5 Off Road Obstacles they said couldn't be done in a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk - WK2
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- In this video we show you 5 obstacles we brought our Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk up in 2020. If you have been out road in an unconventional rig, you are probably used to people telling you you can't do an obstacle. Or maybe they just stand around and watch. We hope you enjoy this video as we look back on 2020.
More information: prodigaloverland.com
Our events: prodigaloverland.com/events
Gear We Use: prodigaloverland.com/gear-we-use - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I just love seeing our WK2’s conquering the unexpected!! Way 2 go!!!💪🏽☝🏽🤘🏽👊🏽🔥🔥
Yes!! 😁
Lol...trip to Royal Blue, TN...bunch of nearly stock Isuzu folks, met up for Midwest/SE trail ride. Had lots of rain days prior...met up with 3 highly modded tacos and a wrangler that led us thru trails. Tacos went up nasty muddy hill. Wrangler attempted 3 times but had to take bypass. I was next in line in Trooper...proceeded and saw large group assembling at top of slope laughing and pointing. I climbed up the hill just like the tacos and the crowd, standing on the trail, parted like the red sea as I crested....the wrangler driver was not happy...love that memory...
FYI I have 16 Overland GC now....
That’s a good one. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!!! Great site for all GC owners.
You're the man, Brad! You show them! I love this.
Thanks Evan!
Prodigal Overland you're welcome, Brad.
Watching this video it really helps that you know to keep gassing through with the 4x4 system on the GC rather than trying to crawl it like something with lockers / traditional setups
Damn I'm just a regular GC commuter, but it's freaking awesome to see what they can do. Great content, the one next to the cliff had my heart racing 🤮🤮
Brad, you make me love my TH man, and I've learned from you as well. I'm glad you're out there.
Thanks for the kind words!
I've taken my 2017 WK2 Trailhawk on three Jeep Jamborees. Mole Lake, WI, Penns Wood, PA, and Killbuck, OH. Surprised the trail guides and other drivers every time, all very similar runs as your video. I have 150k miles on it now and pretty much have retired it from hard trails. I did some damage, but had a lot of fun. Great video!
I have just a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with rock rails, an MFC Offroad 3" lift with Dobinson suspension, and Firestone Destination AT2's (P265/70R17). I get the "A Cherokee can do that..." question and looks frequently and people are surprised everytime I accomplish something their Wrangler did as well. Awesome video, keep up the great content!
Its amazing what GC can do!
It is isn't it.
Finally, someone else is taking the WK2 to its limits :)
2015 GC Overland with under armor.
Man, you're getting the most out of the GC. That's awesome.
New to your videos mate & I thoroughly enjoy them, thank you for posting these. I have just last week purchased a WK 2021 Grand Jeep Cherokee Night Eagle 3.0 Diesel & looking forward to seeing what it can do
GREAT Video, Brad!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
We did Fins and Things last year in our 2018 Trailhawk and surprised some of the members of our Jeep Club. Our spotter told his wife to get the rope as we went up "The Wall" you showed in the video. We made it first try, no rope:) Thanks as always for the great content!
That’s great!
One summer day I came to a friends house with my 14 Jeep Grand Cherokee and his driveway was kind and a good 4.5% grade. Although concrete him and I both thought there I’d no way I was going to make it up. I mean this is no Nissan Maxima. But out of shear amazement it did it. I’ll never doubt this car again.
I was told as I lined up to do Billy Goat ridge in the Flinders Ranges 🇦🇺 that I couldn’t get my Jeep (Wk2 with Quadra lift and Quadra Drive 2) up there. All the other cars had 33 inch tyres and 3 inch lifts, Up we went when our turn came, while all the doubters watched on. The Track was rated a 9/10
difficulty for a touring 4WD as rated by a celebrity 4WD TV expert in Australia. The Jeep crushed it. Many videos on youtube about Billy Goat Ridge.
I’ll check it out! Great job! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Just this past weekend in Colorado Springs I have the 2014 trailhawk stock and it gose a lot of place people say it won't make it but it's a amazing build I think
Brad great video. I have been a fan of your channel for a while and I know exactly what you mean when people say, ' I don't think you can get through this" There is no better feeling when I pass someone on a trail or climb over an obstacle that they thought I would get stuck or break something on. Thanks for keep it real! Hopefully you do some events in the Pacific Northwest and the boarders open up (I'm in Vancouver Canada) cause it would be great to see how our vehicles compare on the trails head to head.
