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Jeep Wrangler

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Comments

  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    p.s. that last post was in reference to the arizona rocky road link.
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    I was looking at the antenna mount too. It looks a simple way to mount the antenna without drilling into the body. Have you looked at the radio mounts this company makes? It looks like a good alternative to mounting under the dash. However, it is difficult to see in photos if the mount is a quality item. I suspect if the antenna mount is quality then the radio mount would aloe.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    The radio mounts look like metal running between the roll cage that support the door frames (on driver and passenger sides). They do not affect top up/down performance.

    However, if you go with the Cobra 75WXST, you really wouldn't need this.

    -Paul
  • chimpsnestchimpsnest Member Posts: 27
    I was thinking of looking at a 99 Wrangler w/hard top, 6 cyl, auto, am/fm tape, w/69K miles on it that is $13,970. I have only driven by it and it just looks so, well, me :-)
    I drive a lot, a real lot. Right now I've got an '03 Mazda Tribute with almost 33K on it, I've had it for exactly a year at the end of July. With proper maintenance, could a high-mileage Jeep last me a while? What are your miles on your Jeep Wranglers? I'm pretty sure this one is a Sport, oh and it's got the premium wheels too. Thanks a million.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Hey, the long term reliability of a Jeep is fine. Both the 2.5 L four banger and the 4.0 L inline six are tried and true engines. With proper care, either should go over 200K miles with no problem.

    Now, given the miles you drive per year, the gas mileage may not be exactly what you are looking for. :)

    Driven conservatively, which is how a Jeep should be driven anyway, you can get around 17 or 18 MPG on the highway.

    That price sounds awful high to me without my having looked at the Edmunds pricing on it. Jeeps do hold their value, but still, that Jeep is soon to be six years old. The 05's will be out in a month or so.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I have a '98 Sport with over 120,000 miles on the odometer. The engine is still solid, though I recently had to replace the A/C compressor. Yesterday I looked at KBB for a trade-in value (thinking of getting an Unlimited) and it came up with around $6,000 for mine. So even though the one you are looking at is a year newer and with half the miles on it and you are looking at retail price rather than trade-in, I would think it is priced high unless it has some mods and is mint condition (mine is stock). Is the seller negotiable?

    As far as lasting - I'm in no rush to get rid of my Noble Black Steed - he has been an excellent "ride." The only thing wrong with him at the moment is the rubber around the tailgate. I live in an extremely dry climate (humidity often less than 30 percent) and the rubber has dried out some and shrunk (not cracked), so it leaks in the rain. I'm not in the biggest rush to get it fixed, since it hardly ever rains! The only reason I'm thinking about trading him in is that I'd like the extra room in the Unlimited.
  • dchristo1dchristo1 Member Posts: 59
    Tom and the gang,

    Thought I'd check in to let you know that Sara the Jeep has undergone an extreme jeep makeover since our Turkey Bay trip. I have removed the Olympic Dave's rack, installed 2"lift,gas tank skid,front steering box skid,Warn 9.5ti winch, Dana 44 with locker and disc's and regeared to 3.73(at least for now).I have been wheelin out at the Cliffs, which is about an hour from me and having a ball.Next on the to do list is front ARB for the Dana 30,PS rocker guards(Michael thinks the Spyder cut out is cool looking) and possibly a Currie front bumper.

    David
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    David,

    You gonna post some pictures somewhere?

    Refresh us on your Sara - TJ/YJ, year, etc...

    -Paul
  • dave__dave__ Member Posts: 80
    I'm considering a Wrangler as my next vehicle. I've always wanted a Jeep and have considered them before but it was never the right time. Now, I think it finally is. It will be my everyday vehicle and will replace my 98 Nissan Frontier for my 70 mile round trip commute to work.

    At first I was concerned about the mileage but then I learned that my other prospective vehicle, a Frontier with the back seat (Quad-Cab?) and a V-6 gets only slightly better mileage so I think I'm over it.

    I have lots of questions but I'll start with what I think is the strangest one.

