new wrangler - ug

i just got done watching the superlift show (TIVO caught it as a random
recording, i dunno what channel it comes on normally) on the testing of the
new '07 wrangler. while there are many improvements i would have liked to
see on the tj (4 doors/better seats/etc), unless 7 grille slots is all it
takes to be a jeep these days this one is gonna flop amongst those who buy
jeeps based on jeep heritage. one of the designers talked about how they
argued IFS vs. solid axle throughout the design (which tells me that IFS
will always be on the horizon until "dr. z" eventually forces it on the SWB
jeep). with all the fancy gadgets like 4 wheels sensors to control the
fancy brake - (almost) lockers i get the impression that "dr. z" is trying
to morph the SWB jeep into a land rover wanna-be (particularly ironic since
the first land rover started out as a jeep!).

im not saying this is a bad thing because i hold a high respect for him, but
ive never felt more like bill. this thing just is not a "real" jeep. i
almost would have preferred the awful willys concept, at least it remained
true to the overall size of a SWB jeep. this is just one of many flops on
the horizon for DC (like dropping the cummins engine from the dodge truck
line in favor of a mercedes diesel sometime around 2010 after the cummins
contract expires)

THAT SAID, my cj7 build is looking better and better and better.

--
Nathan W. Collier
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