In most cases injector cleaning only benefits the profit margin of the dealer. Think about it-just how did the dealer know the injectors were clogged? How does the dealer know that the cleaning worked? The ONLY reliable way to test injectors is to remove them and bench test them. If your Jeep is running fine I'd tell the dealer what he can do with his injector cleaner. Sideways. That said, it doesn't hurt to use a bottle of Techron every 10K miles or so-preferably right before an oil change. The Techron is much cheaper and it will likely work every bit as well-or better than-the dealer "cleaning".
I throw in a bottle of Techron at every oil change. Like you said, it doesn't hurt, and it's cheap insurance...but I think the dealer thing is like "undercoating".
Yes, you would be able to extend the transmission service interval if you fit a cooler. The shorter period is called for because of the potential for fluid breakdown due to heat, not contamination.
However, when you fit the cooler, why not fit a deep transmission pan (about $50) which also has the advantage of a drain plug, and an external filter (about $30) which uses the same spin-on filter as the engine. Easy fluid changes and added protection. Check post mac24, "Jeep Wrangler" #14775, 18 Oct 2004 11:18 am for more details and pictures.
With regard to the injection service, I'll just echo div2's comments.
Been reading this jeep site for sometime but have never posted............lots of good info......but now I've got a question for you all.........took in my 98 wrangler to have the dealer check the wipers......they stopped working for a day or two when it was bitterly cold out....though I don't recall that happening in the past....they started to work again but will not move fast in the extra fast mode....they work fine in the intermittent mode and in the normal mode but move slower than normal in the extrafast mode.....I took it into the dealer and they want $260 for a new front wiper motor and $150 to install it......I'm not sure if the motor is really bad or maybe just the wiring?....any thoughts out there....$410 bucks seems like alot....
I am putting my 04 "X" hartop with 7,000 miles on semi-hibernation, I now drive it about 50 miles every weekend and run the engine a few minutes midweek in the garage with the door open of course. Plan to change oil every 6 months regardless of mileage, etc. Is this the correct method. 10 years from now when the 06 -07 wrangler replacements with their major redesign with V-6 and door frames are common sight, I will resume driving a mint TJ.
Keep up the weekend driving, but drop the few minutes midweek, which will just strain the battery, wash the cylinder walls, and contaminate the oil. Change the oil and filter every three months, and all the other fluids every three years.
Glad you have decided to post. Hope you will keep it up. Nothing wrong with lurking, but it is nice when folks post to let us know they are with us.
Anyway, I believe in dealership service departments doing some things, but for a wiper motor I would buy the Autozone rebuilt motor that Mac mentioned and have some independent mechanic install it. It would have to be MUCH cheaper that way.
i live in australia where it was four months be for i finally got my new wrangler drove it for about an hour only to find the wipers dont work ,back to the dealer. get it back the next day not a good start. week later drove out to a mates house about 140 kms,broke down 2 kms from his house with the engine sounding like it had done 300,oookms.came home in the tow truck today.the car would be great if not for these problems,hope it gets better so i can be happy and love my jeep like the rest of ya.this site is great have been reading the pages from the day i first went to the jeep dealer.
I cannot speak for Australia Jeeps. But in my case I bought a 2004 Wrangler, drove it to work after owning it for 4 days, thinking thing were beautiful from behind the wheel of my new Jeep. 12½ hours later I got back into my baby, started her up, put her in reverse, and applied the gas; nothing happed. The THING would not move. I was thinking “great! Is this a sign of things to come?”
Well, Chrysler could not figure out why the transmission would not work, so they replaced it with a new one. I have 25,000 miles on her now and I have been trouble free. So, unless you got what Americans call a lemon, things should work themselves out.
I love my Jeep and can’t wait until the ground dries up so I can hit the local hills.
Keep talking to your dealer about your problems. I've had our Unlimited for 5 months now and other than the auto dimming mirror doing strange things for a week and then going back to normal, I haven't had any problems.
Today I thought about opening up the sunroof on our way home - the day was clear but it didn't quite get warm enough. Glen - while the dirt roads in the Antelope Valley are still wet and a mess, there are poppies starting to bloom along the road. Joshua trees are starting to bloom out in the Mojave. If it doesn't get too cold again, we could be in for a great spring and wonderful Jeep weather!
hello, I am 99% of purshasing a 2005 jeep wrangler trying to order one in electric lime green manual 6 speed renedage. I live in Melbourne, Australia and was wondering bout your jeep is it OK and is there any more problems with jeep??? Also have u got soft top or hard to top man??? send me an email to sanjaystuart@hotmail.com if u want to help us out mate cause I'm want to talk to more people bout the 2005 wrangler...