    My unusual vehicle requirement is that it has to be able to carry my hang glider. To do this on my Frontier I built a rack for the front bumper, one for the rear bumper and have a single Thule rack over the cab. This has worked well for quite a while. I figure that building something to work on the Jeep should be much easier because the bumpers look like they're flat, steel and already seem to have holes drilled in them that I could use. If that doesn't work out, I figure I could always install a front and rear receiver hitch and build something to work from them.

    But that still doesn't take care of a third support in the middle. I've looked into aftermarket roof racks and there seem to be lots of options and most of them are probably more than I need.

    What advice can anyone give me? It would be great to hear from another hang glider pilot but I think anyone who carries a kayak, canoe or even a ladder has had to solve the same problems.

    Thanks in Advance,

    Dave
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    There are a lot of racks, like the Olympic "Dave's rack" (how ironic eh)?) that would serve as a great platform for storing a hang glider. I'm not sure how big of a pack a hang glider is when stowed, but an Unlimited may be exactly what you are looking for.

    There is a lot of storage space in an unlimited, but I'm not sure if the Dave's rack work with them yet (since they are longer).

    Regardless, there are a lot of racks you can get (or fab yourself) that would suit your needs just fine, top up, on, or off.

    -Paul
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Dave! Son! WOW! Boy, you DID NOT mess around when you started modding that Jeep, did you?

    CONGRATULATIONS on all that you have done to that puppy!

    You just GOTTA come back down to Turkey Bay and wheel with me again, now that you have that Jeep fixed up so well. I would absolutely LOVE to see Sara now. Think you can make it back down before long?

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Welcome! You are making an excellent move by getting a Wrangler, if it's fun you are after!

    I don't have any advice for you on the hang glider rack, but I just wanted to welcome you.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I don't have any advice for the hang glider, either, but I'm delighted to know someone else with a long commute (though mine is 75 miles one way).

    My current daily driver is a 2000 Taco, 4 banger, Xtra cab, 2WD, that gets 28 plus MPG. I'm thinking of getting an Unlimited, so I figured that if I (normally) put 35,000 miles a year on the vehicle, and if gas averages $2.00 per gallon, that I would probably spend an additional $1500 per year on gas by replacing the Taco with any V6 SUV, including the Unlimited. When looked at monthly ($125) - is the added capability, power, and especially my comfort worth a hundred dollars a month?
  • dwrestledwrestle Member Posts: 72
    where I can find Jeep I-6 Chrome Valve covers, I guess it doesn't matter which I-6, but I'm asking for someone with a 4.2,(well it's a 4.3 HO now). I already tried JC Whitney, and Jegs, is there any Jeep specific place anybody knows of. Thanks a bunch
  • wolfmanjackwolfmanjack Member Posts: 2
    howdy, like hang-gliding-Dave, i'm hoping that the wrangler will be in my future too. currently my jetta seems to be a long-term disappointment.

    i'm looking for quick impressions from current wrangler owners - like a ** TOP 5 ** (or more if you want) things you *LIKE* or *HATE* about your wrangler or things new owners should look out for.

    also for "comparable" $$'s why not a liberty? though a wrangler seems waaaay more fun.

    thanks in advance!
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Only you can really answer the question, but here's three more.

    Do you have an extra $100 a month? If not then go no further.

    What's your quality of life worth? Will you look back in twenty years and wish you'd saved the $100 and given up the additional capability, power, and comfort?

    Personally, the older I get the less I worry about the future, and I find myself concentrating on making life better now.

    ;--)
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    You can drop down to the windshield hinge bracket for support if necessary. Building from the factory bumpers should be fine. They're very low tech, and can easily be bolted or welded to.
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    Top 5 things I like about my Wrangler:

    FUN
    FUN
    FUN
    Go anywhere, and hangs tough
    It turns on a dime and leaves you change.
    Comfortable seats.
    Easily customized in so many unique ways.
    Did I mention how much fun it is?

