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Also, if you name your jeep the "Green Hornet", you'd have to rename your NBS "Black Beauty" (Black Beauty was GH's car in the series, for all you not into that kind of geeky stuff. :-)
--Dan
mtngal, don't know if you want to go wheeling in a pea picker, but sweetpea is a nice, affectionate name that immediately makes me think of green.
please add a southern accent on "sweetpea"
jeff
ps,, i dont' normally watch my mileage, but was curious after hearing all of you last week. i got 16.44 mpg, that was about 2/3 hwy and 1/3 intown. that was only one tank, i plan to watch it for a while longer to see where it averages out. 2004 unlimited 4L
But, quit giving away my secrets!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
jeff"
Well, Jeff, that's the first place I was gonna take you when you come down here. You ready for it?
NOT! I wouldn't put you into a spot like that.
There are folks that do a whole lot crazier stuff than that, but that is about as wild as I get.
Wish I could find some more places that are about the same difficulty as that one. I like to be challenged, but I ain't gonna go gettin' in over my head.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
-Paul
Thanks for all the info. Since I prefer to have just one vehicle, if I make that one vehicle a Wrangler I want it to be somewhat driveable during the 90% of the time that it's on pavement. So I'm leaning toward a Sport with the 30" package, Trac-Lok, etc. as a compromise (instead of a Rubicon).
More questions from the new kid: Anyone know of an aftermarket split-folding (50/50) rear seat? Also, anyone using synthetic oil, or diff fluid? Is it worth it?
Thanks,
Joe
And this Unlimited is very much mine - my hubby isn't real thrilled with the soft top. Of course, he was sure eyeing a hard top Rubi at the dealership Saturday when we were getting the second key programmed. I've told him that the next car is his choice.
Maybe I should call it the Green Hornet and rename the Sport Black Beauty. That's pretty appropriate - fits with the original tough horse image he has always had.
We filled up this morning on our way to work, so I should have a good idea what type of gas mileage we'll be getting by the end of the week. I'm not sure this gas gauge is any more accurate than my NBS is - we drove 75 miles (downhill) and the gauge hadn't moved off of full. I'll be interested to see how much the gauge shifts toward empty to get home (uphill).
The other thing I noticed is that the break-in instructions are very different than the ones in the '98. This one said to keep it between 50-55 with periods of acceleration for 300 miles and that was all (that milestone was passed Saturday morning).
If you are going to get into off roading, and if you can swing the extra initial cost, then I would advise you to get the Rubi.
Now a Sport is no slouch on the trails, so don't get me wrong. It's just that a lot of the things that people would normally do to enhance the capabilities of their Sports are things that are already features on the Rubi, and they are there at a much lower cost compared to modding a Sport.
ONCE AGAIN... WHATEVER JEEP YOU GET, GET THE DANA 44 REAR END! (If you envision EVER going to bigger tires and a full locker.)
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
After reading those posts, if you have any comments or questions, fire away.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Joe, just use the search feature, and have it look for posts with the word "synthetic."
On syn fluids, I use all synthetic fluids in my Jeep and in addition to better flow in cold temps, I noticed a quieter gearbox and smoother shifting. I use Mobil 1 products since they are readily available, but Amsoil and Royal Purple are also excellent products that can purchased through their distributors or often found at speed shops.
-twylie
http://www.gumbyworld.com/memorylane/memlane.htm
On the offroading front, Tom, I have a buddy at work who has a built up CJ. He's just put a Detroit out back and wants to try it out. We're going to do a few trails around here, but I think he's interested in coming with me to Turkey Bay later this fall. So you may have an extra newbie along!
I installed the Delphi Roady 2 XM radio Friday night. I really love it. I wired the XM antenna along the path of the speaker wires up to my speakers wedges under the roll bar padding and it works fine. One note, I'm getting static here and there because I don't have a clean channel for the wireless FM modulator to hit. I guess I might have to get an FM modulator hardwired into the dash...
OT - I have a couple of extra gmail invites if anyone still needs one. First few to send an email to twylie AT gmail DOT COM will get them.
-twylie
Let's get jiggy widdit!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I haven't decided whether I want to get the adapter or just get a new radio with the XM built in. I don't want to mess with taking my own dash apart - I don't know enough to be able to get it back together again.
