Jeep Wrangler

drewmeister

My color question is now apparently answered. Jeep.com has a flash app that gives color choice.

Stone white
Steel blue metallic
Jeep green metallic
Flame red
Black
Bright silver metallic
Rescue green metallic
Light graystone
Red rock crystal

99tj

"Jeep.com has a flash app that gives color choice"

Check this out if you haven't. Good way to get a close look at the 2007. Click on Photo Gallery at the bottom and then 360 view.
http://www.jeep.com/07wrangler/

-Dan

tgresla

I am thinking about ordering a 2006 sport from the factory. I found a dealer that will protect the current 0% financing offer even if it takes longer than Mar 31 to accept delivery (which I'm assuming it will) and will sell for invoice. Does anyone here have any experience with a factory order? How long could it take?

Also I was wondering if the brake and traction group is worth picking up. I won't be off road that much, this jeep will be a fun vechicle for the summer. What does a locking rear differential do for me? What about the limited slip differential?

I thought it would be good to have ABS. Does this mean you can't get four wheel disc brakes? Any help is greatly appreciated

tyoshu

does anyone have a recommendation for a hard hoist, auto or manual? thanks.

:confuse:

tsjay

tgresla:

Welcome to the group. You said you were looking for a fun vehicle, and you sure made the right choice! It doesn't get any more fun than a Jeep.

I have not kept up too much with the deals people are getting, but it used to be that an invoice deal plus factory incentives was about as good as it got.

I ordered from the factory back in November of 2000. It took only three weeks and two days, and the factory was down one of those weeks. I ordered at a slow time, and that's why they took a week of downtime. Also contributing to the speedy delivery was the fact that I live within trucking distance of Toledo, so no rail shipping was involved. I would guess it would take about six weeks for you to get your Jeep after your order goes in.

Your profile says that you live in Boston, so by all means, get ABS brakes and a limited slip rear end (Jeep calls it TracLoc).

You said you won't offroad much, so you would not want a locker. The only way that you can get a locker from the factory that I know of is to get a Rubicon, and unless you are going to do some pretty serious offroading, you don't need a Rubicon.

The TracLoc is all you really need for the snowy roads. Limited slips help transfer power to the wheel that has traction. You've seen a car that's stuck and has one tire spinning like crazy and the opposite tire on the same axle just sits there doing nothing? The TracLoc and other limited slips help transfer power to the tire that has traction.

Good luck.

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

goducks1

I'll second Tom's post. Custom ordered mine about this time of the year in 1998, they said it would take 8 weeks and it took less than 4. And I have the limited slip and ABS. The latter has come in useful in the snow many times. Actually both have.

koolbreeze2

Yesterday I got my door panel replaced under warrenty and while I was at the dealership I asked them to look at my door handle frame which had small pieces of black paint missing. They took a look and then replaced the entire unit, also under warrenty. Just an FYI. Top down this weekend! Go Easy, John

goducks1

Alright yall. Quadratec has found me so I have one of their catalogs for the first time in a few years and I see these newfangled hard top storage dollys in there for storing the top on end. Don't want to pay $250 or so for one. I'm going to build one myself but in the interests of saving time does anyone know if there are any directions online for doing it? I can wing it but hey, it'd be nice to know all the dimensions beforehand.

drewmeister

How long are they going to build 06's? All the way through summer?

tgresla

I ordered today. I hope to be driving it by the time ice goes out on Lake Winnipesaukee in mid April. I decided to go ahead with the Trac Loc (limited slip) and four wheel disc brakes and forego the ABS. I got the other options I wanted and had to cut back somewhere.

I had a 1981 CJ-5 in the late eighties. I loved it and hated it depending on which day of the week it was, really whether it was running or not. I guess once jeep gets in the blood it never goes away. I can't believe how much improved the ride of the new jeep is. The soft top has come a long way as well.

Where does everyone get aftermarket parts? I vaguely remember some catalog that specialized in parts to modify your jeep.

tsjay

tgresla:

Quadratec has a great catalogue for Jeep accessories, but there are also many other businesses out there that deal in this stuff.

I like to do business with Bob Supplee. He's out in OKC and is a great guy with the best prices. If Bob carries it, you are almost certain to get the best price on that item from him.

Bob is such an honest guy that in the rare cases when he is not the cheapest source for a particular item, he will tell you that you can get it cheaper somewhere else.

Bob has no website and issues no catalogues. He does business by phone. I can give you contact info, if you email me. My email is public in my profile.

Congrats on that Jeep order! I know the waiting will be hard to endure, but it will be fun at the same time.

Which model did you order? What color? Top option?

