35" Factory Tire Package -- when?

[Kent5]

So, now that the Bronco is official, and it is confirmed that buyers can opt for a FACTORY 35" tire & gearing package ("Sasquatch package") on ALL Bronco trim levels -- will Jeep play "catch-up" and FINALLY offer a similar 35" option on the JL/JT?

We all know 35's will fit JT/JL with no lift, so the package could be cheap - perhaps just the difference in price between the OE 32/33" tires and the Sport vs. Rubicon flares? In a perfect world, the Jeep "bigfoot" option would also include 4.56/4.88 gears, which might add $100 to the cost of the package. Overall, it could still be VERY profitable at even a very cheap "$999" price point.

The only reason I can think of as to why Jeep might NOT do it, is because the way they have trim levels structured, you are pretty much forced to upgrade to the top-dollar "Rubicon/Mojave" if you want even the most basic offroad equipment from the factory (such as larger diameter tires), and offering a "bigfoot" package would cannibalize those sales. I can see Rubicon sales taking a big hit if Jeep offered a 35" tire/4.88 gear package on the Sport. But if their biggest competitor is doing it -- can Jeep NOT offer it?

Now that Jeep has a serious competitor in the new Bronco, I don't think they can be as lazy as they have been when it comes to such options, especially when the "newcomer" offers them.

NOTE TO JEEP MARKETING: It won't be "good enough" to offer a 35" package ONLY on the top tier $50,000+ trims, when FORD is offering it even on their cheapest $30k Bronco trim level. You should take the Bronco seriously -- your potential buyers certainly are.

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[ShadowsPapa]

So, now that the Bronco is official, and it is confirmed that buyers can opt for a FACTORY 35" tire & gearing package ("Sasquatch package") on ALL Bronco trim levels -- will Jeep play "catch-up" and FINALLY offer a similar 35" option on the JL/JT?

We all know 35's will fit JT/JL with no lift, so the package could be cheap -

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm went to a shop that had 35s on a set of Rubicon JT wheels - the shop was willing to try them on the front of my Overland. They weren't happy with the results, afraid of hitting on turns and bumps.
They may work on the Rubicon with the wider axles, higher fenders, but not an Overland. At least those stock JTR wheels with 35s were too scary to leave on my Overland.

 

[sirsamuel764]

If jeep is smart they will certainly do this. Honestly, it wouldn't make much of a dent out of their rubicon sales. Guys who want locking diffs and sway bar disconnect offered by the Rubis are going to spend the money regardless. Jeep could even offer the same package on the Rubis: Small lift, nicer wheels, bigger more aggressive tires.

On one hand, I'd love to see jeep do this... on the other, its going to be a bit frustrating because I just put the "bigfoot" package on my own gladiator the day I took it off the lot.

 

[Kent5]

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm went to a shop that had 35s on a set of Rubicon JT wheels - the shop was willing to try them on the front of my Overland. They weren't happy with the results, afraid of hitting on turns and bumps.
They may work on the Rubicon with the wider axles, higher fenders, but not an Overland. At least those stock JTR wheels with 35s were too scary to leave on my Overland.

Yes, the "highline" flares of the Rubicon would have to be included, but the price difference between the standard and Rubicon flares is probably less than $25 at the wholesale level, so really not much of an impediment. Jeep could also re-purpose the Mojave wheels to get a little less offset than the standard wheels (+36mm instead of +44) to gain a little more clearance for non-wide-axle Jeeps. Again, not much price difference between the two wheels at the wholesale level.

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

Now that Jeep has a serious competitor in the new Bronco, I don't think they can be as lazy as they have been when it comes to such options, especially when the "newcomer" offers them.

NOTE TO JEEP MARKETING: It won't be "good enough" to offer a 35" package ONLY on the top tier $50,000+ trims, when FORD is offering it even on their cheapest $30k Bronco trim level. You should take the Bronco seriously -- your potential buyers certainly are.

I think competition is great for us Jeep owners. I can't wait to see how Jeep responds, however, in my opinion, the fact remains that you are paying for an experience.

If you think you're getting stopped every other time you take your vehicle out and you get a compliment or the Wave in any other product you're dead wrong. I've owned near 20 Jeeps in my life and it is also an experience and lifestyle that you pay for. Our next purchase is the Grand Wagoneer and, I am sure, the price tag is going to stink and many will say 'why didn't you just get a Range Rover?', to which I will respond that 'It's not a Jeep".

