By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Let's have a Jeeper's Christmas party! It's about 7:45 PM CST, and I'm heading there now. Come on and join me!
http://itsajeep.org
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Quite honestly, I'm not sure that the trac lock helps all that much, but the Dana 44 is good to have. If you decide you want lockers, I would shell out the cash for some nice air lockers.
Hug Your Jeep for me
dwrangler
come by itsajeep.org for a visit. I should be there for awhile
Though I am extremely happy with my recent purchase of a 1998 Wrangler SE (w/ auto transmission), I am having a couple of issues. Hopefully someone may have some advice on the following problems.
First question: I have begun to notice that the trany takes a while to switch between two specific gears. Its more of a slight hesitation - engine winds up a little - you know what I mean. I took it to a trany shop and they told me they could drop the pan/cut the trans filter to check for foreign particles in the trans oil. They also told me that the transmission is completely electronically controlled, and usually people who have the trans filter checked also have a computer diagnostic test run. $60 for the oil check (get your mind out of the gutter!) and $65 for the computer check. My question is (as I would prefer to hear more about this problem before dropping $125 just to have it looked at further) has anyone heard anything about this problem before? Is it common? Is it not?
Second question: A couple of the gages in the dash (mainly the tach and speed) turn on and off every now and again. Its more annoying than anything. I checked their fuses, and they were fine. I replaced the fuses, problem stopped for a while (month or so) but then started again (new fuses checked and still ok). Once again, has anyone heard of this problem?
I sincerely appreciate all of your help in the matter. I must admit that the people who enjoy their jeeps...seem to enjoy life a little more.
Thanks again. Happy Holidays!
-Josh
Third, and warranting a paragraph all it's own, your transmission is NOT fully electronically controlled. The lockup of the torque converter is signalled by the PCM (PowerControlModule), but otherwise the transmission is as mechanical/hydraulic as it's always been. The transmission SENDS a signal to the PCM (via a simple switch) to say which gear it's in, but apart from the reverse light switch, that's the full extent of the electrical connections.
$60 for oil analysis? $16 would be closer to the mark. I recently paid $23 for an oil analysis on a marine Caterpillar diesel engine and anything marine always has the price marked up!
As was mentioned, there's a TSB out for the gauge problem. It's just a connector that needs the pins tweaking.
Finally, maybe you should take your Jeep to somewhere a little more honest/knowledgeable ;-)
HTH
Had to comment on the color issue, and although I'm biased, I have to recommend yellow. Personally, I've always loved yellow cars. They just seem to be a little different. You don't see too many on the road, but when you do they really stand out. Something about it looks great on a sportscar, it has a sporty feel, but also on a big tough car like a Jeep, it makes it feel like a Tonka truck. For me it really adds to, as tsjay would say, the FUN of driving a Jeep. Coincidentally, it seems like yellow has all of a sudden become the most popular color choice of new Wranglers. I think it's a trend of cars in general. I first noticed a lot of yellow in the Nissan Xterras around town, and then in the Ford Escapes (both of which I was considering before deciding on the Wrangler). Again, I just love yellow cars, especially the ones that are bright yellow or Solar Yellow like the Jeeps. Best of luck purchasing yours...I'm one to sometimes second-guess myself, and I haven't regretted my decision for even one SECOND since I got it in April. I almost envy the pre-purchase excitement!
yellowman
I'm going to change my own oil on my next oil change (got all the supplies and the Mobil 1 ready) and I think it's about time to change the air filter...I'll be at around 13,000 miles and it will be my 4th oil change. Two questions - one, IS it time to change the air filter; how often do you all change it? And second, how would I go about doing this myself if it's a relatively simple job, or should I have it done for me? Thanks for any info.
yellowman
p.s. - my Jeep is 100% restored after the break-in...Got it back from the body shop last week and it looks GREAT! I just bought a package-deal of 20 hand car washes with intermittent express hand-wax jobs to make sure it stays looking like new :-) Thanks again for all your help and support during that tough time.
