Whaler27
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Alex
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2020
- Threads
- 48
- Messages
- 1,930
- Reaction score
- 3,805
- Location
- Oregon
- Vehicle(s)
- 2019 JL, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude Ecodiesel, 2005 Mustang GT, 2018 Ford Raptor, 2018 BMW R1200GSA, 2020 Honda Monkeybikes (2), 1972 Honda CT-70, 1980 Honda CT-70,
- Occupation
- Saving the world :-)
My mistake. I wasn’t clear. I wasn’t suggesting more power, engine modifications, or anything else that might effect emissions or require emissions-related research or testing. I’m talking about swapping gearing and installing stronger axels, larger/better brakes, lift, larger tires, and shocks FCA already endorses and aggressively markets.While I like where your head’s at, and I love the idea of “even MOAR POWAH,” I think you vastly underestimate the costs of vehicle development and emissions/crash test certification from the government. It’s not a simple matter of putting parts together however you want and then selling the jeep. Also, with all that power, the whole jeep is going to need to be strengthened to handle it... from steering components to suspension to the frame to the transmission, etc.
It’s fun to dream though!
For FCA to specify a “beast build“ with 488 gears instead of the Rubicon’s 410s, for example, would be cost neutral at the manufacturing level. The lift and shocks would be very close to cost neutral too, as the parts would be replacing others of similar manufacturing cost, not adding to them. I suspect the same is true of swapping in more durable chromoly axels. A set of 37” tires would cost more, but FCA would be buying them by the freight-car load at wholesale pricing, so I’d be surprised if bumping up a couple tire sizes would add more than a few hundred bucks to the cost of the build.
I suspect there might be some CAFE liability due to reduced fuel economy, but not much, because the impact on the averages would be small unless they sold a bunch and, if they sold enough to make a significant difference, they’d be making enough money to make it worthwhile!
This is low hanging fruit for the manufacturer. If they had to crash a few beasts to confirm that stronger axels, better brakes, and larger tires don’t adversely effect crash results, it would be worth it.
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