My wife’s boss lives in Lancaster and we are making plans to go to the Poppy Reserve near there. Last time we all went there the poppies were few and far between because of the drought. In fact there was virtually a handful throughout the whole reserve. This year we’re sure there will be a blanket of poppies. I hope I have the finances together to get the digital camera I want before then If not I will take my 35mm.
Please keep the conversation here so everyone benefits! We're open 24/7 so a dozen time zones and an international date line make little difference. :-)
Also, it is unwise to post your email address in a public message - it invites spam. It is better to make your email address visible in your user profile and anyone interested in contacting you knows where to look.
I read in another post that jeep went back to black fender flares in December - Was this for all body colors? I am working on buying a lt. kakhi metallic unlimited and would like black flares, but the few I have seen on the lot are grey.
Also, I read in other posts the largest tire that will fit on the stock 15x8 wheel is a 31x10.5 - is this correct and are there any other modifications necessary to keep the larger tire from rubbing? How much could/should I expect on trading in the stock GSAs on an upraded set of tires at a tire store?
I drive mainly on the road, but I would like some tires that have a good agressive look. Off road driving will be mainly at the beach with the family - nothing serious. What have others had good experience with?
thanks for the support everyone. my jeep is a wrangler renedage patriot blue 6spd hard /soft top with the auto dim mirror,side steps,crome front bumper.the 6spd is great as is the auto dim mirror,have not had the hard top off yet.this weekend was going to be the first 4wd trip, but the dealer thinks a little end has broken and i will have to have a new motor shipped over.there was no power in town today so not much was done on my car today.ilive in perth west aus.i had plans to have a two inch lift kit put in, wider wheels and tyres,and a new sound system with dvd player.the standard sound system is not the best,the only other probs i had was a chip to the steel in one spot and the gear knob is not on straight.
It's likely that the Jeeps you've seen sitting on the lots were built toward the end of last year.
You can squeeze a 33x12.5x15 on there, but without good quality thick spacers (which can cost as much as a set of wheels), you'll have virtually no steering lock. 31x10.5x15 is the sensible way to go.
You should be able to negotiate a reasonable price for your tires if they have delivery mileage only (not 6k+!). Tom can tell you more about this and will probably post later.
Here's a copy of my post telling about the deal I got on trade-in on my GSA's. This was posted on 6/27/01.
"Hey everyone! Took Thelma today to have some 31 inch tires put on her. I got the 31 x 10.5 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's, like old Tonkadave did.
I couldn't believe the deal they gave me, and I jumped all over it. It was going to be $641 for five new tires, mounted, balanced, and tax included. I was ready to forget it, but I went to the tire store to let them see what they could allow me on Thelma's 30's for trade in.
The spare was new, and they gave me $95 for it. The four that were on Thelma had 10,500+ miles on them, and they gave me $83 apiece on them!
Bottom line, I got five new 31 x 10.50 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's mounted, balanced, and tax included for $188.63.
I think they will be great tires, but I haven't driven anywhere except from the tire dealer back to work.
I must admit that I thought they would make a little more difference in Thelma's looks than they did. They definitely look better, but it just isn't as dramatic as I though it would be.
I haven't had a chance to scrub them good and put the armor all on them yet, so maybe that will make a big difference.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Sasquatch.... yes, you can put 31 x 10.5's on a Wrangler without a lift: I just had it done, and Tonkadave had it done on his Tonkajeep when he fist got him."
The All Terrains looked MUCH better than the GSA's, and, although I had never been off road while the GSA'a were on Thlema Jane, I'm sure the All Terrains were a much better tire for that purpose. After all, GSA stands for Get Stuck Anywhere.
I got so seriously into wheelin' that I needed mud tires instead of AT's. I had 6K miles on the AT's when I went back to the same tire store and once again got a killer trade-in. Don't remember the details on that trade, but it was similar to the great deal on the AT's.
Such great trade-ins may not be something that can be found just anywhere. I have had folks tell me that they could get nothing like the deals I have been fortunate enough to get.
