Jeep Wrangler

tsjay

Huh?

You put money down on two different Jeeps yesterday and plan to put money down on another one today????

How many Jeeps are you going to buy, anyway?

I suppose you mean that you can get your money back on the two from yesterday, if you end up buying the 2001 Sport, right?

Take my advice and be sure to get one that has the dual tops or the soft top only. I wish I had a soft top! I made the mistake of getting the hard top only.

Good luck with whichever Jeep you buy. Keep us posted on how things go.

YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THAT JEEP!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep(s) today?

styles8675309

ok so after 2 and 1/2 hours of argueing and negotiating with 2 salesmen and one of the supervisors i finally got what i want. its a patriot blue 2001 sport automatic (thats the only way i could keep the parents from kicking my [non-permissible content removed], my mom is soo paranoid of standards). anyway.... i'm not sure what size speakers come with it, i have the sound bar not sure what size those are either so if anyone knows let me know i'll find out tomorrow anyway but it would just be cool to know ahead of time so i can plan out what to buy.
i cant wait to start cruisin around in my new baby... not sure on a name yet, but tomorrow me and ________(jeeps name here) will be cruisin around with the top down and i will be truely happy. by the way yeh i did end up getting 2 tops, i was going to just get the hard and buy a cheap bikini top but this is what they had so i went for it. final price $21,165.
i got the center consol, sound bar, back seat, ac, theft deterrent key thing, and 2 tops. good deal? anyone know where i can get the aftermarket driver side mirror thing to put on the windshield for when i take the doors off? and how much does that run?
well i'm out for now its been a long but great day. later fellow jeepers.
-Jay-

saharanut

Hey guys mrs. nut enjoyed the b'day wishes..
she says thanx alot!! She really liked the e-card Trey!!

JAY!! sounds like you got a great deal!
the speakers in the sound bar are 5 1/4"
what i've heard they are easliy replaced..

try quadratec.com for mirrors...they have they best deal on the mirrors

enjoy that jeep guy..& welcome to the club!

Snut
Terry

twylie

congrats on the new Jeep. Black or tan interior? You'll have a blast in it.

Front speakers are 4x6, and you'll need an adapter to get them to fit (the factory 4x6 have the adapter built into the speaker basket and frame). Rear are 5 1/4 as Mr. Nut said, but most 6 1/2 will fit with the addition of a couple more holes for the mounting screws. The only thing to watch for would be the depth on them. One tip that I think made a difference on ours is to stuff some Poly-Fil into the soundbar when you get the factory speakers out. This will reduce the resonance of the soundbar and the speakers sound more musical to me. Mr. Mut covered the mirror movers for 'ya.

Happy Jeepin'

-twylie

tsjay

Congrats on the Jeep! You're gonna love it!!!!

Get that top off as soon as possible, and you will really have some fun!

Post in Meet the Members and tell us a little about yourself and a LOT about the Jeep! Wheels? Interior color? Etc.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

goducks1

Welcome to the club! I would have gotten a blue Jeep but for some reason Chrysler didn't offer ANY shade of blue in the 1998 Wranglers.

twylie: you don't need an adapter for the front 4x6 speakers, just a drill. see:

http://www.visi.com/~tam/tjstereo.html#frontspkr

Worked for me when I put in the Polks. I gotta try that polyfil thing sometime though.

scomo

I went to my Jeep dealer to try to order my 2001 Sport and ran into a few "snags". First, he was balking at my price. I said $200 over invoice.. ...and he smiled until I said "minus the $500 rebate ends up at $300 UNDER invoice". He had major problems with this and said there's also a $189 Advertising fee, $25 gas charge and $89 "admin" fee (ie: paperwork) plus his boss wouldn't let him sell a deal under invoice!! Of course this was after he first tried getting sticker for the Jeep (gotta try, right) and charging me for tilt wheel & cloth seats when they're part of the D package!

Tell me if I'm losing my mind here... How close was the invoice on Edmunds to being the invoice at the dealer? He claimed Edmund's invoice was incorrect. Smells fishy to me...

