JL welding Issues

[Jeep_Dude]

Here’s pics from my Jeep as promised.

Overall I would say 95% of the welds seemed solid. The pics represent some spots that I found that were sloppy.

Some of the pictures look like the pitts are inverted - trust me, they are pitts, I ran my finger across all of these.

Here we go...

They were going along fine across the frame then it jumped over this spot. Break time I guess.
#2

This is a difficult picture to see. Notice the indentation. See the gap in the welding it causes. WTF is that?
#9

Here is an obvious gap in the welding they didn’t feel like they had to fix.
#10

Here are some spot welds holding on the body mount side coupling. It had a full bead on the opposite side, so I guess FCA thinks thats “good enough” it only holds the body to the frame.
#11

Overall nearly all of these welds would pass a cross section, Now to break down a couple of them:

2- Obviously the robot over lap wasn't spot on.

9- That indentation is a locking lance for assembly of the rail. Sets the depth for when the rail is assembled before welding.

10- Engineered skip in weld, No issue there.

11- Those are indeed tack welds. Used to hold bracket in place before final welding. Bracket only needs to be welded on one side. JK is built the same way.

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[Hakkodapow]

Can we all just take a minute here and acknowledge how unacceptable it is for owners of a 3 month old vehicle to have to fix their own frame welds? Whoever that dude was looking to put out FCA shaming videos, it seems it's time. I don't feel comfortable placing an order until it's demonstrated that FCA has gotten their shit back on track.

I'm with you 100%

 

[desert runner]

Overall nearly all of these welds would pass a cross section, Now to break down a couple of them:

2- Obviously the robot over lap wasn't spot on.

9- That indentation is a locking lance for assembly of the rail. Sets the depth for when the rail is assembled before welding.

10- Engineered skip in weld, No issue there.

11- Those are indeed tack welds. Used to hold bracket in place before final welding. Bracket only needs to be welded on one side. JK is built the same way.

Thanks for your comments Jeep Dude. Sure sounds like you have in-depth knowledge. May I ask whether you are an FCA insider?

 

[jhnnymac]

If any of you missed this post you need to take a look. His track bar sheared clean off at the welds. No question there are issues with some of these welds. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/i-feel-like-i’m-cursed-with-my-new-jl.6979/

Thanks for posting - that is completely insane

 

[WXman]

As far as the guy who said this has nothing to do with being a first model year vehicle, I strongly disagree. We've seen quality issues on almost every Jeep launch since 2006. 2007 JK had piston rings installed wrong which caused excessive oil consumption, models that showed up at dealers with sections of body panels not painted, transmissions with bad synchros, tops that leaked like sieves until they were redesigned two years later, etc. WK2 had transmissions that were going out of park and the vehicles would roll away, water leaks, etc.. KL had excessive oil consumption and numerous problems with the 9 speed trans to the point that Jeep stopped shipping them out until they all could be manually inspected. The first two years of the Pentastar engine in the JK had casting sand issues causing failure of the heater cores, cylinder head replacements, etc.

FCA/Chrysler ALWAYS has lots of trouble with new vehicles in the first one to two model years, as do many other automakers. FCA just seems to be the worst. There is a very good reason why people say "never buy the first year of any vehicle". It's not just a wives tale.

After the first two model years, they get everything pretty much worked out and issues are rare after that. The 2020 JL Wranglers won't have bad frame welds, electrical gremlins, engine shutdowns, failed suspension bushings, backup cameras going dead, etc.

 

[BostonBilly]

Has anyone that took delivery recently noticed any issues or has it been resolved for the most part

 

[Martindfletcher]

As far as the guy who said this has nothing to do with being a first model year vehicle, I strongly disagree. We've seen quality issues on almost every Jeep launch since 2006. 2007 JK had piston rings installed wrong which caused excessive oil consumption, models that showed up at dealers with sections of body panels not painted, transmissions with bad synchros, tops that leaked like sieves until they were redesigned two years later, etc. WK2 had transmissions that were going out of park and the vehicles would roll away, water leaks, etc.. KL had excessive oil consumption and numerous problems with the 9 speed trans to the point that Jeep stopped shipping them out until they all could be manually inspected. The first two years of the Pentastar engine in the JK had casting sand issues causing failure of the heater cores, cylinder head replacements, etc.

FCA/Chrysler ALWAYS has lots of trouble with new vehicles in the first one to two model years, as do many other automakers. FCA just seems to be the worst. There is a very good reason why people say "never buy the first year of any vehicle". It's not just a wives tale.

After the first two model years, they get everything pretty much worked out and issues are rare after that. The 2020 JL Wranglers won't have bad frame welds, electrical gremlins, engine shutdowns, failed suspension bushings, backup cameras going dead, etc.

My first year Honda Pilot was the least reliable car I ever owned. I have had 3 bmws, 1 Porsche, a few VW’s and Audi’s. I swore I would never buy a first year model, and I buy a JL. Maybe it will work when it gets here they have had 111 days.

 

[Jeepsterfreak]

The 2020 JL Wranglers won't have bad frame welds, electrical gremlins, engine shutdowns, failed suspension bushings, backup cameras going dead, etc.

Can I get a written guarantee please? I was hoping for a 2019 but now I may have to wait even longer or purchase a JKU now.

 

[BumpyTrail]

Can I get a written guarantee please? I was hoping for a 2019 but now I may have to wait even longer or purchase a JKU now.

I'm in the same boat. I had planned on getting a 2018 JLUR, even got a JL personalized license plate, but decided to wait for the 2019. Now I'm concerned about the Belt Start Generator going in next year! A local dealer just offered me a ridiculously good deal on a JKUR Recon and I'm thinking I should pick it up and wait a couple years.

 

[Rick12785]

My JL was ordered 02/21, went on the assembly line 03/24 and I picked it up 04/25 (hit the soft top delay). I checked the frame front to back and have no problems with any of the welds. All looks good.

 

[NCSUSTATS]

My JL was ordered 02/21, went on the assembly line 03/24 and I picked it up 04/25 (hit the soft top delay). I checked the frame front to back and have no problems with any of the welds. All looks good.

Geez, I ordered 2 days before you and I’m still in the rolling ETA zone

 

[Armycop]

 

[Armycop]

Looks like a JKU recall has been issued. Although they claim only 106 vehicles affected.

 

[bilash31]

May I ask whether you are an FCA insider?

Glad you asked too. This really needs to be answered. From other posts in the sheared track bar bracket thread Jeep_dude comments definitely point to FCA insider. All deserve to know to base their level of trust in the information provided.

 

[NCSUSTATS]

Glad you asked too. This really needs to be answered. From other posts in the sheared track bar bracket thread Jeep_dude comments definitely point to FCA insider. All deserve to know to base their level of trust in the information provided.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/JEEP/WRANGLER/SUV/4WD%2520Later%2520Release#recalls

You can access the related documents on that site

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