It sure would be good to meet up! Thanks for the comments!
Yea Brad, I am sold. When I get back to work as a Commercial OTR Truck Driver. I am going to be in the market for the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. 👍🏼👍🏼 Again I am very impressed. Your last video gave me thought in choosing the right motor for how I was going to utilize my vehicle. Thanks Brad for these awesome amazing videos !!
We are glad you are enjoying the videos! Happy to help!
Omg!!!! Bro you guys are killing the game with a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trail Hawk, I owed a 2017 GC Trail Hawk and what you guys accomplished was amazing... you did it without a lifted mod, and without putting on 33' or higher Tires. I appreciate your videos, having the grit to pull off what you guys did was awesome.. keep the videos coming brother..
Will do!
People I've met on the trail would always be impressed by how well my 2011 WK2 performed despite it being a "road going hunk of metal" like they called it. Since mine is a QDII with the 5.7 it basically flattened a lot of obstacles with minimum difficulties. I might get a solid axle rig some day to experience some real articulation when wheeling, but for now this "soccer mom" rig just serves me right
I love your content. I run a fully built wrangler and I am thoroughly impressed on your ability. I’m a firm believer not always what you drive but how you drive!
Thanks! Glad you found us!
Much respect an you got some 🏀🏀 my wife and just bought a high altitude and I can’t wait to try some trails this summer but nothing like those lol!
I am in a 2016 cherokee only thing I have found to stop me is clearance. Lovin the vids.
Yep. That ground clearance gets us sometimes as well!
You are a daredevil sir! Glad to be part of Prodigal Overland. on one of those obstacles. Nice drives. Calob is the man on the drone. Way cool. Love to hear Norah and Sammy on the vocals! Be well and see ya soon.
Glad you’re part of the crew as well!
JGC’s get no love. You don’t need 35’s and a 6” lift to conquer some decent obstacles. Every time I hit the local off road spot I get nothing but smirks from the jacked up wrangler and yota club. Don’t care and roll on through. Nice showcase of the capabilities here. 👍
Yes very true! Thanks for watching!
Great Video!!!
Thanks!
I've been working on my wk2 hemi and just last week I put a set of awesome landspyder all terrain tires on it to get through the heavy snow last week, next is the RC 2.5 lift kit
Have been watching a few of your videos over the past few days and was blown away at what you were able to clear with your GC TH in this recap/highlight. I own a '19 GC Limited and would like to start making some incremental mods to up the capability. I'm going to start with tires, but am curious about your thoughts on upgrading/modifying a GC (non-TH) to be more capable of off-road adventures. Maybe a topic for a future video. :) Keep up the great content!
I’d go for a lift next.
I knew I was gonna get tossed under the bus for that Devils Staircase remark (hangs head). Seriously though, that thing never stops surprising me. Really wish you guys came out this way, I need a wheeling buddy.
😂 Thanks for being a good sport! we should try to plan another time to meet up! Miss you guys!
Even if the Grand Cherokee is slightly less capable than a fully decked out Wrangler your superb driving skill easily makes up for it as you’ve shown time and time again.
I’m looking forward to Hot Springs, I haven’t seen any videos of Grand Cherokees out there so it’ll be cool to change that and hopefully make the cut for this video 2021 edition.
Yes! Sounds good.
I’ve taken my WK2 a lot of places it probably shouldn’t go, but it has never let me down! This spring I will be upgrading to a 3” lift and 33” tires. Should take me just about anywhere!
Very nice! Have fun out there
love seeing that thing billy-goat its way up the rock obstacles.
We think it does well!
Life is always an adventure with you!😉
Thanks girl! Love you 😍
AWWWWW
I would rather hear the vehicles. Then loud music. Just my 2 cents
I prefer hearing the vehicles more so than the music, too.
If you have the clearance and the right tires and protection, you can do just about anything in a Grand Cherokee. For those of us with lessor GC's, like the Laredo, we are only limited by the lack of 2-speed transfer case, which is nice for long steep descents, and steep climbs
at 14:05... omg.... how brave you have to be to ascend that slope...