Also, Jeff, the factory wheels have about 5.5" of backspacing, and this keeps the tires tucked inside the flares when the spring is fully compressed during flexing.
However, with this much backspacing, the inside side walls of the tires are very close to the spring perches in back and the lower control arms up front (when the steering wheel is turned to full lock). Some folks have to put spacers behind their steering stops on the steering knuckles in order to run a 10.50" wide tire on the stock factory wheels. I was one who did not have to do this, but it is not a big deal.
Thanks for all the info. I am not that familiar with suspensions, so at the tire store what should I ask them to do? Install spacers to keep the tires from rubbing? Will the 10.5" tires with spaces stick out significantly beyond the fender flares?
I pick up my baby in 2 hours. A bright Silver Unlimited.
After talking the dealer down a total of $30 a month off thier original number to me (I think I did pretty good) we settled on a payment i liked (not to sure if they did). The sales here in western NY have been bad So I was Firm in what i was going to pay and didn't give him much of a choice if he wanted to sell to me. If it were April or May I'm sure they would have told me to go pound salt.
That's all behind me now and i pick 'er up in 1:57 .
Just have them mount the tires, and then turn your steering wheel all the way to the right and all the way to the left, checking to see if the rubber is contacting anything.
If I were at home now, I would take a pic for you to show you the steering stop.
The tire people would most likely know what to check for and what to do in case of a rub. There's a very good chance that you will not need to install the spacers on your steering stops, but if you do, it is a very easy job.
Why not go out and take a look now, before getting the new tires? Turn the steering wheel all the way either left or right, and then get out and take a look under the Jeep to see what is stopping the tire from turning any further. Take notice of how close the inside of the tire comes to hitting anything. You will then see how much room you have for a wider tire. If you already have the 30" tire package, you have 30 x 9.50" tires, so you would need to have room for an extra half inch of tire on the inside (the "other" extra half inch of tire will be on the outside).
Just my opinion, but I might wait a while before putting on the lift kit. I know that some dealers will use that as an excuse not to do any warranty work. I'd want my problems sorted out first, before I gave them any excuse to say "sorry, but it's your nickel." Maybe Aussie dealers are better than US about such things?
Good Day All, I've been looking in on this forum for about a month now and am very impressed by how much knowledge there is here, and how well folks seem to get along. That's a refreshing change from some of the forums I've seen!
I'm looking for some input/answers and am hoping that some of you here might be able to give me just that. I have recently started a small business as a nature photographer up here in Canada (S. Ontario). I'm looking at buying an Unlimited to get me up some of those really nasty backroads and frequently up gravel and/or snowy/drifted roads in my area. My Honda Civic just isn't made for this type of work, although it does tolerate it to some extent (talk about a mess inside the vehicle though!). However, lately there have been a number of roads I wanted to explore and areas I've wanted to check out, but due to some snow cover and hills, I've just not trusted the Honda to get me in or out. Thus, my desire to go the Jeep route (apart from the "just-plain-fun" aspect !). With all that in mind, there is a vehicle at Howe & Reeves (Fergus) that might meet my needs and I'd like your opinion on it.
It's an Unlimited, 2004, new (about 500 km on it). It has the dual top, and is an automatic, plus has most of the options I would want (fog lamps, tow hooks, etc). It also has some items I don't really want such as the larger stereo. Now, since I'm not planning on any serious offroad stuff, I figured the automatic would be an ok way to go (I've driven stick for a lot of years and am getting a bit tired of it in my "old age" LOL). So, the questions:
1) will the automatic still give me enough engine braking in very snowy conditions?
2) Will the automatic tranny permit me to go up really rough logging roads or does one need the extra low-end torque of the standard?
3) One VERY important question is, with the rear seat removed, can I sleep in the back (I'm not talking 4 star comfort here, but at 5'10", can I stretch out to almost full length)?
4) Almost all the miles I put on my cars are highway (I commute about 80 km a day total normally). Would I see a significant difference in gas mileage with a standard over an automatic?
5) Are there any serious bugs/maintenance issues I should be aware of in the 2004 Unlimited series?
Lastly, 6) Does anyone know Howe & Reeves in Fergus, and do they recommend them? I understand they've been in business quite a long time, and up until recently, only sold Jeep vehicles (they are branching out a bit now into other Chrysler products). That *should* make them more knowledgeable than most, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has dealt with them. I have to admit, I very much like their style when it comes to no-pressure sales and trust (I read "honesty" into that equation as well).
