The Defender is pretty close to this. There's a guy up the block from me who has one, he has the bikini-type roof (no sides, just top) on it year-round, right now there's 3" of snow in it! Of course it's expensive and not quite Honda build quality, but waddaya want?
I'd love JEEP to get their act together. I think they are closest to this goal.
But I gotta say, I'm not with you on the front bench seat. What is the advantage? I like the seating layout in the Jeep just as it is.
One word: more room!!! ;-)
I wouldn't mind the old-style dash with analog gauges, for all the reasons you give. But I do prefer the more modern suspension.
Ruggedize (waterproof) dash would be mint. Suspension is fine the way it is, I guess.
As for my choice (2 weeks w/ 2001 Wrangler Sahara) I decided to balnce the virtues of reliability against the virtue of fun. My partial solution was to buy a nice set of sockets and a factory manual.
I feel for anything over $5,000 that you should not have to tinker for maybe 4-5 years at least other than oil/filter/plugs/air filter/other "replaceables". Not things like brakes, exhaust, etc. until after 60,000 or 5 years.
just blasted out of my driveway with 20" of new snow and 3 feet at the end from the plow. put my '99 sport in 4 hi and moved back and forth enough to make a launch area and then just blasted through. lots of fun but my wife thinks i'm nuts. anybody else out there crazy like me?
sasquatch_2000 Are you selling your civic for the Jeep? Have you thought about buying a CJ7? I guess as you know now, if you plan on buying a Jeep plan on having one problem or another. You will probably have hassles if you buy a Ford or a Toyota also. I guess a good chance you will have less problems with them. I guess you will have to decide if you are a Jeep person or not. I love Jeeps and I am sure I will own one or more for the rest of my life. I don't know what kind of seats are in xterras. I think you can get vinyl seats in the se and sport models.
stoli1 Enough about snow! We don't have any so I don't want talk about it. j/k I had my top off yesterday. How about you? take that I want to go run some snow trails sometime. Your wife should know by now that it is a Jeep thing.
gotta ask you what kind of brush guard you put on. I've been looking around for one. That is probably my next major add-on for the ol' jeep. I've been looking at Bulletproof and from everything i've read they are really nice, but a little on the pricey side. There are a lot of options out there.
Have you put on a catback exhaust? I just got a 4wheel & off road mag so I am going to see what the best deal is on either a gibson or a borla.
Got my jeep last Sat. White Sahara with dual tops,dona 44, track lock, cruise and add-a-trunk. Took the top off yesterday and I am loving it. High today was 80 and the same for tomorrow.
Just been lurking. I've enjoyed reading the posts. This is my first wrangler. I always check this site. I'm planning on a trip to the keys soon in the jeep. It is about a 8 hour drive from here. Can't wait.
I got the order sheet faxed to me today. When I called to let the dealership know I received it, I asked for the number to check on status.
You need the VIN to check it, and the voice system says that you can only check vehicles in KZ status (I will work to get a copy of the code sheet). Once you have your VIN, you can call (810) 274-5804 and enter the last 8 digits of your VIN to find out what's going on. It sounded like you might even be able to check location as it's in transit via rail. I think the greeting said it was the "DC logistics system" or something like that.
I'm guessing the VIN is assigned once they begin the build. I'll try to keep good notes and may post a geocities page for future Wrangler owners.
Have a great Jeepin weekend. The weather here was perfect today, 70, light breeze, sunshine. Man, it would have been a great top down day!
Hey, Dude! Already checking, huh? You are going to be a basket case before it is over with! (Just like I was.)
They must have changed things since I ordered my Thelma Jane. I was getting a real live person when I called. I'm not sure if that is the same number that I was using or not, since I didn't keep the number and can't remember now. I sure knew it then, though- I could dial it by memory.
Just to update you and all of my other Jeep buddies, I had the CAT scan yesterday, and according to the doc, it didn't reveal anything to be too worried about. They still want to do the colonoscopy, and that wonderful experience will be Monday. The pains have gone away ever since I had to go all day Thursday with nothing to eat or drink before the CAT scan. Maybe the old guts just needed a day off? They also want to stick a scope down my throat at some point, and that's not even scheduled yet.
Anyway, thank every one of you for your concern and for your thoughts and prayers. I guess I'm not out of the woods yet, but things look good so far.
He guys, I just got a 2000 Sport a few weeks ago and I love it. Sorry it took me so long to post, but vie just been reading all the previous stuff.
It rained a few days after I got it and I just had to hit some mud --deep mud-- almost got stuck (ups) but it pulled itself out even with the stock tires. I am quite impressed.
TSJay: I'm glad they havn't found anything, and that you're feeling better. Good luck Monday, hope it isn't too bad. Stay strong dude and keep us updated!
Pizzadude: I put on the Smittybuilt outland grill guard. I'll post some pics as soon as I get the film developed (next week sometime) If I would have had my choice I would have gotten an ARB bullbar, but that was twice as much as the one I got, plus I think mine gives better protection for my lights and fenders than the ARB. But the ARB has a place for a winch, which I don't have yet so I wasn't to concerned about this. Plus the ARB is a whole new bumper so it's quite a bit stronger! Alright buddy... Have a great day!