About to place an order on a V8 Trailhawk GC. Can't wait!
That’s great!
Why not the diesel?
Damn that waterfall part was seriously impressive.
Thanks! It was a challenge.
When you buying a used Jeep you best take a moment to look underneath it lol.. nice video 📹 👍
Great work on proving that the WK2 is a Jeep too!
Thanks!
@@ProdigalOverland
I'm looking to update from my 04 Freedom Edition. What have you done to yours?
Last time i took out 2014 GC limited i was invited on an offroad group on Facebook. When i pulled up to the meet spot you could see people laughing. One guy asked me you really going to go with us. I out performed some of there heavily modified vehicles. They couldn't believe it. Took a few dings. But was fun. And yeah i live in New Mexico. Some of the trails here are pretty rough.
Good stuff! And yes to the trails out there
That is my dream vehicle and i always heard thinks about reliability. But you have verified that is reliable!
Thanks for watching!
This doesn’t mean it’s reliable, this just means it’s capable. They still break down. I have a 2018 summit and it’s always in the shop. I had a 2016 one that was always in the shop as well. But they are very capable. I don’t get stuck any where. But things do break on them constantly.
@@onehandassassin8452 That help a lot, tks
I love my Trailhawk, but there's absolutely a reason why I bought the extended warranty. Powertrain wise, it's solid. Outside of very rare MDS issues, the 5.7 will go forever. The ZF 8-speed is great. The other parts, particular the Quadralift, are concerning. I guess we'll see. I'm in it for the long haul.
Epic stuff here👍👍😎🇺🇸 Headed to the website.
Thanks!
You are also an excellent driver making it look easier than it is. I'm following and watching because I'm looking at buying a GC because I need the tow capacity but refuse to give up trail ability. Your videos make me believe I'm on the right track. Are you running AT3Ws???
Yes those are the tire we have. Thanks for watching!
Had a similar story. Went off-roading in Michigan’s Holly Oaks ORV park alone. One set of obstacles i thought I had enough clearance for ended up getting high centered. All these modified wranglers told me before I went through this obstacle that I might not make it, well I got high centered and had to get winched out :)
Yep. It happens!
Love this video. We did Marble Head in Michigan's UP in our MP Compass. There was a Tacoma that seemed intimidated but driven to do anything we did. Saw a big train of modified Wranglers on our way out. They seemed shocked to see a little Compass out there.
Awesome! Love it. Good stuff
Watching this videos as a 19 Compass 4X4 not even close to a GC but I got a for the wifey at the moment I’ve taken it on the snow, off road but I’m planning to get a GC in a couple years. 🤘🏽
Good choice!
I took my 2014 Cherokee Trailhawk 2.4l up 2N17X Pilot Truck trail. Nobody believed it could do it!!!!
What rack is that. Great vid as always.
Bras this is a fantastic video. Quick comment, as a new grand Cherokee trailhawk owner, I have. It had the chance in FL to be anywhere close to these trails. That being said, every year we go to the mountains of western NC and the areas around the smokies. You might not have logged it, or remember, but what would be incredibly insightful is possibly an explanation of the 4x4 settings you used in these scenarios. I know in a couple of videos you state off road 2 and 4x4 low / rock. Is that predominantly the mode you are using in most of these obstacles.
If I need to be climbing something I am most often in rock mode and OR2. At the dunes I was in sand mode. I usually keep it in auto until the terrain dictates differently. Hope that helps! Thanks for the question.
You need some detachable sway bar links or something, that bad boy needs to flex more!
I have a 2006 Limited with Hemi and Old Man Emu HD lift on it with 265/70/17 BFG KM3's and I can honestly say in all my years of owning 4 wheel drives, it will go more places than any of them.
Awesome!
I just bought an 05 WK with Hemi, I am putting the same lift on it along with upgraded upper control arms. Are you running stock rims for those tires?
On a side note, I have waited 2.5 months for the lift, no word when/if it will ship from ARB. The supply chain issue is nuts these days.
@@paladin11C40 yeah man that's crazy to take that long to get it! I bought new wheels when I lifted it. They're 17x9s
Hey I am running fully loaded optioned Overland need to change shocks and struts to something agressive from stock witb the air liflt system still new , newly replaced . Do you have recomendations? I have alot of bounce when beaching sand and dunes overlanding.
