Jeep Wrangler

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Comments

  • billy318tibilly318ti Member Posts: 38
    Thanks everybody for the quick feedback, really helps. Hopefully the right jeep will come my way soon. Oh and tsjay, it was a friend of mine who told me the 95's were more fun. Not a very good source to get you info from though. Thanks again everybody.

    Bill
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You are welcome.

    I don't want to put the YJs down, cause I would take a YJ in a hearbeat, if I couldn't get a TJ for some reason.

    YJ's just need some mods to be as capable as a stock TJ, but they can be fixed up to be great trail rigs.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • geepersgeepers Member Posts: 93
    I've got a '91 YJ with the six and had a '94 YJ with the four that I put 80k miles on. For maximum fun, the six is a necessity. I've never driven a TJ but I couldn't stand any more fun than I already have. (Don't know why your friend would say that.)

    The six is bulletproof. It's also running in lots of Cherokees. I've heard people complaining the thing lasts too long, keeps them from buying a new car.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    is right. I've had no engine problems (other problems, yes, but not that significant) and my '98 has over 111,000 miles on the odometer. If you look at a 97 or 98, check out the exhaust manifold. They had problems and it is expensive to replace them (one of my problems). Chances are, though, the previous owner replaced it by now. Another known problem with the 98's are the dash gauges. It is an intermittant problem, and one of these days I'll get mine fixed.

    Good luck finding just the right one.
  • oregontj03oregontj03 Member Posts: 7
    Does anyone know where to find Sport Handles that attach to the roll cage for a 2003? I assume the padding is new for this year, and thats why all of them dont fit? Thanks,
    OregonTJ03
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    From one fellow ti owner to another- get a TJ 4.0. You won't regret it. And whatever you do, DON'T sell the ti.
  • bcmalibu99lsbcmalibu99ls Member Posts: 625
    Saw about 10 of them on my 20-minute drive to work. One Jeep had two hot chicks driving it, wow, that looked great! :-)

    Saw a Rubicon too! It sure looks very distinctive with those monster tires
  • bamatazzbamatazz Member Posts: 311
    IM sure u can find those sport handles from any of the commercial web sites: Quadratec,Performance parts, thinkjeep(where I got mine),(moderator sorry about the listings)
     or even Ebay. Just do a web search should be no prob.
      Tom, Good job on the web site. That Ross is one lucky pooch.
      

    Keep Jeepin.
    Bama
  • bcmalibu99lsbcmalibu99ls Member Posts: 625
    A very touching description of your dog! What breed is it?
  • g0ldeng0pherg0ldeng0pher Member Posts: 5
    Hello all. Just got out of college and I'm leaning towards buying a Wrangler. You all seem like experts. I'll tell you what I want and maybe I could get some recommendations. I'd like to buy new, 2003, black with the 4.0 six. Want the dual tops cuz I live in MN, and I'm sure the hardtop's much better in the winter. Is the Sport the best model to go for if I'm looking for value and still some "refinement"? Also thinking I'd like the ABS and four wheel discs b/c I'll be doing A LOT more city driving than offroading. Any tips would be appreciated. Also, have any of you turbocharged a jeep for road use? Is there anything easily modified to improve gas mileage? I have so many questions.
  • g0ldeng0pherg0ldeng0pher Member Posts: 5
    First, a question. Would I be better off $-wise getting any of the extras/options from an online/mail order source than from Jeep? Can you recommend any sources? Also, to the individual in Vancouver: a friend and I are going to be up there at the end of June for a week or so, doing camping, possibly hitting the surrounding islands and the city for sure. Recommendations for activities?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Thanks! I am very proud of my best bud, as you can tell. Ross Allen is a mixed breed. Who knows what kind of mix??? The folks at the dog pound told my daughter that he is a sheperd-collie mix, but I don't know if they were just guessing or what.

    All I know is that he is the smartest, sweetest-natured, lovingest, most laid-back dog I have ever seen. He has never been a minute's problem his entire life.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Glad you posted, and I think you are definitely on the right track in looking for a Wrangler!

    I have to go to work and don't have time this AM for much of a detailed reply right now, but I will leave you with this advice until I can write a longer reply.... read lots of posts in here. You will get lots of info by reading the posts in this message board. I know there are over 9000 of them, but read as many as you can.

    Will have more for ya tonight.

    Others, I'm sure, will have some stuff for ya too.

    Check out my web page, if you want to... might be of some use to ya in your Jeep shopping.

    http://home.earthlink.net/~tsjay49/thelma.html

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    A couple of just personal thoughts - others will disagree with me, probably.

