Do you all think quality has gone DOWN?

[ShadowsPapa]

(I do think battery quality has serious dropped recently)

I've posted here before about the conversations I overheard while waiting to get a new battery at a NAPA store a year or so back.......... Comments like "I can't seem to make a battery last 4 years in cars these days", others nodding, agreeing.

Sponsored

 

[Mojave2021]

I've posted here before about the conversations I overheard while waiting to get a new battery at a NAPA store a year or so back.......... Comments like "I can't seem to make a battery last 4 years in cars these days", others nodding, agreeing.

The last 3 new vehicles I’ve purchased have had batteries die within the first year of ownership. The OEM batteries are especially horrible but aftermarket ones (Optima from personal experience) seem to have issues now too.

 

[Jefe1018]

I'd welcome anyone to buy a 1984 Scrambler and go daily it 80 mph through city traffic, and drive it hundreds of miles off road on the weekends and see what their outcome is.

Compared to the Ram I’m in, the comfort and storage suck in the JT. But if you’re comparing a JT or JL to an older XJ, TJ, YJ, etc… miles and miles above and beyond in all regards.

 

[Liftr]

True story: I bought a Harvest Gold fridge in about 1997, to put in the garage. I was driving home from work, and an apartment complex was getting remodeled. They had all the old appliances sitting in the parking lot for sale. I gave $50 dollars for it, and the thing lasted another 16 YEARS!

 

[Mister Lamb]

I have more faith in a Gladiator than I do a modern Toyota truck

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

...sometimes body quality was poor (I think of a 190s Honda Prelude my son drove for a while - the fenders rotted out in under 10 years, big holes clear through the tops)....

My mom had two 1990 Honda Accords that had superb body and paint quality. One of them had 250k+ miles on it when it finally left the family and it didn't have any rust on the body.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My mom had two 1990 Honda Accords that had superb body and paint quality. One of them had 250k+ miles on it when it finally left the family and it didn't have any rust on the body.

I was a bit surprised as at that point in time, they had a good rep. But it was really bad. The thing was otherwise reliable, mechanically.

 

[RidinDirty]

Have a 2020 Rubicon with 87K miles on it.

Repair issues:
- Battery, battery, battery - many in the last 5 years. AZ kills them fast. Eventually did the Fuse 42/AUX delete + Optima... 7 months no problems.
- Locker errors (Added Z-locker wiring) - no problems. Stock axles.
- Front tie rod clicking - early on - this was replaced with OEM under warranty... but eventually replaced with 1 ton unit

I do a 3500-5000 mile oil replacement as I think the current schedule is BS.

Rotate tires 5K miles at Discount Tire

Transmission fluid flush/change out 75K

Front/rear diff oil changes yearly

Other than that suspension is not stock for years. Running 5.13 gears for 80K miles. Running 37 inch tires since the beginning. Daily driver.

I suspect build quality on initial units (preCovid) were a lot better. I think they all come with the same kind of chronic issues (ie the locker error) that we all deal with. Let me know if we missed any.

 

[Hootbro]

Have a 2020 Rubicon with 87K miles on it.

Repair issues:
- Battery, battery, battery - many in the last 5 years. AZ kills them fast. Eventually did the Fuse 42/AUX delete + Optima... 7 months no problems.
- Locker errors (Added Z-locker wiring) - no problems. Stock axles.
- Front tie rod clicking - early on - this was replaced with OEM under warranty... but eventually replaced with 1 ton unit

I do a 3500-5000 mile oil replacement as I think the current schedule is BS.

Rotate tires 5K miles at Discount Tire

Transmission fluid flush/change out 75K

Front/rear diff oil changes yearly

Other than that suspension is not stock for years. Running 5.13 gears for 80K miles. Running 37 inch tires since the beginning. Daily driver.

I suspect build quality on initial units (preCovid) were a lot better. I think they all come with the same kind of chronic issues (ie the locker error) that we all deal with. Let me know if we missed any.

I like your fluid replacement regime.

Have any random misfire issues? 2020 was a iffy year for our Gladiators.

 

[RidinDirty]

I like your fluid replacement regime.

Have any random misfire issues? 2020 was a iffy year for our Gladiators.

No engine issues with mine. Anything major on the 3.6 … I’ll be planning a trip to AMW.