Yellowman - When I first got my Wrangler I was driving it almost totally on the dusty, dirt roads up in the mountains, so I changed it much more often than I do now. I'm just not getting out there as much - it is so easy to go a couple of miles down the road and hike with the dog on National Forest land, so I haven't been as interested in going further away. The Wrangler is now much more of a snow vehicle for us, so the air filter doesn't get changed as often. If you've been trying some of the roads in the Angeles National Forest, or if you've ventured up to Hungry Valley State OHV area, you would need to change it sooner than if you are just driving around LA. If you haven't gotten up on some of those dirt roads, you should - they're easy and loads of fun!
Congratulations, Dan!
I had to go on a business trip that brought me not all that far from Dan's home town, so we "met in the middle" at a Cracker Barrel in Decatur, Illinois.
That was really fun. It's good to meet in person the buddies that you chat with and who post in here.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Please give him a nice welcome if he does post here, OK? His name is Scott, and I am not sure what username he will use, but it was "Sniffer" in Gill's.
Thanks
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
yellowman
I am hopefully going to get this yellow jeep I have been toying with getting for 6 months....loaded yellow 5spd Sport with the 30inch tires.......before the end of the 7 year 100,000 mile thing on the Dec 31st!
I am going to also get......the oil pan, stearing protection plates.......rock guards.........a trailer hitch....and a ski rack for the spair..........all mopar.............good initial idea? Or are these mopar parts not so hot. I would like a wench but it will wait :-).
Joe
I'm not the right one to advise you on the offroad options that you are considering. If I'm not mistaken, often the after market equipment is better and usually cheaper than the Mopar stuff.
You might want to consider just getting the Jeep without all the offroad stuff from DC and add that stuff later. There would be a variety of things available that way, rather than just accepting what DC offers.
Seek the advice of someone that offroads a lot, but time is getting short, I know, as far as the warranty deal. If you can't get the info you need in time, then I would say just leave off that stuff for now. It can always be added later.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Spyro
Already registered.
Anyone else going?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I like to wish everyone a VERY happy new year!!
I hope everyone will be safe out there...
Take care
see u in 2002
BamaTazz
Atlanta may get a couple of inches of snow tomorrow! What a great way to start the Jeeping year; riding in the woods with a newly fallen snow... I hope it happens.
Best to ALL in the New Year.
-twylie
On the other hand, just about all the roads I often take to go hiking are still open, so I'm not really complaining. The Wrangler is now muddier than it's been in two years, and I'm still impressed with the Dueler AT tires - definitely an improvement over the Goodyears.
And to all, happy new year! May only good things happen to all of us this coming year!
I hope u get the snow...
It missed me...I think South Alabama got the most of it here...
Had a few flurries earlier today...nuthin much.
Well..
What did santa bring to everyone...??
I got a Bikini top for Tazz & a Jeep T-shirt..
WOW..Ive got a good wife!!
Take care Jeepers..
BT
-twylie
Hey, we've been missin' ya here and in gill's. What's the deal? That goes for you to, goducks1, if you are reading this.
Come on, Guys, get with the program!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Just passed the 9 month anniversary of the Jeep...just over 12,000 miles and loads of fun so far! Looking forward to lots more. Once again, thank you all for your help since way back in February/March when I first started thinking about all this. I can't tell you how much it aided my search and transformed me from being brain-dead about autos to a know-it-all about Jeeps! (relatively speaking of course) Happy new year.
yellowman
Thanks,
Huck
For details, which are from 'Four Wheeler', go here:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/020/fk/hj/G1/eK95750.jpg
and here:
http://wsphotofews.excite.com/039/Qw/kH/XF/eN72883.jpg
If you not yet heard about it, it'll give you plenty to drool over. :-)
Seems like the changes will be mostly in the tire size and some off-road axle stuff. What I'm happiest about is that they don't seem to be about to change any basics of the look - same classic styling that we all know and love! I'll be going to the auto show here in L.A. this coming week, so I'll let you know if I learn anything there.
yellowman
Since I can get some accesories thrown on the jeep 0% loan, I did get some MOPAR stuff that seems decent....yes I know not as good....to expensive :-).
