Episode 940 – Goodbye Smallest Jeep!
Say goodbye to the smallest Jeep
The Jeep Renegade will be discontinued after the 2023 model year of production concludes, according to a report from Automotive News.
This elimination of the Renegade moves the Compass into the entry-level position in Jeep’s lineup. While the Renegade is smaller than the Compass, their starting prices were nearly identical for 2023, with the Renegade starting at $29,445 and the Compass at $29,995. There is no increase in the base price for the 2024 Compass, so that means that Jeep will still technically offer a vehicle that starts under $30,000.
We’ll also note that Jeep isn’t quitting the Renegade globally, as the U.S. and Canada are the only two countries that will see its sales stop. Europe, Mexico, South America, and Asia will still be able to buy new Renegades for the foreseeable future. But as far as we’re concerned, the Renegade joins the ranks of many other models meeting their demise in 2023.
Chrysler’s Problem With the Pentastar V6 Oil Filter Housing & Cooler
The Chrysler Pentastar V6 oil filter housing and cooler assembly for 3.2L and 3.6L engines can become warped, brittle, and crack over time with constant exposure to engine bay heat. This serious flaw in the design of the Pentastar oil filter housing and cooler assembly often results in severe oil and coolant leaks and can have catastrophic consequences.
Jeep Talk Show Gladiator Update
I recently purchased the Motobilt Skid System for the 2021 Jeep Talk Show Gladiator. If you missed it we spoke with Bender (from Motobilt) about it on a recent episode.
One of the things I want, not need, is a ½” impact gun to take off and install the skids.
Well, I have a very nice Craftsman ½” impact drive, that I’ve had for over 10 years, probably longer. It recently started running by itself any time the air line was connected to it. Bad switch I can probably fix it.
Oh wait, it’s a Craftsman tool, maybe I can just get it replaced!
I contacted the Craftsman warranty. Sorry we don’t handle that tool, contact these people. I contact “those” people. Model, serial, oh do you have a receipt? FROM 10+ years ago? No. Well sorry it’s a limited warranty so FUCK YOU!
That last part may be what I heard in my head and not from the agent I was chatting online with. 😀
I understand SEARS went belly up, mostly, and I also remember the outstanding warranty Craftsmen advertised very heavily. Their slogan, “Our tools may suck, but if you break it you can get another one!” sold me on the brand.
There are so many other brands out there now I think I’ll just forget about Craftsmen tools and get one of the other.
To that end, I have decided to get one of those new-fangled battery-powered impact tools, this time from Dewalt.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench
Amazon had the DCF899B 14% off at $226.99. Impact wrench only.
I was surprised and excited to get a $50 discount at checkout! Apparently, something going on now with Amazon.
I bought my wife a nice Dewalt electric drill a year or so ago, so she has a 20v battery and charger.
I bought a spare 5 amp battery so now we’ll have two for the two DeWalt tools. This is how they get ya! Whoever you go with first you have to stay with or start duplicating things like batteries.
Now I have a fun new tool I can use to install the Motobilt skid system.
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
DEWALT 20V MAX XR 1/2″ High Torque Impact Wrench, Cordless, Detent Anvil, Tool Only (DCF899B) $226.99
1/2 inch cordless impact wrench has up to 700 ft-lbs of max torque and 1200 ft-lbs of max breakaway torque
DEWALT 1/2 inch impact wrench has a compact design of 8-13/16-inch in length
Multi-speed control of the battery-powered impact wrench is made for a variety of applications (0-400/ 1,200/ 1,900 RPM)
1/2-inch Anvil with detent pin (also available with hog ring)
LED with a 20-second delay for increased visibility