Where did you mount your Roady? I thought I'd put mine where the switch for the airbag would be if I had one.
I guess I'm too old for Gumby - I don't remember him at all! Or is this more a reflection of the fact all our "kids" have had 4 legs and fur?
I think you will be very satisfied with the Auto. Once you get used to it I think you will like off roading with the auto more then the 5 speed. I find it easier to control the vehicle and there is no clutch burning. I know there are probably disadvantages, but for me the advantages out weight them.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
The auto is SO nice overall - I don't regret getting it at all. I've only reached for the clutch once or twice or reached for the gear shift a couple of times. It does seem strange not to need them, but I'm quickly getting used to it. If someone is thinking about getting a Wrangler for mostly on-road use (and there is NOTHING wrong with that!) then take a serious look at the Unlimited. It is so much more stable - it was VERY windy last night and I didn't feel a need to slow down to keep from being white knuckled. It is so much more relaxing, I can't believe it!
1. Pop the vent cover by the dash.
2. Loosen the 2 screws holding on the center bezel.
3. Remove ashtray and remove the 1 screw behind it.
4. The radio harness setup is now accessible easily.
There is enough room back there (at least on my 97) to do what you need to do. I still haven't added the XM ready head unit (the one that needs no external adapter. I may just add the same setup I have on my other car (Alpine external thing and hook the antenna to it). It would go under my driver seat (jack is under passenger).
We may add XM to some of our other vehicles, but that would be done with a Roady type setup.
-Paul
Congo Cage and Utility Cross Bars (to carry the Hang Glider)
Hidden Hitch 2" Receiver Bike Rack Combo
Gorilla Wheel Locks
Recovery Strap (These come in a wide variety of lengths and strengths, how should I choose?)
4x4 Tire Pressure Gauge (with release valve)
Mopar Front Tow Hooks
Receiver Tow Hook
Novus Plastic Window Polish Kit
Hi-Lift Jack (What makes this better than the stock jack? The catalog says to many uses to list, what are some of them?)
Hi-Lift Loc-Rac
I think that's everything I'm considering. I have a CB that's basically a handheld with an external antenna and I'll be adding a ham radio at some point. Maybe now if I decide to spend a few hundred dollars more.
It's going to be like Christmas the day this stuff shows up!
Thanks for your help and patience.
Yours in Jeep Coolness,
Dave
Congo Cage and Utility Cross Bars (to carry the Hang Glider)
Hidden Hitch 2" Receiver Bike Rack Combo
Gorilla Wheel Locks
Recovery Strap 4x4 Tire Pressure Gauge (with release valve) - get the Currie one - it pulls the valve stem inside so it deflates quickly.
Mopar Front Tow Hooks
Receiver Tow Hook
Hi-Lift Jack - stock jack sucks and you run the risk of the vehicle falling, like my WJ did the other day when trying to bleed the brakes. THe hi lift jack can also be used to help get you unstuck if you have a recovery strap - it just takes longer.
So so
Novus Plastic Window Polish Kit - good idea, but Maguire's may be a better choice
Hi-Lift Loc-Rac - you can mount this yourself cheaply inside like TSJAY does. It is out of the way and out of the elements. Being out of the elements keeps it cleaner and keeps junk from getting into the working parts.
-Paul
Those are just 2" conduit clamps mounted to the roll bars. My buddy at work came up with the idea. This is a very cheap and very good way to store your hi-lift.
You have to drill a hole in that little end piece of the jack for the bolt to go through. Drill it as far toward the tip as you can. You use a bolt with a jam nut to make a sort of stud bolt to secure the jack.
You have to detach the base in order to store your jack like this, but that's not a big deal. There is just one cotter pin that holds the base onto the jack shaft.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
- I found that a 2" x 30' (min. 20k lbs) strap is a good first one. Long enough to reach into most stucks,but not too long to be a hassle. Be sure to get one without hooks, just the loops of material on each end.
- Hi-Lift - a great tool, but can be extremely dangerous. Be sure to read the directions carefully. For me, it's not a replacement for the bottle jack, but a last resort tool. To be used as a poor man's winch will require some additional lengths of chain and a hook adapter for the foot.
- Novus polish - works really well on light to moderate scratches. Requires much elbow grease to get out heavier scratches. I picked up a set of spare windows (used and cheap) for trail use in cold months.
