Jeep Wrangler

offroadindaddy

Tom,

I have 33x10.5 BFG MTs on my 97 jeep 4 cyl. I noticed you said to use 28 psi. Where do you come up with that tire pressure. I have been wondering what pressure to use in my tires and just wonder if there is some reason behind it or personal expirence or just preference?

Thanks

Chip

koolbreeze2

I noticed the tire pressure question. We just got snow in Connecticut and I usually run the tires at 28psi also. Sometimes 26 in deep snow. I'm curious what others run for pressure. Also, in 2H my Jeep is lousy in snow so I usually stay in 4H until snow is clear. What speeds do you all experience in 4H? From habit I stay below 60 mph but that habit was aquired from owning older Jeeps that would not go over 60. Go Easy and Have Fun, John

mtngal

This might just be because of our local road conditions, but I subscribe to the philosophy that if there is enough slippage to require 4WD, then it is bad enough to keep it below 40, more like around 25 (or slower, depending on where I am). I drive in 2WD quite a bit around here - the roads are either well plowed and have too much grip for 4 high (except occasional patches) or they aren't plowed at all and are really slick. It's one of those times when I wish the Wrangler had an AWD system similar to the Subarus in addition to its transfer case.

tsjay

This has come up from time to time in here. Been a while, so it was due, I guess.

 

You get in the ballpark by figuring the percentage of maximum load your tires are carrying and then multiplying the maximum pressure by this percentage. If you are only at half the maximum load, then half the pressure plus a few extra psi for safety will be where you want to run.

 

Trial and error using some chalk to get the best "footprint" is the best way to set your pressure. Run some chalk across the tread and then drive a few feet. Take a look at the footprint left by the chalk.

 

You want enough pressure to get contact all across the tread. Too much pressure will make the contact show only in the middle, and too little pressure will make the contact only on the edges.

 

Some people think you just automatically inflate to the maximum pressure, but that is silly. That's leaving the actual load out of the equation.

 

You can make slight adjustments in pressure based on the "feel" when driving. I can tell a difference in the ride and handling between 28 psi and 31 psi on my BFG Muds.

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tsjay

Man, you really should NOT be in four wheel drive with your Jeep on dry pavement. We have part time four wheel drive systems, so driving on surfaces that do not allow some slippage of the tires will cause binding in the drive train and cause premature wear.

 

Like Mtngal said, if there is enough slippage to make four wheel drive necessary, then you sure don't want to be driving very fast.

 

When you have intermittent slick spots, it is best to just stay in two wheel drive and take it REAL easy. Just leaving it in four wheel drive is not a good option in this situation.

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

bored

Good luck on finding information about the AT/D or AT/D2. All I know is that they are exclusive to Sam's Club, and no one (not even them) has any information about them. It is an all-terrain tire (looks like it too), and that's about it.

 

As for 4WD on pavement... from my understanding, binding only occurs in turns, and you will definitely feel it. Driving in a straight line in PT 4WD causes no damage and binding, because all the wheels are moving at the same speeds.

koolbreeze2

My writing must have been unclear. Happens to me all the time. I only drive in 4H when snow or slush is on the highway and not plowed or hardly plowed. Otherwise its 2wheel drive. Speeds are always slow but on occasion I have hit 60 in 4H with no problem for short distance. Go Easy, John

guy21

Are these the same as the Goodyear Wrangler TD? Go to the Goodyear.com wesite and look at the tread pattern. If they are, GY rates them 1-10 in relation to their other offerings for traction, noise, etc.

01r1

With my '02 X model, I keep 32 psi in my 33"x10.50 BFG MT's, while on pavement. That seems to keep tires wearing pretty evenly.

 

I lower down to 24 psi in mixed dirt and rock terrain and 11 - 13 psi for deep soft sand.

 

Like Tom said, vehicle load and tire capacity will dictate your pressure. Use the chalk method to verify (if it's dry outside).

 

-Pete

tsjay

I wanted to share with you guys some of the thrill of one of my favorite places at Turkey Bay. I took this picture from the drivers seat (obviously) as I ran Dogleg Hollow.

