Episode 776 – Last Cherokee From Belvedere
This Week in Jeep
Last U.S. Built Jeep Cherokee Rolls Off Belvedere Assembly Line
Belvidere assembly plant officially goes idle
UAW promises to fight ‘ill-advised decision to officially idle the plant
The plant employed 1350 workers / The union says about 2,300 employees are affected.
National contract talks coming up this summer with the UAW union
This closure could bring a painful strike.
Carlos Tavares (CEO of Stellantis – Jeep’s parent Co.) says Stellantis is looking for solutions for Belvidere,
For the first time since it opened, the plant has no new vehicle to build
Sales of Cherokee steadily declined for months
Have we really gotten to the point where people would rather have hybrids or plug-in hybrids as opposed to off-road packages?
Is transformation to electric vehicles to blame?
EVs are 40% more expensive to make than those with internal combustion engines.
According to multiple reports – Stellantis won’t/can’t pass the increased costs to consumers because many wouldn’t be able to afford new cars if they did so.
It also can’t sell EVs at a loss, so it’s left with absorbing the added costs.
Stellantis is officially optimizing its manufacturing and distribution footprints
- (closures like this / maybe more to come)
The union has negotiated, and Stellantis has agreed to, retirement packages as well as voluntary termination and pre-retirement leaves for workers.
It’s also working on relocation for interested workers.
As automation increases, employee numbers decrease = unions fight harder
Bad Jeep Crash In Cleveland Ohio Shuts Down Freeway
I-90 Eastbound crash near West 25th 2 pm Wed March 1st.
A speeding Bentley struck a Jeep Wrangler from behind
The crash caused the Jeep to roll onto its roof and fatally eject 22 yr-old female passenger
The jeep slid some distance before hitting the median and stopping
Bently also hit the median and stopped
58 yr old man Driver of the Bentley was seriously injured
The man behind the wheel of a Jeep ran away
The passenger of the Jeep was transported to a nearby hospital / Died 8 hours later
5 vehicles were involved in this crash
Tech Talk with Jeep Talk
TOPIC/QUESTION: Some of My Favorite Garage/Wrenching Hacks
Use deep socket not wrench on brake bleeder nipples
– rust buster / penetrating oil/heat first
Hit TRE to release it from the knuckle (tapered to create press-fit)
– impact always works better than prying (pickle fork)
Cut the bottom of the plastic soda bottle to use as a funnel
– old quart oil container works well too
– collapsible/disposable/replaceable
Use binder clips as third-hand / extra fingers
– hold wires together for soldering, hold heat shrink or wire loom back, etc.
– usually not rust-free – keep them inside
Stuck oil filter? No filter wrench?
– smash the screwdriver through the side for extra leverage
– spin the filter off with the screwdriver as a handle
– messy but works
Two box-end wrenches together for more torque
– A larger one to go around the end of the smaller one
– Acts like breaker bar on the wrench
Always loosen the fill port on differentials/transfer case
– don’t want to drain first and realize after you cant refill
– (stripped/cross-threaded)
Fix threads with a tap and die
– Stubborn nut or bolt? The fastener won’t thread, right?
– Don’t risk cross-threading or stripping out
– chase hole with tap / run bolt through a die
– speed things up when it comes time for reassembly
– also increase the clamping strength of the fastener
– very important when working with aluminum
Use old radiator hoses to protect new ones
– cut lengthwise and place over new hoses
– protects from contact with hood, hard lines/ etc.
– use electrical tape (flexes / looks good if done right)
– or zip ties to hold them in place
– hose clamps could work too – not too tight