This will be a large outlay of cash (well, loan really), so if there are issues ahead of time that I need to know about, now would be a good time to find out before I have to declare bankruptcy <-- hey, I've been watching how "rabid" folks are about their jeeps, and I suspect I'd be no different ).
Any/all advice would be most appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Glenn (<-- note 2 'n's in the name, unlike the "other" 'Glen' thats here ).
Glad you have broken the ice and posted. Although you have been around for a while, let me welcome you to the family.
Sounds like you and a Jeep are a good match! You cannot possibly imagine how much fun a Jeep is.
Now even a Jeep has it's limits, so take the proper emergency stuff with you, if you go out alone.
A good set of true mud tires is a definite must for the use you have described. Some tire stores give killer trade-in allowances on those GSA's that come on new Jeeps. See my post above about the deal I got.
Also, I would plan on a winch for sure, given that you will be out in the woods without another rig in your company to pull you out (from the sound of your post).
As a corretion to my original post when all was said and done with the finance guy i got My Unlimited for $35 a MONTH lower than the original price they came at me with. Go me lol.
Without Further Ado Here's Beula Ballbreaker lol!!!
The silver looks great i got my mudflaps today when i picked it up I just need to install them (genuine jeep spash guards!). About the only thing i can think of off the bat that i need to get is a wind deflector for the hood (keep the bugs outta my face).
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT. Like i told the dealer today when I picked it up I was so excited just to sit in it. When i bought my Eclipse i was nervous as "a Whore in Church" because I wasn't sure i was doning the right thing. This was nothing like that, This was EXACTLY how it should be.
If you are looking for a Wrangler my advice to you DON'T WAIT. Sales are Very Sluggish and they will deal with you. I got $35 a month out of them, just stand firm and see where it can take ya. Make an offer give the salesman a deposit to take up to the sales desk with him and once they see cash (check or whatever) they don't want to let it go so they'll work with ya.
Love that silver and black!!! It looks like mine but longer. Congratulations, you are going to love it. Need to beef up the bumpers...just for the look.
Glen
PS: It's clear you do not live in So Cal, unless to live near mtngal
Thanks to all! Man, you folks are persuasive. This is a pretty sweet deal, I have to admit. It's an Unlimited that's been on the lot since almost this time last year (it's an '04 model). They are offering zero interest for 60 months, and have knocked 2/3rds off the markup. The warranty is 7/115K (km). As one of you mentioned, this vehicle and I are a good match. The ONLY bugaboo at the moment is I'm just finishing off building my photography equipment, and THAT is expensive (one camera is worth what they are giving me for a trade-in on my current car!). That comes in this month, so there's not a lot left over at the end of the month if I get the Jeep. HOWEVER, some deals are too good to pass up. I'll keep you posted, but me-thinks by the end of the week, I'll be like the other fellow here (Victorious!...), with a new Unlimited sitting in my garage .
Many thanks to all who took the time to help me out. One last question (and no, I'm not buying this jeep to SAVE gas ), but what realistically can I expect from highway mileage on the Unlimited AFTER the run-in period?
Hey Man, CONGRATS from one (hopefully-soon-to-be-in-the-same-boat) "newbie" to another! Yours is gorgeous! I'm listening to what you are saying about "now being a good time" and it certainly is having an influence. Enjoy your machine, and let me know how you do in the snow .
Well, while they are new is the time to do it, if you want a good trade-in allowance. Hopefully, you can find a tire store that will give you at least something close to the deal I got.
I recommend the BFG All Terrains very highly, if you are going to be only an occasional off roader. They are some very nice looking tires, especially on a Jeep. Mine showed no measurable wear in the 6K miles that they were on Thelma Jane. It looked like those puppies were gonna last me a LONG time.
I would have been happy with them, if it weren't for all the mud I encounter off roading.
Glenn - We have an auto Unlimited and a 5 speed Sport ('98). GiGi (the Unlimited) normally gets 17 or 18 something mpg for gas mileage - probably 98% highway with significant elevation loss and gain (live at almost 6,000 feet elevation and work at sea level). I have occasionally gotten 19 something when the trip is all downhill. And I've gotten 16 something when traffic is bad and it takes me an extra half hour or more to get home. I get a pretty consistent 20 mpg in the 5 speed Sport under the same conditions, so the 2-3 mpg difference is pretty accurate (though I think 2 would be the norm - the Unlimited is bigger/heavier than the Sport).