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tsjay

Tyoshu:

I got my hoist through Quadratec. I got the one with the electric motor rather than the hand crank type.

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tsjay

Drewmeister:

I think around mid May is the cut off for ordering. They build the current model year vehicles to fill the orders, and then they switch to the new model year sometime in July, I believe.

Can anyone pin it down better than that?

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

mac24

That's about right, but there's no fixed date at the moment. It's easier to narrow it down as the time gets closer.

wpowell

Has anyone seen a photo of the 4 door version? Haven't seen one anywhere.

Mark

wpowell

tyoshu,

I cobbled together my own electric version for under $100. I used a 440# 110vt electric hoist from Harbor Freight, a modified cheapo tow strap (2" wide webbing strap from WalMart) and some hardware from Home Depot. Works great with my larger Unlimited top. I can take some photos next time I have the hardtop off if there is any interest.

Mark

drewmeister

Mark,
Seen a few different spy shots. Mike's jeep news is about the best place to get scoops, IMO.

Jeepnewsnow

Here's the car connection's scoop. A pretty good pic, almost uncovered:

Car Connection

drewmeister

I pretty much have the same questions as Tom (color, model, etc?)

I know how you feel. I had an 89, which was probably the worst Wrangler/CJ ever made. This is an opinion, I know. The 1987-90 YJ was the last Carbuerated vehicle legally sold to consumers in the US (not counting big trucks). I can also tell you why. During the few hours a day it wasn't flooded, it would bog and sputter about town. I had friends with CJ's, and they always seemed to run much better. Less emissions and electronics would be my guess. It also barely got over 60 on the highway, which made road trips tedious. Still, after all of it, I wonder what if? What if I could have afforded better parts? What if I had put on fuel injection? What if I had just kept it and purchased a Corolla as my daily driver? I even had a Cherokee for a couple of years that I lifted and modified, but it just wasn't a Wrangler. Finally, last year, I took my 4 year-old daughter to the auto-show. I stood her up in the passenger seat of an Unlimited with the sunrider open, and she yelled "Daddy, I'm a Jeep girl". My wife groaned. I knew that was it. By June I had another one. I even wanted the same black/gray/black top combination I had on the YJ (settled on green). I still get frustrated at it's ride, but it's light-years ahead of what it was. I think I'll just keep it around forever.

jb23

does a rubicon with full doors still need the door inserts to attach to the soft top?

keats

Yes, it does.

wyoforester

Questions and experiences. 1. Is Jeep producing more Khaki now? 2. Also, curious, how many Wranglers have you seen, on average, at dealers on the E. and W. coasts? 3. How about other's experiences with the Unlimited Rubicon. Do you think the longer wheelbase, insulation(?), etc. makes a difference in ride/handling compared to a regular Rubicon? We traded our Yellow TJ for a Khaki Unlimited Rubicon at the dealer in Cheyenne,WY (pop 50,000). He had 4 Khaki Rubicons out of the 27 Wranglers in stock. My wife and I liked this color, but had trouble locating it with the vehicle we wanted. Then the dealer received a big shipment about a six weeks ago. This is our 4th 4.0 inline six. We have had zero problems with them and have run them hard off pavement and on cross country Interstate trips. Being 'old fashinioned' we decided to buy the last of the breed rather than wait and go with the 'new one' even though it may be more techy and mass market looking, especially inside. Interesting, we expected it to ride a lot rougher and louder on pavement, but it didn't during our test drives. Like our other Jeeps, 'Khaki'is a daily driver and has a good, Jeep ride and noise level even with the MT/Rs compared to our reg. wheel base with 30 in. GS-As. On rutted dirt/gravel roads the ride is rougher, but the MT/Rs grip well. So far, MT/Rs are o.k. in light snow and mud, but we don't have any other experiences after only 300 miles. How about you?

lancek

I just got a 1999 wrangler and it didn't come with a owner's manual and i don't know how to take down the soft top. If you could help at all it would be much appreciated.

mac24

A picture is worth a thousand words, which is why your Wrangler originally came with a video showing you how to remove and replace the top (among other things).

Ebay is an obvious source for things like that, and there's currently an auction for one that also includes an original '99 sales brochure, and it finishes on Sunday. Presently it's at $1 + $6 shipping.