I thought invoice $$$ + $200(dealer profit) - $500 rebate + the advertising fee ($ ??) + taxes and tags = my new TJ? Am I outta line here? I mean between the MSRP holdback & the $200, he's making $800-$900 for a one hour time committment! I really have no patients for this and refuse to waste 3 more hours of my day off trying to get this joker to order my jeep!! Isn't this how everybody else did it?

Thanks in advance for the help!!

tsjay

Your dealer is playing games with you.

It is VERY common to get that $200 over invoice and still get the rebate. The rebate is factory to buyer! It doesn't cost your dealer ANYTHING for you to get it. Crap, I got Thelma for $200 over invoice back in December, and people are sometimes getting them right at invoice now (that's pretty rare though).

You are right in thinking invoice, plus $200, plus any local or regional ad fee, plus their paperwork fee should be all that you pay other than tax and license.

The dealer is right about Edmunds not being the exact invoice price. Edmunds says that they don't include ad fees in their invoice price.

I'll tell you what my dealer told me... there is an allowance for advertising fees that appears as an item on the invoice. This would NOT be included in the Edmunds invoice price. It shouldn't be more than about $300.

There are also EXTRA ad fees in metropolitan areas, since air time for commercials is so much higher in highly populated areas.

But that should be ALL that you have to pay.

I hope they have extended that rebate. It was due to expire tomorrow, so you need to get this done by the end of the day tomorrow, unless they do extend it.

Go to several different dealers. Heck, you can just call them and ask them their price in relation to invoice and ask about any extra fees.

This IS a clean deal, with no trade-in, right?

That makes it a lot simpler.

Let us know how this goes. Good luck!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tonkadave

I agree with Tsjay on those points. Next dealer you call just ask for the sales manager. Tell him you would like to order a wrangler for $200 over invoice. He will then assign a salesman to you. They call this a Mini-Deal. Let them know you are an educated buyer and know exactly what you want. You have to hit them from the get go with the price you want to pay. Once the salesman gets his foot in the door its all over. By the way, my Jeep is off the train and at the Railroad Auto Depot about a mile from my house. Hopefully I will be picking it up at the dealer in a day or two. Its been less than 3 weeks since I ordered.

yellowman

You're not out of line at all in seeking $200 over invoice - just go in there with a number in mind as a baseline. Evidently you've checked Edmunds already. I'd recommend checking CarsDirect.com, since that's an actual sale price, and they'll give you an invoice price as well. You could actually buy the Jeep from CarsDirect.com for that price, so you can use that as a bargaining chip. This is what I did, and the more research I do, the more I think I got an exceptional deal. According to both Edmunds and CarsDirect.com, my price of $18,971 (including advertising, 'dealer profit', and destination, not including taxes, registration, or document fees) is below invoice, and this is BEFORE I got my $500 rebate. CarsDirect.com claims the invoice price was $19,091 and Edmunds claims it's about $100 more than that. I didn't see my actual invoice, so mine may have been lower, but I'm still convinced I got a damn good deal for my SE. My best advice is to stick to your guns - they'll try to tell you ANYTHING! Just know what price you can pay elsewhere and do all your research.

Yellowman

p.s. - get the subwoofer, unless you don't mind having zero bass in your stereo.

twylie

scomo -
If you buy at invoice you may have to pay the ad fees for your market. When you buy at sticker, the dealer absorbs them, but for invoice, they pass along the cost in most cases. Same on the Gas charge. We paid invoice, plus ad fees plus and admin fee. I could have avoided the admin fee if I'd been willing to drive a few hours, but for us it wasn't worth it. On Edmunds accuracy; it's good, but periodically DC will bump the option prices by a few bucks. Our Sport had a fair number of options and I'll be glad to email anyone that is getting ready to buy to see how the numbers stack up from a month ago. I have it in eFax format now, but can get it to the web if you need it.

goducks -
thanks for the tip on the front speakers without the adapter. It looks like they are wedged in there with one screw at the top and one at the bottom. I'll have to get mine (still on backorder and haven't taken time to drive across town to get them), and see if this route will work for the Boston Acoustics.

-twylie

sasquatch_2000

You mean to tell me your Dad lets you take your Jeep almost sideways over huge boulders, and trick it out with lift kits, yet won't "let you" take the doors off of it?