    If you are looking for value, then check out the X. I don't know if it comes with dual tops or not, but you can always get one with the hard top and add a soft top later.

    I like the Sport because of some of the extras that come on it. That's what I have ('98) and that's what I'd replace it with, if I had to replace it today.

    I haven't liked the Sahara because I didn't like the fabric on the seats. They changed it recently (this year? I'm not sure, the one I saw in January at the LA Auto Show had different fabric) and it isn't as bad, but I still prefer the material on the Sport. I'm not interested in the other things that separate the Sahara from the Sport, so I wouldn't get one.

    One last thing - the Wrangler is a doesn't handle high speeds very well at all. The 4.0L engine is capable of going much faster than I am comfortable driving this particular vehicle. And I'm a person who had a mustang in Germany at one time (my younger and wilder days) where there are no speed limits, so I know how to drive fast.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Here's one Vancouver link. Take plenty of ID for the border. Enjoy!

    Steve, Host
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    You seem to be on the right track. A lot of younger Jeep buyers are loathe to admit that in reality, most of their driving will be on the road.

    Wrangler rear brakes do very little of the work in stopping the vehicle, so the advantage of rear discs is pretty much limited to their ability to keep clean, and to be cleaned, after deep mud. Nice to have, but not essential on the street.

    ABS on the other hand, especially considering the short wheelbase of the vehicle, is a major benefit.

    Getting dual tops is the best value option. This will also include full doors.

    Gas mileage improvement? Lots of snake oil out there disguised as throttle bodies, air filters, cold air inlets etc. If there was any cheap any easy way to improve fuel consumption I really think DC would already be doing it! (C.A.F.E. regs etc.)

    Plenty of aftermarket accessory suppliers out there, just do a little searching. Most Mopar accessories are aftermarket items re-badged.

    I think you'd do well to visit a dealer, compare the Sahara and Sport, and take a couple of test drives. The standard 4.0 can be pretty sprightly and is more than capable of keeping up with other traffic. Top end is just over 100mph....... try it before you modify it to go even faster.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    I am looking for a soundbar to handle 6x9's. I saw one from EdgeAuto.com that handles them (you have to add your own).

    Does anybody have any suggestions for a good soundbar? This one seems nice and will do the job, but I don't want it falling off or coming loose or anything like that.

    -Paul
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Your Wrangler configuration sounds like what I ended up buying in January. I didn't want ABS because of off-roading and I've had strange experiences w/ABS and rough roads in other vehicles (like the feeling of no brakes after going over uneven pavement as you're coming down a hill towards stopped traffic, for example). My Sport is black and it's beautiful when clean but I would have been just as happy with the beige or silver metallic colors. I have the 4.0 6cyl, 5spd, 30"wheel pkg that comes w/the Dana 44 rear axle and gas shocks, dual top (comes w/dark tinted windows both in hardtop & softop), AC (there are times lately where this has been nice, believe it or not), & cruise.

    Here's a link to some pics over in the Photo Gallery.
    barresa62 "Jeep Owners: Photo Gallery" May 25, 2003 3:30pm

    barresa62 "Jeep Owners: Photo Gallery" May 31, 2003 12:54pm

    Seattle's weather is very similar to MN's except we substitute the rain for the snow in the winter(usually). Today it's going to be a high of 93F...woohoo...

    Stephen
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    93 in Seattle? West LA is expecting a high of 70. Now that IS strange!

    I agree that black sure looks good when it is clean, and not bad when it is dirty (like mine is most of the time). However, I won't get another one - it's too hot in the summer!
  • bcmalibu99lsbcmalibu99ls Member Posts: 625
    Hi there! Vancouver's a beautiful city, and there's so much to do here, you can decide for yourself what to do and to see by visiting the site that host Steve provided or by going to

    http://www.tourismbc.com

    If you have but a day or two, the most popular tourist destinations are:

    1. Capillano Suspension Bridge (North shore), 15 minutes from downtown

    2. Grouse Mountain (North shore), 5 minute drive from the suspension bridge

    3. Harbor Center Observation Deck (in downtown, looks like a UFO on top of the building, very nice 360 degrees views of the city and the harbor/mountains)

    And if you have some cash to spare, take a Harbor Air seaplane ride to Vancouver Island - takes about 40 minutes and $65 (Canadian) one way - amazing views there.
  • 01r101r1 Member Posts: 280
    I've got an '02 X model and I'd have to recommend the Sport if it's your only vehicle. The Sport gives you a few goodies that may be useful. Test drive them all, see what you think. I really miss not having tilt-wheel, since I sit up pretty tall I look over the top of the steering wheel to see my highway speed :( It's real awkward having to lean forward or duck down to see the instruments.