Welcome to the club! Glad you finally posted the news about your Jeep. Congratulations on getting that bad boy!
Now, give us some details about that Jeep. We love to hear people tell us all the stuff they got on their Jeeps and the color, etc. Post some pics if you have any yet.
Keep posting, now that you've broken the ice. If you have been reading posts in here for a while, you have seen a bunch of mine, and that should tell you that you don't have to have anything earth-shaking to say in order to post.(They haven't kicked me out of here yet.)
Hey, Pal, great to hear from you again! How's the waiting game going? Still keeping to your plan of not checking Rommel's status? I can't believe you are doing that! I sure couldn't have done it that way.
Anyway, as far as Thelma's top, I have only taken the first step, which was to drive her back to the dealer where I bought her. I left work a little early Tuesday and drove over there (about an hour's drive). The repair has been authorized, and I have to go to a body shop and get an estimate. There is a super good body shop in the town where I work, and that's where I want the work done. The dealer doesn't care where I have the work done, as long as the total bill is within the limit that DC has imposed (I don't know what that figure is right now.).
It sounds like I have the option of having the whole top repainted, but I don't think I want to go that route at this time. If I knew that just that one place is all that is going to happen, I would rather just have that place fixed, assuming they can make it look good. I'm just wondering if that one place is an indication that I will have other places showing up later. The service guy said that I could get this place fixed now and that I would still have the option of repainting the whole top later if other places show up, so that's what I think I will do. I will let that body shop take a look and make a recommendation- they do fantastic work, and I will trust their judgement.
I haven't had a chance to go to that body shop yet, because of all the stuff I've been dealing with health-wise. I think I'm on the mend, so maybe next week I can take Thelma for that estimate.
Thanks for your prayers, desertfoxx! Things sure are looking up for me. I went all day Thursday and all day yesterday without any of those pains.
Must be nice to have some snow to play in! We never get any here in western Ky, at least not any REAL snow. We get an inch or two at a time, and that only serves to get the roads nasty and your vehicle dirty, but is not enough to be fun to play in. We might go five years around here between any significant snows, like eight or ten inches or more (I know, I know... eight or ten inches of snow would not be considered "significant" in a lot of places, but we're talking western Ky. here).
I know you said it would be a while before you got hooked up on the net, once you got out to Vegas, but, if you are still checking in here on someone else's computer, just wanted to say hi and tell you that you haven't been forgotten.
How did your trip go? Have you had a chance to get that Jeep out in the desert and play yet?
Get yourself back in the group as soon as possible!
Ok, I owned a 97 Sahara and sold it last summer like an idiot. I've since missed my Jeep, and want to purchase another one this July.
Since I already had one, I know exactly what I want: Sahara, auto, hard-top only, trak-lock, 30" wheel & tire combo, ABS, cruise. Since most of the Saharas I see on dealer lots are dual-top, I'm deleting the extra charge for that to pay for the other options.
Questions: Trak-Lok - is it troublesome, and does it develop noise? Should I go with the Dana 44 also? (I do very little off-roading, but want the limited slip for snow and ice) ABS: I've read that ABS is not available with some options, and edmunds site is confusing on this issue. Anyone know the details on this?
Ordering: When should I order this for July delivery, and when is the cutoff date for orders historically been? Or, is ordering such a hassle that I should just buy off the lot? There is a dealer just outside of Tulsa, OK that sells jeeps less than invoice, so bargaining will not be an issue.
Hey buddies! After reading so many posts about the great fun it is to go topless, I wish now that I had gotten the dual top option for Thelma.
I didn't think I would be taking the top off very often, and I needed the extra security of the hard top for my travelling on business trips, so I just went with the hard top.
This really isn't a very good climate for convertibles around here. We are blessed here in western Ky. with weather that is always too hot or too cold for going topless, and when the temperature is ok, then it is often raining.
Now, if I decide to get a soft top, do I get one from the dealer, an official Jeep soft top, or do I go after market? Is it even possible to get a factory soft top for a Jeep that didn't have one to start with?
What's the best way to go as far as after market soft tops? Are they hard to install the first time they are put on? The new Jeep soft tops are four ply and much quieter than the old ones, but can you get an after market soft top that is as good as the new Jeep soft tops?
I can't afford to do anything for a while anyway, but I thought I would get some opinions.
You may want to think about ordering a jeep before the recently anounced $500 rebate runs out on 4-3-01. If you have to wait till july, you should get a 2002. From what i've been reading they are supposed to come out with a 3.7 v-6 that will make around 225 horsepower and get a little better MPG. Im not sure if its as reliable as the 4.0 however. But with all the problems Chrysler has been having lately they may delay introduction of the new motor another year till 2003. Thats all rumor of course.
I want to purchase a new Wrangler, but I'm afraid I'll have to go automatic because of my knees. The problem is Jeep Wrangler is still the only vehicle in the universe that still has a three speed automatic. Why? Is there a four speed coming? Is there an after market kit that will do the job?
It sounds like I'm driving your Jeep. I think the problem comes with the Dana 44 and ABS. I have ABS, and wouldn't trade it for anything. I've only had the Jeep 2 weeks and have had the ABS kick in many times on wet, slushy, icy roads up here in New England. Maybe if you will off-raod a lot or not do much traffic driving it would be worth it, but I think ABS is worth more for most normal drivers.
