Dana puts Jeep products to extreme test

Rubber & Plastics News Staff
@spicerparts, Twitter
Dana Inc.'s tire inflation system and axle product concepts were put to the test during the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

MAUMEE, Ohio—Dana Inc.'s tire inflation system and axle product concepts were put to the test during the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.

The company's engineers used Jeep Wranglers outfitted with the latest technologies from Dana to participate in 13 days of grueling design validation. Dana engineers used the diverse terrain to take testing out of the lab and into the field, proving that its exciting product concepts could tackle the toughest conditions.

"Dana is committed to developing the highest-quality products for our customers, which requires that we rigorously test and validate them before they are introduced to the market," Bob Pyle, president of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies, said in a statement. "Moab's desert terrain is a fun and rugged environment for evaluating our technology."

The Spicer CTIS allowed drivers to adjust tires to optimal pressure level based on the terrain—from paved surfaces to sand, mud and steep inclines—via a convenient push-button operation. CTIS technology was evaluated for its ride and handling enhancements along with component durability. After the tough testing, Dana said all CTIS components remained intact with no damage or degradation of system performance.

Dana also validated its Ultimate Dana 80 rear axle assembly and Ultimate Dana 60 kingpin front axles. The firm said both products were conceptualized as potential aftermarket products to satisfy off-road enthusiasts' desire for tires larger than 40 inches or LS V8-engine swaps.

"Dana is a trusted name for serious off-roaders, and we have built a legacy with the Wrangler brand and lifestyle," Peter Cirulis, vice president of customer experience, strategy, and product planning for the Dana Aftermarket Group, said in a statement. "We will continue to introduce new aftermarket solutions to meet the unique desires of the Jeep enthusiast community."

Easter Jeep Safari consists of trail rides, mostly day-long trips, departing from Moab throughout the nine-day event hosted by Red Rock 4-Wheelers Inc., one of the local four-wheel drive clubs in Moab.

Headquartered in Maumee, Dana is a world leader in engineered solutions improving the efficiency, performance and sustainability of powered vehicles and machinery. It employs about 30,000 people in 33 countries on six continents with $7.2 billion in sales.

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