Jeep Wrangler

tsjay

Hey, Babe! How's it goin'? Glad to finally hear from you again. Where you been, woman?

As far as the GCL rotors, you must have somehow gotten some good ones. No one is easier on brakes than Old Tsay, and I still had problems.

I drove almost exclusively highway miles, going on my weekly trips to Illinois when I had the GCL. You certainly don't use the brakes very much in highway driving. And no, I'm not a left foot braker, driving around with my foot on the brake petal.

When I am in town, I am one of those people that tries to just back off the gas and slow down when approaching a red light, hoping that by the time I get there, I won't even have to stop. I am not one of those who keep the petal to the metal until the last second and then slam on the brakes.

I don't know how anyone could be any easier on their brakes than I was.

I loved that GCL, and I still think they are by far the nicest SUVs out there, but I have to question their reliability. Fortunately, I only had minor problems other than the brake rotors.

I had two power window motors replaced and also the control module for the heater/AC.

I think it is a real shame that as beautiful and as classy as those things are, and as good as their 4WD systems are, they just have not proven their reliability.

I really, really liked mine, but I was afraid that if I kept it past the warranty period, I would be spending money for brake jobs and power window motors.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

mtngal

I just had to bring this up. It's an argument in favor of autos (from someone who has a manual):

If you are off-roading, especially in sand (or snow, maybe), an auto is easier to get going. It is much easier to spin your tires with a manual! A friend of mine put it this way - an auto lets you think things through before spinning the wheels and getting you into trouble.

On the other hand, I much prefer having lots of gears to choose from when you are going up or down.

Tsjay - give Ross Allen a hug or a belly rub. I'm not sure I'm feeling friendly with my dog - he absolutely wouldn't let me sleep in, no matter how hard I pleaded. I finally gave in and gave him a short hike up on the ridge near the house. Which also means that the Jeep got some exercise too! Maybe tomorrow I'll go further afield with the jeep.

dragonfly03

I'm so excited (I know that this should be in the photo gallery, but Sparx wanted me to put it in here) )

sfjeeps

Autos are great in stop in go traffic, going up hill off road and yes, they are much easier to drive but on the freeway with a manual, you get to top gear and leave it there, going down hill is much, much more controlable with a stick and even though I live in San Francisco (famous for hills that go up in both directions) I will still drive a stick. For the average person an automatic is fine but the cost of an automatic is much more expensive. To service an automatic, it takes more fluid, requires a filter and most people can't do it by themselves. A manual requires less fluid and no filter. If your tranny fails (I seen more autos fail then manuals) parts are more expensive and it will require more labor.

What ever you own or want to own know what your buying and how to use it. Heat is the number one killer for automatics. Get the largest after market tranny cooler you can find and bypass the stock cooler on the radiator completely. This will keep you tranny fluid as cool as possible. I've been told for every degrees your tran fluid goes over, you will lose a 1000 miles of life from it. Keep your tranny in gear for stop and go traffic because shifting it in and out of neutral will cause more wear and tear. When you park in an auto, place the parking brakes on first and then shift it onto the park. This way the parking brakes will hold the vehicle and not the transmission. When going down long steep inclines off road, place it into 4 low and the lowest gear possible and turn on the AC. The added load from the AC will give you just a little more holding power (works for manuals as well). For the manual owners, don't rest your foot on the clutch, you'll wind up wearing out the clutch faster becasue you took out the slack. Restingyour hand on the shifter is also a bad idea because the added weight may cause the syncros to wear out faster.

There are advantages and disadvantges with what ever you choose.

tonkadave

How about half doors vs. full doors?

bamatazz

Whats a "real Jeep"
Dual doors Dave..
Dual Tops
Dual Tans..
Dual Tires..30" & 31".. ( I need a Biiger Garage)
that way I can make everyone happy!!

BT

tntbeauty

DragonFly... great Jeep Darlin! Now yours is as big as Sparx ) Has he stopped sassing you yet? ;o) Thanks for the pictures Hon.

Yeah Jay, I am still around, still working like a fool. I'm very easy on my brakes too... plus I only let my Dealer rotate my tires. I told them from the day I bought Baby that they would be the only ones to touch her so that if something went to heck I'd know who to ask about it. Guess they took me seriously. Over tightening lug nuts can commonly cause rotors to warp. I have them rotate the tires with every oil change (5K with snythetic oil) - and brakes are still whisper quiet.