Nice video.. I own 2014 gc overland 5.7 hemi and I upgraded it with dobinsons ims offroad suspension and bwoody sway bar links and much better than the air suspension
Very nice!
Agreed. My 2012 GC Overland with Quadralift has done way more than I ever thought it could, but at full height is extremely stiff. Lockers would help a lot.
@@boldrbangr9834 www.dobinsonsdirect.com/products/dobinsons-ims-lift-kit-for-jeep-grand-cherokee-wk2-2011-on
I wanted a Grand Cherokee and I would have put on a lift and bigger tires. I finally decided that I might be limited so I bought a Wrangler JL Unlimited instead, lifted it 2" and put on Rubicon 33" tires. Last week we did Elephant Hill in Canyonlands Needles District in the Wrangler. A GC might or might not make it, depending on lift and tires, and the ability of the driver and spotter. I still sometimes wonder if I made the right choice. The Wrangler does allow for bigger tires and is a lot easier to lift. I like to see the GC get out there and do its best. I applaud your attitude.
Thanks for the comments, Thats a trail we would love to do.
Pretty amazing what the WK2 can do. Do you plan on making a video on your thoughts on the 2021 Grand Cherokee? It appears they have greatly reduced its off road ability and followed a more streamlined street SUV like a Tahoe or Expedition
Yes, the third row is a bit long for off roading. I’m anxious to see what the shorter one is goin to be like.
I hear the same from Wrangler owners and toyota people here in New England. The trails in the woods are tough here. Lots of large rocks on the trail. Some I definitely would not try, however most I have proven people wrong on with my 2014 limited.
Way to go!!
went up to Drummond Island with a group (all wranglers) and ended up completing Marble head loop with my 2" budget boosted 2003 Grand Cherokee and open diffs!
Thats great! congrats!
Amazing! Anyone know if these can be done in a GC 2019 Altitude?
LOVE this,,,,Thank you,,,,gives me confidence to watch what our vehicles can do! Have you heard that it is recommended to do a computer system update on our Jeeps??? Just like computers,,which our vehicles are packed with,,,we need to do updates, and it can help with diagnostics and future troubles???? Costs around $400.00. Anyone?
News to me!
Yup,,,took my rig in and asked if their is anything I could do,,,,like new shocks,,,,cause I was kind of complaining about the popping from the air shocks too....that’s when the service guy said we could do some updates to fix ride heights etc.......
@@georgetidd8972 I’ll have to look into this
Brad, do you have the “clunk and pop” suspension noise when you are wheeling in OR2? Thanks for the great channel for us JGC’ers.
Clunk yes. Not sure about the pop. It’s the airbags being at such a high pressure
Could be an upper control arm issue.
Really nice video!! which tires do you use? and which protections under the jeep do you use? Thanks
We are running fallen wildpeak tires. And Chief Products for the protection
My wife won't let me take her wk2 on the trail, but she ride with me when I took my truck off roading on drummond island. I got a lot of weird looks and laughs driving a crew cab long box diesel ram around the trails there.
Hello, greetings from Spain, I have been following your videos for a long time and I think they are great, I need to ask you a question: does your Jeep have quadra-trac II? And is the rear differential electronic limited slip?
We have the Quadra Drive 2 with the limited slip in the rear
Great video 👏. This past October we were with my family in Washington, Utah and wanted to go see the Toquerville waterfall. To get there you need to tackle some petty serious obstacles. We have a 2018 Land Rover Discovery with no lift and regular size KO2 tires. All the The present Jeeps were laughing at us.... 😊.... Well... Well, we killed and made faster than the Wranglers. And the view when you get there was so worth it.... So don’t always listen to tribal knowledge and trust your guts and your vehicle.
So true. Most people that say it can’t be done, haven’t tried.
What kind of tires do you run? Im getting ko2s on my 2015 limited tomorrow, looking forward to seeing what it can do. i know the trail hawk has about an inch more of clearance right? your trail hawk is was a beast on these obstacles, do you run skid plateS?