 

Not long after entering the lower end of Dogleg, you encounter a tree growing in the very bottom of the hollow. The tree is situated so that the only way around it is to take the right side tires of the Jeep up on the hillside. This tilts the Jeep and makes the top want to get over into the tree, so you have to go high enough with that right side to leave room for the top to clear the tree. This puts you into a big time off camber situation, and it can be a real thrill!

 

I tried to hold the camera dead level to give a true picture of how tilted Thelma Jane really was. You can tell from the horizon that I was pretty close to level with the camera.

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

 
P.S. Notice that the low fuel light was on. That happens when you get the Jeep tilted far enough. I still had about half a tank of gas.

 

bored

I happened to end up at Sam's Club today, and got this shot of the two. Sorry for the bad quality. Can't take the real camera everywhere. :-)

 

The size is LT245/75R16. BFG is on the left, Goodyear on the right.


 

erickpl

Show em the pics that I took of you in that same location.

 

-Paul

southflorida33

I was just wondering how the Unlimited handled in the rain as it doesn't have abs. Thanks.

mac24

General handling in the rain isn't affected under normal conditions. ABS only comes into play when you hit the brakes hard enough to lock the wheels, at which time the braking effectiveness drops dramatically, as does the ability to steer. Under those specific conditions ABS allows almost the maximum possible braking, and more importantly it allows you to steer at the same time.

mtngal

I've never driven a car with ABS, so I'm probably not the best person to answer this question. And while it has rained here since I bought my Unlimited just over 3 months ago, it hasn't rained all that much - no big puddles on the freeway that would cause my Sport to hydroplane when the tires were worn.

 

It seems more stable than the Sport all the way around. I didn't notice it so much in the rain, perhaps a bit more in the slush we had once this year. It is so incredibly more stable in the wind. Tonight was the first time I've noticed any "wind wiggle" and we've had plenty of pretty windy days. Driving the Sport in wind like tonight would have been a white knuckle drive where you constantly have to fight the unexpected lane changes. Not so with the Unlimited - just once did it wiggle a bit.

keats

Finally got shift the Rubi into 4Hi on the road. We've received 3 inches of snow and ice here in Memphis. I wasn't able to make it slip. I know it's not nice to say, but I feel so superior to the other drivers. *lol* I was initially concerned about how the MTRs would do, but they have been great. Hope all of you have happy holidays.

stever

3 inches in Memphis? That's nuts. I was at the Liberty Bowl back in 1968 and I've never been as cold before or since (and that includes my 20 years in Alaska!).

 

I sold my CJ-5 in Memphis in the late 70's come to think of it. Never had any snow there to play in though.

 

Steve, Host

jeff62301

hey mtngal, I was excited to when you posted saying that your unlimited was cranking out the heat and staying warm inside. that was before we had much cold weather here.

 

Its been in the teens and was in single digits this morning. I would personally like to see mine a bit warmer inside, I don't like wearing a coat on long drives, and can't say that it ever got warm enough to take my coat off in the jeep today during an hour drive.

 

somehow I wound up on Slick Tops email list, and got an email last week that he was discounting liners, so I've got one on the way. I'm hoping that added insulation will get it toasty warm on the inside of the jeep. we are forecast to be below zero tonight, I'm headed to my parents house in the morning, I wish that liner was already here.

 

Wishing Everyone A Merry Christmas

 

jeff

wheelsdown

Jeff,

 

I have a 2000 TJ soft top. This was before they came out with the three ply top. We live in the same area. I don't have any problem with warmth, even running around on short trips. Mine is cranking out a lot of heat after a couple of miles, in fact I usually have to turn the temp down. I don't like driving with a coat or gloves. I take mine off if I will be going more than three or four miles.

 

 
Merry Christmas

Terry

keats

Steve this weather would normally be great, but I was supposed to pick up some family over in Ft. Smith today and had to cancel. Apparently, it is taking 5 to 6 hours just to get to Little Rock from here. Roads are in horrible shape, and people do not know how to drive on them so it makes for slow going.

 

The Liberty Bowl is ALWAYS cold. We could be having weather in the 50's and the day of Liberty Bowl it drops to 20.