I appreciate his concern. Maybe you should buy the roll cage and a safety harness (justify it for all the trail riding you do). Then tell him how it is safer now than his sedan, and you aren't going to fall out when you're strapped in. Of course, you won't wear flip flops and hold your foot out the door, right?

adplusone

1) What is the best way to do a 2" lift on a 1999 Wrangler Sport?

2) Can the console subwoofer be added? What should the parts cost...is there a kit? Best place to buy on-line???

Mark me working on my son's Wrangler project...

Thanks!

Alan Hofer
Weslaco, Texas

spyrodragon

Yea, he's not worried about the flipping or rolling over part. He's a fireman and has seen plenty of jeeps that flipped and the people survived, he's big problem was is someone hit me on the side that there would be nothing to shield some of the impact. Granted the doors would give but his thing was "with the doors on and I try to hit you in the hip what happens, with them off and I try to hit you then what happens." He's just saying the doors will block debris as I now sit higher than most cars.

spyrodragon

1) The best way to do a 2" lift is however you feel like. In my opinion if you are wanting it for off road then you'll want new springs and longer travel shocks. If you just want to fit bigger tires then you can get a 2" body lift and longer travel shocks (you don't even need those if you arn't an off-roader although I have a feeling you'd want them anyways). There is also something called a budget boost or spacer lift. This consists of a spacer that is placed on top of the spring to make it seem longer. decent alterative between the whole system lift and body lift. Again you'll want longer travel shocks.

I have Teraflex and love it. Here's some examples of pricing. 2T, that's the new springs is around $300 without shocks, you add the shocks at anywhere between $30.00 to $75.00 a pop. The Budget boost is about $100 the add the shocks. The body lift is going to be about $60-$70 plus shocks. If you want to go all out and get a 3" which I personally love. the S3T is about $900 minus shocks. Check out http://www.jeepersandcreepers.com/main.htm

That's where I got mine from and am real happy with James. BTW he's apart of the board. SFJeeps.

If you have any questions he would be the one to ask.

2) Just get you local car stereo shop to do it. That way you'll pay about the same and get a better sub. I'm not much on factory units although that's all I have. Granted it sounds better than the one in my old car, still not jaw dropping.

Happy Jeepin'

goducks1

The link I posted above should help you pretty well. That strip of brassy-looking metal runs down the inside of the speaker space as well as the top & bottom. Most 4x6 speaker plates have lots of holes, just line up the upper- and bottom- right corner ones on the strip for the driver's side speaker (vice-versa on the other) , mark yr holes, and drill away. Beware that the brassy metal is STRONG and takes a while to get through.

tsjay

WOW! Another B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L, G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S, W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L, topless/doorless day!!!!!

I drove Thelma Jane to work today with her top and doors off. That was a blast! It's 27 miles each way, and I enjoyed every mile of the trip.

I had to crank up that Travis Tritt CD and repeatedly play "It's a Great Day to Be Alive."
(And, it truly WAS!)

If I had been having any more fun, I would have had to have been twins!

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

I LOVE MY THELMA JANE!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tsjay

Hey, you experienced Jeepers.... a question.

What do you wear for a hat that will stay on your head when driving around topless? I don't want to get sunburned. I have what some would call a receding hairline, but I prefer to think of it as an "advancing forehead," as I told tonkadave in one of our chats.

A regular baseball cap is what I wore today, but I had to hang on to it a few times to keep it from flying off.

It seems that a cross wind is what makes the hat want to fly off. When I was passed by some big trucks, the hat was almost blown off. Also, just a natural cross wind has the same effect.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

tonkadave

Just saw on the Jeep Website that they extended the Wrangler $500 Rebate till 7-3-01. My Jeep didnt show up at the dealer today, but maybe tomorrow.

saharanut

looks like DC has extended the $500 rebate untill 7/3/01 or

1.9% short term financing
3.9 - 4.9 long term financing...

looks like i did a good idea waiting...

maybe the financing will spark Mrs. nut...

OK Tsjay...sounds like you need a cold shower..
A man of your age shouldnt get too excited...

Sounds like you had a great time today..
but I question your taste in music...
Try some AC/DC next time...

take care fellow jeepters!

Snut!

tsjay

Wash your mouth out with soap! A good old boy from Bama that doesn't like country music????

What's this world coming to?