We currently run 265 65 18 falken wildpeak at3 tires. And most definitely on the skid plates. Our protection is by Chief Products
I have a 14 f150 and have taken it up hells gate (only limited slip diff) and everyone there said it couldn’t be done without lockers
I have a 2018 hemi trail hawk and I can’t tell you how many times people said I couldn’t do something or were blown away with what it could do. I went over this log obstacle at holly oaks orv park in holly Michigan and people were all watching me do it. After everyone felt they needed to try it to lol. I’m sadly getting rid of it because I really want a manual and my lease is ending. I ordered a manual willys gladiator but watching these videos is making me very sad.
We will be up in Michigan in may!
what type and size of tires are you using???
What size tires do you run?
All the low hanging plastic on the newer Cherokees is the turn off for me and always bouncing on three wheels. I will give you credit for good tire pressure and selecting good lines and driving for your success.
How big of a lift does your Overland have?
I’m now realizing that my new-to-me 2019 GC Summit 4x4 l, even with with QDII and QL Air probably isn’t the best GC model to have for climbing rocky hills…..🤷♂️🤣
Newbie here!! How do you get back down? Same trail, or is there another way down once you reach the top? Also. if you get stuck and other trucks are waiting behind you to go up the trail, what do you do?
Hi there! Some of the trails we do are out and back trails, meaning you have to do the same trails and same obstacles the other way. And some are point to point or loop trails that don’t require going back down.
As far as getting stuck. We try to make sure we have folks riding with us that can help. Or not do anything too crazy when we are alone. Sometimes trails are busy and you try to let them pass you if it’s clear they are in a hurry or you are slowing them down. Thanks for the questions!
Howdy neighbors. Love the video. We may not be Overlanders, or have a CZcams; but, we would love to do some type of colab with y'all for our blog
i have a 2015 Cherokee sport a friend said I wouldn't be able to even go on the beach with it! i laughed because I've been in sand and beaches several times with it! he stopped laughing when i went everywhere his big truck did!
Great video!, thanks for sharing!...amazing trail to make for a standard JEEP. May I know the tire size, and air pressure you used on these rock climbing trails?, and also how much can that air suspension lift your G.C. ?
We run 265 65 18 tires, usually run noun 20-22 PSI. An the air lift is about a 2 inch lift.
awesome!!! gonna watch it all. You buying the new Grand Cherokee? whats your opinion about it?
I’m not a huge fan of the styling. But regardless the longer wheel base with the third row is not for off roading. I’m waiting to see what the shorter one is going to have. And if there will be a trailhawk model.
@@ProdigalOverland same, im 100% sure the 2 row one is gonna look a lot better.
love your videos Brad, I'm about to start shopping for my first BUDGET ($15K) overland/off road vehicle that can also be a decent daily driver. I'm leaning toward the 3rd Generation WK Grand Cherokee with Quadra Drive ll. I like the fact it has a solid rear axle. Would be interested in a quick pros and cons from you (or others on here who are knowledgeable) about that vehicle. How does one go about increasing ground clearance with two different systems front and back and how many inches would you recommend lifting it from the 8.3" stock height. What does a lift generally cost? What size tires can it take without rubbing and will the lift kit effect tire size? Is the 5.7 motor mostly problem free. Are the mileage estimates accurate or a lot worse 13 city, 19 highway. With the back seats removed can a person 5' 10" sleep in the back? Thanks up front for any info you can share.
I have heard good things about the wk. but unfortunately I don’t have any first hand experience with that model. I’d recommend looking into a Facebook group for the wk. Thanks for watching!
have you ever had over heating issues with the transmission ?
We have not. Although it’s a common question.
Probably a dumb question. I'm just wondering do you meet up with people? I'd like to wheel with you. Are you ever in Topeka, Ks? I have a 2012 WK2 Overland.
Not a dumb question we plan and organize events as we travel. They are primarily geared towards folks new to getting out. We are trying to get them scheduled out at least 6 months in advance but aren’t there yet.
prodigaloverland.com/events
@@ProdigalOverland I'll keep in touch.
What is the year model fo your Grand Cherokee?
We have a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the V8
Hey there, just about to purchase a 2017 Trailhawk
Appreciate if you can let me know, when you climb those obstacles, I assume u r on Low with rear dif lock
How do you do it?