Trac-lok is nice and I don't think it detracts too much. It takes a little bit away on fast cornering when I definitely notice a bit of skip, but you really don't want to be making fast, shar turns in Wranglers much anyway As for the noise factor, it's not like the real old ones that clicked all the time. But then Wranglers are very noisy cars in general compared to darn near anything.
As for how to buy, I prefer to buy off the lot. I don't think dealer loyalty means jack for the most part today, so I just worked the phones until I found the car I wanted on a lot. I have known a truly great dealer or two, and maybe if you have one of those it's worth ordering.
The rebate is real, the new model is not. Plus there is always the chance they will screw it up more than they will fix it, and many first-year new models have bugs that are fixed later.
My knees are fine but I got the auto b/c I live in the middle of Boston and commute in heavy traffic
Most modern cars with high-revving, low-torque engines would be nearly undrivable with a 3-speed. Because the Jeep has an old-fashioned, slow truck engine, it is really quite reasonable. The only place it bugs me is at 60+ mph when the engine needs to turn over 2500rpm.
Overall I think the 5-speed makes it a more fun car, but I would not pass on a Jeep just because of the transmission. Test-drive one and see how it feels at least.
Glad to hear you're doing okay now, hope Monday keeps the trend up.
I got the dual tops b/c that's what they had on the lot, but mine will definitely live with the hard more, as I am a Bostonian. But I am thinking about some of these tonneau/windscreen/bikini combos I see in a lot of catalogs. The idea of being able to go top-off by just disconnecting the bikini top is very compelling. A kit like that would only be a few hundred bucks, I think, if that.
TWYLIE: When I was checking my order status I got a tip from a person within DC that told me to call the 800# and do NOT hit any of the promps. Let it go ALL the way and you will get to a live person. You will be able to have them pull up your order with the VON and they will give you a reference number for your future calls. You don't have to have the VIN to keep track of it. Hope this helps you out. (By the way, I had the VIN for mine within one week after the order was placed, I was surprised)
About softtops... yea, I love my soft top during the summer. There is just no other feeling than driving around topless! HaHa... but as far as aftermarket ones, Bestop has a new 4-ply soft top I think... I've seen adds for it but I don't know if it's available yet. I'll find out for you though dude. Catch ya later.
Glad to hear you are feeling better! Sounds like you got good people working on your hard top problem. I thought about the dual top option but passed on it. We get ALOT of sunshine here in Phoenix and it gets HOT on exposed interiors. If I get the itch I will do the tonneau/windjammer/ bikini top that ckingsbury mentioned. They are very popular here and I think they look good. Spryrodragon is correct about Bestop having the new 4 ply top. I read an article on it today in the new issue of Jeep magazine. Its made out of the same material (sailcloth) as the factory. I still have not checked on Rommels delivery (though it was 5 weeks ago yesterday I ordered it). I keep telling myself a watched pot never boils!
On the auto in a Wrangler only being a 3-speed: That bugs me too, and was one of the reasons that I went with the 5-speed on my first Sahara.
I read a magazine article that said the reason is that there is not a 4-speed auto in the Chrysler/Jeep parts bin that would fit in the Wrangler, because all the others are too long. Makes sense to me.
Maybe if and when the v-6 comes out, the new engine can be placed forward enough to allow a 4-speed (5-speed?!?!) auto.
While I'm on the subject, has anyone had any trouble with the auto? I driven one, and the autos seem to have a bit more driveline noise, but it doesn't seem objectionable to me. My 5-speed locked in 5th gear at 997 miles, and was beginning to pop out of gear when I traded it, so my quality and reliability standard is already quite low.
Thanks for the comments. Agree on all points. Especially engine. It seems that Chrysler usually takes awhile, if ever, to work the bugs out of most of their products, so the 4.0 works fine for me.
I went to the dealer after posting my previous message, and yes, it looks like the Dana 44 mucks the combo up, but the brochures (and the dealer knew nothing - every saleman and manager at the place refer to "Sahara" as "Sierra"; guess they all worked for GMC last week) were still unclear about that, too.
Think I may build it on the Jeep site, and cross my fingers that their site allows only valid build specs, fax that to the dealer for ordering.
Since many of you seem to have ordered your babies, I have a question or two.
1) I was told by the local dealer that I can order now and specify delivery July 1. Is this correct? This sound fishy to me, and the dealer was very high pressure anyway, even though I must have said 10 times that I'm not buying today. If I can order early, that works better, but I dont want to get 2 months early either.
2) Do you still get the rebate if you take order before the date, but take delivery a after the date?
It's really too hot here too in the summer for going topless, at least in my opinion, and that's why I just went with the hard top. Actually, though, in retrospect, that should have been even more reason to get both tops!
I'll explain that. If we had good top-off weather, I could take the hard top off and just leave it off for long stretches at a time. Because there are only short periods of time when it would be comfortable to have the top off around here, then I need to be able to quickly change back and forth.