 

I have lived here for 6 years and this is the most snow we've had. Temperature is not supposed to get above freezing until Sunday so it looks like it might be a white Christmas.

jefferson1964

Texas jeep dealers will not deal. I made a fair offer on a new 04 unlimited thats been on the lot since July. I was trying to purchase an 04 unlimited with MSRP of $25,710. The dealer had an add of $5,000 off all unlimiteds, also i have a military discount from being in airforce so a total of $5,500 off. The dealer would not even sell me an 04 kept telling me they did not have any on the lot until i basically took the guy by the hand and showed him he had 4 on the lot. Then he would not even entertain my offer of $20,000 and kept trying to push me toward an 05 manual tranny for $20,450 which had a MSRP of $24,800 which was not even the 5K off adverstised. I complained to the manager and he did absolutely NOTHING....ive had it trying to buy a new jeep, i feel my offer should have had a counter offer I know its christmas time but im not buying the sales guys family presents when i was going off their add and jeeps rebates.......gosh......give me a freakn carmax....no pricing games, wish texas dealers had not run the new jeep carmax outta dallas......

mac24

Well, at least you know who not to reward with your business in the future. Make sure to tell all your friends and acquaintances at every opportunity.

 

The other side of the coin is that, except under very special circumstances like 'bait and switch', or ethnic discrimination, the dealer has no obligation to sell anything to anybody.

 

Why deprive yourself of the pleasure of buying a new Jeep because your local dealer won't give you the deal you want? The internet, email, faxes, and even the telephone are wonderful things. Use them to your advantage.

 

Good luck.

mtngal

I'm surprised - we've had a number of mornings where we've started off in the 20s and gone through a section of road that the thermometer said was in the teens. The Jeep has warmed up to comfortable temperatures by the time we get to the gas station (we fill up every morning) and the freeway - about 15 minutes away. I always turn the heat down when we get on the freeway, and then again when we get down the hill (that's not really fair - it is almost always in the 50s or higher). And maybe my experience isn't fair, because I'm in below freezing temperatures for less than an hour, and while it could be below freezing by the time I get home, the Jeep has spent the day parked at well above freezing temperatures (70s last week). Perhaps I should report back in February, when it stays cold and snowy.

mtngal

I'll second the email idea - it worked well for me. Edmunds listed a number of dealers (I was looking at both Jeeps and Subarus) so I emailed them all. The Subie dealers wouldn't commit pricing to an email and when you called they quoted MSRP. I wasn't interested in spending hours and hours trying to negotiate, so I passed on the Subaru.

 

I got responses from several Jeep dealers with prices of $500 over dealers invoice, before rebates (which is what I had planned on paying). I went with the first one that responded even though I had no idea at the time where they were located. It just happened they were the closest to work (Buerge Motors).

 

I might have done better if I had worked at it, but I hate those types of things. They offered me what I was willing to pay for it, and they didn't pad their fees with all sorts of extras. I didn't waste time playing games and I'm so happy I did it that way.

jeephead

Well, here in Central Indiana we have been hit with a lot of snow. I think that last amount was over a foot of snow between the last couple of days. My neighborhood hasn't been plowed yet - it has been a lot of fun! I had to help a couple of people out, because they were trying to drive their lowered cars in this snow - kinda crazy. I left to run some errands that should have taken about 20 minutes - lasted 2 hours because of everyone out on the roads. I saw a lot of people spinning and not using their heads while they drive. I was glad to get back home! For Christmas Eve, I am heading to where I grew up, where they had even worse snow - between 15 and 22 inches. Should be lots of fun to play in! It hasn't snowed like this in years here, so I am enjoying it while it lasts.

 

JeepHead

tsjay

Bummer about that dealer, but I KNOW there has to be a whole gang of dealers who would really like to sell you a new Unlimited.

 

No trade-in, right? Even if there is, pretend like there isn't until a deal is reached on the new Jeep.

 

The process can be SIMPLE. Just call or email a bunch of dealers and ask them how much in relation to INVOICE they are willing to sell you a new Unlimited for.

 

By putting everything in relation to invoice, you can easily compare deals, even if one Jeep might have more options than the other.

 

That's your starting point, anyway. You can then work on trade-in allowance, if there is going to be a trade-in.

 

Edmunds was a Godsend for me when I was shopping for Thelma Jane.

 

I had some reservations as to whether or not I would be satisfied with a Wrangler. I THOUGHT I would be happy, but I had never owned a Wrangler before, and this place gave me a great way to ask questions of people who actually did own them.

