Jeep Wrangler

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  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    If you told us where you live, I have forgotten. I live in the Chicago area. Many years about this time, (and sometime in the fall)I have a little problem with light pinging. I have decided it has to do with the gas change from winter blend to summer blend (and the weather not really being either). The blend change is pretty servere in this area. It always goes away in two or three weeks.

    Mac, any chance there might be something to this?

    capthowdy, I live in Flossmoor, 25 miles due south of downtown Chicago. Where are you?

    Terry
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    We are all glad to hear that you floss more, but where do you live??? :)

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    Did you have your mechanic look at adjusting your timing to see if that would help your pinging?
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    I drive a 2004 Sport with 30” tires, 4-speed automatic, and I use 87 oct gas. On the freeway I have been getting about 18 mpgs (I have gotten 20 mpgs once on a long trip). In town I have been getting about 16 mpgs. The only thing I do is not hot dog it, and stay between 65 and 70 mph on the freeway.
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    Have you considered trying a gas additive?
  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    Tom, you sound like my dentist.

    Terry
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    Tom: Congratulations on sticking with your resolution-I knew you could do it!

    Greta: If you want to try a fuel additive give either Chevron Techron or BG 44K a shot. Follow the directions to the letter.

    Re:paint chipping off mirrors- This board cursed my Sahara! One day after the topic came up my passenger side mirror bracket lost a huge chunk of paint...:( Anyways, I removed the offending piece and chipped off/sanded down the remaining paint. Next I recoated it with a coat of Eastwood Company's "Chassis Black" paint. It looks pretty good except for the fact that the new paint has more of a semi-gloss finish in contrast to the stock matte black. Oh well, it's not bad for 45 minutes of work-and much cheaper than a new bracket. I'll let you know how long this backyard fix lasts.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Hey, good to hear from you again. You've been awful quiet lately.

    You STILL haven't made it over to Turkey Bay to wheel with me. When's that gonna happen? When elephants roost in trees???

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Welcome. I believe the post of yours above is your first one here. Glad to have you with us.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Geez Louise! What a chatter box you are! You just posted two years ago, and now you have posted again. :)

    No info for ya, but I did want to say I'm glad that you posted again. Just had to give you a little grief about your posting frequency is all.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Certainly could be due to seasonly blended gas. 'Gasohol'(sp?) can cause similar problems too.

    Ignition timing is controlled by the PCM and can't be adjusted in the way it could in years gone by.
  • barresa62barresa62 Member Posts: 1,379
    Finally took the hardtop off on Saturday and put the softtop on. I forgot how great the Wrangler feels with the top off/down! Also remembering just what a Swiss-Army knife type of vehicle it truely is. :-)

    Topless in Seattle,
    Stephen
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    I am gonna curl up in a little ball and die if I don't get to wheel this coming weekend! It has rained the last two weekends. It rained so much weekend before last that they closed Turkey Bay down.

    Hope this weekend has some NICE weather for a change!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • go_ducksgo_ducks Member Posts: 22
    I have put up a web page detailing the installation of my new Rock Gear soft top, if anyone wants to see. It's pretty photo-intensive (about 15 good-sized pics) so you'd best be on a fast hook-up. I'll probably eventually break it down into several pages but for now:
    http://home.nc.rr.com/scrosson/jeeptop/jeeptop.htm
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Nice photos and write up. Thanks for putting them up.

    It's in the high 90s today and the AC isn't working very well in my office building. I can't get too enthusiastic over anything right now - too hot!
  • goodfellagoodfella Member Posts: 3
    Hey guys! From the bits and pieces of posts that I've read, I keep hearing about the X, Sahara, Rubicon, or Sport, but I'm planning on getting the SE because it's the CHEAPEST out of all the trims. Any comments on that particular model? Does getting a Jeep with a 4-cylinder make me a total wuss? Also, it is possible to install a stereo in the dash if I refuse the $1000+ required package and go for the N/C required pkg. It seems like paying $1300 for a stereo/CD player seems a bit too much or am I just being a cheap, yellow rat?

    Tony
  • gretagreta Member Posts: 23
    I'm in Baltimore, Maryland and I think they use that Winter additive for air pollution control, though I'm not sure if they still do? So, is there no way that the mechanic can adjust the engines timing w/ the '04 Wrangler for this "pinging?" I did add 1/2 a tank of the 91 Octane to top off the 87 still in the tank, this past weekend. It seems to have stopped that light sound !?! So, what's another $1000. bucks a year in fuel costs. Damn. greta
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Welcome, you totally wussy, cheap, yellow rat! :)

    Seriously, nothing wrong with getting an SE, and nothing wrong with saving money by getting your own after market CD player.