    Things I don't like:

    gas mileage (it isn't the worst, but it sure is thirsty)
    driving in the wind (it has the aerodynamics of a brick wall)
    Fairly noisy (though that isn't that big of a deal for me)

    A Wrangler isn't for everyone. While it is much more comfortable on-road than the previous versions, it has a short, choppy ride with a stiff suspension. It is (more or less) a truck and feels like one.

    A Liberty is more car-like, has more cargo space and is far more "civilized." I prefer rough-n-ready. The stock Wrangler is better off-road than the stock Liberty. While I'd be happy to have a Liberty instead of my (hated) Taco, but don't even think that a Liberty could replace my Wrangler!
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I'm much like you - that extra hundred a month isn't as big of a deal as my back comfort is. I can only deal with the Taco's seats because I got a back support for it (which isn't necessary in the Wrangler). That extra hundred would just be spent somewhere else, so being unhappy in 20 years because I didn't save it doesn't even enter into the equation. On the other hand, having that extra hundred comes in handy when I want to replace some old camping equipment for Camp Jeep, or if I suddenly decide that a weekend trip to Yosemite or Monterey is a good idea.

    So I'm still on the fence as to whether to replace the Taco or the Wrangler. I'm looking forward to (hopefully) driving an Unlimited on the Jeep 101 course and perhaps I'll walk away from that experience with an overwhelming desire for one, and I'll just get one...
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Mtngal hit it right on the head! FUN! That's what you will get out of a Wrangler.

    Take the top off (hard top), or put the top down (soft top), take the doors off, and go for a ride in the country on a nice day, and you will know what I am talking about. Ain't nothin' like it!

    Don't know if you live near any good places to go off road with a Jeep, but if you ever get a chance to go "wheelin'" in a Wrangler, you are going to be just plain AMAZED by where it will go.

    I didn't get up the nerve to take my Thelma Jane (2001 Wrangler Sport) off road for the first 14 months after picking her up at the dealership, and I said even back then, before ever going off road, that she was the most fun vehicle that I had ever owned. Going off road just added to the fun (BIG TIME!).

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?

    P.S. Please check out my website, and this should give you an idea of how much fun a Wrangler is.

    http://home.earthlink.net/~tsjay49/
  • slices17slices17 Member Posts: 35
    Hi,

    I saw something on my 3-week old Wrangler today.

    You know how you can get nail pops on the walls in a brand new house, as the house settles? Well, I am seeing some of that on the outside surfaces of my Wrangler!

    I see a few on the driver's side, below the door, along the bottom edge of the car. I also see a few in the back, between the license plate and the bumper. Like I said, they look like nail pops - little circles sticking out a little bit under the paint.

    Has anyone else seen this on their Wrangler? I definitely didn't see them on my 2001.

    Thanks.

    Ray
  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    That price is high. I bought a 99 sport in march with 42,000 miles for almost the same price. It came with a hard top (I bought a used soft top on ebay) 31" tires, 5 speed manual, air.

    Blue book, at the time, listed it closer to 12,800.
    What BB doesn't understand is how cool it looked and how much I liked the chili pepper red color and....lol....in other words I liked it enough to pay more than what bb listed it at.

    As with all used vehicles, just be careful what you buy and who you buy from.
  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    The mount is really simple, but solid. I think I paid about $12, and that includes firestick antenna mount hardware, which is universal.

    The pictures aren't real great for the CB mount, but $45 is pretty cheap.

    Check Quadratec out, they have a couple overhead consoles that hold CB's. They are $189 and $224.
    Just plug "overhead consoles" into the search and they'll pop right up.
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Spot welds?
  • gman1259gman1259 Member Posts: 209
    Thanks

    Glen
  • dwrestledwrestle Member Posts: 72
    I gotta ask again, does anyone know where to find chrome valve covers for Inline Jeep engines. Or if anyone know Jeep specific parts places, that would help too. Thanks
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    I've never seen one. 4wd.com has a polished alloy one, which might be as close as you'll get without having one chromed yourself. You could also try
    http://www.cliffordperformance.com
    who are Jeep engine performance specialists.

    image

    http://www.4wd.com/shop/productdetail.asp?model=tj&productsku- - =639494
  • dwrestledwrestle Member Posts: 72
    I think he just wants something he don't have to spray paint his cover every couple of years or so.
  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    Has anybody else had issues with the turn signal/high beam switch. I had to have this same thing replaced on a 98 Cherokee that I've sold recently.