I order a jeep with:
Dual tops
7 speaker audio system
CD
Matts
Sentry Key
Track-Lock (worth putting detroit lockers on one day?)
30 inch group with DANA 44
Deep tint
5 speed
I also got from MOPAR............
Tail light guard with install
Trailer hitch with install
Trunk pokets
Oil and steer box skids
Rock Rails
Spair Tire Ski Carrier
(Anyone familiar with how hard it is to install these latter things yourself?)
As I have said before gravel/sand at lake mead, moderate off road, and trips to go snow skiing is my Jeep's mission.......I saw the awsome new RUBICON and it looks unstopable...2 air locking diffs!.....I already have 500 down on the order for mine.......I was almost thinking of sucking it up and loosing the 500 and waiting till the Rubicon comes out this summer! Question is that kinda over kill for my use? Should I maybe wait a year or two for the Rubicon to get an bugs worked out? I hear Jeeps have read good resale value....true?
Thanks again guys and gals.......pritty soon I will be trying to track my jeeps progress at DC!
Cptsteam
Last question........is what sound system upgrades have you guys done? What quick things right off the bat help out alot with sound quality? As I said in the last post I got the 7 speaker CD system. Can you put 6 1/2s in the sound bar.......I was thinking about 6 1/2 Boston Acustics. What about upgrades to the fronts speakers subs.......and any need for a another amp?
Cpsteam....all ready lookincg to sink more ching in to the yellow machine :-)
The Rubicon is probably overkill for my needs, sloppy and rutted forest service roads and snow, but man it does look nice!
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
If you don't mind doing so for the benefit of those who are still in the market for one, please tell us what you paid in relation to invoice. This info would be very useful to those who are trying to make a deal now. Plese don't just quote what you paid, but tell us how much over or under invoice.
That Jeep sounds well equipped and I know you will love it. That yellow is the most popular color, I think. I personally like it too. Took me a while to decide if I did or not, but I finally came around to thinking that it is sharp and now I really like it.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. You might as well join the gang at gill's chat room. You can chat with some fellow Jeepers and help pass the time until yours gets there.
http://itsajeep.org
As for the sound system, the easiest improvements are to stuff some polyfil behind the drivers. The 6 1/2 Bostons will not fit without cutting the soundbar. I installed 5 1/4 in the soundbar and 4x6 in the dash (both Bostons - fx line). If I had it to do over, I'd mount RX's - 5 1/4 in the dash (using aftermarket brackets) and 6 1/2 (with cutting) in the soundbar. Check out http://www.ewylie.com/jeep/mods.htm for my experience.
Have fun with that new Jeep. I've had the chance to ride with the top down and in snow in the last 3 weeeks. Wranglers are great, flexible vehicles.
Good luck with the wait...
-twylie
Alot of the pathetic dealers in Las Vegas actually add a 1500-3000$ markup...for now reason than as one put it arragantly..."for profit." I fly for a living and I can go pritty much where ever to get my vehicle. I tried northern nevada......and even in a small town one place said 500$ OVER invoice was it.........in Las Vegas one "fleet managers" 6 months ago said 400$ over invoice. With the good finacing, warranty, and the price....I feel pritty good...though I still wounder if I should have held out for the Rubicon........I want my jeep now though!
I was thinking of putting on the BFG All Terrain tires when I got the Jeep......should I stay with the 30inch or can I go with the 31inch? Do I need to do anything if I go to the 31inch BFG? Also is there a big sand/mud or snow traction benefit with dropping the stock 30inch tires for BFG 30 or 31 inch tires?