In our miserable summer heat and humidity (I know, I probably need to explain the concept of humidity to you, since you live in Arizona), you really don't want the top off in the middle of the day, but you might want it off after the sun goes down. Also, we can have a lot of days with "50 percent chance of rain," so you either just forget having the top off on days like that, or you be sure that you can quickly put the top up if it does start raining. (I probably need to explain rain too, don't I? Some people have all the luck!)
Five weeks, huh? Oh Baby! Won't be too much longer, I'll bet.
I still can't believe that you aren't checking! There's no way that I could have done that.
Are you set up on IM so that we can chat? Don't forget that I am "tjoh298765" on Instant Message, so put me on your buddy list when you get set up. That invitation exends to all of you Jeep buddies.
Be sure and let us know as soon as Rommel shows up!
As far as what can be ordered with what, I checked with the following sites:
www.carpoint.com www.carsdirect.com
They both make an attempt to keep you from selecting conflicting options. Carpoint was a little easier to work with and had more descriptive info. They also seemed to have the system set up to agree with what I found out to be the truth.
On base price for our Sport, there was a recent increase to 17,543 which had not been captured by any of the internet pricing sites. Don't be too suprised if the price for the Sahara is $75 more than Edmunds shows it to be.
As far as lead time, my dealer in ATL said that all Wranglers have been coming in inside of a month from time of ordering.
Just some advice from old tsjay: find a GOOD dealer to work with in getting your Jeep set up!
Go to a dealer that sells a lot of Wranglers, and get with someone who knows what they are doing, someone who can explain the option packages to you and tell you what your choices are. Have them print out an order for the Jeep that you really want. You are at that point in no way obligated to buy from that particular dealer, but you can leave there with a printout of the Jeep that you know that you want.
Take that order to various dealers and have them make you offers on that Jeep. Go with the dealer that gives you the best deal.
Odds are that if you go back to that first dealer with a better offer from another dealer, then they will match it. It would be nice if you end up buying from a dealer that KNOWS WRANGLERS and KNOWS HOW TO SERVICE WRANGLERS.
Just my two cents worth.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. I know that any Jeep dealer has to do service/warranty work on your Jeep, even if you didn't buy it there, but you always get better treatment at the dealer you buy from. For instance, you might have a better chance of getting a loaner car while work is being done on your Jeep, if you are at the dealer where you bought the Jeep. You would probably get more cooperation in getting work scheduled at the selling dealer too.
Unfortunately, there is only one Chrysler/Jeep dealer in this town, and they are horrible. I got my last Jeep and current Chrysler service at the 5-Star Dodge dealer, but they, unfortunately don't sell Jeeps, so its off to the phones for me.
I've run across a place not far from here, www.meltonsales.com which looks too good to be true. Anyone knoe anything about this dealer?
I would go to a dealer in some other town, since your local dealer sucks. I ended up getting my Thelma Jane at a dealer 40 miles away, because the two dealers closer to me didn't know squat, except how to "stick it to you" on the deals that they were offering.
Have you ever seen Thelma's web page? I tell about my buying experience on that web page, and you might find some of the info useful.
I got my Sahara a couple of months ago with the 30" canyon wheel package and ABS. I finally have a chance to take it up to the mountains for a little off-road fun. Unfortunately, snow chains are required by the CHP to get where I'm headed. I checked the owners' manual and it says that I can't put chains on the tires I bought! Has anyone else encountered this problem? Please help!
Humidity?.........Rain?...... Oh yeah, I read about that in a book once. Sounds interesting. Can you explain what the four seasons are? We only have two here.
jacknimble I would get the Dana44 and trac-lok. It does not make noise. Maybe you can get the ABS and dana44 with auto but not get ABS and Dana44 with 5spd? Ordering is not a hassle. I think sometime around may is the cut off.
karennicole & desertfoxx & pizzadude Check the wrangler forums at jeepsunlimited.com Should find good info about exhaust
zoliedog Maybe try contacting GY and asking them
tsjay Your weather can't get worse then ours. We get 150% humidity and 90 to 100 something degrees. Do you get soaked when you walk out to your Jeep at 6 in the morning? You may not want a soft top. You can get a hoist for your hardtop and then just take your hardtop on and off when you want. If you get a softtop I would definitely look into the new 4ply and I would go with Bestop. They also have a sunrider(or something like that). The front part of the soft top folds back like a sun roof. I don't like it but others do. I need the opposite here. Either bikini on to keep the heat off but let all the wind in or if it is nice enough no top at all. I run a bikini top and don't really care for a tonneau and windjammer.
The test this morning showed only some colitis, which I guess is just an inflamation of the colon and is not serious!
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers and for your well wishes.
The worst part of the deal was having to go all day yesterday without eating anything and having to drink some nasty laxative stuff. A day like that could have easily caused me to have optical-rectalitis. (That's when your optic nerve and the nerve from you rectum get crossed, and it gives you a crappy outlook on life.)
I still haven't taken Thelma to that body shop, but now that my medical stuff is over with, maybe I can get her over there in the next few days.
It looks like I am really going to have to have the whole top repainted. When I gave Thelma a bath today, just the pressure from the garden hose caused that bad place to double in size.
Anybody else with a hard top having paint problems? Desertfoxx, you'd better check Rommel out thoroughly when he gets there.
