What is Chrysler doing???

Ok all, I know we've talked about how we can't be sure the buzz site is correct, but let's hope not in this case. This would mean the end of the live axle Grand just like the XJ. http://www.car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b082801.htm


You can't have everything. Where would you put it? -Steven Wright
1996 Cherokee Sport

[Chris_MJ]

Well, despite the fact that we call it just Chrysler, we forget to include the nazi counterpart, Daimler. Isn't it just expected that the Germans who lost to the Jeep will destroy it?

I knew this move under Chrysler (merger with Daimler) was a bad move. The platform sharing is going nuts and Jeeps should not do such a thing. I guess they'll have to drop the "There's only one" tag.

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

You'd think they would have learned from the TJ. I had a YJ myself, and it was fine. But I used to only see CJ's in the magazines on trails. Now, all you see is TJ's. The jeep jamboree series is going great guns, mostly I think because of the expanded capability of the TJ. If they go IFS and small tires on the whole line, plus lose the I6 motors...
With the impending end of the camaro/firebird, and the move of the suv crowd to car based front wheel drive, that pretty much leaves the full size diesel pickups as about the only specialized vehicles out there, doesn't it? I mean, half-tons are going to four-doors with very small beds, suv's are going front wheel drive car-based cars, GM and Ford and Chrysler went common platform front wheel drive with all their sedans...
Sorry for the ranting, it's just that the days look dark ahead for the industry...shuttin up now [img]/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

You can't have everything. Where would you put it? -Steven Wright
1996 Cherokee Sport

[SuburbanAssault]

"The Buzz is that the folks in Stuttgart felt that Jeep shouldn't waste money developing a new SUV when Daimler already had a "superior" model under development (the next generation M-Class)."

Talk about total BS. I've driven an M-class and a WJ (MY rich friend's parents are really nice, what can i say?) and that Mercedes is crap. Sure, its got a nice interior, but it drives like a drunk on rollerskates!!! It reminds me of driving my friend's Gremlin!! Speaking of which, the ugly factor makes me want to compare it style-wise to a Gremlin!! I wouldn't even want to take it on a dirt road nevermind a trail! Those damn Germans don't know what they are doing. They are just still bitter and want to kill the last true breed of American 4x4. I swear if they touch the suspension on the TJ I am buying a gun beacuse invasion is the next step!!!

Well thats enough ranting for me. I think I'll go sit in my Jeep and calm myself down ;-)

Life is that annoying thing in between sleep and Jeepin

[Chris_MJ]

Hey,
That's alright. I'm the same kind of ranter and I feel that I'm witnessing exactly the same things. I've been working on getting my Mechanical Eng. degree and the whole industry is going to suck by the time I will get a job (which might not even happen with all the layoffs that are going around). I hope to get a job with a company where I could be the savior who promotes nothing but rear wheel drive and strength for vehicles. If I got in with Jeep, which I really wouldn't like to at this point, I'd vie for more individuality. But I know this is all a pipe dream.

Ford seems to be the biggest ugly in the system right now. Front wheel drive 4x4 Escape. All their SUVs and trucks are POS that neither haul or go off-road, but provide yuppies with a false sense of security. Their V-10s in their larger trucks are blowing up in over 3% of the vehicles with them. Their cars are decent, but hardly changed -- the Focus is the same platform and basic underpinnings as the Escort from and since the mid eighties. Their new flagship vehicle -- the Thunderbird -- is going to sell like mad priced at (and will be sold for more than) $45K, but if you look at the numbers, it's a dog -- and the craftsmanship on the thing sucks really bad. Take a look at the plastic chrome grille. I've seen better quality on cereal box toys.

Sorry to get off the subject of Jeep, but Ford is one of the big three, and therefore a major role player. If everyone starts up with this trend, I can assure you that the only Jeeps I will buy will be pre-00. In fact, my plan is to not buy anything after '75 if I can help it.

Wedge, have you checked out the ICON concept on the buzz site? You might want to read it in short pieces. It's gut wrenchingly awful.



Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

dig the calming down in the jeep thing. I've sort of done that over the years myself. I used to work direct retail (man, you mean I get to make 5 whole bucks an hour! and get yelled at? sign me up!!!) For lunch I would drive the yj out to the middle of the cleveland river dunes in norman oklahoma. The cleveland was just a little stream in the middle of the sand. I'd sit there and eat lunch and listen to the radio.
Worked wonders...
Gonna start a new post. Nicknames for other suv's...see what ya think...

You can't have everything. Where would you put it? -Steven Wright
1996 Cherokee Sport

[athlonaj]

It's the trend and D/C is panting like a dog and going to get in line. They'll sacrifice what offroad heritage is left in Jeeps just for a buck. Corporate sluts. Mark my words you are amidst the final days of SFA in ALL Jeeps, not only are the Grands going to get it but word is so are the little ones too, yup the TJ's are already being talked about going to IFS as well. Soon they'll all blend into the world of 4wd bubble mini-vans that are on the road today. It's no longer a matter of function but a matter of looks that drives the industry.

Look at the big 3 for trucks, not one of the new models should even wear the label of a truck, they are a joke. Trucks should be tough and functional, looking good is a very distant 3rd place. Now trucks can't even take a parking lot impact without causing damage. Anyone see the offset crash test done by the Insurance Institute? The big 3 were the WORST three with Ford being the worst. And the ironic part is that Toyota passed with flying colors.

I'm never getting rid of my Jeep, if I do it's only to get another older one.


89 XJ/lots of homemade mods...

[Chris_MJ]

I still don't know how Toyota passed when they are just modified Fords. As far as the top three go, I'd say the Silverados are pretty sweet packages. Sure they don't have the old heavy gauge metal, nor are the bumpers solid metal. They do have a decent look. I will complain that they are too cushy. I mean factory CD Player in a truck??? I don't know, the F-150 is a pile, but my inpection of the Chevy 1500s, the HD, and the ZR-2 S-10 would make me happy. I wouldn't use one for off-roading, but the towing, hauling, and frame strengths of those trucks are pretty dang impressive. Minus the axles, it's better than anything chevy put out in the late 70s/early '80s. I can say that.

Ford and Dodge however, cheapening, cheapening, cheapening. . .

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
'88 MJ SporTruck shortbed
Rebuilt 2.5L: 40 over rings, 10 on crank, 10 on bearings
nearing 400K

[athlonaj]

The thing I hate the most about all the S-10, blazers, ZR2s, their frame hang down so freakin far! I can't get over that anytime I see one go by, theres that fram hanging down looking stupid.


89 XJ/lots of homemade mods...

just to add insult to injury, have you seen the new Porsche Cayenne? They did a promotional special before the production design was finalized to generate interest. They took two 911 Carrera 4s jacked them 4", put BF Goodrich's on 'em (they wouldn't say exactly what size) and took them 'off-road' from Moab to the Grand Canyon. They didnt hit anything extreme, but there were some rocks and gulley's along the way (any stock jeep would have been bored to tears), but they were using a wrEckspediton for the film crew . . . It broke down twice, got stuck three times (even though the porsches didn't) and they had to abandon it at the base of the trail to clime to where they did the final film shoot at the canyon! I actually think that Fully Independant Suspension has the potential to evolve into somehting worthwhile, but as long as the Big Three can have their hineys kicked by a sports cars (let alone twenty to thiry year old discontinued 4x4's modified by an army of weekend warriors), the off-road world will never be handed to the newest of technology. and next on the soap box . . .

Take nothing but pictures . . . Leave nothing but big tracks in the mud and paint on the rocks and trees . . . Kill nothing but time and shackles and an occasional rod or two . . .