Beula is one good-looking vehicle! Silver is a very sharp color in the Unlimited - probably the second favorite color out here. There was a really good looking rig at Camp Jeep - a silver Sport towing a small silver and black trailer (filled with all kinds of neat camping equipment).
I have the BFG AT tires on the Sport and will probably go with them on the Unlimited when I have to replace the tires. The Goodyears are wearing very well - I don't get the cupping I get on the Sport.
Tom - thanks for all your help on the tires. I can't go out and look since I don't own the jeep yet (and I stress yet). But now I know what will be the first change I make once I get it.
Congratulations to you guys who brought home new jeeps!
Many thanks for the info here . Actually, that was sounding not too great, but I when I convert that to Canadian figures, it's better than I expected. I have lots to think about this week now (and the weather is definitely "helping" me make the decision LOL).
Are there any issues i should be aware of if i get the BFG TA's? Will it effect my speedometer? Is there anything else i need to do if i decide to roll with those?
Tom is 1000% correct. If you plan on romping up mountain roads alone and getting into snow/ice alone, you should SERIOUSLY consider a winch. Probably THE most reliable manufacturer is a Warn. There are others out there, but if you want the knowledge that you can save your own bacon, that is who to go with. You may even want to consider a multi mount kind of setup.
This multi mount mounts to receivers in your bumpers (you'd need aftermarket bumpers and/or hitches) so you could winch yourself out backwards if you needed to.
www.winchdepot.com has good prices on winches, as does www.e-winches.com.
Mud tires would also be a good way to go. IF you think you'll get in some interesting places, you may want to consider the Rubi Unlimited. Front/rear lockers and 31" tires are standard. Those could really be a help to you if you are going solo... you'll pay more up front, but to add that kind of capability (just in the switchable lockers) you're looking at some $$.
Here's my Jeep with the BFG AT's in case anybody wanted to see. gman said something about new bumpers... take a peek.
gphoto, you can get places like this, and I'm running a stock height!
or this..
You can see my tires are kinda stuffed with mud. The All Terrains are a decent tire, but when you start getting into mud, they don't self-clean like you would like them to. This can make getting out of a pickle tough. In the above pic where I'm really off camber, I got stuck about 25 yards beyond that... on a TREE ROOT! My tires were too smooth with mud to grip it and get me over. Tom winched me out (He had the winch and I had the tow hooks). See how important winches and recovery points are?
The MTR's on a Rubi or the BFG Mud Terrains would probably be a better choice for your area. In California, when I got these tires, most of the terrain is rather dry except for a few months (this time of year, right mtngal? ).
no the aussie dealers are no better with lift kits or bigger tyres.there will be no work or even any driving for a while,the motor has spun a big end and the whole bottom is stuffed.i have been told a new short motor has been put on order,it will take 4 weeks to get here and a week to get the car back on the road.the car had only done 1750 kms,not sure if i want it back
I bought a Red 1995 Jeep Wrangler S Sport Utility 2D and a Black 1989 Jeep Wrangler Sport Utility 2D both 4X4 and with 4-Cyl. 2.5 Liter, you know, His & Her's Jeeps.
When I drive her Red '95 I can put it into 4 wheel drive and it drives as smooth as silk, but when I put my Black '89 into 4X4 it drives like I have an anchor dragging behind. I have to give it gas to get it going and when I let off it comes to a stop very quickly. I dont hear any noises or feel any grinding in the gears, it just goes slow, any ideas?
Also, I want to put in new A/C units in both of them, who should I order from or go to for something like that?
Going to 31" tires actually made my speedometer more accurate. I had 30" tires from the factory, and Thelma Jane was showing a little faster speed than I was actually going.
I checked the odometer on Interstates, where they have the mile markers, and the odometer reading was increasing faster than the mile markers were being reached. Whatever percentage error you have on the odometer is the same that you will have on the speed.
Once the 31's were on, I found that the odometer was not quite keeping up with the mile markers, but the reading was closer to being correct than it was before the tire switch.
Hey, maybe you already know this, but you should not be driving around in four wheel drive on dry pavement, since Wranglers do not have a full time four wheel drive system.