For those individuals who value an experience, it's in a Jeep. Good, bad, etc. I've not had much bad....

I met a couple on vacation who sat on the beach while I swam with sharks because it cost too much, etc... As a Jeep owner, it's nice to talk to those who 'sit on the beach'. They have no clue what they are missing!

 

[Yossarian]

I think how Jeep markets the Wrangler and Gladiator will take a hit due to how the performance and tire size options are going to be offered throughout all versions of the Bronco. Jeep has pretty much had this area of the off road SUV market to themselves for decades now and their complacency is about to be answered. I think Jeep will lose some sales when the Bronco comes out.

Competition will pay off for the consumer.

 

[BAT]

They should have offered 35's on the Rubicon and Mojave at the start. 33's on the Sport and Sport S and an option for 33's on the overland since that one seems to be geared more toward the highway cruiser. Almost every person who saw my truck when I first got it and said it doesn't look right and then saw it after I put the Rubi take offs were dang now that is a good looking truck. My friend down in Galveston today was looking it over again as I was securing things before the storms. He kept saying man those tires make so much difference.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

They should have offered 35's on the Rubicon and Mojave at the start. 33's on the Sport and Sport S and an option for 33's on the overland since that one seems to be geared more toward the highway cruiser. Almost every person who saw my truck when I first got it and said it doesn't look right and then saw it after I put the Rubi take offs were dang now that is a good looking truck. My friend down in Galveston today was looking it over again as I was securing things before the storms. He kept saying man those tires make so much difference.

The tires on the Overland sit the same as the Rubicon A/T take-offs I put on.
Speedometer matched up fine, and putting them side by side, saw no real difference. The truck even measured the same when I measured down to the ground. So they may call them something else, but IMO, they match the Rubicon 33's quite well.
About the only difference I saw was width. I had them sitting together. I didn't figure I'd need to change the speedometer any - and I didn't. Still clocked the same on the local radar signs (and GPS). What my speedometer said is what the sign said - with either tire.
So all I'd say is - they could offer the A/T tires on Overland, but it wouldn't make it sit any different.
(edit: - forgot to say but it would look a bit nicer and do a lot better on our ice and snow)

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

If Jeep's smart, they'll also offer a Hemi V8 option, or a twin-turbo setup like that Maserati version of our motor that has like 400/400 output. Which could EASILY be upgraded to better turbos (ball-bearings, larger housings and wheels, etc...) and bigger injectors later for more power.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If jeep is smart they will certainly do this. Honestly, it wouldn't make much of a dent out of their rubicon sales. Guys who want locking diffs and sway bar disconnect offered by the Rubis are going to spend the money regardless. Jeep could even offer the same package on the Rubis: Small lift, nicer wheels, bigger more aggressive tires.

On one hand, I'd love to see jeep do this... on the other, its going to be a bit frustrating because I just put the "bigfoot" package on my own gladiator the day I took it off the lot.

The kicker - many dealers make money doing the lifts and adding accessories. The accessory sales side of things is a billion dollar a year business.
Jeep makes tons on the upgrades you do after you buy it. Dealers do well, too - at least those that are willing to do such things. The dealer I bought from won't do any mods, another dealer not only has an accessories department, they pull Jeeps off the truck and modify them before they hit the lots. Big money.
My take - If FCA does as you suggest, dealers lose, and Jeep loses in accessories sales later (at higher prices) Again, the accessories business is a billion dollar, if not multi-billion dollar, business for Jeep.........

 

[Kent5]

The kicker - many dealers make money doing the lifts and adding accessories. The accessory sales side of things is a billion dollar a year business.
Jeep makes tons on the upgrades you do after you buy it. Dealers do well, too - at least those that are willing to do such things. The dealer I bought from won't do any mods, another dealer not only has an accessories department, they pull Jeeps off the truck and modify them before they hit the lots. Big money.
My take - If FCA does as you suggest, dealers lose, and Jeep loses in accessories sales later (at higher prices) Again, the accessories business is a billion dollar, if not multi-billion dollar, business for Jeep.........

Yes, I agree. And that kind of narrow thinking works when you have absolutely no competition, and that's why Jeep has gotten away with it for literally decades.

But PLAYER 2 HAS ENTERED THE GAME. Tactics change significantly when you are no longer alone in the arena, and the new guy comes in hot and equipped to play hard.