Here's a link.......'99 Wrangler Video (usual disclaimers). There's an Owners Manual that finishes in a couple of hours, currently at $5.75. Again, here's a link........'99 Owners Manual. Do a search and you'll find several more.

lancek

Thanks alot, i am jeep illiterate but working on it.

keats

I really like the MTRs on my Rubi, but they're not the best in mud. I went out recently to some trails down in MS, and noticed that they don't seem to clean themselves very well. My nephew was running on BFG MTs and they did a much better job of cleaning the mud out of the lugs. At one point, my MTRs were so covered you couldn't see the tread. Of course, I'm a firm believer in what Tom and others say, mud is best avoided, but it was everywhere. I'm with you on buying the last year model. I'm glad I have the TJ. The Ulimited definitely rides much, much better, but I love the bumpiness of the swb.

mac24

Don't forget that tire pressure makes a big difference to how well a tire cleans itself as it's driven. Also, spinning the wheels is a legitimate technique for tresd cleaning.

coug2

Hi Folks,
Just picked up a 04 sport hardtop as an "extra" vehicle and plan on going topless all summer. I was thinking I'd like to put tube doors on it for the summer. Basically, the chioces I see are Warrier pin latch for 135, Warrior paddle for 206, or Safari doors for 170 + $50 fo netting/arm pads.

I kind of like the look fo the Warrior paddle doors. Anyone have any experience with any of these doors and/or recommendations or alternatives?

Also, I'd like to get a one-man electric hard top remover. Anyone have suggestions for which brand? The Lange brand is advertized a lot - but other ads seems to suggest it "spins." But I like the idea I could use it for storage as well. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

tsjay

Congrats on the new Jeep!

Why worry about doors at all? Why not just take the doors off and not put any kind of doors back on? I love to drive Thelma Jane around with no doors and no top.

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

coug2

Thanks Tom -

After driving giagantic SUVs around for 10 years, the jeep has been a blast to drive. Although I still have my SUV to haul around the soccer team i coach.

I've got an 11 year old who can be a bit squirmy...I'd just like something between her and the road.

Rick

tsjay

This is probably old news to the rest of you guys, but I found out that you can bring up someone's profile and find a link to their carspace pictures, if they have uploaded any. COOL!

I have only uploaded three pics so far to my account, but I plan on adding many more. How many of you guys are taking advantage of the picture hosting at mycarspace?

Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

barnz_69

My local crappy tire has a jack/axle stands combo on sale for $40. The jack would sure beat the bottle jack that comes with the jeep for when I work on it (which I do often now! ) I don't have any stands as of now, so anytime I'm under my Jeep, I don't even lift it at all, I just use it's 'natural' height (and my lackthereof lol) to my advantage.

However, the weight restriction of the two are only 2 1/4 tons; are these strong enough to safely support my Jeep?

As always, thanks for the help!

Take care,

Ryan

wyoforester

Keats, (and Mac24)
Thanks for the input.
We drove in heavier snow yesterday in the Vedauwoo area of Medicine Bow NF (20 min. W.of Cheyenne)yesterday. Light snow blowing w/26 deg. temp. Beautiful area approx. bet. 6,500 and 8K elev. Snow depth averaged around 12" with a lot of easy climbing mainly on Forest Servic Rds. Used 2WD and 4WD High about equally. No problems, except when I drove too fast on a windy, steep downhill section(overconfidence). I was running about 36 psi. all around which is what I have been running on the street. Don't have an air tank. Would chg. in psi have been an advantage in these conditions?

wyoforester

Three questions.
1. I have a set of steel wheels w/235/75/15 studded winter treads we used on our '04 Wrangler X Rocky Mtn. Edition that had ft. disc and rear drum brakes. Anyone with experience putting this size combo on an Unlimited Rubicon?
The Rubi has discs all around. Would the rear discs on the Rubi present a wheel fitment problem? Has anyone tried such a swap?
We would like the option if we get a forecast of a heavy snow/ice storm.
2. Any experience with MT/Rs on ice?
3. Anyone else have an Unlimited Rubicon? What's it been like?

keats

We have ice storms every year, the MT/Rs handle it just fine. Remember, with the Rubicon you have the LSD in back and you have 4:11 gears. Together they help a lot with control on the ice.

tyoshu

Thanks that would be great.

skyking49

Little off-topic, but my wife just bought a new Jeep Wrangler X-6-speed. The little lady would like to know if she has to depress the clutch before engaging 4HI. I told her that I did not think so because you can shift on they fly at 50 so why have the need to use the clutch? I have not had a jeep since we had to get out and lock the hubs.

mac24

No, no need to disengage the clutch before shifting into 4HI.

skyking49

So...If my wife is driving along at 25 or 50, she can simply lift the lever to the 4HI position and not be concerned with pressing the clutch peddle while engaging 4HI. She only needs the clutch to shift gears normally correct. The reason I am asking folks here is that it gives her more comfort to know I have asked others in the know. Go figure..but after 23yrs of marriage I humor her.:)

mac24

Correct, no need to depress the clutch pedal. Engaging 4HI connects the front and rear propeller shafts. The lever operates a mechanism that allows them to lock together, rather than forcing them to do it, so there may be a couple of seconds delay while the parts align themselves and before the light comes on. This operation can occur whether or not the rear shaft is under load, so no clutch disengagement is required. However, this does not apply to 4LO.