    You will just be frustrated by the lack of power out on the highway, and especially going uphill or against the wind. If the Jeep won't see much highway driving, then no problem with the four banger. Around town and out in the woods, the four is fine.

    I strongly recommend that you get the manual five speed tranny with that four banger. You will really feel the lack of power with the auto tranny hooked up to the four cylinder.

    Glad you posted. Stick with us, and ask all the questions you want.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    As Mac already said, the computer sets the timing on the modern engines, and it adjusts it as it as conditions dictate.

    The computer gets input from different sensors, and it is programmed to set the timing according to the combination of inputs it is receiving.

    I'm over my head here, so Mac can give the details, if he so desires ( I would like to hear it, personally, how bout the rest of you??? ).

    But, the bottom line sounds like it is either live with some pinging or go to 89 Octane. How much more is 89 Octane gas compared to regular in your area? Around here it is just a dime a gallon.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • twylietwylie Member Posts: 619
    Would it make any sense to disconnect the battery for 15 min in order to clear the ECU "memory". Would having it re-learn with the swtich in fuel from winter to summer blend help at all with the pinging? FWIW, I've never had this problem with our 5 speed, 6 cyl in GA.

    -twylie
  • 01r101r1 Member Posts: 280
    Greta may want to try that, but it didn't help with my pinging. Does anyone know if changing out the spark plugs with one step cooler ones would help on pinging? Maybe that and/or re-gapping them a little beyond spec?

    I'm now used to paying the extra dime a gallon not to hear the pinging, but I'm still open to trying something with the spark plugs if that would help. Too bad we can't just retard the timing a little...

    -Pete
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    My son and I DO want to come down to Turkey Bay; it's just that things are kind of busy right now. What day(s)of the week are best for you?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Saturdays or Sundays would be about the only days, unless it was when I am taking vacation. I never get a week day off, except for vacation or holidays.

    Let's do it!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • 01r101r1 Member Posts: 280
    Does anyone know what the front and rear diff. bolts should be torqued to?

    I know I've got a Dana 35 in the back, but my owner's guide calls them 194 RBI or 216 RBI axles - which one do I have?

    I've finally hit 12K miles and am about to change the front & rear axle fluids for the first time.

    -Pete
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    The Dana 35 is the 194. That "194" is millimeters, and it refers to the diameter of the ring gear. The 194MM is 7.6", and the 216MM is 8.5".

    I'll have to look at my FSM to be sure, but I believe the cover bolts are only torqued to about 40 ft-lbs. You don't want to over-do it and squeeze all of the silicone sealant out.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • guy21guy21 Member Posts: 129
    I believe that on a base SE, the "N" package includes the rear seat, seat belts, carpert AND the radio/CD. You can also individually order these items as options on the standard "A" package if all you want is the radio/CD OR rear seat.
  • ctjeepfanctjeepfan Member Posts: 2
    Can anyone help me out? I am looking for what should be the best price on a new Jeep Wrangler. What is a good price? I had a dealer tell me that he would sell me 1 at 5-8% below Jeep's invoice price, (plus the rebate). Is there a program that allows for this? If anyone could give mw an idea what is a fair price I would appreciate it. I am debating between the "X" or Sport model. no a/c, soft top only, 5 sp., tinted windows, which is best half or full doors? Any ideas as to what options are best to keep its value high for resale? What about the Dana rear end as well as traction and any other options? Thanks for this board and the ability to post a question here.
  • guy21guy21 Member Posts: 129
    Last year I had a 2003 SE, this year a 2004 X. Around town and flat highway driving, not much difference. 23-24 mpg with the 4-cyl, 19-21 with the 6-cyl. The 4.11 gearing with the SE works the engine harder but keeps up with the lower geared 6-cyl in most situations. If you can spend a little more $ go for an X, the resale on SEs is terrible due to the 4-cyl perceptions. Sports add about $700 in options (fog lights, conv. group, tow hooks, hard doors, full size spare tire) and raise the sticker around $1,100.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Wow! Lots of questions. :)

    You came to the right place, but to get yourself "up to speed" in the most efficient manner, use the search feature. Not that we don't like answering questions, just that it would be quicker for you.