Sasquatch, I know this makes your whole day. I am anxiously awaiting your next post.
tsjay
I have hugged my Jeep today, even though she has a white spot on her black top.
I have a 2000 Sport which my friends have affectionately named Little Steve Irwin after that crazy Crocodile Hunter. Its metallic green with tan soft top (already taken down once last week!!!) 5speed, Dana 44, trac-lok, cd and fog lights. So far it has been incredibly fun to drive, i would definitely suggest the 5speed to anyone. Heck, I would definitely suggest a wrangler to anyone.
Sounds like a great Jeep! Did you buy it new or used? I was just wondering if it was a leftover 2000 and was still new? If so, and if you don't mind telling, what incentives did you get in order to buy a new 2000 model instead of 2001?
You guys that talk about taking the top off have me wishing that I had either gotten just the soft top or the dual top option on my Thelma Jane.
Where do you live? It must be nice to have top off weather this time of year!
My salesman called today and said Rommel will ship tomorrow. I'm in the home stretch boys!
tsjay Glad to here about your clean bill of health! Now if we can get that little hardtop problem fixed you will be all set.
texasjeep Thanks for the lead on the exhaust. I will check out jeepsunlimited.com. I listened to a performance exhaust on a Sport today. Had a deep mellow tone that I really liked. I drove next to him for a while and it was quiet at cruise but had a nice little growel when he pulled away from a light. Wish I know what he had.
Just a note on something I saw on a web site. The horsepower increase (190 up from 181)is from a change in the exhaust system. The guy had a picture showing 3 cat converters (2 off the manifold, 1 downstream)on the new exhaust system. Who would of thought you would get more power from more converters? Can any of you guys with a 2001 wrangler confirm this?
I bought my Jeep about nine months ago and have had a few problems that I was wondering if any of you had. First off, I live in the cold winter city of Chicago and about four days ago, I noticed a small crack in my windshield. Not a crack that would be assumed as a rock or a pebble had hit it but a crack that began at the base of my windshield. There is absolutely no indication of anything physically hitting my windshield (or else there would be a spider web effect as we all know what happens if you took an object to a glass window), but instead, it is a small "hairline crack" beginning at the bottom of my windshield. It frustrates me because I just took my jeep into the dealer and he said that they don't cover glass. I think it is complete "BS" because to me, its obvious that this was not my fault and could quite possibly be declared as a manufacture's defect, but I won't jump to conclusions. Does anyone have any advise or comments to share?
I have had some other problems with the vehicle but they have been taken care of by my dealer at no charge. To me though, its just an inconvenience.
I don't see a dealer taking responsibility for a windshield crack unless it came that way. I have never heard of a problem like that. Maybe a rock hit it at the rubber seal and did not leave a mark there? Rock chips are common on Jeeps because the windshield is perpendicular to the ground and catches everything. You may want to see if it can be fixed. They usually do a good job and it will prevent it from spreading. It cost $20 bucks to fix mine. Still can see it barely but I know it won't spread. I am sure everyone would like to hear the problems that you have had. Good luck
Comments
I'd love JEEP to get their act together. I think they are closest to this goal.
But I gotta say, I'm not with you on the front bench seat. What is the advantage? I like the seating layout in the Jeep just as it is.
One word: more room!!! ;-)
I wouldn't mind the old-style dash with analog gauges, for all the reasons you give. But I do prefer the more modern suspension.
Ruggedize (waterproof) dash would be mint. Suspension is fine the way it is, I guess.
As for my choice (2 weeks w/ 2001 Wrangler Sahara) I decided to balnce the virtues of reliability against the virtue of fun. My partial solution was to buy a nice set of sockets and a factory manual.
I feel for anything over $5,000 that you should not have to tinker for maybe 4-5 years at least other than oil/filter/plugs/air filter/other "replaceables". Not things like brakes, exhaust, etc. until after 60,000 or 5 years.
Is warranty void if you use off-road?
I have a civic. I want a problem free JEEP. Sounds like they don't make those.
"It would be another hassle to deal with though."
I don't like hassles for >$5,000, let alone >$10,000.
"Nothing wrong with people paying invoice. That is invoice and not sticker."
I guess I got those mixed up. Sorry.
I clean my Jeep out with a hose. Just not the dash board and seats(cloth). I cleaned my dash board and seats in my 93 YJ with a hose.
Maybe they need neoprene seats. Doesn't Xterra have those?
Are you selling your civic for the Jeep? Have you thought about buying a CJ7?
I guess as you know now, if you plan on buying a Jeep plan on having one problem or another. You will probably have hassles if you buy a Ford or a Toyota also. I guess a good chance you will have less problems with them. I guess you will have to decide if you are a Jeep person or not. I love Jeeps and I am sure I will own one or more for the rest of my life.
I don't know what kind of seats are in xterras. I think you can get vinyl seats in the se and sport models.
stoli1
Enough about snow! We don't have any so I don't want talk about it. j/k I had my top off yesterday. How about you? take that
I want to go run some snow trails sometime. Your wife should know by now that it is a Jeep thing.
gotta ask you what kind of brush guard you put on. I've been looking around for one. That is probably my next major add-on for the ol' jeep. I've been looking at Bulletproof and from everything i've read they are really nice, but a little on the pricey side. There are a lot of options out there.
