Help: need to replace antenna mount on 2018 JL

[aldo98229]

The guys who designed the ESS system on the 3.6L rushed through it so quickly and shoddily, they had some extra time on their hands. So, Jeep said: ”go work on the antenna mount”. So, they really focused on the antenna mount.

I mean, if it takes 45 separate pieces to create a plain kick panel, I can only imagine what it must like to remove anything else.

This is not the first video I see that shows how uneceesarilly complicated it is to disassemble anything on these Jeeps.

I can already see technicians’ eyeballs coming out of their sockets as they are trained on how to work on these Jeeps.

Then again, perhaps this explains why service techs know so little...!

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[aldo98229]

The installation of the halos on the Mopar LEDs took trained techs 2.5 hours. They had to remove the fender liner to pass new wiring, get behind the auxiliary battery, etc.

Just ridiculous.

 

[Dkretden]

I mean, if it takes 45 separate pieces to create a plain kick panel, I can only imagine what it must like to remove anything else.

This is not the first video I see that shows how uneceesarilly complicated it is to disassemble anything trivial on these Jeeps.

I can already see technicians’ eyeballs coming out of their sockets as they are trained on how to work on these Jeeps.

Then again, perhaps this explains why service techs know squat...!

It is the same misguided engineering ethos that leads to a battery being placed in a location that either requires the fuse box to be removed or parts of the vehicles body. Hmmmmm. Genesis figured out how to get TWO BIGGER batteries right up top for easy replacement. Jeep, nah. “Hey, where can we put this second motorcycle battery that is really unduly complicated to replace? That would be a fun challenge for us engineers......”

 

[aldo98229]

It is the same misguided engineering ethos that leads to a battery being placed in a location that either requires the fuse box to be removed or parts of the vehicles body. Hmmmmm. Genesis figured out how to get TWO BIGGER batteries right up top for easy replacement. Jeep, nah. “Hey, where can we put this second motorcycle battery that is really unduly complicated to replace? That would be a fun challenge for us engineers......”

Simplicity and DIY used to be key parts of owning a Jeep...

This makes me reevaluate my plan to keep my JL past the warranty...

 

[aldo98229]

Yes.

BTW, FCA is not the only one designing a mess like this.

To access the passenger seat airbag indicator lightbulb on a Mazda Miata ND/ Fiat Spider 124, you have to remove the entire center console and both kick panels.

Here’s a video that shows only HALF of this process. Another video shows how to remove the kick panels and the lower portion of the dashboard where the damn lightbulb sits.


Automakers are pushing much of the component assembly off to suppliers in order to reduce assembly time and reduce cost.

If you watch a video how Wrangler is put together, you will see the entire fully-assembled dashboard going in as one piece.

 

[aldo98229]

Go to counter 8:25

 

[aldo98229]

Trust me...it's been this way for years. The complexity of newer production vehicles just means that working on vehicles is a PITA. It is what it is. Don't like it? Lease....and don't modify....or build your own, but I'd wager you'll figure out exactly why engineers have to make compromises that may make assembly/disassembly more complicated.

Indeed. But this business model clearly isn’t working, judging by the weeks it now takes a Jeep dealer to fix anything, and the fact that half the time they still get it wrong.

 

[cram501]

You do realize that the video posted DOES NOT represent what's needed for removal of the antenna wiring, right?

I linked a portion of a video to show how to remove the kick panel. I thought that was pretty clear.

 

[AnnDee4444]

OP: Another option if you don't mind losing AM/FM is to replace the antenna with a second "Trail Rated" badge. It makes your Jeep twice as trail rated.

 

[jdhunt0]

Or this.

 

[GaryD]

Ok., thanks for the help.. I even went to dealership and they had no idea how to feed antenna wire thru the cowl and force it down by the air bag.

at the end, I MacGyvered a solution.. pulled the existing wire from the damaged mount.. carefully cut back the black wire 1/2 inch and wrapped the copper threads.. then I took the coaxial cable copper wire ( single) and soldered it onto a very small female clamp.. then shoved new female clamp into the insulated hole in the new mount and grounded the copper threads onto the mount.. reinstalled mount bracket, cover and new antenna..

AM/FM seems to work again., yeah me..

Lesson learned.. Akways remove antenna before going through a brush car wash..

Thanks to all for help.. trust me.. it is a bear if a job.. now I just need to pray my welding job holds lol.

cheers

Gary

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