Episode 922 – Aluminum Windshield!
Is this the End of the Wrangler?
The legendary Jeep Wrangler is going electric. We will also see an all-electric Grand Cherokee roll out in the next few years. A tentative labor agreement between Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, and the UAW revealed several new EV models due for production.
UAW President Shawn Fain released new labor contract details, including historic wage increases, enhanced retirement and health care, and several other considerable benefits.
The 2023 agreement is worth more than the past four contracts combined. Stellantis will invest $19 billion by April 2028 in battery plants, facility upgrades, EV training, and new electric vehicles.
Stellantis is due to build three new EV battery plants, two in Kokomo, IN, and another at the Belvidere, IL, assembly plant.
The automaker will invest a total of $9.4 billion, creating 3,900 jobs, between the three EV battery plants.
The deal includes expanding EV production in existing plants as the auto industry transitions to electric. Stellantis’ plans include a new electric Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models.
Recalls and crossing the line
Chrysler has recalled some 2022 through 2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles because seat belts in the third row may not allow passengers to access or fasten the seat belt to the buckle correctly.
Two teens traveling in a Jeep Wrangler were killed Monday night after attempting to pass in a no-passing zone in Leesburg Flordia.
The 2016 Jeep Wrangler had been eastbound at 7:52 p.m. on Goose Prairie Road near Felkins Road when the driver tried to pass a 2005 Ford F-150, according to preliminary information from the Florida Highway Patrol. The driver of the Jeep saw an oncoming vehicle and attempted to move back into the eastbound lane. However, the Jeep entered into the path of the Ford F-150, with the right rear of the Jeep striking the front of the pickup.
The driver of the Jeep, identified as a 17-year-old male from Leesburg, and his passenger, a 16-year-old male from Umatilla, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup, a 55-year-old man from Leesburg, was not injured and remained on the scene.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Have you made a list of future upgrades for your Gladiator?
My first Jeep was a 1998 Jeep Cherokee, XJ. It was stock until 2005ish. After lifting and larger tires, I wanted to take it somewhere and do off-road stuff. I didn’t know anyone else with a 4×4 and soon turned to the Internet. My mpg dropped to 10.n and I had to research not only the mpg but just how sluggish it was. I found forums online. NAXJA, NAXJA, or N A XJ A? How would you say it? I soon found that I couldn’t go very far without the engine cooling system heating up. I loved the idea of making the XJ an off-road beast, within reason and available funds. I worked on solving the overheating issue, and confident that I would fix it I kept doing off-road modifications.
It was fun to have all these “things” on and improvements to the XJ but I could never take it off-road, at least not by driving it there. If I only had the money for a larger property, trailer, and tow rig.
Fast forward to 2021 and Josh was doing a news story about how the Gladiator’s towing capability was as Jeep advertised. The max tow especially so. I hit upon the idea of a Jeep towing a Jeep, and I’d flat tow so I wouldn’t need a trailer.
Perfect, I thought. Well, I researched it and it’s not as rosy as I thought. Add to that some trips off-road in the Gladiator and I found I had a basic Jeep that I could drive a long distance, take it off-road, and drive a long distance back!
Bumpers, lift, 35” tires and it was even more capable off-road.
Now I’m focusing on the Gladiator mods to help protect what I have.
On the top of my list of Gladiator mods is a MOTOBILT SKID PLATE SYSTEM
ARB Dana 44 diff cover.
Metalcloak Jeep Rear Dana 44 Skid Plate
ROCK HARD 4X4™ BOLT-ON FRONT AND REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM SKID PLATES FOR JEEP GLADIATOR JT 2020 – CURRENT
I made it to EJS and back without issue, so given the same set of circumstances It should be fine without these upgrades, but what’s the fun in that?
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
You may remember this futuristic material from a Star Trek movie, you know the one where they saved the whales? How would you like to have transparent aluminum for your Jeep’s windshield?
Seriously! Transparent aluminum has been a thing now for several years. I believe we all thought that when Gorilla Glass came out Jeep owners wouldn’t suffer the stars that turn into complete webs of cracks! Nope. 392 Bill recently purchased a 2024 Jeep JL (yep a 2-door). No, he still has the 392, yes Bill has a problem. The JL is about 2 months old and the FACTORY Gorilla glass is cracked! It’s being replaced at the dealership as a warranty item. But with this new transparent aluminum windshield cracks should be a thing of the past!
Okay so you’re interested, right, but what does it cost? Thankfully it’s not that expensive, dare I say affordable? All it will cost you is your left nut! Oh come on, if you’re married you have no use for those anyhow.
Don’t be so gullible McFly….