Mid-2021 Production Change - Steering Stabilizer

[Ted Striker]

How about just including that note in the instructions.
But I guess- anything for marketing. People don't read, they watch YT. Videos get attention and sell things.
Changing the instructions would cost money. Putting up a YT vid will make them money.

This video was made by Northridge 4x4 who is a seller of aftermarket parts. They don't manufacture anything and they don't write any instructions. It's up to the manufacturers to do that. However, the manufacturers WEREN'T doing that and when someone purchased a part from Northridge and it didn't fit, Northridge was getting the complaint, not the brand of steering stabilizer (Fox, Falcon, etc.). This was Northridge's solution to that issue to explain what was going on. It's not making them any money whatsoever, it's just for informational purposes.

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[kevman65]

This video was made by Northridge 4x4 who is a seller of aftermarket parts. They don't manufacture anything and they don't write any instructions. It's up to the manufacturers to do that. However, the manufacturers WEREN'T doing that and when someone purchased a part from Northridge and it didn't fit, Northridge was getting the complaint, not the brand of steering stabilizer (Fox, Falcon, etc.). This was Northridge's solution to that issue to explain what was going on. It's not making them any money whatsoever, it's just for informational purposes.

And to add, JEEP didn't notify anyone about the change. It caught the aftermarket people by surprise when customers were notifying them that it wasn't a direct bolt up like their instructions said.

Northridge 4x4 basically stepped in for JEEP to notify the unclean masses that there was a change on one of the parts that is most often changed out first.

 

[Hootbro]

I am really surprised Jeep did not totally roll the stabilizer strut to a different part number and not the two end letter suffix change they did.

General practice has been that even when a part changed and the two letter end suffix rolled to the next series letter, that part was still 100% backward compatible as is without anything else needed. That new special bolt throws that practice out the window.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I am really surprised Jeep did not totally roll the stabilizer strut to a different part number and not the two end letter suffix change they did.

General practice has been that even when a part changed and the two letter end suffix rolled to the next series letter, that part was still 100% backward compatible as is without anything else needed. That new special bolt throws that practice out the window.

The part is still compatible with the old bolt, it has just been modified to accept the new one. The problem only comes when replacing a Stabilizer on a new truck, since all the current aftermarket Stabilizers are designed for the old style bolt.

 

[LostWoods]

The part is still compatible with the old bolt, it has just been modified to accept the new one. The problem only comes when replacing a Stabilizer on a new truck, since all the current aftermarket Stabilizers are designed for the old style bolt.

Ehhh I'm not so sure. The mounting tab is the same so I can imagine anyone getting a replacement will get a new bolt as well.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Ehhh I'm not so sure. The mounting tab is the same so I can imagine anyone getting a replacement will get a new bolt as well.

I'm just pointing out that the new Stabilizer will still work with the old style bolt. The new revision Stabilizer will likely include instructions to replace the bolt if installing on a vehicle with the older style bolt.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So swap bolts.
It's no biggy........... Guess it's only a problem for those who haven't ever swapped parts before or can't think through minor bolt differences (and should some of them be swapping steering and suspension parts if that bolt thing throws them for such a loop? Dunno - probably the sort that would go to Menards and get a grade 5 bolt)

I can't see even mumbling about it - I'd go to my stash of bolts, grab one that works and move on.

 

[Ted Striker]

So swap bolts.
It's no biggy........... Guess it's only a problem for those who haven't ever swapped parts before or can't think through minor bolt differences (and should some of them be swapping steering and suspension parts if that bolt thing throws them for such a loop? Dunno - probably the sort that would go to Menards and get a grade 5 bolt)

I can't see even mumbling about it - I'd go to my stash of bolts, grab one that works and move on.

Have you even done this steering stabilizer swap? I did. And I did it at 4:30 in the morning laying down in my driveway with a shop light. It was frustrating to figure out why the bolt wouldn't line up easily on my 2021 like it did when I swapped the steering stabilizer on my 2020. I didn't notice the bolt difference until I took it out and compared it with my 2020 Gladiator which luckily was still in my driveway at the time. Had it not been there, I would have never known the differences in the bolt.

Stop being such a condescending ass about the whole thing and while you're at it, stop sounding like a grumpy old man about a f'n YouTube video. Not everybody has a full blown auto shop at home and 60 years of experience dealing with these things and videos like this are helpful. Don't like it? Get over it and move the F on and let the rest of us be enlightened.

 

[Aonarch]

I think the video was due to them selling aftermarket replacements that require the old bolt. I think it’s more to show their customers who will inevitably have installation issues because of the new bolt.

Yup I found this out with my Bilstein damper. It does not accept the factory keyed bolt. A quick trip to ace hardware for IIRC a M12x70mm fixed it.

 

[River2016]

I just ordered the fox 2.0 stabilizer. So do I need to go ahead and pick up a bolt before it gets here?

 

[Mr._Bill]

I just ordered the fox 2.0 stabilizer. So do I need to go ahead and pick up a bolt before it gets here?

You may need one, depends on when your truck was built. It would be easier to pick one up from the dealer, in case you need it, rather than to be hunting for one during the process.

 

[andrew8404]

That's all it is? A single letter change? It's not a new part, then. It's a very minor revision to an existing part. Don't expect changes.

You mean there's a video about this? Good grief. A minor revision to an existing part and it gets a YT video?
That's almost a joke.

Always so dramatic. It's a YouTube video explaining if you buy a aftermarket stabilizer it won't work with the new bolt. Holy Cow watch the video man and stop being so judgmental.

 

[BamaJeepTruck]

And to add, JEEP didn't notify anyone about the change. It caught the aftermarket people by surprise when customers were notifying them that it wasn't a direct bolt up like their instructions said.

Northridge 4x4 basically stepped in for JEEP to notify the unclean masses that there was a change on one of the parts that is most often changed out first.

Jeep didn’t notify anyone? Why would they? Jeep doesn’t need to notify anyone that they are changing anything, especially aftermarket parts companies who make money off their vehicles. You want a press release they changed a bolt? Good luck drinking from that firehose.

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