    As Tom always says, try to get one with a Dana-44 rear axle - they are stronger in the long run. I didn't get one, wish I had. Will have to upgrade it sometime down the road.

    You mentioned Vancouver, I live in Vancouver, Washington, but I'm sure you're talking about BC :) If you're ever in SW Washington/NW Oregon with your new Jeep, we'll talk. There's lots of excellent 4-wheelin' in the Cascade Mtn Range right out my back door!

    Hot today, 97F right now, got 2 more hours until the hottest part of the day. To think it's only 60F at the coast, 70 miles away....

    -Pete
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Yeah, you guys get it even hotter than Seattle...ouch for today's temp! :-0

    I may have to make a trip down to Vancouver, WA this summer. I'm really itchin' to go off-road but would rather do it w/others the first time.

    Mtngal: Yeah, the weather is indeed strange right now. My sis lives just north of Indy and they had a high of about 70F. Normally they are getting our current temps this time of year.

    Sizzlin in Seattle,
    Stephen
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    As mentioned, the Dana 44 rear axle could be important. It should be a must on your list, if you think you will ever do much off roading or go to oversize tires (especially if you are going to install a locker in the rear). And, no matter what you think now, you might get bitten by the "wheelin" bug, like I did. I did not plan on off roading my Thelma Jane, but one little trip off roading hooked me for life, and I now go wheelin' about every weekend.

    The X model does not give you the option of a Dana 44: you can only get the much weaker Dana 35.

    For the 01s, they had an option package called AAS, and this got you the really nice looking Canyon wheels, thirty inch tires, and a Dana 44 rear axle for $850. What a bargain! Don't know if the new ones have that option package or not, but, if they do, you ought to jump all over it.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • g0ldeng0pherg0ldeng0pher Member Posts: 5
    Is the Dana 44 going to make the jeep drive rougher on the road?
  • bamatazzbamatazz Member Posts: 311
    Well..as u see u ask a question u get answers.
    My .02 worth. For 03 I would go for Sport as well. Has all the options u need. Plus if you are planning on ordering u can add what u want.
      I would go for the dual top option, thats what I did. Make sure u have somewhere to store yout hard top when u take it off.
      I dont so any Off roading ( it might get DIRTY, thats not gonna happen) so.
      Plus I dont think turbo charging a jeep would be a good idea ( the jeep version of "Fast & Furious")
      Go out test drive a few see what you like. Im not sure what rebates are being offerd now. Check around, most here paid right at invoice.

    ERIK-- 6X9 in sound bar. I belive any car stereo shop could customize the soundbar to fit.
      also, I belive there is a Super sound bar replaces the current soundbar. Do some searches u might can find it.

    Keep Posting
    BAMA
    http://www.geocities.com/bamatazz2001/jeep.html
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    Is the Factory Service Manual worth it? Or would I be just as well served by a Chilton's or Hayne's manual? Does anybody have the ISBN of the FSM for a 97 TJ?

    -Paul
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    What did you end up doing with your original 5 spoke wheels? :)

    -Paul
  • smurf6smurf6 Member Posts: 27
    Thanks Tsjay for the advised caution about the dealerships possibly creating work. I did take your advice and checked in the garage. There did appear to be minor oil on the floor. So, my brother drew me a picture of what I was looking for and I squirmed under Tweety to take a look. There does appear to be a minor oil leak. For tonight I have placed newspaper under that area of the car. Tomorrow morning should tell the story. If I'm still concerned, I'll give a friend who is a mechanic a call. Thanks again. My Field Service Manual should be in the mail to me - they say it can take up to 10 days to arrive.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    I sold those Canyon wheels for $300 for the five of them, and I could have gotten more, if I had been more patient. Those things are EXPENSIVE!

    I only got rid of them because I was ruining them on the trails. I think they are about as nice looking as any wheel I have ever seen, but I could see that I would ruin mine out on the trails, and I wanted to sell them while they still looked good.

    You definitely want the factory service manual rather than a Chilton or a Haynes. NO COMPARISON! The FSM is written specifically for your vehicle and goes into far greater detail than some generic manual. They have great diagrams and step by step instuctions for every job you could possibly imagine as far as repair on your vehicle. The service techs at the service departments at dealerships refer to these things, for Pete's sake. They are as good as it gets.

    Http://www.techauthority.com

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You are welcome.

    Hey, if the seal really needs replacing, then the dealer is the place to have it done, since the Jeep is under warranty. I just thought it would be smart to get an independent to confirm the need.