 

[Flyboy2109]

If only we could find out what day our Jeep went down the assembly line.

We used to say "get a Wednesday vehicle". Why? Well, a Monday vehicle was made the day after a party weekend, workers not up to snuff. Tuesday, follows monday too close. Thursday the workers are already thinking weekend. Friday; no quality control thoughts at all, thinking of next day plans. Wednesday; finally up to speed and not recovering from the weekend and the next weekend is far enough away.

I had a 1965 Barracuda, slant 6. My family put 279,000 miles on the car and it was still nice when I sold it. Had to be a Wednesday car. Had a 1988 Chrysler GTS non-turbo. Nearly the same amount of miles, Wednesday car!

 

[Mr Miami]

Really depends on your local dealership. I have two that are local and one is a nightmare I found out after the fact and the other one is alright and does a decent job.

To me, I just like to have those first few oil changes receipted on a dealership service invoice. I think it helps should their be a warranty issue early on.

Judgement call either way but the only way to be 100% certain it is done right is to do it yourself.

I agree that it is good to do the required stuff at the dealership so that there is a paper trail if/when some warranty item arises that they may question. I did my first oil change at 2,500 mi. myself and did not reset the oil switch. I am taking it in to the dealer when it reaches 5,000 miles for the oil change/tire rotation. I don't see why I even have to tell the dealer what I did. They can then do their work and reset everything but at least I know in the meantime I have good oil in it and there will be the record with Stellantis that the vehicle was serviced as required.

 

[NC_Overland]

If you want quality - you have to go waaaay back, 1910s or so.
I worked on some parts for a 1919 or so REO engine. Man, that thing was made to LAST and well thought-out. The rocker arms had roller tips, the push rod pushed on bronze up in the cup of the rocker arms, well-bushed, the oiling was impressive. Once I returned the parts the guy I did the restoration and plating for put it back together in about a week and it ran like brand new. Reliable starting, easy starting, great sound.

That’s. Crazy because back then 50k miles was high mileage on a car 100k was almost unheard of.

I’ve done a lot of work on my Dad’s Model As recently to get them back on the road. Some parts are definitely made to last. There’s a big difference in the metals. Other things were like the Babbitt bearings in the engines were not. My parents did a lot of touring in the 31 Coupe (49 states and 109k miles) so it has a more modern touring engine in it with modern main bearings and a “high compression” head and an aftermarket overdrive so it would last more like a modern engine.

 

[Hootbro]

If only we could find out what day our Jeep went down the assembly line.

We used to say "get a Wednesday vehicle". Why? Well, a Monday vehicle was made the day after a party weekend, workers not up to snuff. Tuesday, follows monday too close. Thursday the workers are already thinking weekend. Friday; no quality control thoughts at all, thinking of next day plans. Wednesday; finally up to speed and not recovering from the weekend and the next weekend is far enough away.

I had a 1965 Barracuda, slant 6. My family put 279,000 miles on the car and it was still nice when I sold it. Had to be a Wednesday car. Had a 1988 Chrysler GTS non-turbo. Nearly the same amount of miles, Wednesday car!

There is a silver sticker in your door jam with a "MDH" code for the Month, Day and Hour it was built.

With modern manufacturing processes, I think the day of the week build concerns is pretty much a wives tale at this point. My last Gladiator was built on Friday morning at 1:00 am and was no worse for wear than the previous two Gladiators I owned. Not to say one will get a crap assembly but that is just law of human averages of somebody having a crap day regardless of the day of week it is.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

With modern manufacturing processes, I think the day of the week build concerns is pretty much a wives tale at this point.

It is and has been for decades. I've toured several plants - and my father was a long-tome UAW member and president of the local for a while (and a line inspector as well for several years)

I can tell you this- if things aren't going right on a Wednesday, you'd wish you had a Friday vehicle.
I recall one tour when the temperatures outside were nothing compared to the temperatures inside - and in the minds of those working the floor. The chanting and cursing and frustration going on....... I was like yikes, I will be sure to note today and not buy one of these cars!

It's just old banter from when I was born that just won't die. Things have changed.

My 2022 was built 6-24-2022 - a Friday.
I was told by an employee it was a "clean build". one bolt was replaced.
It was indeed a clean build. Perfect paint, suspension, steering, everything fit perfectly.

Sponsored