Please, introduce yourself (Newcomers, start here)!

all4

I am new to the message board pretty much. I have posted a couple of messages. But anyway I wanted to introduce myself. Keith here in TN. I have just bought a 2002 Yukon XL SLT, 4wd. Looks like I might get to try the 4wd out soon with the weather possibly coming.

I am trying to learn about the maintenance and add on's for this critter. I want it to run a good long time.

The oil maintenance is confusing me a little, I have read many of the posts and still sort of scratching my head over using the synthetic types and filters. Didn't realize Fram was so bad, thanks to all for posting for us new folks.

bluejeep42

Hi guys and gals,

Wanted to intro myself and wish all a happy and healthy.

Buddy D, live in nothern Ma and just purchased the wife a Jeep Liberty. I love sports, good
food ( Italian preferably ), Sam Adams and the "brats".

Dislike liberals, musicals, and mullets on women.

Intend to keep my eyes on the Jeep Liberty board. Great info and I'm hoping I can add to it.

envoysle

Well, i'm new here! If all goes well, i should have my new GMC Envoy SLE next friday. It's not the SLT, so I guess that i'll have a little bit less problem with it! No auto climate control, no seat/mirror memory... Less things that could break !!!

I'll be back soon, telling you all about my Envoy.

Stephane.

tidester

Welcome aboard, Stephanie! We're looking forward to hearing all about your new Envoy!

tidester
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tidester

bluejeep42,

Dislike liberals, musicals, and mullets on women.

No problem, as we hardly ever discuss the politics of musical aquatic attire here anyway!

tidester
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walsms

I'm looking for a 97-98 Explorer XLT. I want black with gray cloth interior. It's actually for my wife and 3-year old son, but we'll drive it as a family a lot.

I'm used to Honda reliability. Am I going to be disappointed in the reliability of this SUV?

stever

Welcome to Town Hall.

There are several Explorer topics that may be of interest -- I think the Exploring the Ford Explorer discussion may be the best place to start. Good luck.

Steve
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canyon53s

Hi, all. new here. looking for recommendations.

I do animal (pet and wildlife) rescue. I need a vehicle capable of hauling 4 65 lb dogs. Live in a hilly/mountanous area... no snow, lots of intermittent rain..Often haul 700 lbs of food at a time...

Affordability is a BIG issue, as is reliability and maintenance costs.

*help* I'm great at animals, horrible at cars.

*help help help help* !!!

stever

Welcome to Town Hall - I've seen your posts in a few other discussions, but didn't realize you had to get something new to drive in two weeks.

Our Comparison Tests may give you some more ideas. Good luck, and let everyone please know what you decide on.

Steve
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dohc32v

>>>>>I do animal (pet and wildlife) rescue. I need a vehicle capable of hauling 4 65 lb dogs. Live in a hilly/mountanous area... no snow, lots of intermittent rain..Often haul 700 lbs of food at a time...<<<<<<

I'd start with a full sized Pick-up truck with a high quality camper shell or a mid sized SUV. I'd strongly consider an "All Wheel Drive" not a 4 wheel drive unit for your use, based on no snow just rain. I'd also suggest you look at a V-8 or at least a hefty 6 cylinder power plant. For the use you have in mind, I'd make sure it had a trailer towing package, which gives you an oil and transmisson cooler, better gears and a heavy duty rear suspension system.
You didn't say if you were looking for new or used, so I will refrain from specific recommendations by brand name. If it is Used, there are some real bargins to be had and some to stay away from.

thomas46

Just posting a little background infor. We have 2 cars a 96 Honda Accord(wifes)and a 90 Ford Ranger (mine). I work at a place that remanufacturs staters and alternators for domestic cars. I have dropped in several times to read different postings mainly about Honda because that will probably be the next car we purchase.

stever

Welcome to Town Hall. I used to have a friend who ran a small shop in his back yard rebuilding starters for the local trade - most anything, but lots of semi work. Something tells me your place is a bigger outfit.

So, who makes the best/worse starters and alternators?