I agree about the extra cooler if you go auto - the main reason I got the tow package even though I don't intend to tow anything. Unfortunately we changed debates before someone told me how towing is impacted with manual versus auto... and I was hoping for an answer on that. Someday I might have to tow something, and other than knowing I need to turn the Over Drive off (a little button on the shifter-thingy), I don't have a [beep] clue.

Take care,

Tara

tsjay

Sparx looks FANTASTIC! WOW! That lift makes all the diffence in the world!

I gotta get Thelma lifted some day!!!

Congrats, Alee!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

jacorob

Anyone have any suggestions for racks on your jeep that'll go over a softtop? I've looked at garvin wilderness and top five and both seem kinda pricey to me - especially the top five. I don't have the facilities to make one myself (i live in an apt) nor the aptitude if i did.

Pros and cons are welcome.

Bob

tsjay

Hey, I tried it again, and it worked this time! There is now a pic of Thelma Jane with her BFG's in the members photo gallery discussion.

Check her out. I know it ain't much, but it's the only "mod" I could afford so far.

Some day, I hope she will be lifted and have even bigger tires.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

saharagal

What a difference! Thelma looks great. Uh oh, now I want new tires! Nope, I'm going to wait 'til the newness wears off a little, then start adding things!

I like the look of the bigger tires. You said you traded yours, right? Do a lot of places do that? Do they re-sell them? I might do nerf side steps and bumpers in black a little later on. Maybe!

Hey guys, I'm going to Auburn, Alabama until late Monday, maybe Tuesday, so I guess I won't be posting. My son wants me to drive the new ride, so he can see her, but I don't want any rocks flying up and dinging her when she's still so new! She's just so clean and perfect now! I'll leave her safely at home in the garage!

Keep posting!

Laura

tluke

Dragonfly - You probably already said somewhere what you did to Sparx to achieve "the look" but I must have missed it . Could you please list what kind of lift you installed and what brand and size of tires you are using. Also how are the new larger tires affecting your acceleration. Tom

dragonfly03

tluke, here ya go:

3" Teraflex lift (basic one, not the whole system)
Teraflex Discos
33x12.50x15 Goodyear MT/Rs
AR 767s
Doetsch Tech shocks
Trailmaster steering stabilizer

)

2001wrangler

I just added some new pics of my Jeep (no name, but any suggestions will be considered)

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/jeep_tj_2001

sasquatch_2000

"...When I first started looking at jeeps I wanted the Manual. Thats how I imagined a Jeep should be. My wife, however, won't drive one."

Whoo hoo! That sounds like a plus to me (actually, I have the manual and MY wife doesn't drive one yet, either, but wants to learn)

sasquatch_2000

"... Uh oh, now I want new tires! Nope, I'm going to wait 'til the newness wears off a little, then start adding things!"

"...You said you traded yours, right? Do a lot of places do that? Do they re-sell them? I might do nerf side steps and bumpers in black a little later on. Maybe!"

I had 4 Wrangler GSA 225/75R15's on there, cupped and worn. I bought 4 new BFG AT's. The spare was a brand new GSA with the little threads still on it (proving it was unused). I asked the dealer if they would give some partial credit for it, and he said no, they don't know the history. So, I said "Well, I guess I'll just keep it as a 'donut spare' for my 31X10.5's."

As they were mounting the new ones, the guy came over to me and said he'd trade me one for one. I said "What?", and he said he'd give me one BFG AT 31X10.5 for one Wrangler GSA 225/75. Of course I jumped at that, a full size spare in a tire I liked better. Plus, he made out, because the Wranglers list for more than the BFG's.

sasquatch_2000

Hey, nice bumper.

Where did you get it and how much?

What is towing capacity on that hitch?

I am debating bumper with receiver or stock bumper and add a hitch. Clearance, cost, gas tank skid plate, time to ship or install, quality are all factors.

crazyjpr

So the crazy jeeper has put on new tires, done his alignment for the umpteenth time, and now he needs some new shocks. I trust my tire guys, but I want some other opinions - should I be looking at new shocks as this week I am rolling past 40000 miles on all original hardware?

As most good jeepers, I do a fair amount of off-roading, so the shocks could probably be replaced now. Question is - what do I want to put on there? The obvious choice (good advertising, I guess) would be Rancho RS5000 or 9000. Any thoughts? What have you guys put on your TJs? I'm probably still a year from doing a serious off-road mod to the TJ, so good shocks are my next step.

