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Jeep Wrangler

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  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Glen - Too bad the local mountains don't have much snow at the moment. On the other hand, heading for the Sierras is always fun. I've sometimes wondered what it would be like to wander around Hungry Valley OHV area (near Gorman) in the snow. Not that they ever get much snow, but they do get a bit once in a while.

    Andrew - I have in-laws that live in northern BC. They moved there from Flin Flon and they say there is no way they would ever move back! I've been up there at Christmas time before and thought it was quite heavenly - cold enough to keep lots of snow around but not too cold to enjoy outdoor activities (at least for this SoCal gal). I would be real tempted to move up there if I could move my job up there...

    As far as driving in the snow - I've always wanted as much traction as I could get, so I drive through even deeper snow with fully inflated tires. In fact, I've thought about going to a smaller tire (I have the 30" tires) so that I could get one that was narrower. I've always heard that skinnier is better if you are driving in snow and I believe it. One time I watched a 4x4 truck having a terrible time (where the Wrangler went through without a slip) because with the wide, oversized tires had no edges to grip. If anyone knows better, let me know. After all, I AM from SoCal, not exactly the snow capital of the world...
  • dchristo1dchristo1 Member Posts: 59
    Man..After changing the tranny mount I still had "the noise"(a knocking sound coming from near my feet on acceleration)

    Looked at the U-joints:Nope
    Looked at the Manifold and exhaust system:Nope

    Looked on the WEB and Ta..Da.. A TSB for the transfer case shift linkage. Bought the bushing kit $27.00 Installed it myself and IT IS GONE!

    I wanted to share this just in case. It appears that this is somewhat of an issue on TJ's so you just may encounter this.

    TSB21-09-98

    Parts kit # 05014148AA

    Won't have to worry about the tranny mount for a while.... : )

    Congrats Tom on kicking the habit.

    David
  • guy21guy21 Member Posts: 129
    My snow experience is that is is better to sink than float in the stuff. Taller narrower tires are better than wide ones. Stay with the rated tire pressure in the door sill for overall wear purposes.

    How is the replacement tranny coming? As new Ellie is, I might be tempted to have the dealer ask for major help from the area rep. At one point, they air freighted in a (manual) tranny for me last year.
  • guy21guy21 Member Posts: 129
    There are two keys to getting factory help as far as my case went. Any time spent on the phone with the 800# customer assistance centers is wasted. All control appears to be with the dealer.

    First, you have to get the service manager to "ask" the regional rep for help. Or maybe the parts manger in your case. Then, you have to tell the dealer principal (owner) of your problem. Don't rely on the service manager, do it in person.

    As soon as the service manager asks for help from the regional guy, the first the regional rep. does is call the dealership owner to confirm your concerns.

    Once the owner confirmed it to DC things started to move at the speed of light (so to speak) in my case.
  • kelleyokelleyo Member Posts: 182
    I have made it 2 weeks now without a smoke. I have been using the Nicotine gum but I am doing pretty good. Was a long week of travel for me (Atlanta to DC to Charlotte to Raleigh and back).

    On the flight home I had a few Gin and Tonics (I was lucky and got upgraded to First class) and had major cravings but I got over it and am doing good now.

    Hope you are doing well with your quest as well!
  • mullins87mullins87 Member Posts: 959
    Congratulations on the two week mark!! I'm proud of you. Keep it up. From what everyone is saying, you should be seeing the edge of the darkest part of the forest by now. I phrased it that way as you most likely will never be completely "out of the woods".
  • mullins87mullins87 Member Posts: 959
    For the past two weeks a Jeep dealer somewhere near St. Louis has been advertising new '03 or '04 Wranglers for $12,5xx!!! I went to their website, but of course couldn't confirm it. They have been advertising in the St. Louis Post Dispatch,(if that's what it's called, I do know it is a Sunday paper out of St. Louis). I'm not sure if I would be violating the membership agreement by mentioning the dealers name, so email me and I'll try to give you more details.

    BTW: I am in NO WAY connected to this dealership. I'm just passing this along as I think this is a great deal!!
  • wildbl1500wildbl1500 Member Posts: 48
    Wow, I don't look at the board for 24 hours and bam! 25 new posts!

    -15 today not including the windchill. It was a little brisk at 80 MPH on my sled this afternoon.

    Good luck to all of you trying to quit smoking.

