Since its inception, the Jeep name has been synonymous with rugged performance, and for more than 75 years, Jeep has had Dana as its OE driveline supplier. Building on that heritage, Dana Inc. has introduced a new line of Dana axles with AdvanTEK technology that will be featured on every Jeep Wrangler JL straight from the factory.
Dana also has introduced a new line of aftermarket Dana axles and Spicer drivetrain components for the Jeep Wrangler JL. The line of drivetrain upgrades includes Ultimate Dana 60 front and rear axles, Spicer Performance nodular iron differential covers, chromoly axle shafts, bearing kits and expanded ratio gears.
Dana is showcasing the new products at the Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival, from June 7-10, in Butler, Pennsylvania. The festival is a tribute event to the early Bantam version of the Jeep held by the Friends of the Bantam Jeep Association. The event celebrates the history behind the Bantam, the people who created it and its birthplace.
The AdvanTEK technology incorporated in the Dana axles, featured on Jeeps, provides greater power density and fuel efficiency than similar offerings, while reducing driveline weight with lighter, higher-strength materials and advanced Spicer AdvanTEK gearing.
“Every new Jeep Wrangler vehicle will be offered with exclusive Dana AdvanTEK axle technology. No other manufacturer offers the Dana 44 AdvanTEK axles, which deliver unprecedented stock performance, allowing Jeep enthusiasts to handle some of the most extreme off-road conditions,” said Seth Metzger, vice president, light vehicle engineering at Dana. “The Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival event provides us with an opportunity to reach enthusiasts who have embraced the Jeep lifestyle and enjoy sharing in its rich history, while showcasing the latest evolution in the new Wrangler JL.”
The “Jeep” vehicle concept was born in response to the U.S. Army’s call for designs of an easily transportable 4×4 general-purpose vehicle during World War II. Many historians acknowledge that the Bantam General Purpose Vehicle was the original inspiration for the design that eventually became the Jeep, and its production version used Dana Model 25 front axles, Model 27 rear axles, Spicer propshafts and a Dana 18 transfer case. Dana’s relationship with the Jeep brand has been going strong ever since, says the company.
For more information on the Dana AdvanTEK axles for the Jeep Wrangler JL, go to SpicerParts.com/Jeep.
