Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Think there is any chance my dealer will want to swap wheels?
I have my dealer scouting an '03 to pillage the canyons off of. Bad news is that he thinks switching wheels can have some warranty implications, and is looking into it first. Good news is that he heard rumors a delivery might be coming in today, which (if true) would have my Jeep on it.
Hopefully by the end of the day I'll be able to say that I hugged my Jeep today!
As for the Ravine wheel, I can't say that I like it yet. The Canyons looked better, but is that because that's all we're used to looking at? Kevin, did you find any pics of the wheel from an angle? I can't believe this is coming from a company who designed the Canyon and Rubi wheels, which mate to the Wrangler so well. Maybe it looks better on the Liberty? Who wants me to Photoshop tonight?
Hug your Jeeps for me.
he is saying that the dealership no longer switches wheels, radios, etc... because it goes against manufacturer's policy.
he did however offer to do it for a small fee (i have him looking into just how large or small that fee will be).
otherwise, looks like i will at least be test driving it today.
No switching? Sounds odd, I can't even count the number of times this has been done, even throughout my family. Radios too!
Could the "small fee" be the difference? I know they can't just switch them, you must pay.
We have determined that the Ravine is a 15 x 8" wheel, like the Canyons, I believe? That leaves the question of backspacing still open. My guess is that it will be the same, 5.5".
For those not familiar with the term, backspacing is the distance from the mounting plate (the center piece of the wheel with the 5 holes for the lug studs to go through) to the inside edge of the wheel. This determines how much the tires are pulled in toward the frame or pushed out away from the frame when they are mounted. The higher the backspacing, the more the tires are pulled in toward the frame and the less they stick out from the vehicle.
When I had my Canyons, with their 5.5" of backspacing, and was running the BFG 31 x 10.50 All Terrain tires, I did not have much room to spare between the inside of the rear tires and the rear spring perches.
Another potential problem, which it turned out that I didn't have, was rubbing of the inside of the front tires at full turn. I must have been very close to having this problem, although I never found any evidence of a rub.
Moral of the story... if you are going to get new tires, be sure and get them in widths that are compatible with the backspacing of your wheels.
If you are going to get new wheels AND tires, make sure they are compatible with each other and with the vehicle they are intended for.
When I got my AR767 wheels and the 31 x 10.50 Mud Terrains, I went with 4" backspacing on the AR767s. This makes my tires stick out more than they used to, but it gives me plenty of room on the inside. I like the looks of the tires sticking out past the flares too.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAWWWWWWWWWWWW!!
Happy for ya, Dude!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
While I was not given techical specs, I was advised that the backspacing appeared to be the same as the Canyons. The wheels do not appear to stick out further or less than before. Which is good, that squatty look is a little tough to deal with.
And finally, it appears that I will be settling for the Ravines afterall. They will not switch me out to Canyons, I would have to buy my own set (get zero credit for the Ravines) and have them swithced. Then have a set of Ravines to sell off...
Maybe down the line, but not today.
I have had both 31 x 10.50 BFG AT's and 31 x 10.50 BFG Muds on Thelma Jane, and I really like the Muds for their performance on the trails and for their looks. Jeeps just plain look "Jeepier" with mud tires on them.
You'll never have a better chance to swap tires than you have now, while those factory tires are brand new.
Maybe you will be happy with the GSA's, especially if you won't be going off road with your Jeep (which would be a terrible fate for your Jeep, by the way )
Once again, congrats!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today? (Bet you will be soon!)
My wife loves the look of the Canyons. Aside from AC and half doors, it was the most important thing to her when we ordered the Jeep... OK, honey, twist my arm into getting the D44!
-twylie
happy with his rock rashed Canyons!
Steve, Host
I even like the Ecco wheels (typical Sport 5 spoke wheels) as long as I can get 7" or 8" wide tires.
Anybody wanna make a deal on em?
Our 97 TJ is up in the shop getting the catalytic converter fixed... cheaper than I thought.
-Paul
That's a great idea! I wish there had been a discussion like that when I was shopping for Thelma Jane.
