Jeep Fights Back With Xtreme Recon Package
Let the 4×4 pissing wars begin.
We drove the 2021 Ford Bronco last week, and our thoughts will come off embargo on Monday. Jeep isn’t sitting idly by while Ford gets all the attention, however.
Enter the Xtreme Recon package for the Wrangler.
Set to launch at next month’s Chicago Auto Show (we’ll be there), the Recon package adds 35-inch factory tires and has a 100:1 crawl ratio, which Jeep claims is an industry first.
Other parts of the package include all-terrain tires, 17-inch wheels, 4.56:1 axle ratio, 1.5-inch lift, and specially-tuned shocks.
The approach, breakover, and departure angles are all improved, as are ground clearance and water-fording clearance.
Here are the numbers. Approach angle: 47.4 degrees. Breakover: 26.7 degrees. Departure: 40.4 degrees. Ground clearance is 12.9 inches and water-fording is 33.6 inches.
Orders are open now, but production begins in August. The Xtreme Recon package will be available on Rubicon four-door and Rubicon 392 Wranglers.
A 4.88:1 axle ratio will be available and when paired with the six-speed stick it has a 100:1 crawl ratio. That axle ratio will be available later in 2021.
“For the first time ever, the new Jeep Wrangler Xtreme Recon Package delivers 35-inch tires straight from the factory,” said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America, in the press release. “We have been listening to and watching our customers make this one of the most popular modifications to their Wranglers, and now we will deliver this exciting new package, along with an industry-first 100:1 crawl ratio, off the showroom floor at our Jeep dealerships.”
Translation: “We know not only what our customers do via the aftermarket, perhaps via Mopar, but we also know the Bronco is launching and we need to do something to keep our name out there for the moment.”
Nothing like a good old-fashioned utility war.
[Image: Jeep/Stellantis]
Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.
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Comparing Jeep or Stellantis quality to a Kubota is assuming that the quality is as good as Kubota. More accurately the quality should be compared to Yugo which basically was a Yugoslavian built Fiat. The overall quality of the Big 2 1/2 has been rapidly spiraling downward for a decade or more. I wouldn't even entertain the idea of buying any Stellantis product or GM product currently made and I am lukewarm about Fords with their recent quality issues. The only reason the Big 2 1/2 are not going under is because of pickups, suvs, and crossovers but declining quality and the cost cutting will eventually catch up and will eventually lead to declining sales. Additionally increasing fuel prices and ever increasing prices for pickups and suvs will eventually lead to less demand.
I love competition. This is great and I love to see it. Keep putting the screws to each other and I hope GM jumps in on this. 4.88:1 and a 6speed- damn. I know you can order the 4.88 off the mopar catalog but I hope they make that available from the factory in the 2 door and gladiator.