The Rubicon looks really interesting, but probably well out of my price range. Besides, I haven't had any real need for lockers with what I do, but then, if I had them I would probably look for situations where I would use them (that would be fun!). On the other hand, a friend of mine who is into more serious off-roading is always repairing something on her truck, something she broke on some trail or other. I just don't have the money to do that!
The only thing that concerns me about the Rubicon is what it might lead to. Right now the Wrangler that can do just about anything - it has nice road manners but still goes anywhere, and has the capability to be modified to fit most people's requirements. If they put out an extreme off-roading package, are they going to then come out with an even more "civilized" version of the Wrangler for those who don't off-road? That would be OK for some, but not for people like me who off-road the medium stuff and who need more than the CRV type of vehicle, but don't necessarily need the extras that the Rubicon offers (though the extra clearance would be nice so I wouldn't scrape the bottom when I go over that stream bed...).
I can easily see people like me being without any options! I guess we aren't vocal enough or there aren't enough of us to make it economically viable for the auto makers to make a car for us anymore...
I have been reading the post you all have done, but with over 4400 posts in this thread alone it is a daunting task to read them all. I look forward to reading the post to come.
Take care and be safe-
I got the BFG 31x10.50 All Terrain TA KO's, and I really, really like them!
You can see what mine looks like with those tires at...
http://members.aol.com/tjoh298765/thelma.html
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
My hard drive crashed...so..im working on it...
got temp internet service...for now...
Just wanted to let ya know im still here...
Tom...can i borrow your best buy CC?
lol
Jeep jeepin
bamatazz
Congrats Cptsteam!!
Sound like a great JEEP!
Also anyone know if my Jeep is strait from the factory with no miles....if there is a way to get a tire credit for the stock tires for the BFG 30 or 31 inch All Terrains? Wishfull thinking huh!
Cptsteam
I stumbled onto the deal of the century when I swapped my factory 30's for the BFG's! I'm sure you can't count on finding a deal like this, and I'm pretty sure the guy made some kind of mistake. Heck, I wasn't going to argue though.
Listen to this! I had 10,500 miles on the factory tires that were on the ground, and a spare that had never been used. They gave me $83 apiece for the four that were on the Jeep, and $95 for my spare on trade-in! Instead of paying the full $641.00 for all five BFG's mounted, balanced, tax and all, I paid only $263.88 or $288.63 (can't remember which, but I can look it up).
I'm sure you can shop around and find someone who will give you a trade-in allowance, but that guy MUST have made a mistake by giving me that much on mine.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I also found my post where I announced my purchase to the group, and it also said $188.63!
Here it is:
#3081 of 4454 Thelma got some 31's by tsjay Jun 27, 2001 (01:40 pm)
Hey everyone! Took Thelma today to have some 31 inch tires put on her. I got the 31 x 10.5 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's, like old Tonkadave did.
I couldn't believe the deal they gave me, and I jumped all over it. It was going to be $641 for five new tires, mounted, balanced, and tax included. I was ready to forget it, but I went to the tire store to let them see what they could allow me on Thelma's 30's for trade in.
The spare was new, and they gave me $95 for it. The four that were on Thelma had 10,500+ miles on them, and they gave me $83 apiece on them!
Bottom line, I got five new 31 x 10.50 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's mounted, balanced, and tax included for $188.63.
I think they will be great tires, but I haven't driven anywhere except from the tire dealer back to work.
I must admit that I thought they would make a little more difference in Thelma's looks than they did. They definitely look better, but it just isn't as dramatic as I though it would be.
I haven't had a chance to scrub them good and put the armor all on them yet, so maybe that will make a big difference.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Hey, I know that the math doesn't work out between the initial asking price of $641 and the total allowance for the five tires that I had, but, nevertheless, the fact is that I only paid $188.63. WHAT A DEAL!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?