skyking49

Is there a benefit to taking the foot off the accelerator while going to 4H? One last thing. If my wife goes to work in 4H can she just leave it like that and get in and drive home or does she have to disengage 4H and reingage it?

mac24

Doesn't really matter, as the rear shaft will be torque loaded in one direction under power and in the other direction on the over-run. It doesn't have to be disengaged when stopping and starting, but do remember that 4WD should only be used in constant low traction situations where any torque loading , or 'wind up', of the drivetrain can be dissipated by the slipping of a wheel as the load builds. In other words, as long as 4WD is engaged you need to be on ice, snow, mud, gravel, or dirt.

cxxviii128

Thanks to the posts and responses to my previous message... someone asked about the "Black Tie" model - I think it's best described as the "chrome" model - chrome bumpers, grill, lights, gas cap, etc. A bit over the top, probably, but what the hell. As a 2005 still under warranty and discounted well off new, I'm happy. Plus I got to drive around Northern Michigan with the top down yesterday - an unexpected bonus.

A follow-up question. The Jeep came with half-doors and the plastic/zip windows which seem to be a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] (to me, at least initially). And full doors as far as I can tell are about $2000??? Geez. Can anyone recommend different "window" inserts that are a bit easier to open (and stay open) at speed? I see some things on eBay and other sites but I don't have a clue about quality, etc. Specifically does anyone have Upper Doors from Planet Jeep, Bestop, etc. Prices are all over the map.

Or do you think I'll eventually get used to the zipper windows???

Thanks again in advance from a Wrangler newbie...

erickpl

... from Bestop are probably one of your better bets.

-Paul

oceantoad

I have a co worker who is looking to buy a second Jeep so that he will have a pair(the bug bit him bad). He was asking me what the difference is in one of the older Renegades and the regular model. I could not tell him.

Is there a site that lists the different packages and what is actually different in the package?

Another question he had was where could he find out if recall work had been done to a vehicle.

He is looking at a 91 YJ with a 4 cylinder to go along with his 93 YJ with a 4 cylinder. The 91 is I believe a Renegade, but I could be wrong.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? No Tom, TB is not the direction I am looking for.

suriano

Just bought a 1997 Wrangler 2.5 4 cyl and the back door is extremely hard to open. Dealer said it is from previous owner never using it... I tried every kind of lube there is and it is still just as stiff. Any sugestions???

texasjeep

A lot of people don't like the zipper windows and that is why you see a lot of aftermarket options. I like my zipper windows. I don't care for the upper sliders because such a small amount of area will be open.
When you put your zipper windows down make sure they are down all the way next to the door. I don't have a problem with mine once they are open. I don't ever really bother putting them up or down once I am on a freeway. It may be a littler easier putting the windown up or down with the velcro but after trying to do it with my YJ I am use to not doing it.
I always open my door to fold the window up or down. It is just easier to deal with the steering wheel that way.
Sometimes I just open the door and reach out of it to ATM or get through a security gate.
Bestop makes good products.

texasjeep

I had my Jeep broke into. Unfortunetly the [non-permissible content removed] didn't bother checking to see if my always unlocked doors where locked or not. He slashed my passenger window. He took a few dollars worth of change and went through everything in my Jeep. He spilt some kind of liquor all over my seat and inside my Jeep. I guess if it isn't raining, I need to just leave my windows down. Another good reason to go doorless as much as possible.

texasjeep

I went to North Padre island this weekend. It is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. It is 65.5 miles long. I drove down about 30 miles and then had to turn around. I did end up getting a flat some and I am glad a jeeper was there to help me out. I usually only carry a high lift when I am going on a trail run. I took the stock jack out thinking it would not work with larger tires. It is a telescoping bottle jack though so I am back carrying it again.
http://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm

jvpr

hi

do you know of any good jeep mechanics in miami? i have a 2004 wrangler with a serious tapping / rattling noise coming from the engine. could this be from not changing the oil / lubricant. it's a very loud clicking noise. when i accelerate, it gets louder. the dealer told me that my engine was blown. is the engine fixable. the jeep runs- only makes a loud and obnoxious tapping noise as if someone was under the hood banging away. what do you think? i need help...

mac24

Could be a shell bearing, or it could be a cam follower. Either could be caused by lack of maintenance. Either is repairable but neither will be cheap. Are you no longer under warranty?