Other items (cheap) I'd suggest picking up somewhere along the way. The first 5 I keep in every vehicle we have:
- first aid kit
- waterproof matches
- flares (double as firestarters:-) )
- space blanket (funky aluminum ones)
- .99c poncho
- ammo cans from military surplus store. These are cheap waterproof storage and can double as a stable jack base in soft sand or mud. The small ones are less than $5 eachand the medium ones are less than $10. I keep separate ones packed for offroading or camping and can just load the ones I need, comfortable that I have everything.
- at least 2 ratchet straps and a handful of good bungee cords. I found that these have been used more than I'd expect and it's always handy to have them in the Jeep. Coupled with a fold up tarp,the bungees can help make an impromptu awning at the peach or a picnic.
- tire patch kit. Most useful if you have a compressor handy, but again,somethign I've used twice not expecting to need it (someone else had a nail in thier tires. We were able to patch it and not lose too much air in the process.
Jeeps actually have a lot of "hidden" storage if you look around. Most of my essentials don't take up any visible room.
-twylie
You use the Hi-lift when you need to raise the body and frame of the Jeep.
I hadn't bought my own yet at the time, but someone else in the group had one when I needed to put my left rear spring back in. It fell out when I got jerked out of a "stuck" situation where the left rear tire was at full droop.
You might be high centered on a rock or something and need to use your Hi-Lift jack to get free.
Also, if you want to install a body lift, you would attach the hi-lift to your rocker guards, assuming you have them (and assuming they are like mine and attach only to the body, not to the frame), and you could raise the body off the frame after removing the bolts that hold the body on the frame. You would then install the bigger pucks and longer bolts.
You CAN use the Hi-Lift to change a tire, but you have to raise the Jeep high enough so that you can get the tire off the ground, even with the axle droop you get. This is dangerous. The Jeep is usually very unstable once jacked up on a Hi-Lift.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Given that I want one do-it-all vehicle, I need something that I can live with on a daily commute.
Joe
I'm not saying don't get one, just never treat it casually.
Yeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
The Sport is also noisier than the Unlimited (more padding/insulation in it). While I haven't done any real off-roading in my less-than-a-week old Unlimited, it didn't handle any different (other than the differences between an auto and a manual) on the one dirt road I tried on Sunday.
I think that the Unlimited is a nice compromise and the right one for me to use as a daily driver. If your commute is short and you don't mind the characteristics of the Sport every day (like you don't battle wind most of the time), then the Sport would be fine.
When I test drove the Tomb Raider Edition of the Rubicon, I thought it handled just like my Sport, so if your choices are between the Sport and the Rubicon and you have the money, get the Rubicon. If you want something quieter and more stable, look at the Unlimited.
I paid $25,661 out the door for my Rubicon and it sticker for $29,800. I got the $500 military rebate, $1,000 Chrysler financing, and the standard $1,000 Wrangler rebate. So, if the $26,750 is the "out the door" price, it seems fair.
Kai-Ling
P.S. My Jeep is a 5spd Silver Rubicon w/dual tops, air, 7 spkr, cruise, auto-dim mirror, locking fuel cap.
But then I hear on the radio that the freeway is closed ahead - well before the next gas station. Hmmmm. The light came on when I'm almost half way in between - do I continue going uphill about 18 miles and hope that there is no back-up at the freeway closure (there are several ways around it)? Or do I turn around and drive about 15 miles downhill, the way I've come?
I played it safe, turned around and ended up only putting in 16 and a half gallons. I'm not complaining too much - it's been windy the last couple of days and I'm driving a new engine. Perhaps the mileage will improve as the weather settles down and the engine breaks in.
Also, the odo said 301 miles. I'm not sure that's accurate - I would have expected around 10-20 miles less, but I'm not exactly sure of the distances between home, where I turned around, and where I got the gas. It looks like I really do need to check the odo's accuracy!
Because of the relationship between gas mileage (pretty poor) and the size of the fuel tank (not overly large), we have to fill up more often than most people do. This means that it's important for us to know just how far we can safely count on going on a tank of gas, so that we are not stopping to fill up even more often than we really have to.