Suggestions are welcome... Thanks

spyrodragon

Those Rancho's are some nice shocks... especially the 9's because you can adjust the stiffness. I just have the Doestch Tech shocks. They work fine for everything that I do, plus they were cheap.
If you got the money I'd say go with the Rancho 9's.
Happy Jeepin'

sasquatch_2000

I have 53,000 on my stock ones.

They still don't seem to bounce or leak. I would replace if I do a lift, however.

Do shocks alone give any added lift? (or prevent sag?)

tsjay

Hi Guys and Gals!

Thelma Jane is p.o.'d at me, cause I bought an old S-10 pickup to drive to work. I was putting too many miles on her, and I wanted an old truck to drive to work.

I plan to give Thelma a good bath and then take her top and doors off this weekend. I plan to leave her topless and doorless all summer, and just drive her when it's not raining.

I'll keep her in the garage with that full cover on her to keep the cats and dust out of her.

I promised her that I would still drive her to work sometimes, when there's no chance of rain.

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

maryapruitt

I just bought a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. I have put 1,081 miles on it and it DIED!

The dealer says it has a bad CAM Sensor and has to be replaced. Any one else experience this?

Your help and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mary Ann

kwilson4

Wow, that's a new one. No, I haven't heard about that happening to anyone. I have 3050 miles on my 2001 and haven't had any engine trouble.

ffarrell

I recently bought a loaded 2001 Sahara and I put about 3500 miles on it. After the initial excitement of the purchase wore off I noticed that my back and neck hurt everytime I drove it. Whenever I hit a bump I would bounce out of the seat(and not a off road bump, either). Closer inspection revealed that both front seats were skewed outward. In other words, when I sat in the seat comfortably(snugly with my back aligned with the centerline of the seat), I was NOT looking down the center of the steering wheel(as would be expected), but slightly toward the tachometer. Subconsciously trying to crrect this obvious factory defect was causing my neck and back pain. Attempting to sit facing the exact front of the jeep caused me to line up on the seat incorrecty, thereby allowing me to easily bounce out of the seat when hitting even the smallest bump.

I am absolutely astonished a major defect could be relased from the factory in this fashion. It is so obvious(I should have seen it, but bear in mind my initial "first new car" excitement) it is almost laughable.

I see three possibilites for this:
1. The floor pan has been incorrectly drilled and studded.
2. The subframe used to fasten the seat to the floor was incorrectly tooled from the subcontractor.
3. The seat itself was incorrectly tooled from the subcontractor.

I can not believe #1, so it must be #2 or #3.

The dealer acknowledged the problem, and actually went so far as to redrill the mounting holes in the bottom of the suubframe. How laughable! Could you imagine my dismay when I heard that? And it was done without my knowledge or ok! All this for $25000+!

Has anyone else had this problem? You can easily verify if you do by just looking at your front drivers seat on a Sahara(Sport and SE may have the same problem). The stitched centerline on the seat will visibly veer to the drivers side view mirror(not to mention the feeling while sitting it it). Like the passenger seat will do the same(albeit not as much).

If no one else has this problem(and I would qualify even mild cases of the seat yawing as having the problem) than perhaps the problem is not pandemic and can be resolved by a new subframe(or seat). If more people than me have the problem then Jeep must address this issue as it is one not only of aesthetics but safety as well. Having a dealer redrill the seat subframe is unnacceptable on a new car. My question to the dealer when I heard he did that was "Are you personally going to now crash test this car since you changed the stress points and g-force limit on these front seats?". The answer?

Stony silence.

frankfarrell@hotmail.com

sfjeeps

Getting longer shocks will not give you a lift. There are two ways to get a suspension lift. The first way is from longer springs and the second way is from spring spacers. The longer springs is the best way to go because you will get additional height and a longer travel. This will give you a better feel becuase the longer spring will absorb more of the shock. The spring spacer will give you a lift but you will have the same length spring. Getting a body lift is not really a lift because all you are doing is increasing the distance between the frame and the tub.

Why a lift? A quality suspension lift will provide you more room for taller tires, will increase articulation and give you better ground clearance. Yes getting a lift will increase your center of gravity and may add to roll overs at high speeds but adding taller and wider tires, you will gain stability as well. If you plan on driving your TJ like in the BMW movies, forget it, you'll be using that winch to right yourself but if you drive your TJ like a normal person, your not going to roll it over even with a 4.75" lift with 33"x 12.5" tires (my daily driver).