    I work in the PR department of a BIG Dodge, Chrysler Jeep dealer in Maine and I take my own vehicles to a little dealer 1 hour away for cheaper labor (even cheaper than my discounted rate) and a service manager that knows me and my vehicles well. Confidence in knowing the service is done in a timely manner and done right is priceless.

    -Bill

    Rich, we need to do some serious praying for the Patriots.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Still witcha, Buddy! This was Day 15! Hope we can both stick with it.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Speaking of "the woods," when we gonna hook up for some more wheelin'???? :)

    Thanks for your support, Jim, and same to all of the rest of you guys who are rooting for me and Kelleyo.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    Wow that sounds really good. Of course that's probably for a stripped out SE with every discount known to man (college grad, AARP, veteran, Farm Assoc., etc.) thrown in that no one would be able to get all of them.

    Of course the purpose of the ad is merely to get people into the dealership....then they go to work! Mwaa, haa, haa...(imagine Dr. Evil laugh here)
  • twylietwylie Member Posts: 619
    good information on the xfer case fix. Thanks for posting your results and the part numbers! Good info to file away for future reference.

    -twylie
  • dchristo1dchristo1 Member Posts: 59
    The xfer case noise is easy to fix but difficult to diagnose. The guy I picked the information up from had gone to the dealer multiple times until HE found the TSB and went back with it to the dealer.I know alot of us have TJ's that are not under warranty any longer so I thought it best to let the group know.

    I have learned a lot on this board.

    What goes around comes around.

    I also managed to find a 1999 FSM in PDF form on the net. :)

    David
  • billy318tibilly318ti Member Posts: 38
    Since all of this cold weather has hit me, my jeep insist on making some new noises.
     When im in reverse, it makes a somewhat loud screeching noise, like the sound your brakes would make when there worn down..(its a 5 speed)

        Thats not the only noises the tranny is making. Shifting into third is not as smooth as it was. It feels like it's hitting something when im shifting.

        Also since the weather has been freezing out, it has been making this hissing sound every time i start he up in the morning. Sounds like it's coming from the front right side, like where teh passengers feet would be. Wondering if anyone has been experiencing any of the same problems???

    Other than that it's been great cruising in the snow. Except now the side streets are better for ice skating than they are for driving.

    I've noticed tom and kelleyo are quitting smoking. I quit 2 years ago. Probably one of the hardest things I had to do. But the rewards are never ending. You always have spare cash in your pocket. Money you could use to make your jeep envied by all other jeeps on the road.
  • thelthel Member Posts: 767
    I wouldn't necessarily worry to much anout how your Jeep is shifting in the cold...even my Miata was a bit stiffer in the cold and it had a world-class shifter....except for reverse, that could be picky sometimes.
  • bamatazzbamatazz Member Posts: 311
    Thanx guys for all your prayers & support.
    2004 isnt being good to me at all.

    OK OK. Now off-roading in SNOW I would do that in a Second!! I think I heard Tom faint..

    I feel for you guys in the northeast. Not to bad here Short sleeve weather today.

    Keep Jeepin
    Bama
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Congratulations on getting your baby back! I know it has to feel great.

    Now, let's just hope that everything is gonna be OK from now on. I believe it will be, because you sure don't hear of many problems with the Wranglers. Just your bad luck showing up again, I guess.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • drosketerdrosketer Member Posts: 203
    Great to hear that Ellie'Mae is back! Let us know how that new tranny is working out? Give her a little exercise over the weekend...

    Andrew
  • ponmponm Member Posts: 139
    I am a fellow St. Louisian and I have seen these advertisments, actually saw it today in the post. It is usually with all the rebates(which half usually never applies to anyone anyway)and it is for a lease purchase. If it is the dealer I think(starts with a "M") they have these advertisments all the time.-scott
  • colorado1974colorado1974 Member Posts: 177
    Be aware. Legally us dealerships can advertise a $30,000 pickup for $14,000 because that is what the lease residual is and, honestly what you are going to pay over the lease. This is a cheap and dirty way to advertise because it is completely misleading. The dealership 20 miles away from us advertises this way and are always upsetting people because they lead customers to believe that they can just walk up and write a $14,000 check for a $30,000 truck.

    One rule always applies to everything, "IF SOMETHING IS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS."
  • chasingericachasingerica Member Posts: 102
    Glad to hear you got Ellie'Mae back. We know you'll start having some fun now. Sounds like you got a better deal on the new bumper with the hitch anyway.

