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You gotta tell us all about it. Did you take your Jeep out there?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Just wanted to check in and let everybody know that I'm still around. Colorado Springs is beautiful, and the weather has been awesome. I've actually been able to have my top down a few days here and there.
Anyway, I put together a web page with some info and some pics. Check it out if you want. It's my first effort so don't be too harsh. For some reason, the pics load very slowly, but they do load.
Here it is:
http://madman390.tripod.com/cgi-bin/home.htm
Take care all.
Madman
It's really great to have you back in the good old USA, Mad. Once again, I thank you for your service to this great country of ours.
It does my heart good to hear about your enjoyment of your Jeep. I have to admit, though, that I am jealous because of your current location. What a great place, huh? Especially for a Jeeper.
Keep on Jeepin'! Update that web page frequently.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Good Job
Mary Ann
If our weather here is any indication - you might be seeing some snow soon. We're finally getting wet! Wonderful! We sure need the rain - one of my favorite spots to do a bit of easy off-roading/hiking with the dog was closed this weekend by a (luckily) small fire. Hopefully it will rain enough that us mountain dwellers won't have to bite our nails any more.
-twylie
I built the page using Microsoft Word, then saved it in html format. So I was concerned that some people would not be able to see it.
Twylie, I hope you don't mind the link to your page. Also, I am still working on the Links page, so if you have a personal web page you would like me to link to, you can email it to me at domino_f15@hotmail.com
Regarding the cracked header, I don't know how it broke. I did not see it happen while clamping it down, but that would make sense.
Oh well, time to take a drive.
Madman
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Also, what are the best speakers to put in the soundbar, I am assuming they are 5.25s?
Everybody has the favorite speakers, it depends on your price range. I have Polks in the front and the soundbar too, I forget what I paid for them, somewhere around $75 a pair. I did re-use the factory grill covers over them in the soundbar, no point in yelling to the world that I have Polks in there when I have the top down.
http://www.visi.com/~tam/tjstereo.html
yellowman
http://www.ewylie.com/jeep/mods.htm check the stereo links.
Short version is install polyfil first, baffles behind the front speakers next, then upgrade the speakers. Factory replacement size is 4x6 up front and 5 1/4 in the soundbar. If you're willing to fab a bracket it looks like you can fit 5 1/4 up front. Anything larger that 5 1/4 in the soundbar requires cutting and drilling of the speaker openings. I have yet to replace the head unit but I would bet that a higher powered receiver would provide better sound. Just remember it's a Jeep (that's only really noisy on a good day) and your expectations will be properly set...
-twylie
Yesterday, my jeep dealer replaced the radiator under warranty.
From others who have written in, this failure appears fairly common. Assuming this radiator also fails in 2-3 years, is there a more reliable aftermarket radiator available?
I would rather pursue an aftermarket radiator which is better designed, than install another Mopar radiator.
J. Thurlow
If you do get to that point, there are a number of aftermarket sources for radiators; order the the quadtratec or 4wd.com catalogs.
I bought my jeep a few weeks ago, what is the normal warranty? I am at work and can't remember what it was.
Think there is any way I could still get it?
Think there is any way I could still get it?
I doubt it but it's worth a try! Let us know what happens!
tidester
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SUVs
Steve
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Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I couldn't make it last night but I'll be checking out the chats!
tidester
Host
SUVs
http://www.visi.com/~tam/tjfaq.html
In short, the answer is probably 30" tires w/o a lift. 30" tires are enough for most people and will get you over most things you are likely to encounter. Think carefully before getting a lift, they will increase stress on your drivetrain which will already be working harder to push 30" tires around.
We got to do some mild off roading today (link below) while geocaching. No problems with the Jeep while we were out, but when I went to run an errand after we got home, it wouldn't start. It did this once before and it sounded like the clutch interlock wasn't working properly, but the problem quickly self corrected. Tonight it just wouldn't start, so I pulled out the manual to see how to defeat the dang thing once and for all. There it is on p130 in the manual, "put a 20amp fuse in slot number 20 behind the glovebox." I had to dig a fuse out of the kit I carry with my Exploder (they both take the small platic fuses), but after I popped it in, no problems. I took it back out and the clutch interlock seemed to be working properly again. I replaced the fuse to permanently defeat the "feature". I've always hated this safety switch on newer cars, and am glad to have it gone. As a bonus, I can now bump over or use the starter to climb steep terrain without fear of rolling backward.
<public service announcement>
If you don't want to install it, at least carry a 20A fuse for this purpose along with a note on where it goes (in case you don't carry the manual with you). Worst case you could "borrow" the one from the subwoofer or fog lights to get it started. Should your interlock decide to act up at an inopportune time, you'll be able to get it started and on your way. Note: this procedure applies to my 2001. I think 1999+ are like this; earlier TJ's may have different procedures like UNplugging a fuse or unplugging the interlock itself. Check your manual or ask the dealer.
