Want to know one of the reasons Chrysler, in this case Jeep, is so out of whack in terms of profits?It's 4WD, or more precisely the utterly stupefying amount of different 4WD systems being offered. The following list is from various '08 Jeep brochures:
Compass / Patriot:
Freedom-Drive I
Freedom-Drive II
Wrangler:
NV241 G2 Command-Trac
NV241 OR Rock-Trac
Liberty:
Command-Trac MP1522
Selec-Trac II MP3002
Grand Cherokee:
Quadra-Trac I NV140
Quadra-Trac II NV245
Quadra-Drive II NV245
SRT NV146
Commander:
Quadra-Trac I NV140
Quadra-Trac II NV245
Quadra-Drive II NV245
Okay, that's 10TEN! different 4WD systems being offeredjust within the Jeep brandand I haven't even listed what Dodge offers! Unbelievable...
Can anyone explain—in rational terms—why Jeep needs to offer this many variations of 4WD? The only reason that I can come up with is UAW pressure to keep more Jeep workers employed, because nothing else makes sense to me.
Chrysler (and Jeep), besides cutting products and employees, needs to go through their vehicle component list, and do some equally serious editing! If I were running the show I'd streamline 4WD production and just offer Freedom-Drive II for the Patriot, and give every "real" Jeep the Quadra Drive II NV245—and kill all the other 4WD systems they currently offer; maybe offer a Quadra Drive II NV245 with an extra-deep low range for the Wrangler Rubicon—but that's it.
I'd even go one step further and kill all 2WD Jeeps, knowing full well that southern Jeep dealers would squawk.
Chrysler (and Jeep), besides cutting products and employees, needs to go through their vehicle component list, and do some equally serious editing! If I were running the show I'd streamline 4WD production and just offer Freedom-Drive II for the Patriot, and give every "real" Jeep the Quadra Drive II NV245—and kill all the other 4WD systems they currently offer; maybe offer a Quadra Drive II NV245 with an extra-deep low range for the Wrangler Rubicon—but that's it.
I'd even go one step further and kill all 2WD Jeeps, knowing full well that southern Jeep dealers would squawk.
estreka says:
08:11 AM, 11/ 5/07
How different are these systems?
rsholland says:
08:47 AM, 11/ 5/07
I can't say for sure as to all the specific differences, but are a few:
Freedom I & II are light-duty units designed for the Compass & Patriot. Freedom II offers a low range, which is not offered on Freedom I.
Command Trac is part-time 4WD only. There is also a high-range-only version for Dodge models—so that 's 1 more you can add to my list.
The Select Trac offers full-time 4WD capability to Command Trac
Quadra Trac also offer full-time 4WD but can direct power fore and aft I believe. I think the latest version of Select Trac, on the new Liberty can do that too?
Quadra Drive can do the same as Quadra Trac but can also direct all the power to 1 wheel if needed.
Now I'm sure Jeep experts will correct me on some of the details, but that's essentially the differences between them.
Still, there are way too many choices here, which increase production costs as well as MSRPs. Jeep has long been guilty of this practice, but it's really hitting home now.
flicmod says:
09:59 AM, 11/ 5/07
Wow, and I thought Ford having 7 different hood-prop rods was bad.
skierx420 says:
04:26 PM, 11/ 5/07
rsholland. On the surface your right there are some more differences but for the sake of argument you right. Now here's what Jeep should keep, from an enthusiest perspectice.
Grand Cherokee/Commander: Quadra Drive II
Dump the Qudra Trac system. On the cheeper Laredo version of the Grand Cherokee the Select Trac System can be used here as well and share with the Liberty.
Liberty: Select Trac
Dump Command Trac
Wrangler and Ulimited: Put Select Trac on these and share in the volumn with the Liberty.
Rubicon models: should keep the Rock Trac System. After all its just a ratio change inside the transfer case.
Patriot and Compass: Only Freedom Drive II for the Patriot. But they should alter it so it can be used with a manual transmission.
Dump The Compass and its Freedom Drive I 4x4 system.
Thats just my opinion. I'll be happy to discuss it further.
hondacura4 says:
05:05 PM, 11/ 5/07
I know that 4WD systems require much more parts and weight compared to variable valve timing systems but Honda has more than 10 variations of VTEC and i-VTEC. Some are performance oriented, some are economy only oriented and some are both. But the case with Jeep is that most of the systems are ENTIRELY different not altered or modified from a single base system.
I could see Jeep having maybe 3 different systems. A simple AWD system for the crossovers, a electronic 4WD system for the Grand Cherokee and a full boat manual 4WD system for the Wrangler. It seems much more cost efficient this way.
firstwagon says:
07:13 PM, 11/ 5/07
You can't use Freedom drive II with a manual trans because it's not an actual low range transfer case. It's just a trick with the CVT to give a lower ratio.
I agree with ditching the base Quadra system on the Grand in favour of the SelecTrac. The Selectrac has a low range, 2 wheel drive, full time 4wd and part time 4wd. Plus it's been around long enough to be bullet proof. It would be nice to see the SelecTrac as an option on the long wheel base Wrangler.
CommandTrac is a must on the Wrangler. It's the classic part time system that serious offroaders prefer. The " Rocktrac" system is just a heavy duty version of the same thing (with a much better low range ratio).
Likely the reason they offer so many of the Quadra system is they are all just variations of the same thing. I think they should just offer the top version.
pr5 says:
07:29 PM, 11/ 5/07
I think the only reason they offer some of these systems and the 2wd models is to meet CAFE standards.
skierx420 says:
01:06 PM, 11/ 6/07
firstwagon, I forgot about the CVT trick, but I would like to see a real t-case on the patriot for a 5 speed. But I am dreaming. I think that Command trac should be dumped all together. Even though it is the simplest system out there and probably the cheapest to make. Select trac could be the volume system for most Jeep vehicles. I know that command trac is what most off roaders will prefer and it is the system that I have on mine but from a sales point of view it would be a volume case for select trac. Or dump select trac and just keep command trac since its cheeper to make anyway. I can live with that.
66fastback says:
02:36 PM, 11/19/07
I'd like to see several things go away. Freedomdriive wouldn't be necessary if Jeep would simply dump the Compass and Patriot. This whole platform, to include it's cousins, Dodge Caliber, Avenger and Chrysler Sebring are just plain crap in general and need to go away.
Select trac is really the only system necessary on the Liberty and Grand Cherokee. It's a tough, reliable system, and most of these vehicles will never see serious off-road use anyway.
If the Grand Cherokee uses Select Trac, and the Commander goes away (as it should), there will be no necessity for any of the quadra Trac systems.
Leave the Wrangler alone. It should have the option of Rock Trac for the Rubicon. The others can get by easily with Command trac, considering that most lower end Wranglers rarely are used off-road.
This eliminates all the Freedom Drive and Quadra Trac systems, leaving only four. It also reduces the number of base models to three well known models that can be made as tough and as good as they can be.