>Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2001 00:02:40 -0500 (CDT) >From: JEEPHEAD93webtv.net >Subject: xj: Build Sheet >John, >Is that build sheet a universal form that chrysler used for all its >vehicles (trucks & SUV's) or just for the JEEP division. If it was just >for JEEP does that mean they offered a 9.25 rear axle and 4:88 gears in >the XJ's? I was just wondering cause I was looking at all the options on >the back of the build sheet. >Steve J. >93 XJ-2.5 >"MULE" Steve, Because of the confusion recently encountered on the one of the lists about transmissions (see summary sheet below) it seems to me that these factory build orders may include data from other models and other options that may not have been even offered that year. I think the forms have provisions for things that may not have even been designed. :) When setting up a manufacturing operation and parts sources one must consider all possibilities. I suspect that is what is reflected on these forms. These aren't enthusiasts setting this stuff up, in fact, the folks that set this stuff up may not have been engineers. They were parts and inventory folks who probably looked at various vendor catalogs and selected the range of parts available in setting up the process flows and inventory systems. Just a hunch based on a variety of personal experiences in various industries. :) I'm sure there were folks with business degrees, industrial engineers and just plain old hard working folks trying to make things work for clueless managers who treated them with disdain and contempt. :) But it seems like those that work there still enjoy it: http://www.wagoneers.com/JEEPS/HISTORY/RalphOffenberg/1937.html anyway, here's some BUILD ORDERS and Summary sheets: FSJ (1989) Summary Sheets: http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/SPECS-n-MISC/89GW_SummarySheet1.JPG http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/SPECS-n-MISC/89GW_SummarySheet2.JPG FSJ (1984? - need to check the VIN) build order: http://www.wagoneers.com/FSJ/tech/SPECS-n-MISC/vehicle-building-order.jpg XJ (1993) build order: http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/tech/BUILD-ORDER/1993-xj-build-order-1.jpg http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/tech/BUILD-ORDER/1993-xj-build-order-2.jpg http://www.wagoneers.com/XJ/tech/BUILD-ORDER/1993-xj-build-order-bottoms.jpg interesting stuff... would like to learn more, but Toledo is a long way from Snohomish and it would be hard to find someone there that understands the "big picture". Sadly most automotive journalists don't understand or report all the details and technical specs. Seems like they gloss over the good stuff because it takes effort. They give you fluff instead of content. And what's even more worrisome is when I read an article and there are ERRORS in print!!!!! Some of the stuff I've read by Jim Allen on makes me think he hasn't even seen a Jeep up close, especially Full Size Jeeps. Yet he printed books and magazine articles!! He did a piece on the history of 4x4s and totally excluded the SJ model of the Jeep. Yet other writer's clearly point out the massive influence that these Jeeps had on the industry and even other countries. Jeep was a pioneer in this area and he totally ignored them!!! There are a number of other technical errors that he makes in his writing that disgust me. While one of my favorite automotive writers Robert C. Ackerson has made a few errors, most of his stuff is pretty solid and accurate. Errors are going to creep in. The data sources are often the problem. For example the 1981 service and owners manual tells us to use 10w30 motor oil in the transfer case!!! Turns out it's supposed to be ATF in any aluminum case chain driven transfer case, and later years of the manuals cite ATF. I am very dissatisfied with most of what I read in books or articles... It seems like folks that write these things don't know the "who, what, where, when, why or the how" and that and they don't understand how an enthusiast thinks. (we're thinking how can I UPGRADE or MODIFY my rig to make it better... we're thinking HOW did they come up with this, I'm curious... and so on... :) Definitely a disconnect exists... and we're left hanging with partial data and partial information... fluff with NO substance... I WANT DETAILS, SPECIFICATIONS, DIMENSIONS, RATINGS, OPTIONS... I WANT MY DATA!!!! and I WANT IT NOW. :) I WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY WERE BUILT, I WANT TO KNOW THE DETAILS!!!! I miss the days of Road and Track (early '70s) where a nice summary of all the specifications where printed at the back of the article. You had all the vehicle specs right there. That was journalism. Not only did you get the writer's seat of the pants view and could "feel" the car, but you could also see the specs and compare them with other models. You could trust those guys. The garbage in print now talks about such surface issues and side topics that it's just wasted fluff. I've read articles where the author hadn't even popped the hood to take a picture of the engine!!!! When I read about the "new" Grand Cherokee I want to read about the gear ratios, engine specs and dimensions all interspersed with the writer's experience with the rig and his or her feelings about it... I WANT DETAILS and opinions, not just FLUFF.... ok, ok, maybe I shouldn't have had that last Latte... I'm getting off the soapbox now... ;) they shouldn't give me days off... rofl... sorry for going so long... later, john meister --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.WAGONEERS.com/ Snohomish, WA - where Jeeps don't rust, they mold... jesus, don't leave life without him, please! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------