Jeep has been promising fans of the Wrangler (JL) a half-door solution since the model launched back in November 2017 at the LA Auto Show. At the initial unveiling, Jeep showed off a pair of “conceptual” half-doors with a plexiglass window in them and promising the public they would be available in the ’19 model year. However, a few months later, Jeep introduced the Jeep Jeepster Concept showing a pair of half-doors like the ones shown on this tester. At the time, Jeep said that the plexiglass ones would not be available for sale; however, the ones found on the Jeepster Concept were another “conceptual” item.

Fast forward to this year, the Jeep brand showed off the 6.4L HEMI V8 powered Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept. It featured another set of “conceptual” half-door, but this time, they were showcased on a four-door model.

With the added pressure from the upcoming Ford Bronco, it appears that Jeep is looking at bringing a half-door option to the market. Unlike the half-door design in the past generation (Wrangler JK), they have doors that feature fabric windows with a large opening in the middle and front quarter windows. These appear to be the same design showcased on the Rubicon 392 Concept and is the first time we have seen half-doors on a Wrangler (JL) other than the unveiling and the concept vehicles.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Jeep has been promising fans of the Wrangler (JL) a half-door solution since the model launched back in November 2017 at the LA Auto Show. At the initial unveiling, Jeep showed off a pair of “conceptual” half-doors with a plexiglass window in them and promising the public they would be available in the ’19 model year. However, a few months later, Jeep introduced the Jeep Jeepster Concept showing a pair of half-doors like the ones shown on this tester. At the time, Jeep said that the plexiglass ones would not be available for sale; however, the ones found on the Jeepster Concept were another “conceptual” item.

Fast forward to this year, the Jeep brand showed off the 6.4L HEMI V8 powered Wrangler Rubicon 392 Concept. It featured another set of “conceptual” half-door, but this time, they were showcased on a four-door model.

With the added pressure from the upcoming Ford Bronco, it appears that Jeep is looking at bringing a half-door option to the market. Unlike the half-door design in the past generation (Wrangler JK), they have doors that feature fabric windows with a large opening in the middle and front quarter windows. These appear to be the same design showcased on the Rubicon 392 Concept and is the first time we have seen half-doors on a Wrangler (JL) other than the unveiling and the concept vehicles.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

By SEMA Editors

Join  the industry  on November 2-6, to connect and conduct business with top companies in the specialty-equipment market.

Register for SEMA360

By SEMA Editors

Join  the industry  on November 2-6, to connect and conduct business with top companies in the specialty-equipment market.

Register for SEMA360

By Ashley Reyes

Fenton Liffick, a pioneer of the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), has been named the WTC’s latest volunteer spotlight member. With more than 65 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, including an extensive resume of spearheading various auto manufacturers and aftermarket companies, Liffick is one of the founding members of the Wheel Industry Council (WIC), the precursor to today’s WTC.  

Liffick was honored as WTC Person of the Year in 2004, given service awards in 2005 and 2015, and was presented with the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 for his dedication and contributions to the industry. Read more about his journey through the aftermarket and how WTC has impacted his professional career in his Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

Fenton Liffick: My first exposure to the wheel industry was in the fall of 1955, when I was assigned by my employer to provide technical service in the use of finishing chemicals by Kelsey-Hayes in Michigan and its French & Hecht farm implement wheel division in Iowa. Over the following eight years, I received a thorough education in the manufacturing and finishing of steel wheels at those two companies.

My first break into the aftermarket wheel industry was the design of a center anode assembly for the planting of steel wheel rims at Caltron Planting. I went on to use my background in manufacturing and finishing to help several aftermarket wheel pioneers until I was hired as general manager for Keystone Automotive in January 1967. I continued to move on, and each step, each move, each accomplishment has been intriguing and rewarding. Working with other individuals in the industry has been very educational and has helped me produce a better product.

Read SEMA News article on Fenton Liffick, “Honoring a WTC Pioneer.”