    Tony
  • mullins87mullins87 Member Posts: 959
    Actually the dealership starts with the letter "D". I figured the advertised price included ALL possible rebates, but also figure that if they were willing to advertise the vehicle at that price, then someone could lay down the cash and drive it home.

    Advertising the lease end price as the actual price, boy there's one I haven't noticed. Now that's down and dirty!! That should be illegal. I looked that ad over and didn't see anything concerning a lease. Of course I could have missed it. I thought it might be more of the bait and switch routine. There's a particular big three dealer here that advertises new 1/2 tons with auto, air, PS, PW, PL, cruise and stereo for $14,xxx. The catch is that they have a few of them mixed in with the $25,xxx to $30,xxx trucks. The prospective buyer sees just how good those trucks look next to the cheaper one and BAM, they've got ya'.
  • wilsonfswilsonfs Member Posts: 8
    I bought an '03 Sport with a dana 44 rear axle (3.73 gears) and an open ended differential with every intention of eventually adding a rear locker.

    I spoke with the local offroad shop and I was very surprised to discover that Dana has started using different size housings for their rear ends depending on what differential setup you have. I was a tad bit irritated when I was told that there are no aftermarket lockers available for the housing that came with my '03 TJ. I find this hard to believe. I was told I have to spend an extra $600 dollars to change the housing before I can add a locker.

    Has anyone heard anything about Dana doing this? Or is the shop trying to pull a fast one on me? Anyone out there that knows of a locker that'll fit an '03 with 3.73's, dana 44, and an open ended backend? Thanks!

    -Frank
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    The D44 with an open diff is probably the most popular Jeep axle to have an aftermarket diff fitted.

    The D44 uses a different carrier when fitted with a Trac-Lok. This is the only thing I can think of that I can think of in reference to the statement from your local offroad shop.

    In terms of available lockers a Detroit is probably the most common automatic locker, and the ARB is the most common selectable locker. Both have excellent reputations and both will fit your D44 axle housing and your 3.73s. These lockers entirely replace your diff carrier.

    There other types of locker, the No-Slip is one, which fit within your existing carrier. These are available for both an open carrier and the Trac-Loc carrier. They cost less, both to purchase and install, and will do a reasonable job.
  • wilsonfswilsonfs Member Posts: 8
    Yes, the shop said the housing (pumpkin) that comes with the trac-loc differential is larger. He said that the lockers you mentioned will fit fine into that housing but not into mine, which is smaller (too small to fit a locker).

    Maybe I need to find a new offroad shop =p.

    Thanks!
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    That's sure a new one on me! I have a Detroit Soft Locker in my rear Dana 44 on my 01 Sport.

    Like Mac said, there is a carrier break at, I believe, 3.92 gear ratio, but I never heard of the housing being a problem.

    You need to decide if you are going to regear before you invest in a Detroit, since the carrier break is at 3.92. I decided that it would be far enough in the future before I regear, if I ever do, that a Detroit would make sense for me.

    If that is true about the housing, please let us know, Frank. I sure never heard that one before!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Maybe you do!

    To make it absolutely clear, the axle housing (pumpkin) is the same size for both open and Trac-Lok diffs. It's the carrier (which goes inside the housing) that is different.

    Their comments either indicate that their skill level is low, or that their honesty is questionable. Either way I'd want to do business eleswhere.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Just for your info, I really like my Detroit! Its street manners are not hard to live with at all. After just a little getting used to, and after just a slight adjustment in my drving style, I usually don't even know it's back there.

    It sure makes a difference on the trails!

    The installation is critical, and I had a wheelin' bud who was real good at setting gears install mine for me. He did a great job and got the backlash just right. Maybe that's why my Detroit is so well-behaved on the street.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    In the Chacago area, we have to get our emission systems tested after the vehicle is three years old. I got my notice last week. They request that the OBD cover be opened prior to arrival at the inspection station. I know what it is, I don't know where it is. Owners manual is no help. Can someone tell me?
    I'm sure this is not the first Wrangler they have tested. They probably know where it is. I just want to know.

    Terry
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    When sitting in the drivers seat it's at the bottom of the dash panel and aligned with your left knee/shin.

    However, it's not covered!
  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    Mac24
    Thanks. They have just started checking the computer. I don't think they check the exhaust any more. The info with the test notice seems to say if there are any emission codes, you flunk. I have to get it done in February. If I have any problems I will post them.

