Episode 1004 – Fail Of The Century!
Fail of the century
I was reading an article from TopGear, called Fail of the Century. Specifically about the 2001 Jeep Cherokee. I was ready to fight someone until I read further. The failure was what Jeep replaced the XJ with, the Liberty.
Jeep’s ‘XJ’ Cherokee, built between 1984 and 2001, was one of America’s great automotive designs: Seen in many shows and movies. Tom Hanks had a blue one in Castaway. Liam Neeson drove a white one in “Taken”, and Donnie Wahlberg drove a green one.
Did anyone who loves the XJ expect Jeep to come out with a complete dud as a replacement, no I didn’t either. All Chrysler had to do was to keep the iconic shape of the XJ and update it while overhauling the Cherokee’s underpinnings.
Only this was Chrysler, and this was the early 2000s, obviously, it didn’t do the sensible thing. For the ‘KJ’ generation, Liberty, did the exact opposite, changing everything beloved about the XJ and ushering in a new shape that was, to use a technical automotive design term, revolting. A body that was reminiscent of a VW bug, Round headlights, instead of square, and the truly horrible change, IFS.
Us Cherokee owners had renewed hope that Jeep had learned their lesson when they announced the return of the Jeep Cherokee, but sadly this was just a move even further away from the Cherokee XJ design, but that’s another story.
Jeep TJ Future Classic?
We were just talking about square headlights and now a round headlight vehicle is destined to become a classic? We’ll we’re Jeepers and we’re funny like that.
The original Wrangler was the YJ and it had square headlights. My interest in Jeeps started with the CJs around the late 70’s. I couldn’t get one due to the high price for liability insurance for a kid until 25.
I wouldn’t return to considering a Jeep until I was in my 30s. By then it was a TJ. I can’t say that I even knew what Jeeps were available at the time. All I knew was I wanted a Wrangler. Everyone knows the story by now, last minute change and we purchased an XJ.
A long-time rumor says that “TJ” stands for True Jeep. Legendary 4.0l engine, solid front and rear axles.
Despite being produced during one of Chrysler’s more underwhelming quality control regimes, the TJ soldiers on in the hearts of Jeep enthusiasts on the strength of its solid platform and indefatigable inline-six. Moreover, the model that replaced it, dubbed JK, landed with a bit of a “thud,” leading some to wonder whether the Internet-generation humor implied by its chassis code was perhaps deliberate. So while modernized and better-suited to everyday life than the YJ it replaced, it retains many of the key components that made its predecessor so sought-after.
1997 was the first; by 2000 or 2001, most of the kinks in the early models had been ironed out. Those who want an out-of-the-box rock crawler should start their search with 2003 when the Rubicon model was first introduced to the Wrangler lineup. It’s now old enough to drink.
There are alternatives to the TJ, if you don’t mind losing the comfort of the TJ coil springs, the YJ is a very good off-road performer. Of course, the JK, and JL are natural replacements and the ride and updated electronics make it a great day to day driver.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
Just in time for Easter Jeep Safari the Motobilt skid system is installed. Thanks to Zack, owner of Houston’s Unlimited Off-road, the final skid plate was installed. My Sport S gladiator didn’t have several threaded connection points for the skid plate braces. Motobilt sends weld-in bungs, but I don’t have a welding machine, nor have I ever welded.
This is where Zack came in. Frankly, I’m happy to have the help, especially from someone that does Jeep build daily, but also it pisses me off that I can’t do it myself. I need to get a welding machine and learn.
You guys are probably getting sick of hearing me gush about the Motobilt stuff. It’s very nerve-racking when you don’t have a vendor that you know will produce good stuff. It was hard finding a company that I could trust with my hundreds of dollars on a front bumper. I loved the designs of GenRight and considered their aluminum stubby bumper. Eventually, I went with Motobilt Crusher’s front bumper. I was very impressed with the quality and welds on it. Next was the rear bumper, and I knew for a gladiator i needed “rocker” protection between the rear tires and the bumper. Motobilt had a solution for that in the Crusher rear bumper.
Wendy had a JTS event in California that required a skid system if you didn’t have 37” tires. This got me looking again, and I found the Motobilt skid system. Knowing the quality of the bumpers made it easy to trust Motobilt for even more protection. Going to EJS last year and hearing that scraping sound (I hear it at Hidden Falls also) encouraged me to get the skid system before EJS this year.
I have been in love with this skid system since I saw it online. Smooth, boat sides, and with 4 total skids it protects a lot! Laying on the ground looking under the gladiator is fun.
Sanding, priming, and painting the skids was a pain in the ass. Still, I think painting skids is far better than powder coating them, and a hell of a lot cheaper. 4 cans of primer and 6 cans of flat black paint.
Of course, while I was under the gladiator I saw more areas that need protection than what the skid system will protect.
The rear lower control arms frame side took a pretty good smack. Lower control arm skids are in my future.
Must-Have Stuff for your Jeep!
Rock Hard 4×4™ Bolt-On Front and Rear Lower Control Arm Skid Plates for Jeep Gladiator JT 2020 – Current [RH-80515] $279.95
1/4″ Thick Steel
100% Bolt on Install
Fits All Control Arm Joints
Black Powder Coat Finish
100% Made in USA
Lifetime Warranty