Earlier than diving into the main points relating to this catastrophic show of destruction, know that many particulars are lacking and the obtainable info leaves us with some questions. Whatever the particulars, that is the sort of brutal destruction normally reserved for gazillion-horsepower race vehicles blowing themselves up. As such, there’s some robust language within the video under, however we might in all probability say the identical factor if this got here into our store.
After all, this is not a gazillion-horsepower race automobile. In response to the TikTok video shared by sbcsdime210 (additionally viewable above from YouTube) it is a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon that appears to be as bone-stock as they arrive. From the skin all the things appears regular, however when the digicam appears to be like beneath, we actually see the engine torn utterly open. Because the video explains, the crankshaft is damaged and the again half of the engine block is simply gone. The transmission bell housing is blown aside. The transmission enter shaft is sheared. The following shrapnel destroyed the catalytic converter. If we did not know higher, we might say a grenade detonated contained in the oil pan.
So what occurred? In response to The Drive, this Jeep got here right into a Florida dealership after being flat-towed behind a motorhome. Flat-towing is when a automobile is towed on all 4 wheels, however with the character of transmissions, not all automobiles will be flat-towed with out inflicting main driveline injury. Briefly, the Wrangler is okay for flat-towing when arrange correctly, however apparently, this specific Rubicon was left in gear when attached. That is not good, but it surely will get worse.
The report additionally states technicians at this dealership discovered the Wrangler in four-wheel low, and the transmission was in first gear. It have to be famous that neither the video nor the report state definitively that this Wrangler was really towed in first gear, 4L vary. It was merely discovered that manner. Frankly, we battle to grasp how such a low-gear configuration could possibly be towed at even a modest velocity with out the tires merely dragging throughout the bottom. Then once more, we by no means tried to tow a Wrangler in gear, by no means thoughts locked into low vary.
However, as we acknowledged at first, the main points aren’t terrifically necessary right here. This seems to be a flat-towing fake pas, and one can solely think about the power required to peel again an oil pan, shear a crankshaft, and detonate a bell housing. What’s extra, the injury is claimed to be upwards of $30,000 and that is reportedly only for the required components. Apparently, that 3.6-liter V6 engine is a dear merchandise when sourced new from the manufacturing unit.
Actually, might as effectively simply go for the $21,000 Hellcat Redeye crate engine and be accomplished with it.