I got the info I needed in the Wrangler discussion, but it would have been nice to have a whole separate discussion on the deals people were getting instead of having to glean that info by reading so many posts in the main group.
Well, I was reading every single post anyway, but it would still have been nice to have posts on the topic of buying all in one place.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Since the title is Jeep-specific, shouldn't that discussion be pulled into "Jeep Owners Club?"
Steve, Host
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
It turned out exactly as I had hoped (they did try to sneak the dealer sticker on, but promtly removed it). I'm taking it straight to the shore tonight and it should get its first taste of the beach by 7 or 8 PM depending on traffic!
Thanks so much for all you input, advice & pointers the past week or so that I've been in here, its most appreciated.
Hopefully I'll have some pics for you guys Monday!
I hugged me Jeep today.
-Pete
Hopefully tomorrow I'll take my Noble Black Steed out for a romp. He's been sitting for 2 weeks now, and I'm sure he'll be much happier up on Lieber Mountain than sitting parked in my front yard.
When my door is open there is a button that is no longer depressed that turns on the odometer and the interior lights. While I'm sure there has to be a setting to turn off the lights, I am concerned about the odometer.
If I run w/out doors, the odometer (and lights potentially) will remain on at all times. Is this a new feature? Will this run my battery dead if I leave doors off over night? Is there some kind of override?
Regarding the beach, I don't have a permit yet so (in theory) I should not be on it long enough to get too much sand up in it or fined for that matter. But I had planned on washing it anyway once I get home.
A caveat is that this circuit also controls the "headlight on" reminder for some reason. So without doors, you'll have to remember to turn off yoru headlights once the car is off.
You can still use the interior lights, but you need to turn the dimmer past the highest setting. This will turn the interior lights on regardless of the door position. Fortunately, this also works with the door off, so you're not completely "in the dark"
Have fun and air down your tires if you're driving on the beach.
Congrats on the new Jeep!!!
-twylie
:-)
BMG - congrats on the new Jeep. Quick question: did just yours come in, or did the dealership get a shipment of other 04 models.
Thx,
Mike
Is this an unofficial preview of the Scrambler?
-Paul
Went over to the rep I've been dealing with and got a quote that works out to $500 over invoice for a loaded up '04 Rubi. There is provincial sales tax on top, but unfortunately the 0% APR doesn't apply (they are offering 4.8% over 60 mths).
Debating whether it is worth waiting until December to see if they bring back the 0% APR again. Also still waiting on a competing offer from another dealership...
Gah. I hate waiting.
Andrew
I hate to wait too, so I know where you're coming from. JUST DO IT!
Check for any rebates??? They have a big time rebate going on the 04 Grand Cherokees, so I wonder if they might have something on for the Wranglers?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Adam
Also, you might do a search on "Oregon traffic laws" or something like that.
Good luck.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
There's been some good suggestions on this board about which brackets to use for relocating your mirrors.
-Pete
Oh well, although it would have caused me to go into cardiac arrest up until about a year and a half ago, I'm taking it in stride, knowing that this probably will not be the last time Thelma gets banged up a little while we are wheelin'.
Hey, it's worth it for the FUN!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Thelma is proud of her badge of honor, and she would be upset with me if I covered it up.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Semi matt black would look sharp against white bodywork. However, each to his own.
:-)
I spent an interesting morning today. My husband finally talked me into taking a look at the Renegade (not that I needed much convincing). He sat in it, found out that it doesn't come in a 5 speed, like other Liberty V6 models, and went humph.
We had to walk past a couple of Wranglers on the way out, including an X that the dealer had put a Landrunner body package on. He couldn't decide at first look whether he liked it or not, so we took it for a test drive. We didn't like the high, wide step to get in - I can see very dirty pant legs. It seemed sluggish compared to my '98 Sport (?either extra weight or different gears), and I sure didn't like the lower seats with a non-tilt steering wheel (something only a little person like me might care about). The one thing I was pleasantly surprised about was how much difference the newer style soft top makes (I was comparing it to a '98). There is much less difference between a hard top and a soft top now.