Have you put on a catback exhaust? I just got a 4wheel & off road mag so I am going to see what the best deal is on either a gibson or a borla.
well, have a good weekend...
-pizzadude
Whatever, but welcome and congrats on the Jeep!
Send some of that weather up here to western Ky. will you?
Is this your first ever Wrangler? Hope you will be an active poster!
You really know how to make an entrance (announcing your brand new Jeep, I mean)!
Once again, welcome.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
You need the VIN to check it, and the voice system says that you can only check vehicles in KZ status (I will work to get a copy of the code sheet). Once you have your VIN, you can call (810) 274-5804 and enter the last 8 digits of your VIN to find out what's going on. It sounded like you might even be able to check location as it's in transit via rail. I think the greeting said it was the "DC logistics system" or something like that.
I'm guessing the VIN is assigned once they begin the build. I'll try to keep good notes and may post a geocities page for future Wrangler owners.
Have a great Jeepin weekend. The weather here was perfect today, 70, light breeze, sunshine. Man, it would have been a great top down day!
-twylie
They must have changed things since I ordered my Thelma Jane. I was getting a real live person when I called. I'm not sure if that is the same number that I was using or not, since I didn't keep the number and can't remember now. I sure knew it then, though- I could dial it by memory.
Just to update you and all of my other Jeep buddies, I had the CAT scan yesterday, and according to the doc, it didn't reveal anything to be too worried about. They still want to do the colonoscopy, and that wonderful experience will be Monday. The pains have gone away ever since I had to go all day Thursday with nothing to eat or drink before the CAT scan. Maybe the old guts just needed a day off? They also want to stick a scope down my throat at some point, and that's not even scheduled yet.
Anyway, thank every one of you for your concern and for your thoughts and prayers. I guess I'm not out of the woods yet, but things look good so far.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
It rained a few days after I got it and I just had to hit some mud --deep mud-- almost got stuck (ups) but it pulled itself out even with the stock tires. I am quite impressed.
I'll try to get some pics up one of these days
-pretzeldude66
Has anybody tried one of those cat back exhausts? I was thinking about one for Rommel (when he gets here!)
TSJay:
I'm glad they havn't found anything, and that you're feeling better. Good luck Monday, hope it isn't too bad. Stay strong dude and keep us updated!
Pizzadude:
I put on the Smittybuilt outland grill guard. I'll post some pics as soon as I get the film developed (next week sometime) If I would have had my choice I would have gotten an ARB bullbar, but that was twice as much as the one I got, plus I think mine gives better protection for my lights and fenders than the ARB. But the ARB has a place for a winch, which I don't have yet so I wasn't to concerned about this. Plus the ARB is a whole new bumper so it's quite a bit stronger! Alright buddy... Have a great day!
Now, give us some details about that Jeep. We love to hear people tell us all the stuff they got on their Jeeps and the color, etc. Post some pics if you have any yet.
Keep posting, now that you've broken the ice. If you have been reading posts in here for a while, you have seen a bunch of mine, and that should tell you that you don't have to have anything earth-shaking to say in order to post.(They haven't kicked me out of here yet.)
Be sure and tell us more about that Jeep!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Anyway, as far as Thelma's top, I have only taken the first step, which was to drive her back to the dealer where I bought her. I left work a little early Tuesday and drove over there (about an hour's drive). The repair has been authorized, and I have to go to a body shop and get an estimate. There is a super good body shop in the town where I work, and that's where I want the work done. The dealer doesn't care where I have the work done, as long as the total bill is within the limit that DC has imposed (I don't know what that figure is right now.).
It sounds like I have the option of having the whole top repainted, but I don't think I want to go that route at this time. If I knew that just that one place is all that is going to happen, I would rather just have that place fixed, assuming they can make it look good. I'm just wondering if that one place is an indication that I will have other places showing up later. The service guy said that I could get this place fixed now and that I would still have the option of repainting the whole top later if other places show up, so that's what I think I will do. I will let that body shop take a look and make a recommendation- they do fantastic work, and I will trust their judgement.
I haven't had a chance to go to that body shop yet, because of all the stuff I've been dealing with health-wise. I think I'm on the mend, so maybe next week I can take Thelma for that estimate.
Thanks for your prayers, desertfoxx! Things sure are looking up for me. I went all day Thursday and all day yesterday without any of those pains.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Keep posting, pal!
tsjay
How did your trip go? Have you had a chance to get that Jeep out in the desert and play yet?
Get yourself back in the group as soon as possible!
tsjay
Since I already had one, I know exactly what I want: Sahara, auto, hard-top only, trak-lock, 30" wheel & tire combo, ABS, cruise. Since most of the Saharas I see on dealer lots are dual-top, I'm deleting the extra charge for that to pay for the other options.
Questions:
Trak-Lok - is it troublesome, and does it develop noise? Should I go with the Dana 44 also? (I do very little off-roading, but want the limited slip for snow and ice)
ABS: I've read that ABS is not available with some options, and edmunds site is confusing on this issue. Anyone know the details on this?
Ordering:
When should I order this for July delivery, and when is the cutoff date for orders historically been? Or, is ordering such a hassle that I should just buy off the lot? There is a dealer just outside of Tulsa, OK that sells jeeps less than invoice, so bargaining will not be an issue.