Steve
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thomas46

The place I work is considerably bigger we actually remaufacture units for Autozone making all the of the units that Autozone markets under their Duralast label. There are some domestic automobiles primaryly Chrysler that use an import unit those we do not remaufacter. As to your question about who makes the best unit. We seem to pick up a lot of buisness in the hotter months of the year rebuilding chevy alternators they seem to have a problem with their units and heat tolerance. I should mention that most of these alternators are on cars and trucks produced from about 1980 to 1995 and the newer units have features that will hopefully make them more heat tolerant.

mbilotas

Hey Folks - New Guys ont he block here - got a couple questions about Chevy Suburban, vs Yukon, vs tahoe. My wife and I are lookignt o purchase one of these this week and we are stuck, casue they are so similar. Almost seems price is the main diff. But essentially were lookign for a 4wd 3back seat (7-8people) basic truck. Advise would be appreciated.
Mario

stever

We have several comparison topics ongoing in the SUVs board, but none looking at those three in one discussion. Best browse the topic lists, and there's also a Full-Size Sport Utility Vehicle Comparison Test you may want to read.

There's also an small archived discussion called 3rd Row of Seats that may help.

Welcome to Town Hall.

Steve
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plrod

Got a 99 Sub 2WD LT w/56K miles and in like new condition and am very happy so far. Ordered a deep dish alluminum tranny pan today and will install aux tranny cooler and maybe aux engine oil cooler too. We live in South Fla and it's very warm here in Summer. So far I've had the front end aligned to spec, put on 4 new shocks, 100% tranny fluid change, rear end oil changed & motor oil changed to synthetic. Only issue I notice which I'd read about is the little bit of vibration between 65 & 75 MPH. Do the drive line repairs mentioned in "1997 Chevy Suburban Drive Shaft Problems" resolve this vibration. My understanding of those posts is that they deal with the "clunking" issue only (which I don't think I have.) Will a removal and rebalancing of the drive shaft resolve this or does anyone know of other things to look into. Also, what is the name of the part which is recommended be replaced when I drop my tranny pan. It's the one which causes the engine braking.

stever

Maybe you should post your vibration (and pan) question in the GMC Yukon XL/Chevy Suburban discussion. There's a similar question asked in 98 Chevy Suburban Vibration design flaw?, but no one ever answered (perhaps because the owners hang out in the main discussion linked above).

Good luck.

Steve
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donniemac

Donniemac from Virginia - just bought a Liberty. It is my sixth Jeep dating back to the early 70's when my father and I shared a 67 Wagoneer. Owned 3 CJ7s including the first year, 1976. It was bought new, the other 2 were used. Before the Liberty, my last Jeep was a 89 Cherokee. Other 4WDs I have had include a 70 Land Cruiser, 77 Dodge PowerWagon (a bad experience), 85 S-10, and a Subie Outback. Also currently own a 99 Toyota Pre-Runner. I am a retired engineer from a fuel injector manufacturer and am willing to get into discussions about 4WD, offroad driving including behavior, methods, equipment,etc. and places to go in the middle Atlantic States.
I am also a Liberal :-).
Donniemac

tidester

Welcome aboard!

Just curious - isn't liberal engineer an oxymoron? ;-)

Actually, most of the dialog here in the Town Hall transcends politics but we do have our occasional lapses.

tidester
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donniemac

There were a couple of us at Siemens, a rare breed. No reason to let politics interfere with a good discussion about your favorite ride. Moved to FL when I retired but moved back to VA and am looking forward to going to the VA mountains and riding the Forest Service trails into some of my favorite sites in the Blue Ridge and Shenadoah mountains. One of my favorite trails to ride is absolutely beautiful in the spring when the mountain laurel and rhodadendrum (sp?) is blooming. After one switchback, you ride through a lavender and pink tunnel because the flowering bushes completely cover the trail. I haven't been there in 4 years and I am looking forward to going this year. There are so many neat places to go when you have 4WD and here in the East it is easy to follow the "Treadlightly" guide lines.
Donniemac

stever

lol, shall we point Donniemac over to the I don't like SUVs, why do you? discussion?. (lurk there a little while, and you'll understand my drift, Donniemac).

Congrats on the Liberty and welcome (did you meet Bluejeep42 above?).