    Terry
  • intruder68intruder68 Member Posts: 3
    Ok hello to all. Been lurking about here n there to see what was going on.
    First congrats to those of you who are stopping smoking.
    Second also congrats to those of you who just got yer lil ones back and on the road.
    I wanted to ask in the room and see what answers I could get back. Looking at getting a new Wrangler in the next 30 days or so. I have a choice right now of a 03 or a 04. Not to concerned about cost but more so of what are the real differences of the two. ( looking at the sport model) All i seek is A/C ,5 speed, maybe the 30 inch wheel package, soft top, Dana 44 rear, and maybe a lil goodie or two extra. Hood locks are gonna come aftermarket as will an alarm. K & n filter to be an extra when i get my hands on it. Now if there is no big changes between the 2 model years will go with the 03 and use money saved for some of my extra goodies right out the box. Can you be of help to the poor neophyte?? I live out in the Philly area of Pa. and Paragon will be a trip I make soon after getting my truck to learn that offroad 101. ( Damn shame bout those EAGLES but we have next year. And we did set a record for most loses in a row. ) I will thank you for any and all help.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Hey, Welcome! Sounds like you've been here a while, but now you have broken the ice and posted.

    There would have to be a SUBSTANTIAL savings for me to opt to go with an 03 vs. an 04, even though I am not aware of any real differences in the two model years.

    There will certainly be a big difference in book value between the two years, and if you should have to sell your Jeep for some reason, you would get much more for the 04. That difference will become less and less, of course, as the Jeep gets older, but if you had to sell it early on, then that difference would be large.

    Also, what if you total it not long after buying it? Your insurance would pay book value, so, if you are upside down on it, you would have to pay the difference. You would probably be less "upside down" on an 04 than on an 03, unless they will sell the 03 MUCH cheaper.

    Whichever way you go, you are doing the right thing in getting a Jeep! You are gonna have more fun than you can even imagine!!!

    I like your thinkin' too as far as model (Sport) and options. I would get the Rubi, if I were buying now, but the Sport is a good choice too.

    Welcome, and good luck in your Jeep shopping.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • dewarsdewars Member Posts: 58
    Check out the side bars from Four X Doctor. I love mine. They are strong and don't create any clearance problems. fourxdoctor.com

    dewars
  • dewarsdewars Member Posts: 58
    Absolutely, I would.

    dewars
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    I went into the archived "Jeep Wrangler III" and found this post. I believe it was my fist ever post in Jeep Wrangler ( I had been posting in Jeep Grand Cherokee and in Pontiac Grand Prix previously ).

    This was in my initial stages of "Wrangler Fever."

    #286 of 505 jeep4u: need your help (others welcome to respond) by tsjay Jul 23, 2000 (12:48 am)
    I was looking at a 2000 Wrangler Sport today that I have fallen in love with, and I was wondering what kind of deal I should be able to get.

    My trade-in is a 2000 Grand Prix GT 4 dr sedan with tan leather interior (white exterior). It has 10,000 miles on it and is in showroom new condition. The original sticker price was $24,225.

    The Jeep I'm looking at is white with a black hard top. It's a Sport with the manual 5-speed transmission and 30" tires. I remember that it had the 25D package, but I can't remember all the additional goodies. The sticker was $23,345.

    What should I consider a good deal? I'm not one of those people who expect a dealer to run a non-profit organization. When I say a "good deal" I mean a reasonable deal for both me and the dealer.

    Any help would be appreciated.

    thanks

    tsjay


    See, no "Have you hugged your Jeep today" at the end of that post.

    Oh, the Wrangler Sport that I was referring to in that post was the white one with the black hard top and had the Canyon wheels. It was Thelma Jane's twin, just a 2000 instead of a 2001. It was the one that I knew MY Jeep would have to look like.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    I don't know when you started posting, but you were here as far back as August 30 of 2000. I think you had been here already a good while by then, but I haven't looked for your posts any further back than that. Think I will, though, just for kicks. YOU ARE ANCIENT! :)

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • nolid5nolid5 Member Posts: 148
    Wow Tom you were up late that night. Is that close to midnight your time? You definitely were coming down with "the fever". How long from that post did you actually place the order for Thelma Jane?

