There's a Jeep in the Family Now

There’s a Jeep in the Family

My brother bought a new 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara the other day, and I asked him if he knew what it was made of. What we found out was very interesting.

So my brother bought a new 2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara the other day. He was so excited that he already took the doors off on a freak 72-degree day last month for his drive in to work. I, personally, would have been more excited about testing out the four-wheel drive in the gobs of snow we get in Northeast Ohio. Then again, I’m 18 years older than him, and safety is more of a priority with me; he probably still thinks he’s immortal.

I informed him of the “Jeep wave,” that all Jeep Wrangler owners wave to each other when passing by. He gave me a weird look.

I asked him if he knew what this thing was made of. He said he thought the doors and some of the structure were aluminum. Turns out, the doors and hood are aluminum, as well as the windshield frame and fenders. The tailgate is magnesium. The frame is high-strength steel, 100 lbs. lighter than the previous generation.

So, of course I told him about the importance of taking his Jeep to a body shop that can properly repair it. A shop with access to Fiat Chrysler Automotive repair information. A shop with the proper equipment for aluminum repair. A shop with technicians who have been trained in aluminum repair.

The kid’s smart, he builds robots for a living, but I think I told him something he doesn’t know. Just doing my brotherly duty.

You May Also Like

The Digital Blitz

We talk so much about how much collision repair is changing, but so is the world of media!

We talk so much in the pages of BodyShop Business about how rapidly the collision repair industry is changing, but the world of BodyShop Business is changing drastically too — the world of media, that is. Change is everywhere! Is there anything that is not changing? Change, as they say, is inevitable. I liken it to a freight train that will steamroll you unless you get on board.

Auto Body Shops: Building a Foundation for the New Year

For the new year, it’s important to conduct a thorough audit of your finances to look for areas of opportunity and things to change.

Auto Body Consolidation Update: There’s a New Buyer in Town

The good news for shops that want to sell but do not fit a consolidator’s
profile is that there is a fresh pool of new buyers.

Is Your Auto Body Shop a Hobby … or a Business?

So you want to provide safe and properly repair vehicles to your customers … even at a financial loss?

BodyShop Business 2023 Executives of the Year

Greg Solesbee was named the Single-Shop Executive of the Year, and Charlie Drake was named the Multi-Shop Executive of the Year.

Other Posts

Taking on the Auto Body Tech Shortage

I-CAR’s new digital marketing campaign promotes to young people the abundant career opportunities available in collision.

This Could Be Your Last Text

A sign I saw on the highway that said “This Could Be Your Last Text” reminded me of my son’s recent car wreck.

SUNY Morrisville Auto Body Program Makes Students, Cars Shine 

A 1997 Mustang Cobra is getting the chance to shine again, thanks to students in Alexander Graf’s auto body technology classes.

3 Strategies to Improve Your Insurance Protection

If you’re looking to improve your shop operations and set yourself up for success in 2024, remember these three insurance strategies.