    When I put my turn signal on (either direction) my high beams flicker or the headlights turn off all together. If I play with the switch they come back on. Definitely something flaky going on inside.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    For hauling canoes, I had pipe standards welded to the front and rear bumpers and then I would slide lengths of pipe with crossbars attached into the standards and bolt them on.

    They were a pig to put on and heavy to horse around and hard to store, weren't very rigid, and the welds broke in three years.

    This was back in the mid-70's on a CJ-5 - surely someone has figured out a better roof rack system by now!

    Steve, Host
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    That's the ONLY mechanical/electrical problem that Thelma Jane has ever had, and the stalk was replaced under warranty. That was way back when she had less than 10K miles on her, if I remember correctly.

    The turn signals just quit working all together, and it took one trip to the dealer to let them diagnose the problem, and one more to put the new part in. It was apparently a very common problem, and they had a hard time tracking down the part. The parts warehouses were out, and they called individual dealers to find one.

    Like I said, that was the only problem I have had out of Thelma Jane, except a water leak in the firewall where the heater box goes through. That was a simple fix, corrected under warranty also.

    Thelma Jane has 48K miles on her now. I would say that is a very good record for a vehicle to have no more problems than that for the first 48K miles!

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Thelma Jane has a REMARKABLE record on reliability, when you consider how much she gets off roaded! You guys have seen some of my pics, so you know I don't just go for "drives through the woods" with her.

    There are people who do much more radical stuff with their Jeeps than I do, but those rigs are far from "stock condition."

    Thelma Jane isn't exactly stock, but she isn't far from it. She hasn't had any mods to "beef her up." The factory parts are still what makes her go. I have added a few mods to increase her CAPABILITY, but have added nothing to increase her RELIABILITY.

    I'll bet you wouldn't be able to subject any other vehicle to what Thelma Jane has been through without having some repairs!

    image

    image

    image

    These pics were taken during Thelma Jane's first successful run of Buttpucker Gulch. I had tried and failed three times previously. I have run it three more times successfully since the day that these pics were taken, March 27, 2004.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • drosketerdrosketer Member Posts: 203
    Those are some awesome pics Tom! Just whets the appetite for the upcoming Jamboree this weekend...

    I have finished getting Buffy ready for the trip, but the wish list is still absolutely huge. Over the weekend I installed a Warn engine skid which will protect her oil pan (and since I don't plan on running disco'd, there shouldn't be any issues with rubbing at flex). While I'd love to go with a belly-up, it will have to wait. For now about the only thing I am considering to beef up her reliability is to replace the tie rod with TbT Alumni-flex one, although I'd like to hear how that's working out for people first.

    Andrew
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Yep, I have the on the bottom two corners on the back end. I can't really figure out why they're there, but it doesn't bother me. I mean, you got bolts all over the outside of the thing.
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Gave my Rubi her first waxing on Saturday. I've just rolled over 2300 miles in about 3 months. After the wax, I took down the top for the weekend. Great time.
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    So, when ya gonna bring that Rubi up to Turkey Bay and wheel with me?

    I PROMISE not to get you into anything like the pictures above show. You can just do some stuff that's fun without being too risky. I know plenty of places like that.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • slices17slices17 Member Posts: 35
    Thanks for checking, keats. It's not an issue yet. But if these little circles keep protruding to a point where it cracks the paint, it'll be bad.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    I just covered mine with some TbT Rocker Guards. Got a great lifting point, side protection, and great looks. :)

    -Paul
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Gave my Rubi her first waxing on Saturday. I've just rolled over 2300 miles in about 3 months. After the wax, I took down the top for the weekend. Great time.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    The ARR antenna mount... did you get a firestik with it? What kind of reception (distance) have you been getting? Did you tune with a SVWR? Is it a grounded setup or not?

