From climbing rock formations and fording streams to traversing desert trails and paved highways, Dana Incorporated successfully tested its tire inflation system and axle product concepts during the Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah.  The company’s engineers used Jeep Wranglers outfitted with the latest Dana technologies to complete 13 days of gruelling design validation.

“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,” said Bob Pyle, president of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Technologies.  “Moab’s desert terrain is a fun and rugged environment for evaluating our technology.”

On customized Jeep Wranglers, Dana evaluated its automated Spicer OpTiMa central tire inflation system (CTIS), as well as its Ultimate Dana 80 rear axle assembly and Ultimate Dana 60 Kingpin front axle as bolt-in aftermarket solutions.

Enhanced tire inflation technology
The Spicer CTIS excited Jeep enthusiasts with the opportunity to spend less time inflating and deflating tires, and more time having fun on the trails.

Originally created for government and vocational vehicles, the system allows 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.

The CTIS technology was evaluated for its ride and handling enhancements along with component durability.  After the tough testing, all CTIS components remained intact with no damage or degradation of system performance.

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

If produced as aftermarket solutions, drivers could use the robust axles to safely upgrade their Jeeps without fear of overwhelming the existing drivetrain.

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

In addition to testing the product concepts, Dana demonstrated the performance of its line of recently launched Dana aftermarket axles and Spicer  drivetrain components for the Jeep  Wrangler JL.  The line of drivetrain upgrades – including Ultimate Dana 60 front and rear axles and Spicer Performance nodular iron differential covers, chromoly axle shafts, bearing kits, and expanded ratio gears – also successfully endured the tough Moab terrain. They are available now at danaaftermarket.com.

With its dedication to rigorous product validation in varied environments, Dana continuously holds real-world testing events throughout the year.  In February and March, the company hosted several OEM customers at its winter testing activities in Arjeplog, Sweden, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

For more information on Dana’s technologies, visit dana.com.