2018 Jeep Wrangler JL Hits Dealer System - 1st Official Look @ Engines, Options, Packages, Features!

ESS has nothing to do with offering a manual transmission. Cummins doesn't offer ESS on their engines, and they are the only other ones currently paired with a manual transmission. What manual Transmission F-150 is out there now diesel or gasoline?

Also the EcoDiesel currently doesn't have ESS in the RAM or GrandCherokee even for export, which makes the Wrangler version unlike any other implementation currently out there. So it's a unicorn where previous rules don't apply, including your made-up one about ESS and a manual transmission. That there are other ESS manual transmissions combos out there proves it's not a technical limitation. The technical limitation is torque handling of the transmission.

Is there a Pentastar 3.6L with ESS and a manual transmission out there in the US? Does that determine that combo?

No, they use engineering, marketing and sales as a guide, not a feature like ESS.

It is easy, and it can be done in firmware.
Just like Hyundai did to add it;
http://fortune.com/2016/05/26/hyundai-dyi-android-auto-carplay/

But sure, tell me how impossible that is to alter configurations in a head unit.
That they may not bother is a different question.
We were the ones saying earlier in the thread that it would be counter to the customer experience to offer them separately.

No one said the JL was getting the older radios, however they are still firmware locked and changeable, just like the old decks. The use of the 430 was to illustrate a similar example,on the existing platform as to how features are locked out until unlocked, and how the same hardware can have multiple firmware profiles.

For BOTH of these things you make them sound like insurmountable limitations, which they aren't, at least not in the way you're thinking of them

 

Grape...

 

I wonder if the 'Cold Weather Group' will feature a heated steering wheel?

 

Rumor has it!

 

Oh, I know. I live in one of the most Jeep-populated states in the country. I easily see a dozen, if not more, Wranglers out and about every single day. But I'll be damned if I can remember the last time I saw a 2-door JK Sahara around southern Colorado. I know they're out there, but they're definitely not common here anymore. They were everywhere during the TJ years.

The Sahara is definitely popular out in California, which I visit regularly, but I still see more 4-doors than anything.

 

Because the 4 door didn't exist in the TJ era?

 

Exactly, which was my original point as to why I can understand Jeep killing the 2-door Sahara.

 

Did I read somewhere on here that there will be no towing package on the JL? Or am I mistaken...

 

That would have to be a mistake... I cant think of a reason why they would not offer it.

 

I stand with Digi-Bliss on this one.

 

Okay, I had thought I saw a post that stated that it would no longer be available...I certainly hope that isn't the case as I was hoping they would increase the towing capacity.

 

I don't expect an increased towing capacity on the 2-door JL. I think the short wheelbase is the limiting factor.

 

I think that rumour came about partly due to the feature not being listed in this thread's build options. I don't remember seeing that rumour before then, and it spread quickly afterwards people noting its absence.

Now, if they did drop the money-generating package, which still seems unlikely, there is a logical reason for it in that the main features are already rolled into the base model as is the case now on the JK essentially. So just add a hitch Mopar receiver and get properly geared, and you're good to go.

I think the last time there was a significant difference in the 'Tow Package' on the Wrangler was in 2012 when it added the Trail-Sway-control (now standard on all JKs) and the Transmission cooler on the Automatic (also now standard on all autos). Now essentially you're paying for the Mopar hitch receiver and 4 pin adapter to be pre-installed for when you pick it up, which they could just have as a feature-add instead of a 'package', it amounts to the same thing.

However, considering all of their talk about improving performance in the towing area, it would be odd to not have improved trailer-ing options.

Although if they just offer those features like the Big Brake Kit to everyone to improve stopping distance in general, and not be forced to get a hitch receiver or 4-pin connector in order to get options that may help other setups, then I'm ok with that too.
Especially since I usually don't order the Tow Package so I can add the 7-pin Wrangler harness instead of the default 4-pin.

I have a feeling it will still be offered since FCA makes more money installing the parts at the plant than selling the individually via Mopar.

Seems likely, it was just one of those features that wasn't seen by the admin/source when they were poking around in the system.

 

This would make sense and I agree with all the points you make here. And to alleviate anyone's fears, there is no reason to believe the JL(U) with have any reduced ability to tow when compared to a current JK(U). Hopefully, may me anyway, they are actually able on increase its ability.

 

I kind of feel like the biggest news and question in this order page snafu is whether they really will have the Ecodiesel available at release. All other research I've seen, including a tagged article on the front page here, says that it won't be available until the 2019 model.

 

There are currently two tow options for base JK. One is simply a hitch the other is hitch plus 3.73 gears. I think they call it max tow option.

Are the JL gearing options listed in the dealer system yet?