tjkj2002 wrote:
ryan_p17 wrote:
this is going to be a big mistake.
Not really,the 8.25 is a rather good axle and has the same strength as a D44,and is widely used by Chrysler.It is a cost saving issue that really does need to be done.The only downfall for the 8.25 is it is a C-clip axle.With it being put into the base Wranglers it will expand the aftermarket support for it so it is a win-win type of deal.
The Rubicons will still get there D44's.
Chrylser is keeping the D44 in the Rubicon because they know that most Rubicon buyers are going to modify and run them off-road on a regular basis and they want to give them what they have had and are used to. As for the other models, they are putting in the 8.25 because they feel, for the most part, it will be bought by people who know nothing about the D30, D35 and D44 so it will go un-noticed and will not adversely affect their sales/reputation. But if you go into any Jeep forum online and you will quickly notice that the majority of Jeep JKs that are lifted and running 35's are not Rubicons. That being said, the D30 and D35 have a huge aftermarket parts database where the 8.25 falls short. This is why it will be a mistake. To make a change like this during a platform run. So now 07-10's will have many gear option, aftermarket lockers etc and the '11s will have to wait for the aftermarket to catch up. I thought that making the change should have been done at the beginning of a platform run so that there is already limited supply of aftermarket support for the entire model line and not just '11s X package and Saharas.