Just another one of those sacrifices that we make in order to be Wrangler owners. But, ALL of the sacrifices we make taken as a whole PALE IN COMPARISON TO THE FUN OF DRIVING OUR JEEPS!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. In Harriet's case, there is even another factor that complicates matters, i.e., the long distances between gas stations on part of her daily commute. Harriet, it sounds to me like you would be a good candidate for a gerry can and a bracket to hold it? Never count on it as part of the equation, but have it there for emergencies is what I was thinking.
That is what I had, but determined it was TOO minimal. Now I'm at an SE with half doors and 30" tires (Canyon wheels).
But I love my Jeep. Even a 'minimalist' jeep with little performance mods can do a lot off-road. I did better than quite a few sports and modded CJ's at Camp Jeep. mtngal has seen my Jeep and it doesn't look minimalist anymore.
-Paul
BTW, thanks for the comments on my accessories list. I'll probably place an order later this week.
What does everybody think of Armor All? I've used it alot but I've recently heard that it dries out the materials it's used on. What's a better alternative? Especially for the plastic and vinyl interior parts that are likely to see a lot of UV.
Yours in Jeep Coolness,
Dave
I just use a damp cloth to clean the surfaces inside (have to rinse a lot after wheeling!). You may be able to find a special plastic cleaner that doesn't contain an alcohol.
For my tires I use Black Magic (silicon based). Be sure not to get any of that on the treads though.
-Paul
Just imagine the consequences if you still smoked :-)
Steve, Host
Dave, "affording" is a very important thing. Of course, I notice you've already got quite a list of accessories. Don't forget the Husky floorliners. They are by far the best addition I've done so far, and after that, comes the Raingler hand grips.
be sure to get husky liners / not mats. the liners are designed to fit to your jeep floor and have a large lip on the edge to catch, mud, snow, slush, spilled soda etc.
i don't use the grab handle to get in the jeep, but a friends wife was lost without having one to grab getting in. i got the ones from raingler, they are well built and strong.
jts
shop around there is a significant difference in prices on the liners, you might want to watch ebay too, there were some new and used ones on there too, but the new ones were selling higher than i could get them from jeepline.
-Paul
jeff
Also, on mats, Catch All makes a molded mat that fits over the carpet and has a lip. The Catch All mats are carpet on top and mine have been muddy/hosed/scrubbed/dried many times and still look decent. I drive barefoot most of the summer and like the carpet under my feet.
pics with and without in my Jeep: http://www.ewylie.com/jeep/cosmetic.htm#catchall
-twylie
I've thought about getting a gas can and a bracket for those times I'm wandering in the desert (it can be a long way to the next gas station, which is often Baker, CA and they have the most expensive gas in California there, I think) but I wouldn't want to carry extra gas as a regular thing - there are too many crazy drivers on the L.A. freeways! In fact, the reason they had closed the I5 yesterday was an overturned big rig hauling diesel fuel; they had the freeway closed both directions for several hours trying to clean it up.
Paul's Kermit is definitely one nice looking vehicle. I love his rocker panel protectors with the bars for steps. I keep thinking about getting something like that for my NBS. And he has all the electronic "toys" you should find in a Jeep - including a GPS device that made me jealous - now I want one.
I agree a gas can in Cali traffic could potentially blow up in your face, pun intended.
You can get some nice spare tire carriers that integrate a gerry can (or two) behind or next to the spare tire. That would be what I recommend for your trips to Vegas or playing on the trails. Otherwise, you can leave the cans out for daily driving.
As for the GPS, it was fun to install and run the wiring so it is hidden (I HATE visible wires). The CB was a challenge (especially since I had already installed the Tuffy Security Console. If you want to install the 75WXST CB, install it BEFORE finalizing your security console install!!! I definitely consider the CB and GPS as essential if you are going to be backwoods and/or wheeling somewhere. it is nice to see where you are and where you've been in case you have to backtrack. The CB make trail communications SO much easier (thanks TOM!) but gives you a chance to radio for assistance if you have big problems.
I still plan to rerun my antenna wiring through the door. I don't like the way the wiring is looking after having the rear door close on it. I just have to drill a BIG hole to fit the wire (with ends) through. Time to buy some grommets.
-Paul
Maybe carry an empty gas can and a siphon hose.
Steve, Host
jeff
-Paul