Steve
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donniemac

Bluejeep42's comment is what prompted my revalation of my political orientation. I will wander over to the love/hate site and maybe stick in my 2 cents worth. When we were younger and more inclined to sleep on rocks, my wife and I did a lot of backpacking. The trail I described I first hiked prior to getting 4WD. When I am hiking in the woods, I do not want any noisy, stinky gas guzzling motorized vehicle to come by. For the same reasons that hikers love the woods, there are citizens who cannot, due to constraints from physical handicaps to time, walk the trails and those citizens have as much right to the woods as the hikers. So I hiked areas closed to vehicular traffic and rode areas open to vehicles. Had a blast doing both. My first beach drive on the Outer Banks of NC resulted in me getting stuck -not very - :-) and while I was trying to figure how I would get out of my predictament, a couple of fellows came along in a Land Cruiser set up for beach driving. This would have been about 1973 and I was in a 67 Wagoneer. The older man was blind and the driver was giving the blind man a running commentary of the beach scene right down to the dolphins frolicing in the surf (true story). It was an eye opener for me. I also learned about reading the color of the sand for firmness, airing down, low range, and the advantage that automatics have in the sand.
Donniemac

canyon53s

1. Re trucks, I have considered a 1500 ram...v8 with camper shell. But here has been my experience with trucks and camper shells:

I have owned three Toyota trucks... each for about 300k miles. *great trucks, btw, a 79, 81, and 84...the last now serving horses hay at the local stable*

The problem I had each time, and a friend with a Toy indicated likewise, that you cannot cool the shell... even with a boot... apparently because the shells are just so darned energy inefficient. Front air conditions doesn't cut it. In summer, it gets VERY warm here... poor dogs just cannot hack that heat, and cats and wildlife can go into heat stress and die even.

... so when you say a good shell... what the heck does that mean? Any aftermarket things that work?

2. I might consider a used vehicle, and your comment about "great deals and things to stay away from" piqued my interest.... what have you in mind....??????

I soooo much appreciate the help. I am thoroughly nuts trying to do this... Saturday is test drive day. *dealing with dealers is always, um... interesting....*

3. Would you buy a new vehicle through either a broker or say, Costco, or something?

*help* !!!!

donniemac

My input would be to consult the Consumer Report Buyer's Guide where they rate vehicles by model year with the red to black dot system. It will give you a good idea of a vehicle's reliability and expense to repair as CU uses survey results to determine the ratings. As far as cooling a pickup cap, the a/c used in most pickups is the same one used in the SUV model based on the pickup. For example, a Toyota Tacoma extended cab will have the same air conditioner and under a cap, roughly the same volume as a 4runner. The inefficiencies are the insulation of the cap and the small "hole" (cab window) that the cold air is going through. I would only buy white or a very light color as those colors stay cooler because of reflecting sunlight. Second, you could add insulation to the cap. And third, you could add a RV roof air conditioner to the cap. This will require a cap physically strong enough to hold the a/c and also having a proper installation as far as the electrical wiring and drain are concerned. The other alternative is buying a SUV or van.
Hope this helps,
Donniemac

wyoreb

i joined townhall over the weekend.

i'm looking for a commuter vehicle that can occasionally haul passengers and is good in all weather driving conditions.

so far, i've narrowed to the cr-v and forester.

currently a ford family, but latest vehicle '98 villager has quality of workmanship issues (fit, rattles, squeaks). tend to believe that the uaw has impacted big 3's ability to compete.

stever

Here's a 2001 Mini SUV Comparison Test article comparing some other small SUVs that you may not have considered. Please yell if you need help finding the CR-V or Forester topics, and welcome to Town Hall.

Steve
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driverzackman

Hello everyone. Well I've been a frequent visitor to this site but never thought to register, but I finally did it. I'll probably have quite a few questions cause I'm looking at getting a new car so I hope that you all can be helpful to me and I to you. ttyl.

stever

Welcome Driverzackman. We love it when people "unlurk". I like your profile too.

Steve
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dwood27

Hello My name is Dennis and I've been a motor head for years. I've been driving jeeps for the last 10 years, 1st was a Cherokee, then moved up to the grand 1996 and now a 1999. The problem comes in that I can't decide if I want to stay with jeep. I test drove an escape, explorer, and a liberty. I also started reading all the sites here dealing with SUV's. Just looked at a monteo, but haven't driven 1 yet. I guess I'm looking for best bang for my buck.

dwood27

I know it's not cool to jump out of lease too early, but I was thinking since i've been with jeep for solong that maybe, just maybe i could. No dice Jeep said that I would have to wait another 90 days before they would think about it. I understand that we would have to work out the remaining payments and stuff, again I thought maybe that the sales have slowed down they would be willing.

vindog45

Hey Guys...my name i vinny....i am looking to purchase 02 gmc envoy....trying to find slt in medium sage green....does anyone know if i order this vehicle, am i still entitled to the bonus cash back $2002....and do you think gmc takes care of recent problems before they make more of them?...thanks

stever

Hi vindog45/Vinnie. Looks like you found the MY2002+ Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada board ok - I bet someone will be able to answer your questions over there.