Opinions?
Thanks
I didn't think I would be taking the top off very often, and I needed the extra security of the hard top for my travelling on business trips, so I just went with the hard top.
This really isn't a very good climate for convertibles around here. We are blessed here in western Ky. with weather that is always too hot or too cold for going topless, and when the temperature is ok, then it is often raining.
Now, if I decide to get a soft top, do I get one from the dealer, an official Jeep soft top, or do I go after market? Is it even possible to get a factory soft top for a Jeep that didn't have one to start with?
What's the best way to go as far as after market soft tops? Are they hard to install the first time they are put on? The new Jeep soft tops are four ply and much quieter than the old ones, but can you get an after market soft top that is as good as the new Jeep soft tops?
I can't afford to do anything for a while anyway, but I thought I would get some opinions.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Thanks.
Trac-lok is nice and I don't think it detracts too much. It takes a little bit away on fast cornering when I definitely notice a bit of skip, but you really don't want to be making fast, shar turns in Wranglers much anyway
As for how to buy, I prefer to buy off the lot. I don't think dealer loyalty means jack for the most part today, so I just worked the phones until I found the car I wanted on a lot. I have known a truly great dealer or two, and maybe if you have one of those it's worth ordering.
The rebate is real, the new model is not. Plus there is always the chance they will screw it up more than they will fix it, and many first-year new models have bugs that are fixed later.
-cwk.
Most modern cars with high-revving, low-torque engines would be nearly undrivable with a 3-speed. Because the Jeep has an old-fashioned, slow truck engine, it is really quite reasonable. The only place it bugs me is at 60+ mph when the engine needs to turn over 2500rpm.
Overall I think the 5-speed makes it a more fun car, but I would not pass on a Jeep just because of the transmission. Test-drive one and see how it feels at least.
-cwk.
I got the dual tops b/c that's what they had on the lot, but mine will definitely live with the hard more, as I am a Bostonian. But I am thinking about some of these tonneau/windscreen/bikini combos I see in a lot of catalogs. The idea of being able to go top-off by just disconnecting the bikini top is very compelling. A kit like that would only be a few hundred bucks, I think, if that.
-cwk.
-twylie
I am considering getting one and am trying to find out which is the best and most cost effective cat back to get.
Thanks for your help.
I read a magazine article that said the reason is that there is not a 4-speed auto in the Chrysler/Jeep parts bin that would fit in the Wrangler, because all the others are too long. Makes sense to me.
Maybe if and when the v-6 comes out, the new engine can be placed forward enough to allow a 4-speed (5-speed?!?!) auto.
While I'm on the subject, has anyone had any trouble with the auto? I driven one, and the autos seem to have a bit more driveline noise, but it doesn't seem objectionable to me. My 5-speed locked in 5th gear at 997 miles, and was beginning to pop out of gear when I traded it, so my quality and reliability standard is already quite low.
I went to the dealer after posting my previous message, and yes, it looks like the Dana 44 mucks the combo up, but the brochures (and the dealer knew nothing - every saleman and manager at the place refer to "Sahara" as "Sierra"; guess they all worked for GMC last week) were still unclear about that, too.
Think I may build it on the Jeep site, and cross my fingers that their site allows only valid build specs, fax that to the dealer for ordering.
1) I was told by the local dealer that I can order now and specify delivery July 1. Is this correct? This sound fishy to me, and the dealer was very high pressure anyway, even though I must have said 10 times that I'm not buying today. If I can order early, that works better, but I dont want to get 2 months early either.
2) Do you still get the rebate if you take order before the date, but take delivery a after the date?
It's really too hot here too in the summer for going topless, at least in my opinion, and that's why I just went with the hard top. Actually, though, in retrospect, that should have been even more reason to get both tops!
I'll explain that. If we had good top-off weather, I could take the hard top off and just leave it off for long stretches at a time. Because there are only short periods of time when it would be comfortable to have the top off around here, then I need to be able to quickly change back and forth.
In our miserable summer heat and humidity (I know, I probably need to explain the concept of humidity to you, since you live in Arizona), you really don't want the top off in the middle of the day, but you might want it off after the sun goes down. Also, we can have a lot of days with "50 percent chance of rain," so you either just forget having the top off on days like that, or you be sure that you can quickly put the top up if it does start raining. (I probably need to explain rain too, don't I? Some people have all the luck!)
Five weeks, huh? Oh Baby! Won't be too much longer, I'll bet.
I still can't believe that you aren't checking! There's no way that I could have done that.
Are you set up on IM so that we can chat? Don't forget that I am "tjoh298765" on Instant Message, so put me on your buddy list when you get set up.
That invitation exends to all of you Jeep buddies.
Be sure and let us know as soon as Rommel shows up!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
www.carpoint.com
www.carsdirect.com
They both make an attempt to keep you from selecting conflicting options. Carpoint was a little easier to work with and had more descriptive info. They also seemed to have the system set up to agree with what I found out to be the truth.
On base price for our Sport, there was a recent increase to 17,543 which had not been captured by any of the internet pricing sites. Don't be too suprised if the price for the Sahara is $75 more than Edmunds shows it to be.