I think a vehicle SHOULD feel different when it is in four wheel drive. They DO stop rolling sooner when they are in four wheel drive than they do when they are in two wheel drive.
This makes me wonder if your wife's Jeep is really going into four wheel drive??? Maybe the vacuum line has come loose or something, and maybe it is not really going into four wheel drive at all.
We live in South Florida so its Beaches, Everglades, mudding, and quicksand, take your pick. We have a lot of what we call "sugar sand" and "black sand" which feels almost like a silicon based rock, and if your not in 4X4 you do not get out of it. Thats what I tested it on and I could see the front wheels throwing sand on both, so I know they are working, but mine feels VERY sticky almost as if I have my foot on the brake. So something is definitely different or needs grease or replacement as even idling the other Jeep moves in 4X4 but mine wont.
Thanks Eric, Tom I hear what you are saying about the extra gear. I spent a lot of years flogging bush aircraft around the northern parts of Canada, a lot of the time alone . Good advice!
For the most part, at least to begin with, I'll be in fairly tame conditions. Mostly just backroads that are definite roads, but may be soft or snow-covered, depending on the season. I'm quite a long way from any mountains, so that's not an issue for me. If I start going to more advanced stuff, then I'll definitely team up with a group before hand so I'm not travelling by myself (and I'll be with folks who have a decent amount of experience - as a rookie I could get myself into all kinds of problems ).
Those are terrific shots of a really, really nice looking Jeep, Eric! Thanks for those (talk about inspiration!). My first choice of colour has always been yellow, with red a close second, but after seeing your machine I may ammend that . Great shots.
Comments
However, when you fit the cooler, why not fit a deep transmission pan (about $50) which also has the advantage of a drain plug, and an external filter (about $30) which uses the same spin-on filter as the engine. Easy fluid changes and added protection. Check post mac24, "Jeep Wrangler" #14775, 18 Oct 2004 11:18 am for more details and pictures.
With regard to the injection service, I'll just echo div2's comments.
Dealer is likely quoting for two hours labor @ $75 an hour plus the retail price on the motor. Sounds about right.
Anyway, I believe in dealership service departments doing some things, but for a wiper motor I would buy the Autozone rebuilt motor that Mac mentioned and have some independent mechanic install it. It would have to be MUCH cheaper that way.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Well, Chrysler could not figure out why the transmission would not work, so they replaced it with a new one. I have 25,000 miles on her now and I have been trouble free. So, unless you got what Americans call a lemon, things should work themselves out.
I love my Jeep and can’t wait until the ground dries up so I can hit the local hills.
Good luck
Glen
Today I thought about opening up the sunroof on our way home - the day was clear but it didn't quite get warm enough. Glen - while the dirt roads in the Antelope Valley are still wet and a mess, there are poppies starting to bloom along the road. Joshua trees are starting to bloom out in the Mojave. If it doesn't get too cold again, we could be in for a great spring and wonderful Jeep weather!
I am 99% of purshasing a 2005 jeep wrangler trying to order one in electric lime green manual 6 speed renedage. I live in Melbourne, Australia and was wondering bout your jeep is it OK and is there any more problems with jeep???
Also have u got soft top or hard to top man???
send me an email to sanjaystuart@hotmail.com if u want to help us out mate cause I'm want to talk to more people bout the 2005 wrangler...
cheers mate<>.
Also, it is unwise to post your email address in a public message - it invites spam. It is better to make your email address visible in your user profile and anyone interested in contacting you knows where to look.
tidester, host
Also, I read in other posts the largest tire that will fit on the stock 15x8 wheel is a 31x10.5 - is this correct and are there any other modifications necessary to keep the larger tire from rubbing? How much could/should I expect on trading in the stock GSAs on an upraded set of tires at a tire store?
I drive mainly on the road, but I would like some tires that have a good agressive look. Off road driving will be mainly at the beach with the family - nothing serious. What have others had good experience with?
Thanks
Jeff
I posted them on a couple "For Sale" section of jeep message boards, wound up getting $225 for them with 6500 miles on them.
jeff
You can squeeze a 33x12.5x15 on there, but without good quality thick spacers (which can cost as much as a set of wheels), you'll have virtually no steering lock. 31x10.5x15 is the sensible way to go.
