CHRYSLER JEEP ICON
THE FINAL PETER WEISMANN DESIGN
We completed this vehicle for our dad and mentor Pete
Weismann.
He died on November 22, 1996.
We had to work that day like it was any other day.
We completed the Icon on December 27, 1996.
The Icon made it's World Debut on January, 4 1997.
The United States Govenment granted us 26 claims and
a Patent Number 5,908,366 for a Drive Train For A Vehicle on June
1, 1999.
In the spring of 1996, Al Turner asked Peter Weismann to come
up with a innovative engine/transmission package based on the "Quickshift"
for a Jeep to set the a new standard for Truck Manufacturers .
In the next couple of days, Peter, Chris and
Pat layed out a rough design that would become the Jeep Icon -a
2wd/4wd, 12speed Semi/Automatic Weismann "Quickshift"
Transmission, with Weismann Lockers for differentials.
Some of the unique features are a flat firewall, a
flat floorplan (no tunnel bump for the transmission and transfer
case), no driveshaft or transfer case hanging low to high-center
the Icon, 4 wheel independent A-arm suspension, 17 inches of wheel
travel (the fenders limiting it to 13 inches), the transmission
sits along side the crank in the engine oilpan, the engine/clutch/transmission
all computer controlled, a front sub-frame to hold the engine/transmission
and suspension to the chassis with just 4 bolts, and a rear sub-frame
to hold the rear differential and suspension to the chassis with
4 bolts also.
Take a good look at this years and last years model
of the Honda CRV. Our sub-frame/independent suspension idea took
only a year to get into production. This years model incorporates
the rear differential as well.
We congratulate Honda for their uncanny ability to
recognize (once
again) a good thing!
We combined several specialized companies to help
make this Icon a working prototype in time for it's World Debut
at the 1997 Detroit Auto Show.
The Icon driving on stage for it's World Debut!
The Icon driving off stage!
The entire engine/transmission/suspension/drivetrain
was engineered by Pete, Chris, and Pat.
The unique uni-body chassis was designed at DZN Studios.
The engine/transmission and differential sub-frames
and suspension was designed and built at Rod Millen Motorsports.
The 7 wood patterns for the drivetrain castings were
designed and built by Tom Roberts Designs.
The styling was designed by Robert Laster at Chrysler.
The engine controller and wiring harness was made
by Rene Weber.
And the whole Jeep Icon was built and assembled at
Metalcrafters.
The entire project took less than 6 months to complete
from a blank piece of paper!
A rear view showing how the Quickshift is nestled
next to the crank.
A 3/4 view of the front package containing the engine,
the clutch, the hi/lo transfer, the 6 speed Quickshift, the 2wd/4wd
connection, reverse, the viscous-coupling, and the front differential.