    I'm interested in this mount, but wanted to see how the performance was.

    -Paul
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Tom,

    Don't you worry, when I come up there, I'll be happy to watch you do the tough stuff. I'm sure there are many obsticles I'll be taking the turn out on. *g*
  • 99tj99tj Member Posts: 187
    I bought a 36" firestick at my local truck-stop.
    36" is just enough to get it above the roof line using the ARR mount.

    I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to CB radios. I only use it when I make the long trip back to Ohio. (good way to keep an ear on where the smokeys are. Helps pass the 8 hr drive also)

    As far as I can guess, I was getting about 3-5 miles of reception. This was while driving through the Mountains in PA.

    I did not tune or ground. I've read that grounding depends on the year of your Jeep?
    I think the newer models need a grounding strap.
    My CB is a REALLY old (20+ years) hand-me-down,
    so I wasn't too worried about tuning.

    I'm really interested in the Cobra model that was mentioned. If I get it, I'll definitely tune it with an SWR.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    I ordered the Cobra from Amazon fo 93.00 last night. I live in a mountainous area, so I'll probably opt for the 4' and have it stick above a bit.

    I'll probably go with the quick disconnect as well so my firestik doesn't grow legs.

    -Paul
  • dave__dave__ Member Posts: 80
    Thanks for all the info about roof racks. Based on my web and catalog research I think I'm going to go with the Warrior rack based on capacity and price.

    I also plan to put a 2m ham radio in my future Wrangler. Does anyone have any antenna or installation advice?

    Thanks,

    Dave
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    There is a lot of info out there about mounting antennas on a Jeep. Most popular spots are by the windshield hinges, back bumper, and taillight bracket. You should be able to search on the web for that kind of stuff and have a lot to choose from. If you have a Warrior rack, you could probably even mount your ham antenna on it for added height (some mounts flex/rotate so you can fit in a garage).

    -Paul
  • goducks1goducks1 Member Posts: 432
    I don't carry a hang glider, but I strap surfboards onto the roll cage all the time. I just attached some eyebolts to the roll cage and use bungee cords to lash it down. Works fine for me and it's very fast and cheap.
  • davidb72davidb72 Member Posts: 174
    I had a Uniden PC68 mounted to a CB Rack in my TJ. If you go to www.cbrack.com they may even still have some pictures up from my install.

    The fella that runs that site is really nice to work with and his product is excellent.

    The advantage to the CB Rack is that you can mount much more to it than just a CB and it is super strong. I highly recommend it.

    David
  • mtngalmtngal Member Posts: 1,911
    I have a stock Wrangler and am not planning to put a lift on it. That means that when I replace my tires with BFG All Terrain (I've pretty much decided to go that route) I can go with either the 30 or the 31 inch ones. While the extra height of the 31s would be nice, it isn't that much so I've basically decided to stick with the 30. A great deal of the off-roading I do involves wandering around the desert or mountains with a map and my odometer. I don't really want to have to have a calculator along to convert the mileage. Are there other reasons (other than looks and the greater ground clearance) that I should consider when making the decision?
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Have you checked your odometer with your current tires? Thelma Jane actually started giving more accurate readings when I went to the 31" tires! She was showing just a few too many miles with the factory tires, and now she shows a little bit low. The indicated miles now, however, are closer to being accurate than before.

    I would not rule out 31s because of that, if I were you. They sure look better, and they smooth out the ride just a little.

    Tom

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    Mtngal, I have the BFG AT's on my TJ (30's with the Canyon wheels). I have an SE so I had the crappy wheels / tires that they came with. When I put on the 30's, I verified the speed against my GPS unit. When my speedo is reading 65, I'm actually going 70.

    I have a slight rubbing problem with the Canyons with the 5.5 backspacing. Do you have Canyons? The rub is minor as it only happens when I have the wheel cranked all the way right or left. I just haven't put washers on to adjust the steering stop yet as it doesn't happen very often.

    As for the odo, I don't worry about it. I'm not worried about resale and do the maintenance based on time (usually).

    -Paul
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