As you mentioned, depending on the dealer for post-factory mods is a crapshoot for the customer... some dealers OVER accessorize, to the point that the unit's price is inflated thousands of dollars with stuff the customer doesn't want, some will do mods but charge double what they would cost elsewhere, and some dealers refuse to do anything more complex than floormats and $1,000 "paint sealant".

And we're not even talking about the big elephant in the room -- warranty coverage. You know how many dealers have told me that changing the tire size will void my new Jeep warranty?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes, I agree. And that kind of narrow thinking works when you have absolutely no competition, and that's why Jeep has gotten away with it for literally decades.

But PLAYER 2 HAS ENTERED THE GAME. Tactics change significantly when you are no longer alone in the arena, and the new guy comes in hot and equipped to play hard.

As you mentioned, depending on the dealer for post-factory mods is a crapshoot for the customer... some dealers OVER accessorize, to the point that the unit's price is inflated thousands of dollars with stuff the customer doesn't want, some will do mods but charge double what they would cost elsewhere, and some dealers refuse to do anything more complex than floormats and $1,000 "paint sealant".

And we're not even talking about the big elephant in the room -- warranty coverage. You know how many dealers have told me that changing the tire size will void my new Jeep warranty?

At least the dealers here don't balk at warranty issues when you have different tires. The one dealer that doesn't to any mods, tire swaps or anything other than mats and undercoating actually told me where to buy bigger tires and wheels- and said "we send customer there if they want tires and wheels". They just don't sell them themselves.

Yes, it will be interesting to see how the extremely well equipped and massively deep pocketed FoMoCo will change things with Bronco on the scene. People will be able to say "but I can get it ready to go from the factory if I go to Ford........." and how will dealers react? I'd hope they'd say "we can equip one that way" and cut their prices.
The dealership I mentioned that pulls new Jeeps and lifts them and puts on different tires and wheels - I looked at their "revised sticker prices" and it wasn't too bad - considering the 100/hour labor rates. Not a lot different than if I bought the Jeep and took it back a month later for a MOPAR lift and accessories.
On the other hand - some searches in the past have lead to Jeeps that the lift and tires and wheels were in the multi-thousands more - I mean like almost 10 grand more. YIKES.

 

[brianinca]

It' s going to take Jeep a couple of years to hurt enough to put it all together. Jeeze, the original Rubicon package was 20 years overdue!

When people like me buy a 2dr Bronco 7 spd Base with the Bigfoot package (FORD will be offering that combo once sales slow in 2023/2024), Jeep will respond. Parts bin engineering is a Chrysler specialty, Jeep is no slouch on this. 88 different special editions later, a 2dr Sport Wrangler with 35's will be an option, but probably not before 2025.

So, now that the Bronco is official, and it is confirmed that buyers can opt for a FACTORY 35" tire & gearing package ("Sasquatch package") on ALL Bronco trim levels -- will Jeep play "catch-up" and FINALLY offer a similar 35" option on the JL/JT?

We all know 35's will fit JT/JL with no lift, so the package could be cheap - perhaps just the difference in price between the OE 32/33" tires and the Sport vs. Rubicon flares? In a perfect world, the Jeep "bigfoot" option would also include 4.56/4.88 gears, which might add $100 to the cost of the package. Overall, it could still be VERY profitable at even a very cheap "$999" price point.

The only reason I can think of as to why Jeep might NOT do it, is because the way they have trim levels structured, you are pretty much forced to upgrade to the top-dollar "Rubicon/Mojave" if you want even the most basic offroad equipment from the factory (such as larger diameter tires), and offering a "bigfoot" package would cannibalize those sales. I can see Rubicon sales taking a big hit if Jeep offered a 35" tire/4.88 gear package on the Sport. But if their biggest competitor is doing it -- can Jeep NOT offer it?

Now that Jeep has a serious competitor in the new Bronco, I don't think they can be as lazy as they have been when it comes to such options, especially when the "newcomer" offers them.

NOTE TO JEEP MARKETING: It won't be "good enough" to offer a 35" package ONLY on the top tier $50,000+ trims, when FORD is offering it even on their cheapest $30k Bronco trim level. You should take the Bronco seriously -- your potential buyers certainly are.

 

[syreeves]

Sounds like it is coming soon:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/jeep-wrangler-xtreme-recon/

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