V8 Isn’t Wanted
Join Wendy and Tony on this Tuesday Jeep Talk Show flagship episode as they dive into Stellantis’s retraction on work-from-home policies and explore why there’s decreasing demand for the V8 engine. Don’t miss the latest Nicky G segment and our must-have Jeep gear recommendation to upgrade your ride. Catch all the insights, Jeep news, and gear you need to stay up-to-date with the Jeep Talk Show!
Stellantis Ends Remote Work
As Covid lockdowns become a distant memory so seems are the days of remote work.
Stellantis has announced a significant shift in its work-from-home policy. The automaker will now require employees to return to the office an average of three days a week, a major change from the 70% remote work policy that had been in place. The decision comes after a recent profit warning that triggered a leadership shake-up, and it aims to improve quality control, sales performance, and project timelines.
The policy change follows a turbulent period for Stellantis, marked by disappointing sales, delays in key new models, and quality control issues. The recent profit warning led to a top-level shake-up. CEO Carlos Tavares replaced key executives, including the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Natalie Knight and North American Chief Operations Officer (COO) Carlos Zarlenga.
Grand Cherokee L Loses Its V8
Jeep Grand Cherokee L Loses Its V8 Because Less Than 4 Percent Of Customers Wanted It
If you’re in the market for a brand new three-row Jeep with a V8 engine — something that isn’t a Wagoneer — you’re out of luck. Jeep has dropped the eight-cylinder engine from the Grand Cherokee L’s lineup leaving the V6 as the only option.
Originally spotted by Motor Authority, reports that the 5.7-liter V8 in the three-row Grand Cherokee L has been discontinued. It was done with little fanfare; the option just disappeared from Jeep’s build and price tool. The loss of the 5.7-liter V8 leaves Stellantis’ 3.6-liter V6 as the sole engine option for the big Jeep. For those customers who were fans of power and towing, this means the Grand Cherokee L has lost 101 horses (394 to 293) and 1,000 pounds of towing capacity (7,200 to 6,200) in the process.
So what’s the reason for the sudden change? Customers didn’t want the V8 it seems. In a statement, Jeep confirmed to me that less than four percent of Grand Cherokee L buyers sprang for the Hemi.
Aluminum Steering box, 2020 Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Talk Show Chris recently traded in his JK for a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The 2020 JT comes with an aluminum steering box. This didn’t work out so well for Jeep, so they issued a TSB for a replacement. TSB 08-074-20.
Chris took his 2020 JT in and was told his aluminum steering box wasn’t covered, but he was still charged a $150 diagnosis fee.
Chris found that people had been having issues with the replacements. Some people had to have the steel steering box replaced multiple times.
$1,400 for a replacement steering box that was failing. Chris is not looking into a PSC steering box for quality. The hydraulic line attachments have plugs. You get a quality steering box, and you’re ready for hydraulic steering in the future! It’s about the same price as the factory steel box, so why not? Don’t take our word for it, do your own research first.
Moped to SEMA
Greg of Unofficial Use Only and a few of the crazier Jeep Talk Show people are leaving from Lennon MI Friday, November 1st, just a few days away. To drive the 2,400 miles, drive? No ride, to SEMA by Wednesday the 6th.
You can donate to SEMA Cares, a charity that supports kids by going to unofficialuseonly.com
Newbie Nuggets with Wendy
Trick or Treat – Do you decorate?
With Halloween right around the corner I have to ask, have you seen Jeeps decorated? People are using these huge skeletons on their jeeps and it appears it’s a big deal to see who can decorate the best. LOL…. Don’t believe me? You can check out the show notes Jeeptalkshow.com and look for this episode and see the pix Tony and I are looking at in the show notes.
I love charity events that include trunks or treats – lots of Jeepers set up in parking lots or parks. Your trunk, Jeep, and perhaps yourself, are decorated with whatever theme you decide. Kids and families stroll by in their costumes and you pass out candy. Just good fun for charity. Usually, the whole family dresses up including the dogs. And Natalie with #HighLiftoffroad and co-host on our #JTSChicChat episodes was planning on decorating their beautiful Blue jeep as the Cookie Monster – Sounds like fun
Are you decorating your Jeep? It’s easy to find decorations for almost any theme you have in mind. You can add lights or skeletons, zombies, witches, or anything you want. It has become very popular with groups and clubs too. The ideas are endless.
One of the craziest things I have seen is the handprints all over in red blood. Seriously? Who thought this was a good idea? Is it to show you ran over the zombies, or that they tried to get you and you made it through? Of course, I would check the “paint” you’re using to make sure it doesn’t damage your Jeep’s paint job. Maybe consider another theme? LOL.
And while you are decorating, don’t forget some really cool rock lights for underneath. This will add to your overall theme especially if your rock lights can change colors. How cool that will look if you are doing a charity event too!
Now if you plan to wheel off-road with any of these decorations make sure you check for height and width issues on trails. Some of the trails out here in Big Bear you couldn’t get through without ripping all the decorations off. So keep that in mind IF you plan to wheel off-road with all the stuff on your Jeep.
And while you are in the mood for decorating just a PSA reminder that Christmas is coming and it’s time to get all the decorations out too – dust ‘em off and make sure all the lights work – just like lighting your Christmas tree – now you can add another untangling mess to work through LOL.
(https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver)
Must-Have Stuff for Your Jeep!
Unofficial Use Only Door Pockets for your JL/JLU/JT $150
OEM+ replacement for your current door pockets, the infamous “nets”
Compatible with every variant of the Jeep JL Wrangler (JL, JLU, JT 2018-Current) on the road including the 2024 model with the power seats, the Unofficial Use Only OEM-Plus Door Pockets are designed to be a direct replacement for the problematic cargo nets on the interior door panels. Unlike the nets, these door pockets will not stretch, snag or sag.