Get your new JKs now, seems like it's all over - No more Soild Axle in 2016

The front axles were crap anyway.. Now just add some brackets and steering and you're back to your solid axle


My ride- 2001 power wheel, 11" plastic tires, upgraded battery, boat sides, custom bumpers, tow hooks, new paint.
 
NFRs2000NYC said:
It became too complicated on the JK. Members of various forums report that after dropping it for the first time, they have had leaks that have never been fixed. I personally don't care if they ditch it....its a feature that is too cumbersome (and ugly) to use but the doors need to stay. I know Im going to get flamed for this, but I'd love to see a hardtop wrangler (solid metal roof) with 1/2 doors and pillarless glass. That would give me all the fresh air I need.

Like this (I realize that this isn't a metal roof).
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I'm with you on this......I haven't in a long time seen anyone with the windscreen dropped. So I am happy for it to be a fixed item.
 
This doesn't confirm anything. I highly doubt the solid axles will leave. Mike mahnley has already said if he screws this up he won't be able to leave his house. This story about the axles has been afloat for the last two gen jeeps and in my opinion is just guys running their mouth and maybe even someone trying to sell stuff. Point is ill believe it when I see it there really is no gain in my point of view to lose the axles anyway. Chics already buy the crap out of them and love them, they have sold more JK's than any other wrangler, and the only way I see a IFS being lighter is in the use of aluminum knuckles. There would be less unsprung weight with IFS but you you would also lose approach and departure angles something jeep prides itself on. I'm waving the bullshit flag!
 
OJK12 said:
This doesn't confirm anything. I highly doubt the solid axles will leave. Mike mahnley has already said if he screws this up he won't be able to leave his house. This story about the axles has been afloat for the last two gen jeeps and in my opinion is just guys running their mouth and maybe even someone trying to sell stuff. Point is ill believe it when I see it there really is no gain in my point of view to lose the axles anyway. Chics already buy the crap out of them and love them, they have sold more JK's than any other wrangler, and the only way I see a IFS being lighter is in the use of aluminum knuckles. There would be less unsprung weight with IFS but you you would also lose approach and departure angles something jeep prides itself on. I'm waving the bullshit flag!
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I work in as an Automation specialist in OH. I often get involved with projects in the early stages (two years earlier) and help factories design and implement an automated process. I can tell you IFS components for the next generation Wrangler ARE designed and are being tested. Apparently someone is somewhat happy with the results because early production plans have begun for these components. While it's not too late to pull the plug, it usually doesn't happen this late in the game. I have yet to see any IRS component designs, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, just that I haven't seen them.

Fiat/Chrysler has little control over this. The new regulations for fuel economy is forcing their hand. The Wrangler MUST shed weight and become more aerodynamic. The next generation will likely have many Aluminium components similar to the new F150 that will have a totally aluminium body. (I certainly wouldn't mind aluminium doors.)

Our beloved Jeep Wrangler is a victim of its own success. If the only people purchasing them were off-road enthusiast the low volume might be able to fly under the radar, but with every other soccer mom and suburbanite driving one they must improve fuel economy. Unfortunately the easiest ways to do it attack the very roots of the vehicle and what we consider make it great.
 
OJK12 said:
This doesn't confirm anything. I highly doubt the solid axles will leave. Mike mahnley has already said if he screws this up he won't be able to leave his house. This story about the axles has been afloat for the last two gen jeeps and in my opinion is just guys running their mouth and maybe even someone trying to sell stuff. Point is ill believe it when I see it there really is no gain in my point of view to lose the axles anyway. Chics already buy the crap out of them and love them, they have sold more JK's than any other wrangler, and the only way I see a IFS being lighter is in the use of aluminum knuckles. There would be less unsprung weight with IFS but you you would also lose approach and departure angles something jeep prides itself on. I'm waving the bullshit flag!
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Agree with you on the axles. I can see them going to IFS on the Ram 2500 and 3500 before they do on the wrangler.
 
jnabird333 said:
I work in as an Automation specialist in OH. I often get involved with projects in the early stages (two years earlier) and help factories design and implement an automated process. I can tell you IFS components for the next generation Wrangler ARE designed and are being tested. Apparently someone is somewhat happy with the results because early production plans have begun for these components. While it's not too late to pull the plug, it usually doesn't happen this late in the game. I have yet to see any IRS component designs, but that doesn't mean they don't exist, just that I haven't seen them.

Fiat/Chrysler has little control over this. The new regulations for fuel economy is forcing their hand. The Wrangler MUST shed weight and become more aerodynamic. The next generation will likely have many Aluminium components similar to the new F150 that will have a totally aluminium body. (I certainly wouldn't mind aluminium doors.)

Our beloved Jeep Wrangler is a victim of its own success. If the only people purchasing them were off-road enthusiast the low volume might be able to fly under the radar, but with every other soccer mom and suburbanite driving one they must improve fuel economy. Unfortunately the easiest ways to do it attack the very roots of the vehicle and what we consider make it great.
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Are you sure these parts are not designed for a two wheel drive option like previous years? This could be one way in which they help offset their totals for CAFE laws. I realize you would know more than most but even with today's stringent CAFE laws jeep is still pushing for a bigger SUV in the line up which tells me they have more room to work then they let on. Mike knows he has to make it work for everybody if they did put IFS on it I would still expect a solid axle version. Maybe all rubicons and a version of the sport with solid axles and the Sahara and another version of the sport with IFS plus a two wheel drive option. This would make more sense in my opinion than IFS for all wranglers especially when they know the die hards want their solid axles. I do expect aluminum to make its way into the body in fact I wouldn't be surprised if the next gen had a uni-body to help curb the weight to offset the keeping of a solid axle. I realize anything is possible here due to the EPA and CAFE laws but I still see ways to keep it around for at least this body style but only time will tell for sure. At this point I'm still expecting a solid axle under the next gen but if not its not the end of world.
 
