Episode 788 – Sneak Peek 2024 Wrangler!

Sneak Peek Into 2024 Model Year Changes For Wrangler

Here’s a story that you’re only going to hear on The Jeep Talk Show…

We know that Jeep has a mid-cycle refresh planned for the Wrangler, but the exact details won’t be released until Jeep actually debuts the model. For now, though what we know is based off of a leaked video from within the Stellantis dealer network. 

This video, (which we do not have) allegedly shows dealers only what to expect as far as changes to technology, outfitting, and capabilities, but did not go into any detail as to what the 2024 model will look like. What the video supposedly DOES say is that the design changes are minimal, and the biggest change is to the grille, hinting that it will resemble more closely the grill from the Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary Edition.

In the list of changes for the 2024 model year, speaking of the 392… it will return but will come standard with 35″ tires and 4.56 gearing.  

I guess there were too many people burning off the 33s. 

Another change is more luxurious than big rubber and includes the return of the High Altitude luxury trim for the 2024 Wrangler 4xe. 

This time, it will be its own stand-alone trim, no longer falling under the Sahara trim, and will now have the Sky-One Touch power top as standard equipment.

Jeep is also making some production changes to help streamline delivery to dealers. They’re allegedly going to accomplish this by reducing the number of trim configurations available to consumers.

For the 2024 model year, there will be only two Rubicon trim options, with the second being a full luxury option such as leather seats, forward collision warning, and body-color fenders.

And because everyone and their grandma has been complaining about the prices of electrified Jeeps, they will now offer an entry-level Wrangler 4xe in the Sport S trim level. 

The Willys model will also receive an update, with more ground clearance and added traction, likely featuring a new off-road tire package as well.

What is also interesting about the 2024 changes is that there is a rumored new Heavy-Duty axle option for Jeep Wranglers. 

This allegedly will allow customers to tow even more than the current max tow package gives you, although we don’t know the details behind which engine it will be offered with,  or how much it will tow just yet.

What is also exciting is that dealers have been told that there is going to be an all-new wheel package for the 2024 model year for all Wranglers and all trim levels.

We also don’t know the price tag for any of this stuff, just that these are likely what we can expect from Jeep in 2024. 

The Jeep Tease Keeps Coming

It’s no secret the Jeep likes to bring some pretty cool concept vehicles to the annual Jeep mecca event, the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab Utah.

Every year, Jeep brings something to show that they are still imaginative and to showcase the new technologies they are or might be working on or bringing to production. 

This year the teaser images have been coming regularly, as Jeep has been known to do now… and this last week Jeep did not disappoint.

The first of these last two EJS concept teasers are supposed to be a glimpse as to what the Magneeto 3.0 concept may look like. 

As the name implies, this is the third iteration of the Magnetoelectric Wrangler after bringing versions to the last two years of the Jeep Easter Safari. 

The original made 285 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and definitely had the looks to turn heads.

The 2.0 had a significantly higher 625 hp and 850 lb-ft and had a six-speed manual out of a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. 

The drivetrain also had the automaker’s Rock-Trac transfer case and solid Dana axles at both ends. 

Compared to a normal two-door Wrangler, the wheelbase was 12 inches longer.

Jeep eventually plans to offer a fully electric Wrangler, and it is using the Magneto models as rolling testbeds for working out what a production version would be like.

Out of the seven concepts that Jeep says they will be bringing to EJS this year,  this one is what got my attention the most, and here’s why.

Finally, a truly retro-designed Jeep with lots of gratuitous nostalgia.

And from what I can tell, it looks like it was born from the original FSJ Cherokee.

The photo shows a closeup of the front end of this concept Jeep from the driver’s side front corner.

The grille is instantly recognizable with round headlights at either end and a multi-slot grille that comes to a point in the center across a horizontal line.

Looks just like the grilles found on Cherokee and Wagoneer models in the 60s and 70s

It has what looks like JLU marker lights below the headlights, recessed into the bright yellow bodywork. 

The Jeep has a classic seventies scalloped paint scheme with yellow primary and burnt orange accents.

This picture appears to show a 2-door Jeep, but one that does not resemble the current Cherokee or Wagoneer.

We also see a blue recovery hook just like the ones found on all the 4xe Jeeps.

And it is protruding from what looks like a Wrangler bumper.

The large mud terrain tires and chrome, oval-slot, match-box-car-like wheels really help bring it all together though. At least for me.

The 2023 Easter Jeep Safari is Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, April 9

Tech Talk with Jeep Talk

TOPIC/QUESTION: Keep Those Nuts In Place!

If you’re familiar with wrenching on vehicles, then chances are by now you’ve developed or discovered a few little tricks that help make things go a little easier.

I recently did a tech talk where I went over all sorts of helpful hacks, tips, and tricks, and it made me think of one of my more favorite pro tips for working in tight spaces. I love this trick because it’s easy to use, and always works to keep you from fumbling your nuts in a tight place. If you’ve ever run into a situation where you need to thread a nut or bolt onto or on something in a tight place, or with little to no access with your hand, getting things started with your fingers may not be an option. Being able to secure a nut or bolt to a wrench or inside of a socket can get you working where your fingers can’t. But what if you have a nut that needs to be threaded onto a long stud or bolt? A deep socket is needed here, but the nut just falls to the bottom of the socket. It won’t if you have the socket stuffed with tissue paper. A little TP in the socket cavity will keep the nut from falling down but will give way and compress as the threads protrude through the nut. Let’s say all you need to do is hold that nut in place while you thread this shoulder bolt through a hole, but you can’t see or access the area where the nut is going, and there isn’t enough clearance for a socket. Using some painter’s tape, electrical tape, or my personal favorite and go-to tape for many things, is Gorilla Tape. It’s like duct tape on steroids and is the perfect tape for working around grit and grime. Place a small piece of tape on the broad side face of the wrench so it spans across the opening. Now place your nut in the pocket you’ve just created. The head of the nut will adhere to the tape and stay in place no matter the angle or pitch of the wrench, as the nut gets threaded, the tape will stretch, be pushed out of the way, or will release from the wrench allowing full protrusion of the bolt. A small ball of tape in the bottom of a regular socket can keep a hold of the face of the nut or head of the bolt enough to feed in down vertically without dropping. It may take a couple of tries before you figure out the proper amount of tape and what kind is easiest to work with for your needs.