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

twylie

tsjay - I've got a safari style hat (Tilley made the original, but mine is a Columbia knock-off). It has a strap that can cinch around the back of your head in light wind, and can be placed under your chin for agressive Jeeping. Definitely a matter of taste, in that I generally wear a baseball cap with my company logo when out of the Jeep, but it doesn't want to stay on over about 35mph. I threw a small tube of sunscreen in the glove box as well, for the arms and tops of my legs.

Tonka - I'm psyched for you. You'll be Jeeping any day now. It was better than a kid at Christmas the day we picked ours up.

-twylie

stever

Jeep Remains Tenth Best-Selling Brand

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

sfjeeps

The spacer lift kit that are 1.5" or less do not require new shocks. The factory shocks will have enough travel for the added spacer lift. Any time you get a lift of 2" or more you will need new shocks because you will run out of travel length. The spacer lift will work and is great if you are on a tight budget, don't really go off road much at all or just don't need anything too fancy. The draw back are you are still using the stock springs and shocks. Before you run off and buy that pacer lift for your TJ be sure it comes with bump stops. The bump stops will keep you from damage at full articulation. Some of the cheap spacer lift kits do not offer them.

yellowman

Heya
That low financing at first made me go, "D'oh!!" but then I realized that it's only a couple hundred dollars different from the deal I got in the long run, since you can choose the $500 OR the financing. Still happy with my deal! Getting ready to give the ol' Jeep a nice wash and then finally try out the full cover. Even though I don't have the lock yet!

yellowman

yellowman

Hey all

I know the Wrangler isn't much on gas mileage, but it seems to me that my gas needle drops REALLY fast. I was on my way to drop boxes off at the airport post office (about a 10 mile one-way trip, 20 miles round trip) and the needle was at the upper half of the red zone. I figured I'd get some gas on the way home. Well, on the way back, I looked and it had dropped all the way to the low end of the red, and by the time I got to the gas station there was daylight between the bottom of the red and the needle!! It definitely had me sweating for a couple minutes. I filled the tank with about 17.5 gallons and it made me wonder how many gallons the tank holds? Anyone know? I want to figure out my mileage too - anyone have a good method for doing this?

yellowman

yellowman

Took a look at the car subwoofers at Good Guys and they started around $70. But I'm wondering if I'll need a "driver" installed too. Anyone know? Twylie? I think I'll ultimately get it at a place like Al and Ed's, somewhere that would do the installation too.

yellowman

tsjay

Yellowman:

Figuring gas mileage is easy. Just fill your tank and reset your trip odometer to zero. (Switch from odometer to trip odometer by pushing the trip odometer button, then hold the button in until the trip odometer resets itself to zero.)

Next time you fill up, check the reading on your trip odometer. Divide the number of miles on your trip odometer by the number of gallons that it took to fill up the tank, and this will be your average miles per gallon for that tank of gas.

Once again reset your trip odometer to zero and then repeat the procedure next time you fill up.

Gas mileage should be averaged over several tanks, since you aren't able to fill the tank to exactly the same level every time and because your driving conditions will vary slightly from tank to tank.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

scomo

I'm still looking for an answer to these questions. If anyone has any input into this I'd appreciate it.

1) Carseats in the back on the TJ... what do you think? When I took the wife & kids (4 & 7 years old) on a TJ testdrive this past weekend the seats fit OK but the kids sat so high compared to the height on the side of the TJ. Not too much sheetmetal between them and the outside. Since the Jeep would only be a second vehicle they wouldn't be in it all the time but their safety is my #1 concern.

2) Rust. I live in Buffalo and it seems like even plastic wants to rust up here!!! Has anyone gone to the trouble to rust proof their TJ or do you all feel like it is a waste of time & money? I have seen alot on 97 & 98 TJs with lots of frame rust although no body rust on them.

Hey! It was 75 in Buffalo today!! Summer IS really here. (No TJ yet... If only the top came off my Ford...!)

Once again, thanks to the group for taking the time to answer my questions. I plan on ordering my TJ as soon as I can find a dealer that won't jerk me around in the Buffalo area....