 

I also learnded from Town Hall which options were good to have, and I got a real good feel for how close dealers were coming to invoice. With this info, I knew what kind of deal to hold out for on the new Jeep.

 

My trade-in was too new to be listed in Edmunds, but I would have otherwise been able to get a good idea of trade-in value here in addition to the other info I mentioned.

 

Jeff, don't give up, Brother! You KNOW you need to be driving a new Jeep!!!

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

koolbreeze2

I noticed that you "fill up every day". How many miles do you put on per day? Anyone change the lettering on the sides of their Jeep? I took off the Freedom decal, the Wrangler and the white JEEP lettering. Went to a graphic arts business and had the JEEP done in black vinal (my Jeep is red with blk trim), and designed a half sunburst the same length as the JEEP lettering and placed it above the black JEEP lettering. I had them leave a quarter inch between the sun rays and the sun itself. That way the red body paint divides the rays and the sun. Looks good and so far it has confused several other Jeep owners who are always curious what model it is. Just gives it an individual touch.All for $10.00. I used to do pinstriping as a hobby so I had to do something different. Its interesting. The design goes into a computer and comes out on vinal just the way you design it or use a design from one of their books. One that was interesting was a solid black triangular mountain with a road going to the top. About 4 inches high or however high you want it.Almost did that but I wanted to design my own. Go Easy, John

mtngal

I can't quite get 2 round trips to work comfortably, so we fill up every day. We drive 150 miles daily, 5 days a week - the house is 75 miles from the office, and close to 6,000 feet higher. That's why I have over 14,000 miles on the Unlimited, which had 137 miles when we bought it just over 3 months ago.

jeff62301

when buying mine,,,, I was prepared to go to Georgia to buy mine, I emailed an ever expanding circle of dealers in the area, telling them what I wanted and the CARMAX price, I bought from the first one that agreed to CARMAX price, plus $300 ( what I figured it would cost me to get there and drive home)

 

I love email!! for me at least, it seems to level the playing field, I was on my turf (home infront of the computer) not at their dealership and giving them an option of selling me something other than what I wanted.

 

Hang in there,, you'll get what you want!

 

jts

jeff62301

John Said"

 

designed a half sunburst the same length as the JEEP lettering and placed it above the black JEEP lettering. I had them leave a quarter inch between the sun rays and the sun itself. That way the red body paint divides the rays and the sun. Looks good and so far it has confused several other Jeep owners who are always curious what model it is"

jeff62301

Mtngal,,,

 

where exactly do you live?? I've been reading your posts for several months now and have always wondered. It sounds as if you see more changes in weather and altitude in a day than we see all year!!

 

jeff

koolbreeze2

I just got a digital camera and have to figure out how to take the picture and attach it to email. This should be interesting!!! A new project. I feared that this day would come. Be patient-very patient. Go Easy, John

jeff62301

http://www.photobucket.com/

 

photobucket is an easy one that I use when posting pics to websites,,,

 

it showes the web address to your picture and adds the needed 'stuff' on to the address so you can just cut and paste the tag file name

 

tsjay

Man, that is one beautiful Jeep you have!

 

You should be glad during this time of year that you have the extra 10" of wheelbase compared to the regular Wrangler . The Unlimited will be less likely to swap ends on the slick roads.

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

jeff62301

my toyota Pup swapped ends on me exactly a year and a day after I bought it in 1990. it wasn't any fun.. after a couple 360's, down a somewhat busy hwy, i wound up on my side in the ditch. the guys that stopped to help me had an identical truck (theirs was blue, mine was gray), bought the same day at the same dealership, with a license plate that was one number higher..

 

jeff

 

love my jeep!!

tsjay

That is WEIRD!

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

koolbreeze2

Thanks for the info. I will give it a try after Christmas. Great looking Jeep. My email served another function. It gave you an excuse to post pics of your Jeep again:).Now for some individualized lettering or image in place of the stock stuff. What color is the JEEP on each side. Very nice looking JEEP.What color is the interior? HO,HO, HO to everyone. Go Easy, John

jefferson1964

That red jeep is sharp...nice job.

