I just got a new Rubicon 392 the other week, and we love it. That said, with the loyalty I've shown to Stellantis over the years, I'm worried that they'll end of life the Wrangler and switch to some other all-electric disaster. The good news is that there are so many Wranglers out there, and the Rubicon 392 doesn't have too many unique parts, that it's probably good to go for a long time. My '17 ACR-E, though, worries me every time I look at it. I love the car, but if something goes wrong, I'm pretty sure I'm SOL on it - even with about three years left on the Max Care warranty.
Not speaking for Martin, but if you read this entire thread you'll see that there are many Viper parts that are no longer available. Window Regulators are probably the biggest issue. And window regulators are pieces of crap even when new. Body panels of almost any type are another. Side sills for ACRs discontinued. Hoods discontinued. Damage your hood and you are likely looking a totaling your car if it is bad enough to warrant a new hood. Ball joints, control arm bushings, control arms, and more are Viper specific parts with no cross reference that I can find. Window glass is hard to find. Windshields, while available, typically have been coming through damaged. According to one local source 3 out of 4 windshields are damaged from the factory. Other items like window switches are stupid expensive. One poster on here is looking for a passenger window switch. The only one I've found is on eBay for $555! Headlights, while still available, are hard to get. The list goes on.
That's a real thing. I had to re-do my driveway so that the front splitter didn't scrape every time I went in or out of the driveway. There have been times where I've turned into a gas station or restaurant driveway and heard some really nasty noises. No damage yet (thankfully) but there are parts that are vulnerable and only available through aftermarket now. Side sills, like George mentioned, are impossible. They're also made out of really soft aluminum, and one hit by a runaway shopping cart and it's a big headache.
Shocks are another one - and the shock adjustment tools. I've got mine stored away and I plan on having a metal shop create replacement shock adjustment tools because the little tooth on it isn't too sturdy. I've seen a few that broke off, and finding a replacement wrench is absolutely impossible.
I'd love to see a comprehensive list of the 90% of parts that are available via other part numbers or through the aftermarket. I'd pay good money for a comprehensive cross reference like that. It would take a lot of hours out of trying to search nationwide for something that's available on a dealer part rack as a Durango part, or whatever.
I still drive mine and Autocross it a couple times a month. IF IT DIES! IT DIES!
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Last edited by PkB2014; 08-22-2022 at 05:25 PM.
I guess I'm over paranoid because I massacred my '09 ACR. I loved that car - it was perfect for me. But, it's gone and losing it dialed up my paranoia about losing this one. This ACR-E has a story to it, so busting it up would really be a shame.
Well, the story is someone else owns it now - I think someplace on the East Coast. I drove that one hard, and unfortunately where I live there are plenty of perils. In my Jeep, I can hit a deer and my biggest worry is whether it's still going to taste OK when I get it home for BBQIn the Viper, deer = total loss for deer + Viper.
speaking of which... my passenger window finally stopped working. It got stuck half way and can only slowly go up if I have something pull it up at the same time I pull the window up button.
been sourcing a window regulator from dealer since june, 3 dates have come and passed and dealer doesnt know when
Are they sure it is the regulator and not the plastic bushing that goes through the glass? If it is the regulator, good luck. They have been unavailable for most of the year. You can try to get it rebuilt by the company in AZ that is mentioned in this thread. If it the bushing order the replacement part from Doug Shelby Engineering. The OEM bushing only comes as part of the window glass from Dodge which, of course, is also not available.
I think this qualifies for the thread, correct?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16564866395...&segname=11021
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Brian
98 Ronzello PVP Pilot GT2
99 ACR
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Yeah, but that's only if you're in a pinch. You're going to destroy the motor eventually and the regulator sleeve cracking/splitting is a much easier problem to fix now (powerwindowrepair.com or viper store reinforcement kit) than replacing the regulator (parts unavailable unknown ETA).
doesnt mean anyone is buying at that price.. asking.
It's sad when the "melt value" is much higher than the value of the whole car. Just think of the value of the individual parts that are no longer available.
yeah mine is in a horrible shape, powerwindowrepair might be the best option as i dont think the viper store kit will fix it. mine been on order for 3 months now and I saw that theres 84 standing orders nationwide (was like 20 when I first ordered), are they even producing these at all
No use in replacing them with new ones, they will only do it again, it’s not if but when..
they never updated the part even though dealerships were replacing under warranty left and right.. your best bet is to pull yours and send to power window repairs.com and have them rebuilt with a lifetime warranty..
Who knows if they're being produced. I'd say it's doubtful. Parts support was bad when it was FCA and it seems to have only gotten worse once merged as Stellantis. I'm just grateful there are options out there right now for your specific issue.
They updated the part number a few years back which is why people thought they updated the design, but nothing was changed except the number.
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