Lift kit do have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are add ground clearance for off roading, room for larger tires, better comfort for on and off road, better visiblity (see the road better when your higher up)and any nut who hits you will generally slid under you (my Wagoneer surived 2 rear ends and the bumper was untouched). The disadvantages are cost (you will need a lift kit, new shocks), installation, you will want taller tires, harder to get in and out if your short and of course the taller center of gravity will force you to slow down for sharp turns (an advantage for some).

maryapruitt

I too would like to get a customized cover. Please fill me in about the process you went throught with the local sign shop. What kind of material are they using? What can I expect cost wise? Anything you can tell me would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mary Ann
maryapruitt@aol.com

tonkadave

I made the same observation about the seats when buying my Wrangler. As a matter of fact every one on the lot I looked at, had the same scewed front seats. It looks as though they have moved the seats apart in the middle to accomodate either the console or the cupholders. I don't think its something they forgot, (like they did with my heater housing seals) rather it appears to be designed that way.

lookin4sahara

I thought I was nuts. And the dealer certainly thinks I am nuts. I haven't taken delivery on the jeep yet and the seats are one of the reasons. They are definitely turned outward. The dealer doesn't see it......My friend, you are not alone....

tsjay

Hi! Welcome!

I don't know what a CAM sensor is. I know what cam is, but you are saying CAM, like that might be an acronym for something.

Whatever it is, I hope it gets fixed properly and never gives you any more trouble.

Why don't you post an intro in Meet the Memembers, and tell us a little about yourself and all the goodies about your Jeep.

Post some pics of that Jeep!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

mac24

The CAM sensor, or 'camshaft position sensor', is located inside the distributor. It provides cylinder identification and fuel injection synchronization. It's one of the many items on a modern vehicle that will kill the engine if it fails. The only repair is to replace. Fortunately not a common occurrence for any manufacturer, but like any electronic component, it could fail again tomorrow....... or last for another twenty years. Bottom line, you were just unlucky :-)

sasquatch_2000

There is a 2" lift kit called (or from) Pro Comp which consists of springs and shocks.

Anyone familiar with this?

I want to gain some clearance for 31" tires for mild off road use. 1997 Wrangler Sport, 31X10.5 BGF AT/KO tires on stock steel wheels.

I don't need to go higher, and don't want to do all the added stuff with higher lifts (slip yoke, dropped arms, etc.) since I am not doing bigger tires.

Maybe SOME day (in far future) I would do a 1" body lift in addition, but that is about it.

Any pros or cons on this lift? $201 at http://www.thinkjeep.com/manufacturers/procomp/tj/

maryapruitt

Hi mac24 and all Jeepers!

Thank you all for the info on the cam sensor. It turns out to be a $140 part, and like mac24 says, its failure shut the engine down. I was left stranded on the interstate. There was no warning that anything was wrong, it just died. Since the vehicle is only 2 weeks old, it was covered by the warranty!!! Yooooohooooo!

Hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.

Mary Ann

jacknimble

Finally picked up my new Sahara. Dealer had me in and out in no more than 5 minutes! All dealers should do this - most painless auto purchase I've ever had.

Details: MSRP - $26150, Invoice - 24120, I paid $23703, almost $400 below invoice. If I'd paid cash I would have gotten it at 23203 with the rebate, but I took the low financing instead.

Need a name for my REAL Jeep now!

jeffer2

Hey Jeffer2 here. I was here earlier this year asking questions about Wranglers, and I still read the posts every so often. I've been preparing for a career change so I probably won't get a Jeep until next year, however I'm still interested.
These posts about the front seats have me wondering if the 2002s will have the same problem.
Glad to see the number of Jeep owners has increased quite a bit in the last few months.
Later - Jeffer2

nkelly1

That is why I got the extended warranty, if that electronic crap strands us some where at least I know I will get towed to where I can get it fixed/replaced and get subsidized for the motel bill.

We checked out the seats, they don't seem to be askew.

tsjay

Hi, Dude! Nice to hear from you again. How you been?

Get a Jeep!!!!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?

Oh, the Jeep seats are made that way so that the ladies can ride side saddle.

yellowman

Hey Mary Ann

First of all, welcome to the board! I think you'll find this place a priceless wealth of information about your Wrangler. It's gotten more and more popular, to the point that it's getting hard for me to keep up!