Steve
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watchdog2

Greetings,
I have been following the website for several years now and the info was very useful in the purchases of the above vehicles. I especially enjoy the various townhall subjects. They are great.

Darn!!! I have my first scratch on the 2002 2wd LTZ - Majestic red / metallic pewter vehicle. Please advise on the "part number" for the metallic pewter touch up paint. It would be great to have .

Whatever happen to the days when GM would give you a courtesy bottle of paint with a new purchase ?

Thank you,
watchdog2

stever

Hi Watchdog2 - I'm old enough to remember the little bottles of paint too (the last time I got one was back in '89 I think for my old Voyager). Glad to have you around here.

Steve
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smhav61

Hi guys - have been using this sight for a couple of years now and find it very helpful. Nice to get input from people all over the country with different views on SUVs. I'm trying to find out more info on the new Lexus GX470 coming out next year.

stever

Thanks smhav61. Enjoy!

Steve
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larichardson

Hi all. I am in the market for an SUV and am torn between the Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape. There may be other alternatives out there, but am not as "car savvy" as others. Could use any advise you may have on a good midsize SUV for the $$ impaired.

stever

Lots of options; here's one board to start with:

Subaru Forester vs Hyundai Santa Fe vs Jeep Liberty vs Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute

Steve
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muskymel

Has anyone found a decent replacement rotor for 99 grand cherokee? I'm at 28,000 miles and ready for my 4th set. I guess I'm lucky, some have put on twice that number. No I DON'T want to deal with Chrysler customer relations. Obviously, my last chrysler product.

stever

Probably your best bet is to ask in the Jeep Grand Cherokee problems discussion. If you search for "rotor" you will also find two archived topics dealing with Jeep GC rotors that may help. Good luck.

Steve
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jjackjoe1

Greetings Y'all: I entered the board this weekend (Suzuki XL-7, SUV Gas Mileage). Lots of info, and I am seeking info on the Suzuki thru my post. I was surprised and not too happy to discover the "profile" default is "public," till you tell it to go "private." Seems it should be the other way around!

I have a Ford Windstar ('97), like a bunch of the "board" people who own the XL-7. If we took a pole of the percentage who bought an XL-7 after owning a Windstar, it might be staggering!

stever

I'm not sure why the profile is set up that way, but you have to select the "private" or "public" button when you enter info in the various fields. And there's a bold note that tells you your information is public until you decide otherwise.

It does seem backward now that you mention it.

Steve
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freddi1

Hi, My name is Freddi Dunleavey (Ms.), and I live in the Catskills on the south side of Belleayre Mtn. My husband's name is Goline (just like it sounds: Go-line) We have a 98 Forester S (and love it!!) two cats (Schaefer & Chivas....no comments ;-) please) and we have just purchased our first two ALPACAS!! We plan on breeding them and using the fleece. I am trying to buy a used Outback wagon or S Forester, and have been through the wringer. I posted yesterday, but it never made it to the screen. Subaru's are plentiful on the road in these here hills, but trying to find one to buy that meets my criteria is not proving to be easy. Color is not too important, although I prefer white or silver, faily low mileage 15-17K per year, good to excellent condition, automatic, between 1998-2001. Pricing between 14K and 17K. Found a white 99 outback SW at Colonial's in Kingston, but then ran the VIN & found out it's been there almost a year. Any suggestions??? Nice to meet everyone!! Ms. Freddi

stever

Alpacas huh? Sounds like fun -- we've toyed with the idea of angora goats (I used to weave, but only rag rugs <g>).

Since you're set on a Subaru, I'd go straight to the Subaru Crew and hang out with the owners for a while. They're a great bunch.

Good luck!

Steve
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spookypuff

I'm Spooky. i don't own an SUV... yet.