While we were thinking about it we wandered down the aisle and I pointed out the Rubicon they had (Tomb Raider edition). We asked to test one for comparison (the Bakersfield dealership had several). I was very surprised when we drove it. My '98 sport has gas shocks and the Rubicon didn't any different (higher, yes, but not any stiffer). I could easily see myself commuting in one of these, then hitting the trails on the weekend. It seemed to have as much pickup (similar gearing?) as my current Wrangler. Do I need all those extra goodies you get with the Rubicon? No. Is it over-kill for me? No. Do I want one? YES! It's a good thing I didn't have enough money today to buy one - otherwise I would have walked out of the dealership driving a new car!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I'll bet Bama is having a hard time with this, and it isn't even HIS Jeep that got damaged.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Sorry, but I don't buy a car for the possible resale value in the future. I buy a car to use, and now it looks like any car I get will end up with too many miles to be worth much when I get done with it.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Tom, I wish I could just spring for it, but I am living on a single income and recently loaded up on a mortgage (yayy me). I am curious if they'll be willing to finance for 0% given that they are offering that on the '04 Grand Cherokee models... doubtful, but will have to look into it.
Andrew
Financially, it was a very stupid thing for me to do, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat! I am having so much fun with Thelma Jane that it was worth it.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Im sitting here..praying for Thelma.
I bet she is jealous of her cousin "TAZZ" looking all bright & shiney. I'll tell TAZZ thelma had an accident but she will be OK.
TOMB RAIDER Rubicon.. I would REALLY like to have, that RUBICON looks GREAT to me.
What Ive read they were only 1005 made.
Each one has the number on the console.
I think it would be a great item to have.
Most were shipped to the WEST coast.
I found one where I bought TAZZ in Atlanta.
KEEP JEEPIN
BAMA
Ready to bring Tazz up to Turkey Bay and let him work out his pent up frustrations?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
On the cleaning note... I found a combination of products that does a great job of repairing the rock chips the front of the Jeep seems to collect. First step is a 3M scratch pen. This is pencil shaped tool that has a cylinder of small glass threads sticking out of the end. The tip is less than 1/4" across and you can use it to sand the rock chips down to bare metal without messing up the surrounding paint. Next step is to apply thin coats of factory touch up paint. I found dipping a toothpick in the touch up paint and allowing it to fill the chip from the center outward works best. May require a few applications to fully fill the chip. Once the chip center is raised above the surrounding paint, I used a product from Mothers called "paint chip repair kit". It's a plastic card and a bottle of compound that is used to smooth the touch up paint down. It feels like a mild rubbing compound. You wrap a cotton t shirt around the card and work the compound over the spot you're working on. I was skeptical, but especially on an easy color like white, the final results were excellent. You have to look for the chips I filled and repaired, it worked that well. I'll probably do this once a year or anytime I get a chip down to bare metal.
Instead of a Tomb Radier edition, I wish DC would have made a Mark Smith edition or something that gave props to the capability and history of the Rubi. It would come with a tow strap, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a GPS, and some Topo software. Optionally, you can take delivery at the trail head of the Rubicon. To me, that would be a cool package. Personally, I don't get the tie ins that DC has with it's "movie" vehicles. IMO, the TR edition has some cheesy aftermarket add ons and only got minor billing in the movie. Besides, Lara is British and really should be driving a D90 :-). The last DC movie tie in I saw announced was a Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers Town & Country minivan!?!? Someone please explain to me how a minivan is tied in to this movie? The "official" tie in is that the T&C has a built in DVD player and you get a copy of the movie when you buy the minivan. Minivan = $25k+ and you're going to give me a $20 movie. WOW, sign me up! Oh well, guess it's a good thing I do somethign else for a living, cause I'd surely be tossed out for laughing at these ideas.
Perfect Jeep weather this weekend for us. No top, no doors.
-twylie
I like twylie's idea of doing a special edition with safety equipment. While we're dreaming, lets add a winch also - that would be a great addition.