Thanks gang,
Scomo

sasquatch_2000

1. Sunscreen.
2. No combovers allowed, cut it short, real short.
3. No mullets.
4. If ABSOLUTELY ABSOLUTELY necessary, one of those Aussie/outback type alligator eatin' hats with the sides that can button up and have the tie. I bet you can find a Jeep one, or LLBEAN probably has one.

sasquatch_2000

1. You seem concerned that the amount of sideboard is related to their safety. You do make them wear seat belts, right?

2. Wax it at least 3 or 4 times a year. Make sure when washing in winter to blast underneath to get salt off. Make sure all drain holes are always clear. Some people get a bug sprayer and spray used crankcase oil under their trucks (Mass.). TLC is the best advice.

twylie

I think you're on the right track for your sub; go to a good shop and see what they recommend. You might want to ask about a Bazooka tube. It's a small cylinder that may also include an amp that will tie into the existing speaker wires for the rear speakers. They are pretty small and won't eat cargo space the way a sub box will. You'll also have the ability to mount it behind your drivers seat. Maybe they could rig it so that you could store it behind the drivers seat or behind the rear seat depending on your cargo carrying and people moving needs. A friend has one in an SUV and he just velcro's it down in different locations depending on what he needs space for. This approach isn't going to be acceptable to anyone really hardcore, but to fill out the bottom end of the music it'll work fine. Soon your album collection will be converted from the live versions to the studio versions.

As far as your "driver" question... the raw speaker is referred to as a driver, which then has to be mounted in an enclosure or box in a Jeep. In a car, there are some subs that can be mounted in the rear package shelf or door panels, but in a Jeep, you will have to have some kind of enclosure. The only non-enclosure sub setups I've seen in jeeps is where they have built a box to mount in the bottom cusion of the rear seat, but I don't think this is the route you have in mind. It's stealthy, and can provide a lot of bass, but it's a really custom job and will make the rear seat less comfortable.

HTH

-twylie

scomo

Thanks for the reply. Refering to #1, yes I always make them wear seatbelts and I ensure their carseats are harnessed in correctly to the back seat. In #2 you speak on drainholes... are these in the doors, tub, frame or all of the above?

Thanks again,

Scomo
PS: the kids LOVED the ride in the back of the TJ and my 4 year old son cried when we left the dealer w/o a Jeep! Poor little guy....

peterskm

Gas gauge...
When it gets close to the "red zone" it gets really unpredictable. After a few times of sweating bullets, you'll get better at estimating how far you can go.

Sub...
I have a 10" amplified bazooka tube. The wires are attached to a plug which allows easy removal of the tube for additional storage space. The 10" doesn't leave much room for storage behind the rear seat, but you could go with a smaller model... believe they offer 6" and 8" models as well. I bought mine new from uBid.com for less than $100 shipped and I love it. I chose this option over upgrading the head unit because that would have been an invitation to break in. I have a blanket over mine which makes it less conspicuous. I also upgraded the four speakers with Kenwoods from Crutchfield. They have great highs, but the low-end leaves much to be desired mainly because of their size (anyway, that's what the sub is for). All-in-all, I really like my setup especially given what I spent on it.

Good luck,
Kevin
2000 TJ Sahara

saharanut

Hello..i'm in the looking stage for a jeep also.
The safty factor is a concern of mine as well
I have 2 liitle ones too... little boy thats 4 and little girl thats 3..
Did they sit in the back on the jeep with a car seat?.. just wondering how well it fit.
Since the front airbag can be turned off I can sit my boy in the front seat.
Welcome to the board if I havent welcomed you yet.

Take care
Snut
Terry

f14jeep

If anyone out there is considering buying a Jeep don't forget to mention to the sales person that you know they receive 3% of MSRP as their hold back. So even selling at or below invoice will net them some profit. Be sure to stand your ground and be prepared to walk if need be.

stever

tonkadave

It has arrived! I picked up Tonkajeep at the dealer today. Exactly 3 weeks to the day that I ordered it. My salesman came in on his day off to make the deal. He knew how ancxious I was. Thats pretty good service. We rode home from the dealer top down. Everything seems great right now. Even has that new Jeep smell. Im real glad I got the automatic. Well, no time to talk, got to go ride some more topless. I will try to get some pics as soon as possible.

saharanut

Congratulations TonkaDave...now JeepDave!
I am very jealous now...you lucky devil..
I'm sure you will enjoy it...
Whats her name?

hug you jeep for me!