Many tnx
M
4 low yes, the rear axle has a limited slip that automatically adjusts based on the mode you are in. Like Rock, mud, sand
@@ProdigalOverland
Many many tnx
And LOVE your videos on CZcams 👍💪👍
@13:35 AINT NO FLIPPI G WAY
at 14:00... I think I almost had a panic attack watching this knowing you would make it. I'm considering a GC Trailhawk myself. Does it have crawl control? I think I've seen ascent control listed as a feature. Would guess that's the same thing. I ask because I don't think I've seen you use that feature. Seems like a lot of lurching over obstacles.
Yes we have crawl control. Or hill decent control. I’ve used it a few times. Personally, I’m not a huge fan. Although we have been out with some folks that use it often. It’s a reactive system so it’s not going to anticipate drops or ledges. Also I just like to been the one working the throttle and brake. But it does work as advertised.
Also have a Jeep Cherokee, I think my modified cherokee can accomplish these. Did you have to use lockers on any of these obstacles, I don’t have lockers on mine is the reason I ask
The grand Cherokee doesn’t have lockers. It has an automatic elsd in the rear and the active brake differential up front. They are automatically engaged in certain modes. And I’m sure they were working on these obstacles.
What tire pressures are you running?
we normally run 20 -22
You do know that the Devil's Staircase in Sedona is a 1 way trail downhill section. There are other places to play on that trail, so please obey the rules of the trails in Sedona.
I was looking for someone to finally comment on this. Prodigal needs to do his research more. Nice video though.
Hey Brad, great video!!! I am thinking of upgrading my Cherokee TH to Grand Cherokee TH HEMI. Have you had any notable not self induced failures?
Thanks1
I just saw you had an entire video on this...watching now :)
Would you say that a Cherokee trailhawk set up like yours could do pretty much the same obstacles? Thinking of getting one.
Funny you should ask. We just saw some in action. They had upgraded tires and a lift. We were able to get up stuff they couldn’t. But there are a ton of factors involved. I’d like to see more
@@ProdigalOverland I sure would like to know why they would be any different than yours especially if they were lifted and such. They are almost the same car, righ?
@@LarryRichelli A KL Cherokee and WK2 Grand Cherokee are not even remotely the same car. The KL is a FWD-first Dodge Dart in a fat suit. The WK2 is a RWD-first platform that finds it's roots in the W166 Mercedes chassis. KLs also don't get anything comparable to Quadralift. A KL with Active Drive Lock is probably relatively competent since it has a locking rear diff, but it still won't have the suspension travel of a WK2. The Cherokee isn't necessarily bad, but the days when the XJ Cherokee was pretty similar to the ZJ Grand Cherokee are long gone.
@@pacadet Well I just bought a new 2021 Wrangler Rubicon and my first 4 wheeling trip out I took it places that no cherokee or grand cherokee could go up in Big Bear, CA. Very happy with it. Enjoy
@@LarryRichelli You made a great choice! If I ever get to the point I have the space for a dedicated off road rig, I’d pick up a Wrangler as well.
is this GC - let me say - "right out of the box" or has it been essential modified ?
We upgraded tires to 265 65 R18, and added extra skid plating. but the suspension, gearing, drive train are stock
@@ProdigalOverland 👍
@@ProdigalOverland
Where are you based?
@@xmo552 we currently travel the USA in our fifth wheel. No home base really
I drive a '02 jeep Cherokee Laredo and love it 💕. It'll go just about anywhere I take it.
Watching from East Tennessee 👋🏻
(Currently it's out of commission awaiting a motor replacement...314k plus miles on it and it finally conked out)
Can you remind us what lift you have?
we just have the stock air suspension
@@ProdigalOverland impressive.
@@ProdigalOverland After warranty is done are you tempted to go with a suspension lift?
is that charcoal or rhino blue
It’s rhino blue
Being the six hundred and sixty sixth person to like this video kinda bothers me.
Air down please....
Driving is 50% driver and 50% vehicle
I kinda wonder if this dude is a project manager for his day job. Or used to be.
Sad to think that off-
roading anywhere in a Jeep is considered "unusual". Unfortunately with the new L it appears they're going even further away from off-road vehicles and even more into luxury.
It certainly seems that for what had been announced so far.