    As far as the deal you should get, I hope some of the recent purchasers will tell us what they paid in relation to invoice. If you can get one 5 to 8 percent BELOW invoice and still get the rebates, I don't think you can beat that anywhere!

    It has been over three years since I got my Jeep, and I paid $200 over invoice, which was about as well as anyone was doing back then.

    You need to tell us how the Jeep will be used in order for us to advise you on options. Are you going to offroad that puppy? Will it be used only in town, or will it see a lot of highway miles?

    I assume you are in CT, hence the ctjeepfan name, so I can see why you might skip A/C.

    ALL of the differentials are Dana's on Wranglers, but I guess you meant to ask if the Dana 44 is necessary, which would eliminate the X model from consideration???

    If you are going to someday want to put larger diameter tires on your Jeep (over 31")and install a locker, then the 44 is almost a necessity. If you don't see those things happening, then the Dana 35 is fine.

    The front diff on all Wranglers except the Rubicon is a Dana 30. The standard rear axle on all Wranglers except the Rubicon is the Dana 35. The Rubicon has Dana 44's front and back. You can get a Dana 44 as an option on a Sport or Sahara (they still make Sahara's?), but not on an SE or on an X.

    Welcome to the forum, CT, and ask all the questions you want to.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    The type of doors is more a matter of personal choice, I think. Full doors get better safety ratings. Half doors are at a better height for an elbow rest. Some people think that full doors look funny when you have the top off, others don't care. The zippered windows get old real quick in the rain - it's like getting a cold shower/bath whenever you go through a drivethru window or have to take a parking ticket.

    Bottom line - get which one you prefer (I have a hard top and full doors).

    If you don't get AC, don't get a black Jeep. This is my first, and probably my last, black vehicle! It looks great but is much hotter than I expected, even with the tinted windows.

    The only other thing is that I'd get the fog lights (add them to the X if you decide to go that way). I never had them before getting my Sport and I love them! They make a huge difference when it is foggy or snowy (I live in a rural, mountain area and there are no curbs or street lights).
  • jescuejescue Member Posts: 521
  • 01r101r1 Member Posts: 280
    Thanks Tom!
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Read your profile, and best I can figure, you were interrupted in your posting by a prospective customer who was interested in buying a Jag from you??? :)

    Finish when you can, and good luck peddling those Jags.

    Bring that purty yeller Rubicon up to Turkey Bay and wheel with me sometime. You are in Nashville, so you are only a couple hours from Turkey Bay.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
  • go_ducksgo_ducks Member Posts: 22
    Your below-invoice price is very good. Anyone here would jump on it.

    I've had half- and full-doors on different Jeeps and would go for the full, because I frequently pull them off for days at a time anyway, and driving at highway speeds with half doors is a bit of a drag. Top up, they tend to bow out into the wind; top down it's a tornado.

    GET A/C. I lived in Oregon and still ended up getting it retrofitted a year later with factory air. You will regret it if you don't. There are times when you will want it, and if you are worried about resale value as you indicate, know that not having it will probably be the biggest hurdle to selling it at the price you want. Other options are more of a personal choice--there's not much beyond A/C that I would think make sense to add in strict $$ terms, but you might want to consider the convenience package stuff, limited-slip, etc. Absolutely get a full-size spare.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The Jeep Wrangler: Prices Paid & Buying Experience discussion could use some posts like this.

    /hint :-)

    Steve, Host
  • zinman61zinman61 Member Posts: 14
    I would recommend a/c, even in CT. I live here too. Several years back I went through a summer with an old beater and a broken a/c - NO FUN. If I may ask, what dealer offered you that price? My Wrangler purchase is about a year away.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Diff cover bolts are supposed to be torqued to 30 ft-lbs. Sorry 'bout that, but I told you I was going from memory.

    The front diff is a Dana 30, or "181FBI". The 181MM means the ring gear is 7.125" in the Dana 30.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    hey guys/gals,

    Ok, I started to put my recently purchased USED soft top on and believe I'm missing some parts.
    1. Do the 2 arms on each side bolt together? If so, I must be missing the piece(s) that join them.
    I'm also guessing I can pick these up at the dealer?