</public service announcement>
Today was perfect in ATL. We took the day off and went over to find a geocache on the other side of town. 4WD was stated as mandatory for this trail. Actually, it was more of a clearance test than anything. We only engaged 4wd a few times, but climbing up some of the rock steps and straddling the gulleys was more of a test in picking a good line. No bruises and we feel a lot more comfortable in tight, rough terrain than we did before going to this site. This site is about 40 min from downtown, Just east of Lawrenceville. Email me if you are interested in finding it.
http://www.ewylie.com/geocaching.htm
-twylie
We got to do some mild off roading today (link below) while geocaching.
For the uninitiated, what exactly is geocaching?
tidester
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SUVs
The second trip I took was to Garden Of The Gods in Colorado Springs and then up Rampert Range Road to county 300 and then back down Mt Herman road to Monument. This is where Madman just posted some pic of his Jeep. I loved Mt Herman road. I haven't been on it in 12 years, the last time was on a mountain bike. My wife and I loved the day, it was still warm last weekend. I have some pics and I'll update my site and post them later.
Other than the two fun trips I have been driving the Jeep to work most days, 120 miles round trip. I'm now up to 1300 miles. One question is how much gas can you put in on a fill up, or maybe the question is how empty can you let the tank get? The most gas I've put in so far is 15.8 gals. Right now I hit the gas warning light right before I get home which has been somewhere around 240 miles. The first time I stopped at the closest station, but the last time I went to one a little farther from my house. Still only needed 15.4 gals. So I think I should still have some margin since I think its supposed to have a 19 gal tank. The book said the light comes on with 2 gals left, seems more like 4 gals. Anybody have any thoughts about how far you can push it? I know my mileage should improve a little as Randle breaks in some more, but the bad thing about the altitude in Colorado is you get less mileage. Don't mind the mileage, just hate to stop at the gas station. I'm used to my F150 which has two 17 gal tanks.
http://home.earthlink.net/~mikelehan/_wsn/page3.html
Got to go to bed now, have to get up for the CU game in Boulder tomorrow.
Adding a lift kit does very little to stress out the drive train. The only item that is a problem after getting a lift is the stock drive shaft. The stock drive shaft is very weak and uses a slip yoke design at the front. For people running taller tires this slip yoke drive shaft can fail and wind up looking like a pretzel but there are quite a few companies that makes a after market kit that will solve this problem by replacing the slip yoke desing to a CV yoke design. Another thing is the stock drive shaft will cause a drive line vibration if you get a lift but most quality kits will include a transfer case lowering kit to correct this problem.
Geocaching is a growing hobby for a lot of people and what you basically do is get coordinates for web sites and you hunt down treasures using the coordinates (a GPS really helps by some die hards will use the old compass). Before you quit your day job and invest in an exotic GPS the treasure is usually a box that will have a little trinket placed in it by the previous person that found it so your not going to wind up with DB Cooper's loot. The test is to find this "treasure box" and no the cash value. This is a great test of your nagivation abilities and your abilty to find something in the middle of nowhere. The prizes or treasure ranges from key chain fobs to candy bars and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.
There is a web site for this and I'll post it if I find it.
As far as your range bewteen fill-ups of gas, you'll just have to find out what you can count on for gas mileage, pick a safe number for useable gallons of gas in the tank after fill-up, and multiply the two. Reset your trip odometer at the time of fill-up, and then you can watch the trip odometer to know if you are getting close to running out of gas.
I am one of those nuts that checks gas mileage at every fill-up, so I reset the trip odometer every time I get gas. I figure on 18 gallons as a full tank of gas and multiply that by the lowest MPG that I expect that I should get, and this gives me a range that I can safely count on.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Our GPS is the el-cheapo Garmin eTrex and it works great. You can get one for ~$110 through Amazon.com or gpscity.com
I'm trying to talk to the geocachers in GA to find and post a list of caches that are located in good offroading spots. One gent that has already replied has a really cool Land Rover that can be seen in many of his pics.
We had a blast yesterday!
-twylie
tidester
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anything i can say will be used..
Sorry about not posting as much guys...
hopfully i will get better
Roll Tide
BT
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I didn't mention it in the web page, but I've noticed it lately. When getting out of the Jeep, the seatbelt straps will "hang" in just the right position that the doors slam on them. There hasn't been any damage to the straps, and the doors will not shut completely on them so you can correct it right away. But it is beginning to get annoying, having to move the strap out of the way everytime we get out. Just wanted to let y'all know...
In other matters, it's funny that twylie mentioned geocaching. My wife and I have been checking it out recently, and as soon as we get a GPS, we'll be hitting the trails. There are so many "caches" around here.
14er...We are lucky to be living here. Isn't the scenery beautiful? I picked up a book that lists off-road trails in the area. It is "Guide to Colorado Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails," by Charles A. Wells. He also has a second book (similar name) that lists trails in the Denver area. You should check it out. We'll be going up to Denver on Tuesday to visit my sis-in-law, and probably hit some trails while we're there. She has a Jeep too.
I'll post more pics as I get them. The weather here has been awesome. I had my top down today too, although it did get a little chilly this evening. Take care!