    Rich
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Yes, I'd been here a while when you first posted. However, Townhall was running a different software then (I forget the name I'm afraid), and I'm not sure that the posts made then are now in the current archives.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Hey, I traced ya back to Dec. 24, 1999!

    This place started life as "2000 Jeep Wrangler." At some point it was changed to "Jeep Wrangler," then "Jeep Wrangler II," "Jeep Wrangler III," then back to "Jeep Wrangler," as we are now. ( I believe we were "Jeep Wrangler IV" for a while, then they changed our name to "Jeep Wrangler." ) We were "Jeep Wrangler III" when I first posted.

    I found your December 24, 1999, post in "2000 Jeep Wrangler."

    COOL!

    YOU DA MAN! (OLD man, that is) :)

    So, let's hear some congrats from all of you guys for Mac24. The man has continuously posted in here for a little over four years now!

    I'll start it off...

    CONGRATULATIONS, MAC24! AND THANKS FOR ALL THE GOOD INFO YOU HAVE PROVIDED!!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • nolid5nolid5 Member Posts: 148
    I echo the sentiment. MAC happy belated posting anniversary. Can always count on you for excellent advice & opinion.

    Rich
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Yeah, I guess that would have been 11:48 PM my time when I posted that message.

    That was 7/23/00, and I didn't order until 11/16/00. For four months I tried to figure out some way to handle the deal financially, but I never came up with anything that made sense. So... I did something that DIDN'T make sense! I took out a home equity loan to cover some of the debt on the Grand Prix that I was trading in. Even after paying $6000 on the Grand Prix debt, I STILL owed $2000 more than the trade in allowance (and I was allowed $1000 more than the average trade in allowance on that Grand Prix). That's how bad I wanted a Jeep! :)

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • boredbored Member Posts: 300
    Thanks Mac for all of the technical information!

    And Tom, you need to take over my username. You're now the bored guy!

    Marlon

    Hug your Jeeps for me. ;-)
  • drosketerdrosketer Member Posts: 203
    Thanks to all the great advice from a whole lot of folks on this site... Mac, Twylie, Tom, and the list goes on!

    I found the site quite valuable in deciding what I wanted to get. I suspect it will be quite valuable in the future once Buffy needs maintenance, or I want to add mods...

    Andrew
  • chasingericachasingerica Member Posts: 102
    Well I guess we can thank Tom for digging back far enough to find out how long you've been here, but Congrats to you. I've only been reading a few months but you've put up tons of great info since and I'm sure tons before that.

    Tony
  • chasingericachasingerica Member Posts: 102
    Hey guys, I just got my title from the state for Amy. It says that her body style is a TK? I was wondering if anyone had any info on it. I thought that they were all TJ's since '97. That and none of the other Jeeps are K's. Could it be because she's a Rubi?

    Thanks for the help,
    Tony
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Could the TK simply stand for "Truck?" I know a Jeep isn't a truck, but for the purposes of the license bureau, maybe they classify a Jeep as a truck???

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Hey............... you guys are making me blush! image

    I like to keep up to date on a variety of subjects, so answering questions here keeps me on my toes. I'm glad it's helpful, but I hope that no one makes any major decisions based on my posts without doing due diligence!

    I don't have all the answers, but I do know enough to know what I don't know! image
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    mac - I knew you had been around here for a long time, and I think it's great that you are still around for so long. Your help is beyond compare!

    I haven't seen any Wranglers recently pulling old military trailers, but then I'm no longer living some place where they are easily obtainable. Is oceantoad still around - he might know. I do know that it was fairly common years ago. I don't remember what the nomenclature was of the small trailer normally associated with the 1/4 ton truck (military jeep). I would think that trailers designed for 2 and a half ton trucks would be too high for anything but a lifted Wrangler (good sized lift), and would be easy to load beyond the Wrangler's towing capacity. Of course, it has been over 10 years since I've seen a military vehicle up close, so I could be very wrong...

    Hey, my black Wrangler is starting to turn white! Hooray! Of course, it doesn't look like much white stuff is going to fall (not enough to make tomorrow a Wrangler day), but it is more than what they were talking about last week. Hopefully this will mean that we'll actually get some more winter. I'm sure there are east coasters that would love it if they could get a break and give it to us.
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    What do you want to use a trailer for?

    Do bear in mind that military trailers are very heavy for their size, and that the military doesn't have the same constraints with regard to capacities and weights that civilians do.
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