I am moving cross country with a husband and 3 cats this summer & looking for a mini/mid sized SUV to transport all the critters. Also in need of off road capabilities since my Saturn (bless it's little motorized heart) just doesn't cut it heading to camp sites, etc.

I have narrowed it down to:
Xterra
Freelander
Liberty

My arch-enemy in life is Ford Motor Company.

tidester

Hi, spookypuff!

Welcome to the Town Hall!

Okay, you piqued my curiosity. Why exactly is FMC your archenemy in life?

tidester
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spookypuff

Hmmm.. well.. I will try and keep this short as best I can and willl only give you the story of the wayward Taurus (we won't even discuss the Mustang I once had that I wound up selling to a guy as punishment because he was such a lousy date).:

My husband & I own a Taurus (and a Saturn). I would PAY good money to GIVE my Ford to a movie studio just so I can watch them blow it up.

This thing is the biggest POS on the planet (In fact, I even refer to it as POS). Really, how many recalls can one vehicle have?????

What has gone wong with this car? just a sampling:
1. The anti-lock brakes would just lock up. While we were dirving.. without touching the breaks. Dangerous? I think so.
2. It leaks out of every house imaginable.
3. Overheats.
4. Heat doesn't work (we paid $700 to have that little problem fixed)
5. There are metal shavings in the steering fluid... the steering is going.
6. A lovely little Firestone tire blowout that destroyed the left quarterpanel... long before Firestone tires shredding was trendy.
7. Motor mounts needed to be replaced.. and the wonderful (NOT) Ford dealership that did this did NOT disconnect the hoses when the lifted the engine, putting a crack in the A/C/ hose, thus allowing for all the freon to leak out. They want $500 to repair their mistake. We had their mistake verified by an independant repair facility.
8. Needless to say.. we will not pay to have th a/c fixed. So we have no A/C.

Oh, and as for the dealership we dealt with: They're also EVIL. I battled them with a stop payment on my mastercard & won under VA consumer laws when they failed to provide proof that they actually repaired the car (of course, it's still not repaired, see A/C complaint). Maybe if they didn't try and scam us on the A/C I wouldn't have had to withould over $300 worth of repairs from them.

Funny thing is.. not long after all this went down, I saw some guy parked with his new Explorer outside their dealership with a sign saying LEMON.

Is Ford Motor Co. as a whole any better? Well, I called Dearborn, MI and told them what I thought of their product, dealerships & customer Service. Apparently, they didn't care. And was dismissed. Not even an apology.

Hence, they are my ARCH-ENEMY. They have caused me much heart-ache and money, they lie to the American public (read between the lines here.."Oh.. it's all the tires fault... no, no design flaw in the death machine.. I mean Explorer.."...."What? The Pito is a SAFE car.. it doesn't blow up.."), and customer service and Quality 1s job ???????????????

Perhaps they wouldn't be shutting down 5 plants if they worked a little on the Quality issue, or even the customer service issue.

Long story short:
I'd rather have my eyeballs eaten out of my head by rabid mice than ever own a Ford product again.

Ok. That's about it. I better stop now before I sound bitter

tidester

That sounds like a major nightmare! Some people are just born lucky I guess! ;-)

I would PAY good money to GIVE my Ford to a movie studio just so I can watch them blow it up.

Have you considered Demolition Derby?

I hope you meant POS = Patently Offensive Stuff since an alternate meaning would have to be removed from this family oriented forum!

Best of luck on your future nonFMC vehicles!

tidester
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picturemykids

I'm in need for some advice . We out grew our
wagon now were looking to buy a 1996 thru 1999
chevrolet suburban. I have read, spoke to people,
looked online,went to the library for any info
regarding suburbans. Now I'm even more confused.
I have heard and read so many great things about
suburbans and also heard and read alot of negative
things also. We are currently eyeing a 1999
2wd, 1500 with lots of goodies on it. But more than looks I'm concerned with all the things
that have been said about brakes and so many other
things. I enjoy big vehicles as these, with a family of 6 and a rottie we need this size. And no I hate vans so please don't point me in that direction.

stever

I guess I'll point you to the GMC Yukon XL/Chevy Suburban discussion for starters, but there are some comparison topics you may enjoy reading too. So try a Board Search for "Suburban" too, and good luck.

Steve
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