Madman
http://madman390.tripod.com/cgi-bin/home.htm
Tsjay I would be happy to be able to run my down to where I add 18 Gals. Like I said I like to get as much gas at one time as I can because I hate to stop. So I would be happy if I can run it down low enough to add 18 gals at one time. So far I only ran down to 15.8, so I have some more room to drive before getting gas next time. I write down my mileage and gas info each fill up so I'll do the math next time and see if it is starting to get better MPG since Randle is a little more broken in. So far its been a little over 15 MPG, so that would give me 270 range, That would be OK because that world be over two round trips to work. Also some people have asked in here in the past about driving long commutes, mine is 120 a day and I think the Jeep in fine to commute in, just crank the tunes and hit the hwy.
Larry18 I'm also looking for a tow bar to tow my Jeep. Haven't looked real hard yet but Camping World carries a bunch of them. There is a guy at work who tows his Jeep behind his Motor home. I'm going to look him up this week and ask him. He also uses some kind of remote manual method that pushes on the breaks, I'll also ask him about that.
Madman I agree that we are very lucky to live in CO and you are right this is probably the best fall I can remember. I have the book you mention and a whole lot of other ones, both on 4-wheeling and just about anything else in Colorado, Mtn biking trails of CO, hiking trails, show shoeing etc etc. I love books. The next best thing about being outdoors here is reading about it.
Also Tsjay I did hug the Jeep today. I still love it, my wife came up with an excuse to drive it to work tomorrow so I'll be Jeep less tomorrow.
Bummer!
As far as my gas gauge - it has always been sort of unreliable. The light goes on when I still have close to 5 gallons left. Once the light came on about a half mile after the Castaic exit on the freeway, with the next gas 30 miles and 3,000 feet higher. I could have gone to the next exit (8 miles) and turned around, but decided to give it a try (and I hated to lose that much time). I did slow down to around 60, but easily made it all the way up past Gorman to Frazier Park. I only put just under 17 gal. as I remember. That convinced me that I could go a long way on a highway after the light goes on.
As a general rule, I plan on 280 miles per tank, and have gotten over 300 a number of times.
I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one around with a crazy commute, though I would rather have it in Colorado than here in CA. The house is 76 miles from work, and 5,800 feet above it. So I go from close to 6,000 feet to sea level and back again each day. Most of the commute is highway (work isn't far from the freeway), but going home the first 20 miles or so are rush hour slow/stop. In the winter I will go from 20 degrees (home) to 65 degrees (work) in an hour. We have manual trannys - I got shy of automatics when we went through 2 of them in one year, and all the ads for cars for sale up here either say "new tranny" or "needs tranny work." I wish I could talk a car manufacturer to let me test drive their vehicles for a year or 2. Then you would really know what they can hold up to! By the way, my '98 Wrangler has just over 90,000 miles on it, and it does great as either an occasional/winter car or our only vehicle (it has been both). We get a pretty consistent 18-20 miles per gallon. Unfortunately, with gas prices climbing, we needed something that gets better gas mileage, so we are now commuting in a very uncomfortable Tacoma that gets better gas mileage. I'll be so glad when the Wrangler is paid off so I can get rid of the hated Taco!
Any ideas?
I here...been having puter problems lately..
Sorry guys I havent been in chat lately..
been busy around here
hey, A new Best Buy opened here in Birmingham..
can I use your CC?...
Take care guys..
Keep Jeepin
BT
Thanks for the info on your gas expierence. Sounds like I can at least make 2 trips with out worrying about running out of gas.
Took the soft top off (came with dual tops) and found the only problem with the Jeep so far. It says in the manual not to tighten the screws too much when you put it back on. In my case the two screws on the passenger side were already stripped. Had to take the set screw out and just leave the plastic insert in. Have to take it back to get new ones. I was kind of sorry I didn't have any time to just run around with the soft top, but it is starting to get cold (we have been real lucky so far that it has stayed so warm).
I get the Jeep back from my wife tomorrow.
I haven't experienced what you're describing, but I do notice a squeeking sound every now and then when I go over bumps in the road. It bugged me at first, but then I remembered that I had to be ready for a noisy, bumpy ride when I got my Jeep and the sounds have actually been far less than I originally expected so far. The squeeking is sort of intermittent, and I haven't figured out what it is yet, but I think it might have something to do with the sun visors.
Incidentally, with the recent Southern California rains, my Jeep is dirtier than it's EVER been! I can't wait to get a full wash and hand wax in the next day or two!
yellowman
In south Florida, we can have sudden weather changes and this way my windows are handy at any time. Main thing is after 2 years of using this method, my windows are as scratch-free as new. Occasional cleaning with water and soft cloths, then light application of Pledge to both sides helps to keep them clean and flexible.
Yes! I own a 99 Sahara, and there have been many times when the driver's side seat belt did not fully retract and I wound up accidentally slamming the door against the strap! Fortunately, it hasn't happened in a while, and that's the only problem I've had with the Jeep so far (almost 80,000 miles on it now). Just wanted to let you know that you're not the only one having that problem.