Snut
Terry

tsjay

Congratulations, Old Man! It took you forever to make up your mind, but when you did, things happened fast.

I am waiting for our nightly chat, but I know you must be in that Jeep right now, and tonkalisa will probably have to pry you out of it with a crow bar.

WE WANT PICS!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

drcsf

My 98 Wrangler Sport has the quickest dropping gas needle in the last portion of the gauge of any vehicle I've owned. The good news is there's actually over a gallon of gas in my tank even when the needle reads "E". I've actually gone below the "E" several times - not a regular practice of mine but it has happened.

Here's what I would recommend you do for peace of mind ( I've actually done this in all 3 of our vehicles ): Purchase a two gallon gas can and fill it up. Put the filled can in the "trunk" of the Wrangler. When your getting low on gas start watching for the exact mileage that the low gas light comes on. When the light comes on, write down the mileage. Then keep driving. That evening, take the Jeep out and run it until you run out of gas. Write down the mileage, subtract the first number and you will see how far you can really go with the light on. (Of course this can change slightly from tank to tank but at least you have an idea of the range) Put the two gallons from the can in, check to see what your gauge reads with only two gallons, and then head for the gas station and fill it up. Try it - its kind of fun.

In 1998, the standard tank was 15 gallons and the larger tank was 19. I don't know if that has changed but if you have a 19 gallon tank and you put in 17.5 gallons as you said, you still would have had 1.5 gallons in there - exactly how my gauge reads.

Good Luck. Craig.

yellowman

Heya

Thanks for the advice, but I don't think I want to run out of gas, even if I have some in a can to put in - I heard it's pretty bad for the engine. I think I'm just going to use tsjay's method of checking mileage, and then filling up as soon as the light goes on. I was mostly worried that there was some problem with either my guage or with the engine itself, maybe a gas leak or something. It is nice to know I can make it a little ways on Empty, but I hate to even do that.

yellowman

styles8675309

ok i dont know what just happened... but i posted a real long message and its not there..... am i crazy? ok so i'll give it to you all short version style.... the dealer jerked me around real good so i packed it up after 4 days of BS and i went to Country jeep in agawam anyway.... after 3 hours of talk and driving different jeeps and hanging out with some down to earth cool guys i am now purchasing a 2001 wrangler sport, automatic with the canyon wheels and the 30" tires, side steps, sound bar, full middle console, blah blah blah... all the goodies. yellow they have in stock... but they are searching for a patriot blue for me... if that doesnt work i always have the yellow. total price..... $20,609 did i get a good price? does anyone know where i can get a cheap soft top? and does anyone know about the sound bar.. i rememeber someone posting it before i forget who though.. about the 6 1/2's fitting in place of the 5 1/4's. what kind of setup does everyone have sound wise? i waslooking at either alpine in the front and cerwin vega in the back or boston accoustic all around...?
- Jay -

tsjay

Didn't you post on Sunday that you had just bought a Patriot Blue Sport?

I am totally confused. I thought you took that baby home on Sunday, you know, a "done deal." That's the way it sounded, anyway.

What happened?

Anyway, the price doesn't sound bad at all, but you need to tell us how much over invoice that was. If you paid $200 over invoice or less, and that's not counting the rebate, then you did well.

Please tell us what happened to that Jeep you were supposed to have bought on Sunday. My curiosity is killing me.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

drcsf

I understand your concerns but actually I've heard its only the catalytic converter that suffers if you run on empty consistently - several times is not a problem. Running out of gas will not harm a modern engine. Years ago, gasoline was not mixed with as many detergents and additives and the last portion of the tank tended to be the dirtiest - thats why you heard it was bad to "run on empty." Improved gasoline and fuel filters have eliminated most of those concerns. Of course, that doesn't mean I think it's a good practice.

Just thought I'd let you know I've performed that "2 gallon test" on 12 different vehicles since 1979 - never had a problem from it and put close to 100k miles on almost all of them. I like knowing exactly how my gauge reads. The only thing I've noticed when I run out of gas is . . . the car won't go. Craig

drew_

Since there has been some talk about safety recently, I thought that I'd post the links to the crash tests for the Wrangler. Sorry to have to say that it doesn't do particularly well in the IIHS 40 mph offset crash (this crash test mainly tests the strength of the safety cage + the vehicle's structure). Might want to be aware about what can happen before removing those doors! A consoldation though, the Wrangler did quite well in the NHTSA's flat barrier test, which emphasises the effectiveness of the vehicle's restraints systems. However, it is not as realistic as the IIHS's test since most of us don't crash into non-deformable concrete walls.


