impression of the Jeep/Mopar/FCA mashup going on here with the JL is that they're killing it.
The new Wrangler is slightly bigger and yet weighs 200 lbs less than the JK. It's all new from the groud up but it still has the classic Jeep look but with better aerodynamics. And the interior is WAY better. The weight savings is due in part to the doors, hinges, hood, fenders and windshield frame being made from high-strength aluminum, while the rear swing gate is made from magnesium.
The frame is stronger and lighter than the JK being made of high strength steel, and the JL Rubicon models get re-designed Dana 44 axles (thicker axle tubes and forgings) front and rear with 4.10 gearing, and a NV241OR Rock-Trac 4x4 system with MP3022 transfer case with 4:1 low-range gearing and Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials front and rear. The front axle has an 8.26-inch ring gear and the rear uses a larger 8.66-inch unit. Track width is 1 inch wider than the JK.
The five-link front and rear suspension has been improved and brake discs are 12.9 inches front and rear, basically equivalent with the Mopar Big Brake Kit. It has a tighter turning radius than the JK and comes with 33 inch BFG AT KO2's - and it can accept up to 35 inch tires without trimming or need for a lift or new wheels. Bone stock, the JL Rubicon has a half an inch more ground clearance than a JK Rubicon and is designed for water crossings up to 30 inches without modifications.
The optional 8 speed auto has a crawl ratio of 77.2:1, and the D478 gearbox is still a six-speed but has a deeper 5.13:1 First gear ratio. That means a manual transmission JL Rubicon with 4.10 axle gears has a crawl ratio of 84:1.
There's NOTHING else like it. Once Jeep’s Ecodiesel with 442 lb-ft of torque becomes available in 2019 (with fuel economy numbers well above 20 MPG in town) it may be time to #takemymoney
I was impressed. Impressed to the point that it may be my next vehicle build. This coming from a life long Toyota guy albeit with a similar life long Mopar fetish. Try as I might, and despite how good it was, I never could love the JK.
My impression of the Jeep/Mopar/FCA mashup going on here with the JL is that they're killing it.
The new Wrangler is slightly bigger and yet weighs 200 lbs less than the JK. It's all new from the groud up but it still has the classic Jeep look but with better aerodynamics. And the interior is WAY better. The weight savings is due in part to the doors, hinges, hood, fenders and windshield frame being made from high-strength aluminum, while the rear swing gate is made from magnesium.
The frame is stronger and lighter than the JK being made of high strength steel, and the JL Rubicon models get re-designed Dana 44 axles (thicker axle tubes and forgings) front and rear with 4.10 gearing, and a NV241OR Rock-Trac 4x4 system with MP3022 transfer case with 4:1 low-range gearing and Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials front and rear. The front axle has an 8.26-inch ring gear and the rear uses a larger 8.66-inch unit. Track width is 1 inch wider than the JK.
The five-link front and rear suspension has been improved and brake discs are 12.9 inches front and rear, basically equivalent with the Mopar Big Brake Kit. It has a tighter turning radius than the JK and comes with 33 inch BFG AT KO2's - and it can accept up to 35 inch tires without trimming or need for a lift or new wheels. Bone stock, the JL Rubicon has a half an inch more ground clearance than a JK Rubicon and is designed for water crossings up to 30 inches without modifications.
The optional 8 speed auto has a crawl ratio of 77.2:1, and the D478 gearbox is still a six-speed but has a deeper 5.13:1 First gear ratio. That means a manual transmission JL Rubicon with 4.10 axle gears has a crawl ratio of 84:1.
There's NOTHING else like it. Once Jeep’s Ecodiesel with 442 lb-ft of torque becomes available in 2019 (with fuel economy numbers well above 20 MPG in town) it may be time to #takemymoney
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