As far as lead time, my dealer in ATL said that all Wranglers have been coming in inside of a month from time of ordering.
-twylie
Go to a dealer that sells a lot of Wranglers, and get with someone who knows what they are doing, someone who can explain the option packages to you and tell you what your choices are. Have them print out an order for the Jeep that you really want. You are at that point in no way obligated to buy from that particular dealer, but you can leave there with a printout of the Jeep that you know that you want.
Take that order to various dealers and have them make you offers on that Jeep. Go with the dealer that gives you the best deal.
Odds are that if you go back to that first dealer with a better offer from another dealer, then they will match it. It would be nice if you end up buying from a dealer that KNOWS WRANGLERS and KNOWS HOW TO SERVICE WRANGLERS.
Just my two cents worth.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. I know that any Jeep dealer has to do service/warranty work on your Jeep, even if you didn't buy it there, but you always get better treatment at the dealer you buy from. For instance, you might have a better chance of getting a loaner car while work is being done on your Jeep, if you are at the dealer where you bought the Jeep. You would probably get more cooperation in getting work scheduled at the selling dealer too.
I've run across a place not far from here, www.meltonsales.com which looks too good to be true. Anyone knoe anything about this dealer?
Have you ever seen Thelma's web page? I tell about my buying experience on that web page, and you might find some of the info useful.
http://members.aol.com/tjoh298765/thelma.html
Later, jacknimble
tsjay
I got my Sahara a couple of months ago with the 30" canyon wheel package and ABS. I finally have a chance to take it up to the mountains for a little off-road fun. Unfortunately, snow chains are required by the CHP to get where I'm headed. I checked the owners' manual and it says that I can't put chains on the tires I bought! Has anyone else encountered this problem? Please help!
Here, it was 12 F this morning. We are due for 3 more inches of snow on top of the 2 feet we already have.
comment 2:
I can't believe TSJAY is taking a NEW CAR to the body shop already!!
Keep jeepin'!
I would get the Dana44 and trac-lok. It does not make noise.
Maybe you can get the ABS and dana44 with auto but not get ABS and Dana44 with 5spd?
Ordering is not a hassle. I think sometime around may is the cut off.
karennicole & desertfoxx & pizzadude
Check the wrangler forums at jeepsunlimited.com
Should find good info about exhaust
zoliedog
Maybe try contacting GY and asking them
tsjay
Your weather can't get worse then ours. We get 150% humidity and 90 to 100 something degrees. Do you get soaked when you walk out to your Jeep at 6 in the morning?
You may not want a soft top. You can get a hoist for your hardtop and then just take your hardtop on and off when you want. If you get a softtop I would definitely look into the new 4ply and I would go with Bestop. They also have a sunrider(or something like that). The front part of the soft top folds back like a sun roof. I don't like it but others do. I need the opposite here. Either bikini on to keep the heat off but let all the wind in or if it is nice enough no top at all.
I run a bikini top and don't really care for a tonneau and windjammer.
The test this morning showed only some colitis, which I guess is just an inflamation of the colon and is not serious!
Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers and for your well wishes.
The worst part of the deal was having to go all day yesterday without eating anything and having to drink some nasty laxative stuff. A day like that could have easily caused me to have optical-rectalitis. (That's when your optic nerve and the nerve from you rectum get crossed, and it gives you a crappy outlook on life.)
Now, people, LET'S POST!!!!!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
It looks like I am really going to have to have the whole top repainted. When I gave Thelma a bath today, just the pressure from the garden hose caused that bad place to double in size.
Anybody else with a hard top having paint problems? Desertfoxx, you'd better check Rommel out thoroughly when he gets there.
Sasquatch, I know this makes your whole day. I am anxiously awaiting your next post.
tsjay
I have hugged my Jeep today, even though she has a white spot on her black top.
Its metallic green with tan soft top (already taken down once last week!!!) 5speed, Dana 44, trac-lok, cd and fog lights.
So far it has been incredibly fun to drive, i would definitely suggest the 5speed to anyone.
Heck, I would definitely suggest a wrangler to anyone.
-pretzeldude66
You guys that talk about taking the top off have me wishing that I had either gotten just the soft top or the dual top option on my Thelma Jane.
Where do you live? It must be nice to have top off weather this time of year!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay
Glad to here about your clean bill of health! Now if we can get that little hardtop problem fixed you will be all set.
texasjeep
Thanks for the lead on the exhaust. I will check out jeepsunlimited.com. I listened to a performance exhaust on a Sport today. Had a deep mellow tone that I really liked. I drove next to him for a while and it was quiet at cruise but had a nice little growel when he pulled away from a light. Wish I know what he had.
I have had some other problems with the vehicle but they have been taken care of by my dealer at no charge. To me though, its just an inconvenience.
I have never heard of a problem like that. Maybe a rock hit it at the rubber seal and did not leave a mark there?
Rock chips are common on Jeeps because the windshield is perpendicular to the ground and catches everything.
You may want to see if it can be fixed. They usually do a good job and it will prevent it from spreading. It cost $20 bucks to fix mine. Still can see it barely but I know it won't spread.
I am sure everyone would like to hear the problems that you have had.
Good luck