You should be able to negotiate a reasonable price for your tires if they have delivery mileage only (not 6k+!). Tom can tell you more about this and will probably post later.
Here's a copy of my post telling about the deal I got on trade-in on my GSA's. This was posted on 6/27/01.
"Hey everyone! Took Thelma today to have some 31 inch tires put on her. I got the 31 x 10.5 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's, like old Tonkadave did.
I couldn't believe the deal they gave me, and I jumped all over it. It was going to be $641 for five new tires, mounted, balanced, and tax included. I was ready to forget it, but I went to the tire store to let them see what they could allow me on Thelma's 30's for trade in.
The spare was new, and they gave me $95 for it. The four that were on Thelma had 10,500+ miles on them, and they gave me $83 apiece on them!
Bottom line, I got five new 31 x 10.50 BF Goodrich All Terrain TA's mounted, balanced, and tax included for $188.63.
I think they will be great tires, but I haven't driven anywhere except from the tire dealer back to work.
I must admit that I thought they would make a little more difference in Thelma's looks than they did. They definitely look better, but it just isn't as dramatic as I though it would be.
I haven't had a chance to scrub them good and put the armor all on them yet, so maybe that will make a big difference.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
P.S. Sasquatch.... yes, you can put 31 x 10.5's on a Wrangler without a lift: I just had it done, and Tonkadave had it done on his Tonkajeep when he fist got him."
The All Terrains looked MUCH better than the GSA's, and, although I had never been off road while the GSA'a were on Thlema Jane, I'm sure the All Terrains were a much better tire for that purpose. After all, GSA stands for Get Stuck Anywhere.
I got so seriously into wheelin' that I needed mud tires instead of AT's. I had 6K miles on the AT's when I went back to the same tire store and once again got a killer trade-in. Don't remember the details on that trade, but it was similar to the great deal on the AT's.
Such great trade-ins may not be something that can be found just anywhere. I have had folks tell me that they could get nothing like the deals I have been fortunate enough to get.
Also, Jeff, the factory wheels have about 5.5" of backspacing, and this keeps the tires tucked inside the flares when the spring is fully compressed during flexing.
However, with this much backspacing, the inside side walls of the tires are very close to the spring perches in back and the lower control arms up front (when the steering wheel is turned to full lock). Some folks have to put spacers behind their steering stops on the steering knuckles in order to run a 10.50" wide tire on the stock factory wheels. I was one who did not have to do this, but it is not a big deal.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I pick up my baby in 2 hours. A bright Silver Unlimited.
After talking the dealer down a total of $30 a month off thier original number to me (I think I did pretty good) we settled on a payment i liked (not to sure if they did). The sales here in western NY have been bad So I was Firm in what i was going to pay and didn't give him much of a choice if he wanted to sell to me. If it were April or May I'm sure they would have told me to go pound salt.
That's all behind me now and i pick 'er up in 1:57
Happy Trails!!!!!
Post some pics first chance you get!
I'm really happy for you, Scott. I know you are gonna love that puppy.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Just have them mount the tires, and then turn your steering wheel all the way to the right and all the way to the left, checking to see if the rubber is contacting anything.
If I were at home now, I would take a pic for you to show you the steering stop.
The tire people would most likely know what to check for and what to do in case of a rub. There's a very good chance that you will not need to install the spacers on your steering stops, but if you do, it is a very easy job.
Why not go out and take a look now, before getting the new tires? Turn the steering wheel all the way either left or right, and then get out and take a look under the Jeep to see what is stopping the tire from turning any further. Take notice of how close the inside of the tire comes to hitting anything. You will then see how much room you have for a wider tire. If you already have the 30" tire package, you have 30 x 9.50" tires, so you would need to have room for an extra half inch of tire on the inside (the "other" extra half inch of tire will be on the outside).
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I've been looking in on this forum for about a month now and am very impressed by how much knowledge there is here, and how well folks seem to get along. That's a refreshing change from some of the forums I've seen!