To answer your question, I went to a sign and banner place here in L.A. and told them what I wanted. They said I should provide them with the artwork/design and they had a number of options for doing this. I don't recall them all, but I opted to give them an Adobe Illustrator file since I work with graphic design a lot. If you aren't familiar with Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop or other computer graphics programs, you might be able to simply draw what you want and then they could do the design for you. As for the cover itself, I got it from Quadratec and had the option of a denim finish or a vinyl finish. The sign place recommended vinyl, since I believe they will be doing a plastic or acrylic transfer to actually make the image. Another option I've heard of is to have someone do an airbrush design. I thought that would look a little too "Hey look what my cousin did for me" as opposed to looking professional, so I opted for the plastic transfer. I'm currently waiting for the cover itself before I take it to the sign place, so I'll keep you updated as the process moves along. I'm still wondering if a 28" cover will fit my P225/75 R15 tires, but the guy at Quadratec said I can exchange it if it doesn't fit. Hope that helps!

Again, welcome to the board.

yellowman

jacknimble

I looked at my seats yesterday, and they appear to be turned outwards also. Weird.

texasjeep

yellowman
Check out this link. The cover should work fine. Just make sure you check it before you have the work done to it.

http://reality.sgi.com/foster_stco/tires.html

sasquatch_2000
I think the shocks that come with procomp lifts suck. Unless you want rather stiff ride the lift will work fine. If you don't look at another kit or different shocks for it.
Why not do a spring spacer lift? Rubicon Express or Teraflex both have them.

wheelshigh

Hey Tom or anyone who goes to Gill's site, what's up with the site? I got this strange thing when I tried to get on the site that said Hacked by the Chinese, no lie. It also said a website address called 'worm'. let me know if anyone else has noticed this.

stever

cyranno99 "ROADSIDE CAFE: Your Place to hang out and talk" Jul 19, 2001 12:28pm

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

dfahy68

I have a '99 Sport and both side mirrors are losing the paint off the metal bracket that mounts to the door. I've noticed other Wranglers having the same problem. Each time I visit the car wash (manual) I lose more paint. It appears the bracket is a cast metal which doesn't provide a suitable surface for painting. Will the dealer replace these and has anyone else had this happen?

Secondly, I have the vinyl seats which are miserable in the summer. I would much rather have the cloth seats, but it's obviously too late for that. I don't like seat covers because they never stay in place and don't make the seat any cooler. Is it possible to buy cloth replacement seats from an aftermarket?

twylie

I've read on JU that the mirrors peeling is a common occurance and your dealer should replace them during your warranty period. After that, you'll have to remove them and paint them yourself.

As far as aftermarket seats, the catalogers such as quadratec.com or 4wd.com offer many different kinds of replacement seats. Generally the seats and the mounting brackets are sold separately so that each seat can be used in a CJ, YJ, or TJ depending on which mounting kit you get. The aftermarket seats look nice, but a lower cost alternative might be to call around to some junkyards to see if they have a TJ with seats in your color choice. Just make sure you dont' get the crooked ones . They may even give you trade on your vinyl ones.

Good luck with both items.

-twylie

bamatazz

hello..all...
I dont seat the crooked seats...maybe cause i look cooked anyway...tell me again what i'm looking at?
OK.All..I want a BIG birthdat present tomorrow..ok..
how about a collection to pay TAZZ off..
or how about some body side steps..or...

Keepjeepin
BT

saharagal

After seeing how good Gill's white Sahara looks with the hard top, I sure am regretting not getting the dual top option! Go ahead and say it Tsjay, "You told me so!" If anyone bumps into someone selling a tan hard top, make sure to let me know. The dealer's supposed to put me in touch with someone who sells "discounted" factory hard tops around here.

That being said, I'm loving my Jeep! It's more fun than I imagined. I'm sooo glad I got the 5 speed! Thanks for the advice, guys, when I was deciding at the last minute! At least I got that part right!

Laura

bamatazz

hey gal...i doubt that part...
thats what you got wrong...
Auto...the choice of the new generation..

BT

wheelshigh

Hey don't listen to Snut. Thats what he is nuts for not getting a manual trans. We all know that "real" jeepers use a good old stick. J/K

nkelly1

Anyone know of a good place to mount a CB radio? This dash board sux. Is there one of those radio/CB combinations that will replace the stock radio? I don't want to mount it over head (just something to bang my head on).

nkelly1

This guy has an interesting way of mounting one...

http://home.kendra.com/jlaker/jeep/index.html

The guy is a dedicated "Jeeper".

tsjay

Happy Birthday, Mr. Bamatazz, a.k.a. SaharaNut!

tsjay

Have you hugged your Jeep today?