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

Fenton Liffick: Working as a volunteer in the WTC has further confirmed previous experience that working to jointly solve industry problems helps every participant to make a better product and does not have an ill effect on competitiveness. It helps the industry to make better products and helps all participants to grow fruitfully in their careers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

FL: My advice to all individuals pursing a career in the wheel and tire industry is to (1) learn the past problems and solutions, and (2), become fully aware of current problems, impending regulations, potential answers and participate in finding potential solutions and current knowledge, and be a force in getting the job done.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

FL: At 94 years old, my Saturdays are spent mostly with my wife, my children and their children in their activities.

By Ashley Reyes

Fenton Liffick, a pioneer of the SEMA Wheel and Tire Council (WTC), has been named the WTC’s latest volunteer spotlight member. With more than 65 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket, including an extensive resume of spearheading various auto manufacturers and aftermarket companies, Liffick is one of the founding members of the Wheel Industry Council (WIC), the precursor to today’s WTC.  

Liffick was honored as WTC Person of the Year in 2004, given service awards in 2005 and 2015, and was presented with the WTC Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 for his dedication and contributions to the industry. Read more about his journey through the aftermarket and how WTC has impacted his professional career in his Q&A with SEMA.

SEMA: What led you to obtaining a career in the wheel and tire industry?

Fenton Liffick: My first exposure to the wheel industry was in the fall of 1955, when I was assigned by my employer to provide technical service in the use of finishing chemicals by Kelsey-Hayes in Michigan and its French & Hecht farm implement wheel division in Iowa. Over the following eight years, I received a thorough education in the manufacturing and finishing of steel wheels at those two companies.

My first break into the aftermarket wheel industry was the design of a center anode assembly for the planting of steel wheel rims at Caltron Planting. I went on to use my background in manufacturing and finishing to help several aftermarket wheel pioneers until I was hired as general manager for Keystone Automotive in January 1967. I continued to move on, and each step, each move, each accomplishment has been intriguing and rewarding. Working with other individuals in the industry has been very educational and has helped me produce a better product.

Read SEMA News article on Fenton Liffick, “Honoring a WTC Pioneer.”

SEMA: How has being a WTC volunteer or member impacted your professional career?

Fenton Liffick: Working as a volunteer in the WTC has further confirmed previous experience that working to jointly solve industry problems helps every participant to make a better product and does not have an ill effect on competitiveness. It helps the industry to make better products and helps all participants to grow fruitfully in their careers.

SEMA: What advice do you have for someone pursuing a career in the wheel and tire segment?

FL: My advice to all individuals pursing a career in the wheel and tire industry is to (1) learn the past problems and solutions, and (2), become fully aware of current problems, impending regulations, potential answers and participate in finding potential solutions and current knowledge, and be a force in getting the job done.

SEMA: Where can we find you on a Saturday?

FL: At 94 years old, my Saturdays are spent mostly with my wife, my children and their children in their activities.

SEMA-member companies have posted several new listings for job opportunities in the Classifieds page of SEMA.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. Treasury issued a new loan forgiveness application form (Form 3508S) for PPP loans of $50,000 or less in an effort to simplify the loan-review process for these smaller loan amounts. The new form is two pages rather than five, and many questions meant to confirm that the loans were used as intended for supplying payrolls and covering fixed costs have been removed. Nevertheless, the form still requires the borrower to submit significant documentation (bank statements, tax forms, payment receipts, employee benefit statements, etc.).

The PPP has provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to American small businesses while supporting more than 51 million jobs, according to the U.S. Treasury. While SEMA welcomes the revised loan-forgiveness form, the Association has joined a coalition of companies and organizations seeking a more streamlined process so that small business owners can invest in jobs and support their local economies rather than spend time and resources on paperwork. Several SEMA-supported bills are being considered in the U.S. Congress that would further simplify the PPP forgiveness process, especially for loans of up to $150,000, while also protecting against fraud and misuse of funds. More than 86% of issued loans are for $150,000 or less, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA began accepting loan forgiveness applications on August 10, but only a small percentage have been submitted by lending institutions or processed by the SBA. The lenders have said that the process is too onerous and time-consuming. Under the program, a lender has 60 days to process and submit applications to the SBA once received from the borrower. The SBA has 90 days to make a final decision and send the forgiven funds to the lender.

Applications granted less than the anticipated full forgiveness by the SBA will be problematic for both the lender and borrower.

To obtain forms:

• Form 3508S
• Instructions
• Interim Final Rule

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.