    Good luck.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    No difference in the ride you get between the D44 and the D35. Now, you might notice a slightly rougher ride with the AAS package, because it includes gas shocks, but my Jeep rode just fine when she was in stock configuration with that AAS package (I have replaced the factory springs and shocks with a Procomp 2" lift). The rear end itself does not effect the ride you get.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Don't remember what the pkg is called (may still be the same code) but it's still available for 03'. This is what I have on my Sport.

    Stephen
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Good deal! At least they didn't screw that one up! For all that you get in that package, it is a super deal for the price.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • jarhead6153jarhead6153 Member Posts: 2
    Just in case no one has seen it or was aware, there was a 'hidden' extended warranty covering the exhaust manifold bolts of the 1998 SE Jeeps. I'm not sure if it covered the 1997, I took mine in this week, the dealership spent 5-6 hours to extract one broken bolt(aft). I thought they would replace them all(NOT!), but I was told it is covered for 8 yrs or 80k. Not bad for me since I have only 22.5 K on mine. Hope this helps anyone so they don't have to pay the $$$$ cha CHING to anyone...

    just my .02
    Jarhead6153...
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Hey, thanks for passing that along. That could be VERY useful to some folks in here. I have an 01 Sport, so it doesn't pertain in my case, but I still appreciate your sharing that with the group.

    And, thanks for being a "jarhead." :)

    All of you military folks deserve the gratitude and respect of your countrymen. You guys do a super job!

    Hope you will post more often in here. I see that you had a post or two way back when I was suffering from "Wrangler Fever" and had not yet ordered Thelma Jane.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • surfer454surfer454 Member Posts: 26
    Hi -
    I ordered a Sport back in May. I priced out all of the models and if you plan to get most of the options, then I believe the Sport is the way to go. You can't get 4 way disc AND ABS - it is one or the other (or neither). If you get discs then you have to get the heavy duty rear (which is probably a good thing anyway.) I opted for the discs, as I have heard that the Wrangler ABS is problemsome.

    Now I'm doing the waiting game. I got a VON and just hoping to get that call one of these days. It kills me to see you folks driving around without your tops...

    Good luck on your purchase.

    surfer454

    PS - I thought there was a way to track your jeep once you had a VON? No luck on my part finding out how to do this.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Here's the tracking phone number...

    800-992-1997

    Knock yourself out! :)

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • surfer454surfer454 Member Posts: 26
    Tom - Thanks for the #. After my post I went back and found it in an earlier post. I was very disappointed to find out:
    1) I ordered my sport on 5/13 but the order didn't go in until 5/26
    2) My Jeep was mysteriously cancelled - ZA code. Customer care referred me to the dealer. The dealer claims to not know why.
    3) I was never notified that the Jeep was cancelled. When was someone going to tell me.
    4) Neither the salesman nor the sales mgr knew what code ZA meant.

    I can't believe the treatment and it frustrates me to no end. It was bad enough dealing with a salesman who knew nothing more about wranglers than my mother - now this.

    I certainly do not feel like I got 5 star dealer treatment. What's the deal? I can't stand incompetence.

    I have a feeling that the delay in putting my order in pushed me out of out the '03 timeframe, although I can't confirm. Interesting enough when I called the delaer last week for the VON I asked if the vehicle was going to by an '03 or '04 and he was adament that it was an '03. Probably just a lie.

    I guess I'll be in the market for a used wrangler :(
  • 2003wrangler2003wrangler Member Posts: 24
    It sounds like you need to find a new dealer. What part of the country are you in? Maybe someone here could give you a good recommendation if they are close to you.

    Sorry to hear about your bad experience.
  • geepersgeepers Member Posts: 93
    From my experience, 5 star dealer, has ZERO meaning.

    Gary
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Oh, Man! I'm so sorry. Geez! That sounds like a "worst dream come true." Thinking that you had a Jeep on order and making it through a month of waiting, only to find out that your order was cancelled without anyone even having the decency to tell you is just plain sickening!

    If I were you, I would definitely take this up the chain at DC and make them somehow make this up to you.

    The dealer was playing some kind of game with you, if your order didn't actually get placed until almost two weeks after you made the deal. He may have reached some allocation limit and had to wait til the next period to order your Jeep. Naturally, they wouldn't tell you about it, for fear that you would not go ahead with the deal.

    Words just cannot express how bad I feel. But, Jeeps are worth every bit of the struggle they might be to obtain, so do not give up!

    Hey, things really do tend to work out for the best, so take advantage of this time to re-think what you want for options and color, etc., and consider it a chance to change your mind. If you are still happy with your original choices, fine, but if not, this is your chance to change something.