    Thanks, Dan

    By the way, welcome CT Jeepers..I also live in CT.
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    I would recommend you go to www.jeepwarehouse.com and get a price quote from there It will give you a good Idea what price you can get. I did that and almost ordered a Jeep from them, but a local dealer I found on the web offered me the Sport for $500.00 under dealer cost plus the rebate. By the time they found the Wrangler I wanted I walked out for $600.00 under dealer cost plus rebate. Remember that dealer cost really is not the dealer’s cost. There are incentives the like hold backs and others that I can not remember. It has been a long time since I sold Jeeps.

    With all that saidt he price you were quoted sounds like a great price.

    Glen
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    The arms on my soft top do not bolt together.

    Glen
  • ctjeepfanctjeepfan Member Posts: 2
    Zinman, the dealer that offered me that deal was Town and Country in Middletown. I happened to call them and the saleman made that statement to me. I purchased many auto's before, but I don't know what the real deal is for jeeps and pricing. I am studying and learning as I go along.
  • goodfellagoodfella Member Posts: 3
    Thanks, Tom! This forum's great! Your post is helpful. I was on the fence about getting a manual or auto transmission but, after reading what you said, I'm definitely getting the manual.

    Tony
  • goodfellagoodfella Member Posts: 3
    Thanks, Guy! Nice to know the SE is more fuel-efficient than its more expensive sisters. I originally was thinking about getting the X, but its about $2000 more. I figured getting a 6-cyl wasn't worth it so I decided on the SE. I'll be mostly doing city-driving anyway with the occasional highways thrown in. Thanks for the heads up on the "N" pkg. I'll get that.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    You are most welcome.

    I can't remember if you said whether or not this would be your first short wheel base Jeep (Wrangler or CJ type vs. Cherokee or Grand Cherokee)? If it is, you "ain't got a clue" as to how much fun they are!

    Keep us posted on how your shopping is going, and be sure to put up some pics somewhere on the Net, and post a link to them here.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • 01r101r1 Member Posts: 280
    Thanks Tom. I also called my Jeep dealer and talked to a mechanic, but he said 112 inch/lbs, or about 10 ft/lbs if my wrench was in feet. That's a big difference from what you discovered. He said their standard procedure is to get the cover seated with bolts finger tight and then give them 1/4 turn more. He said it's the sealant doing all the work, the bolts simply hold the cover in place until the sealant sets up.

    So, I torqued them all to 10 ft/lbs last night, which isn't very tight but still snug with a wrench. I haven't added oil yet, I wanted to let the RTV silicone cure overnight. I wonder if I should re-torque those bolts or just leave it and watch for seepage?

    Thanks again Tom for looking that up.
    -Pete
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Now that it has set overnight, I think it would be best to leave the bolts alone. Your seal should be established, and further tightening might just mess it up.

    I would watch for seepage, like you said. You can check the bolts after some time goes by to be sure that they have not gotten loose.

    Mac, whatcha think?

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • goducks1goducks1 Member Posts: 432
    FYI, I just got my old handle of goducks1, so no more go_ducks. So thank you to the hosts and other edmunds folks for the help.
  • drosketerdrosketer Member Posts: 203
    Well, I have hit the 5K Km mark... that's in 4 months and mostly city (well, with the exception of light wheeling every other weekend or so). Lovin' it!

    I had the top down over the weekend, what a blast - got a rapid dose of sunburn for that. I now have the soft top in place as we had a skiff of snow overnight and the temperature is barely above freezing. Got to love the weather around here. Just wanted to say that the soft top looks great. I do worry about theft though, so I have cleared out anything of value that's not attached and leave everything unlocked (something that I don't particularly enjoy)... How do you all feel about security when running the soft top?

    Just wanted to gush a little more about my Buffy! :-)

    Andrew
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    Sorry for the late jump in, but the support bars do not touch. There are two - one pretty much lines up with the front bar going right behind the front seats (where the soundbar/pods would be). The other one lines up parallel to the first near the back of the jeep.

    When the top is folded down, the straighter support is on the bottom and attaches to the lower mount on the sport bar. The upper mount (which has a bend) is the support for the front part of the top attaches to the upper attachment on the sport bar. If your parts are missing, you can get new connectors at 4wd.com that will allow you to remove all your mount hardware along with the top for a clean look. I just used a bolt and cotter pin from Ace for 5.00 total. :)

    Let me know if you have other questions.

    For security, I've ordered a Tuffy Security console that will hold a subwoofer (which I'll install later). They have a full line of security stuff that mounts all over the Jeep. Check them out. :)

    -Paul
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