 

Thanks for all your advice, and ya'll (Texas thing) are correct about email and maybe even fax the dealer. Whatever the outcome ive learned not to trust the adds in the paper at least from this particular dealer. Im going to keep trying and 2005 just may have my jeep wrangler for me....Happy Holiday to all and look forward to future posts.....Thanks, Jeff

jefferson1964

Jeff,

 

On your red unlimited what size BFG do you have on the jeep. Jeff T.

gman1259

Try http://www.jeepwarehouse.com/entrance.htm.

 

They will arrange to have it delivered to a dealer in your area.

 

The downside is that you will have to wait for the Jeep. The upside you will get the Jeep you want for a fair deal.

 

Glen

gman1259

Here in California we can complain to the DMV when a dealer posts a false add. Dealers here are usually very careful how they word their ads.

mtngal

I'm from SoCal - live in the mountains and commute to west L.A. That means I can get a bit of everything in one day.

 

I really like your Unlimited - the BFG tires sure look better than the Goodyears. I'll replace mine with BFGs when its time to replace them. I've been impressed with the BFGs, though I haven't driven the Sport in the snow since I put them on. Maybe if we ever get snow on a weekend day I'll drive the Unlimited and the Sport back to back and see which tire seems better, since both are pretty new.

div2

Well, the Louisville area got a around 6" of snow. About 35 miles north they got 29". Dozens of accidents had the interstates backed up in almost every direction. Twenty miles south it was mostly freezing rain; some of the cities down that way haven't had electricity for almost 24 hours. I guess you could say we dodged two bullets... Still, I backed the Sahara out of the garage this morning and it promptly got stuck. It turns out that there was a 1/2" layer of ice under all the snow . Even with the help of a shovel and 4X4 Low range it took over 40 minutes to get to the end of our half mile gravel farm road. Now that I've created a path the Sahara can get in and out with no problem. Tonight's forecast promises a low of -5F but temps should be in the 40s by Monday. Hopefully we'll be able to get my wife's 528i out by then...

As for my Sahara's heater, it coped with the single digits quite well. It's fitted with a new Bestop Sailcloth Replace-A-Top and we haven't needed to use anything but the first two blower speeds. In fact, today my son complained that the back seat was too hot and took off his coat! It was 9F outside. The engine, diffs, and transfer case are filled with Mobil 1 lubricants so the cold snap really didn't affect the mechanical bits at all.

Our other two cars have Bosch ABS and I thought I'd miss it on the Sahara, but I really haven't. The brakes are extremely easy to modulate-you'd have to be a really inept driver to get into trouble with the non-ABS system. That said, it would be nice to have ABS AND a defeat switch like the early Quattros had.

Finally Merry Christmas to all my fellow Jeepers at Edmunds!!! Stay warm, be safe, and try not to act too smug when you pull lesser 4X4s out of the ditch...;)

jeff62301

they are 33x10.5x15

jeff62301

and today,, the temp (based on my thermometer on the mirror was mid teens and it was plenty warm in the jeep without my coat. temp control about 2/3 - 3/4 max and the fan on 2nd setting.

 

not sure what if any difference there was between today and yesterday but it was toasty in there today.

 

jeff

mtngal

Holiday wishes from Ca-ching Town, also known as Las Vegas! There wasn't a cloud in the sky today, and temps were mildly cool once the sun came up (before that the desert was in the 20s).

 

Sounds like every place else is having tough weather - I hope everyone is staying warm and safe tonight and that Santa is nice to you, so you can be nice to your Wranglers!

twylie

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas from cold but snowless GA.

 

-twylie

tsjay

And to all of my other Jeep buds in here.

 

Trey, what's your wheelin' situation now? They closed some of you favorite spots, didn't they? Do you still have some good wheelin' areas available to you within a reasonable driving distance? I sure hope so.

 

I would hate to think what I would do without Turkey Bay to go to. But, I'm afraid things are heading that way. They bulldozed one of my favorite gullies and filled it completely in.

 

I'm afraid that even though TB may be kept open for wheelin', the stuff that they will let you do will be so boring that you couldn't even call it wheelin' any more.

 

Tom

 

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

mtngal

You could always move out here - even though they keep closing some of the best roads, there are lots of other ones to keep you busy. Just think of the Rubicon Trail.

erickpl

jefferson, sorry to here about your lousy service.

 

Have you considered Ft. Worth, Waco, or even OKC to get one?

 

-Paul