    I would INSIST that they make the very same deal, rebate and all, on an 04, if it is too late to order an 03 now.

    Let us know if we can help in any way. Don't know what it would be, but maybe an email campaign to DC or something along those lines would help.

    Bill, we are your friends here, and we all share in your disappointment, so please keep us posted as you continue your quest for a Jeep. Heck, if you will read some old posts in here, you will see that I get about as excited over someone getting a new Jeep as I did about getting my own Jeep.

    I remember Tonkadave found out that his order had not been turned in by his original dealer. I had already been through my buying experience by the time he ordered his Jeep, and when he couldn't get the VON from his dealer, I told him something was not right. My dealer told me that the VON is assigned the moment the order is placed with the factory. It's actually part of the order entry process to assign a VON. When Dave pressed them on the issue, they finally told him that they had to wait due to an allocation limit. He cancelled his order with that dealer and went to another one!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    just makes me appreciate my dealer even more.

    My salesman actually knew a lot about Wranglers, which is VERY unusual, unfortunately. Many dealers just don't sell Wranglers very often, so the salesmen know almost nothing about them.

    I actually made the deal for Thelma Jane over the phone! My dealer was so good that I was offered $200 over invoice to start with for a no trade-in deal. When I told them that I might end up trading in my Grand Prix, if I couldn't sell it on my own before the Jeep came in, they made me a tremendous offer on trade in allowance over the phone. It was such a good offer that I didn't try too hard to sell the car on my own.

    Stacy Chrysler in Owensboro, Ky, I appreciate you!

    Let Bill's experience serve as a warning to all who place factory orders... GET THE VON IMMEDIATELY! If the dealer cannot give you a VON, then he HAS NOT placed your order!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Wow! I've never ordered a car before and I didn't know about what can go wrong. It seems like certain car dealerships play games no matter what. Definitely give DC a try (though I'm afraid you might not get anywhere with them, large corporation that they are and so on). Good luck and let us know how it all sorts out.
  • surfer454surfer454 Member Posts: 26
    I'm so pissed right now. I called Customer Care and they basically told me there is nothing they could do. DC manufactures cars and sells them to independently owned Jeep dealers. Any problems have to be resolved with the dealership. Unbelievable treatment. CC offered no assistance, no explanation, nothing!

    I'm really starting to wonder how much DC stands behind their products.

    Of course my saleman is unreachable again today...

    Maybe I'll just buy a used Sport and not have to bother with a dealership. What a huge disappointment, especially to my kids.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Find the General Manager and/or owner and tell them how you've been treated...

    Steve, Host
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Just rubbing salt into the wounds, huh? DO NOT let them get away with this! Start with the dealer, like Steve suggests. Go to the highest level there, and if you still can't get any satisfaction, then start up the chain at DC.

    Regardless of what you were told by Customer Care, I KNOW DC would be interested in knowing about this and would do something for you. They can't allow this sort of thing to happen.

    Man, I am still just blown away by this. So sorry, Bill.

    Steve, in a case like this, it's OK to use profanity in here, ain't it???

    Well, I'm going to!

    **!#$%^&*(*&^%$#*!!!!

    Tom

    Have you strangled your Jeep dealer today?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Masked profanity is frowned upon. Comic book stuff is ok, since it's not exactly translatable. Nice amendment to your tag line:-)

    Steve, Host
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    When you ordered your Jeep was it a 'handshake deal', or did you sign a contract and pay a deposit? If it was the latter, it seems likely that the dealer has broken his part in the deal, for which there should be consequences.
  • surfer454surfer454 Member Posts: 26
    It was a handshake deal. They have been sitting on my deposit for almost a month now. I decided that I really don't want to deal with them any more. I left a msg with the salesman today. No response. I left a msg with a sales mgr yesterday. No response. I don't have time to stop by today. Tomorrow I'll go into the dealer and blast them.

    BTW, for all of you perspective Jeep buyers, my miserable experience was compliments of Freehold Jeep in Freehold NJ. Interesting enough, their slogan is "We deliver!"

    Finding someone in DC who cares seems to be difficult. I asked CC for a phone number. They were no help since the dealerships are individually owned. The only thing she offered to do is log a complaint. I'll do that once I get my deposit back. Luckily I left it on a credit card.

    Still PO'd in NJ!
    Bill
  • bamatazzbamatazz Member Posts: 311
    Man, Sorry to hear about all your problems.
    Hard to believe that since all the dealerships are BEGGING people to buy cars thet would go "above & beyond" to help anyone.
      I'm sure they has got to be a solution to your problem.
      maybe if u call another jeep dealer they could help ya.
      Keep us posted..
      Bama
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