NFRs2000NYC said:
Well, the CEO said that the two things he is definitely not getting rid of are the doors and the windshield so at least there is that. Who knows, maybe they will make some IFS system that will be as capable as a current stock JK. I guess its the modifying crowd that will find the changes more challenging to deal with, but I think the enthusiast (modifying) crowd is a single digit percent of the overall wrangler buyers.
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That's good news, but they need to add the grill to the list of things they aren't going to change.
 
Im going to wait for the confirmation before I express what I think. But, all I gotta say is I dont think they will ruin the wrangler either way they go. Im sure they can make an awesome iFS Wrangler, as well as if they kept the axles. We'll seee.

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i agree with OJK12 on the point that i think they will put the IFS on certain models. They may keep the solid axles on Rubi's and maybe make it an option on a Sport/sahara build sheet. In the long run tho as long as they dont take away the removable top and the removable doors i am happy. i never touch the windshield so that can go.
 
cozdude said:
i agree with OJK12 on the point that i think they will put the IFS on certain models. They may keep the solid axles on Rubi's and maybe make it an option on a Sport/sahara build sheet. In the long run tho as long as they dont take away the removable top and the removable doors i am happy. i never touch the windshield so that can go.
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While I like the idea of this I think it is unlikely. This would require a MAJOR change over on the line and limit them on production. Remember, the whole reason they use a hybrid D44 carrier and D30 sleeves and knuckles is so the line fixturing can remain the same regardless of the model in production. IF IFS/IRS appears, it will almost definitely be on all models. The small percentage that a solid axle is important to doesn't warrant the added cost and complexity of automation. Especially when you consider the people that really want it are mod crazy and will likely change it to a larger axle anyway.

FWIW: I do have "insider" information, but that doesn't mean it's anymore accurate. Factories are filled with rumors. Especially, early in a project. While I have seen designs of "the new Wrangler A-Arms" it could be for another vehicle. But based on their size and length, (very long), a new Wrangler seems appropriate so I believed the them. They looked too beefy to be for a car, and too light for a truck. But who knows?
 
I'm not going to worry about it.
every single new model of the wrangler has been better than it's predesessor so until they actually make an error I'll believe the new wranglers will be better.
lets review a quick history:
1975 CJ-5 was too short and rolled too easy so they made a longer CJ-7 AND put a V-8 in it!
1833 made the axles wider and killed the CJ-5 so they didn't roll so easy (again)
1987 gave the wrangler a hydroformed frame and galvanized body tub. they also moved the speedo from the middle of the dash and widened the axles (again!)
1990 fuel injected 4.0 replaced the horrible smog choked carb on the old 258
1997 the TJ. good tranny, good t-case, larger axle u-joints, good engines, air bags, coil suspension, strong frame, solid axles. The TJ is miles ahead of the YJ in every way.
then the TJ rubicon...
then the JK. crappy drivetrain but finally HP axles in the front and most JK's have a dana 44 in the rear. rubicons got bigger axle shafts and larger u-joints (again)

so again, every wrangler has been MUCH better than the ones before it. In fact, the newer jeep you buy the better it is and that has been true since the 70's.

relax. see what they make. I bet it's sweet.
 
Elusive said:
I'm not going to worry about it.
every single new model of the wrangler has been better than it's predesessor so until they actually make an error I'll believe the new wranglers will be better.
lets review a quick history:
1975 CJ-5 was too short and rolled too easy so they made a longer CJ-7 AND put a V-8 in it!
1833 made the axles wider and killed the CJ-5 so they didn't roll so easy (again)
1987 gave the wrangler a hydroformed frame and galvanized body tub. they also moved the speedo from the middle of the dash and widened the axles (again!)
1990 fuel injected 4.0 replaced the horrible smog choked carb on the old 258
1997 the TJ. good tranny, good t-case, larger axle u-joints, good engines, air bags, coil suspension, strong frame, solid axles. The TJ is miles ahead of the YJ in every way.
then the TJ rubicon...
then the JK. crappy drivetrain but finally HP axles in the front and most JK's have a dana 44 in the rear. rubicons got bigger axle shafts and larger u-joints (again)

so again, every wrangler has been MUCH better than the ones before it. In fact, the newer jeep you buy the better it is and that has been true since the 70's.

relax. see what they make. I bet it's sweet.
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True...but, it seems all the other wranglers were basically fine tuned by consumer wants and needs, while this one is tuned by the gubmint....having said that, I hope you are right.
 
I agree with jnabird333.

The ideal outcome of all this IFS talk would be to keep one model the "offroad" model, such as the Rubicon. The Sport and Sahara would have IFS and most of the soccer moms would choose those. The increased popularity would drive up sales. The company could then funnel some of the profits into the Rubicon.

However, this will most likely never happen... they have to keep the shareholders happy. As jnabird333 said, the cost for have two different suspension/drivetrains would outweigh any benefit for Fiat Chrysler.

BTW jnabird333 you were quoted on another forum.

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