The Wrangler doesn't score particularly well as far as rollover propensity goes either, because of its high centre of gravity and short wheelbase. Just be aware of your vehicle's limitations, of course. There have been no side impact crash tests done on the Wrangler so far, but obviously the more metal surrounding you to absorb the energy the better.

http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/98008.htm

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap/cars/1530.html


Hope this helps!

Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards

sfjeeps

A bit of advice on the gas tank. Try to keep at least five gallons of gas in your tank because the electric fuel pump is in there. The five gallons of gas will help the fuel pump stay cool and by keeping the fuel pump cool it will last longer. If you like running your gas tank down to fumes constantly, the life of your fuel pump will be shorten and the high pressure fuel pump are not cheap to replace (labor will be at least one hundred and the last time I priced a pump was over $175.00)

Save a few bucks and run regular gas as oppose to the premium because the 4.0 motor is not a high compression motor and will run fine with regular gas.

If your getting into off roading, consider getting a skid plate for the gas tank because you may dent the gas tank (I have seen 19 gallon tanks turned into 15 gallon tanks with the help of gravity and a rock)or worse smack the fuel pump and wiping it out.

scomo

I had both my kids, ages 4 & 7, sit in the back of the TJ. Since they are both over 40lbs, I now use the "bucket-like" carseat. I believe they call them boosters instead of infant seats. They look like mini bucketseats and they sit on the backseat and the rear belt goes around them AND the booster seat. It's for kids that are too big for infantseats and too small to ride just sitting on the seat. Worked out very well. If it could have been improved at all, I would have liked the retractor type seatbelts in the back. That's great for carseats because you can pull them out all the way and they they kinda "ratchet" back, forming an extermely snug & tight setup. Kids absolutley LOVED riding in the back on the Jeep. Of course it was the first day in Buffalo over 70 degrees and I had the top off the TJ for the test drive.

Ahhh... summer in a Jeep!! Does it get ANY better that that?

Scomo

jeephead

I have been reading the posts for a long time, and I thought I would actually contribute for once. This past weekend, I traded in my 98 Sunfire that was having all kinds of problems in on a 2000 Wrangler. I have wanted a Jeep since the 4th grade (yeah, that is before I could drive) and could never afford one (or so I thought!). My last car was having all kinds of problems (I found out it was wrecked before the dealer sold it to me - got to love finding that out!) so I took it back to the dealer and traded on a Jeep. I want to thank everyone for all of the helpful advice... picked up a lot of tips on what to look for and it helped me decide on what I finally wanted to get. I would have liked to have traded for a brand new Jeep, but I needed a replacement fast. I didn't get every option I was wanting, but so far, (even though it has only been 3 days) I have been very happy with it. I took it out with the top down on the first day, and also tried out the 4 wheel capabilities at my brother's woods. (It climbed a hill that looks to be almost 50 degrees at one point without even breathing hard) I am really happy with my purchase... can't imagine the wait after ordering a new Jeep. Good luck to anyone who is still waiting!

Jeep Head

rs1157

I read some comment a while back about tire preasure, and when you picked it up from the dealer you said it was to high right. Well I decide to test my tire for the first time (I have the canyons) and saw they were at 45 PSI all around. I was going to lower it but a group of people told me it makes no difference. What's the deal.

Also all the people thinking of getting wranglers, if you are planning on putting big wheels on the car skip the track lock, because then you will need a full size spare also, If you run with a smaller tire, with track lock, for a long trip, it will wair out fast. So Skip it I now it is good, I have it, but if you are getting big tires you don't need it.
Well hope some one can help about tire preasure. I know 29 PSI is normal. I know that the preasure gauge is working, but the ties don't seem really hard, ie. I can push the side wall and get rebound. Opinions. how safe is it running at high preasure, and I think tire ware is not good when it is over inflated and milage also decreases. Are all these true?