I'm looking for some input/answers and am hoping that some of you here might be able to give me just that. I have recently started a small business as a nature photographer up here in Canada (S. Ontario). I'm looking at buying an Unlimited to get me up some of those really nasty backroads and frequently up gravel and/or snowy/drifted roads in my area. My Honda Civic just isn't made for this type of work, although it does tolerate it to some extent (talk about a mess inside the vehicle though!). However, lately there have been a number of roads I wanted to explore and areas I've wanted to check out, but due to some snow cover and hills, I've just not trusted the Honda to get me in or out. Thus, my desire to go the Jeep route (apart from the "just-plain-fun" aspect
It's an Unlimited, 2004, new (about 500 km on it). It has the dual top, and is an automatic, plus has most of the options I would want (fog lamps, tow hooks, etc). It also has some items I don't really want such as the larger stereo. Now, since I'm not planning on any serious offroad stuff, I figured the automatic would be an ok way to go (I've driven stick for a lot of years and am getting a bit tired of it in my "old age" LOL). So, the questions:
1) will the automatic still give me enough engine braking in very snowy conditions?
2) Will the automatic tranny permit me to go up really rough logging roads or does one need the extra low-end torque of the standard?
3) One VERY important question is, with the rear seat removed, can I sleep in the back (I'm not talking 4 star comfort here, but at 5'10", can I stretch out to almost full length)?
4) Almost all the miles I put on my cars are highway (I commute about 80 km a day total normally). Would I see a significant difference in gas mileage with a standard over an automatic?
5) Are there any serious bugs/maintenance issues I should be aware of in the 2004 Unlimited series?
Lastly, 6) Does anyone know Howe & Reeves in Fergus, and do they recommend them? I understand they've been in business quite a long time, and up until recently, only sold Jeep vehicles (they are branching out a bit now into other Chrysler products). That *should* make them more knowledgeable than most, but I'd like to hear from anyone who has dealt with them. I have to admit, I very much like their style when it comes to no-pressure sales and trust (I read "honesty" into that equation as well).
This will be a large outlay of cash (well, loan really), so if there are issues ahead of time that I need to know about, now would be a good time to find out before I have to declare bankruptcy
Any/all advice would be most appreciated. Many thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Glenn (<-- note 2 'n's in the name, unlike the "other" 'Glen' thats here
2: Yes....the auto is far superior due to the torque multiplication effect of the torque converter.
3: Yes, if you remove the passenger seat as well.
4: About 2-3 mpg.
5: Not that I can think of.
6: Can't help with that one I'm afraid.
so, like Mac said,, you'd probably need to pull the passenger seat out too.
I wish you lived closer I'd love to see the look on the salesperson after your testdrive when the jeep comes back with 2 seats pulled out.
Sounds like you and a Jeep are a good match! You cannot possibly imagine how much fun a Jeep is.
Now even a Jeep has it's limits, so take the proper emergency stuff with you, if you go out alone.
A good set of true mud tires is a definite must for the use you have described. Some tire stores give killer trade-in allowances on those GSA's that come on new Jeeps. See my post above about the deal I got.
Also, I would plan on a winch for sure, given that you will be out in the woods without another rig in your company to pull you out (from the sound of your post).
Good luck, and be SURE to keep us posted!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Without Further Ado Here's Beula Ballbreaker lol!!!
The silver looks great i got my mudflaps today when i picked it up I just need to install them (genuine jeep spash guards!). About the only thing i can think of off the bat that i need to get is a wind deflector for the hood (keep the bugs outta my face).
I LOVE IT I LOVE IT I LOVE IT. Like i told the dealer today when I picked it up I was so excited just to sit in it. When i bought my Eclipse i was nervous as "a Whore in Church" because I wasn't sure i was doning the right thing. This was nothing like that, This was EXACTLY how it should be.
If you are looking for a Wrangler my advice to you DON'T WAIT. Sales are Very Sluggish and they will deal with you. I got $35 a month out of them, just stand firm and see where it can take ya. Make an offer give the salesman a deposit to take up to the sales desk with him and once they see cash (check or whatever) they don't want to let it go so they'll work with ya.
Hmmmmm I wounder wht i could get for a trade with only 40 miles on them?????
My fiance says "thanks a lot tom!!"
Glen
PS: It's clear you do not live in So Cal, unless to live near mtngal
Many thanks to all who took the time to help me out. One last question (and no, I'm not buying this jeep to SAVE gas ), but what realistically can I expect from highway mileage on the Unlimited AFTER the run-in period?
Thanks again - I'll be back
Glenn
That silver is truly a sharp color.
Yeeeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!
Good luck with that puppy, and post some pics taken in daylight, OK?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Glenn
I recommend the BFG All Terrains very highly, if you are going to be only an occasional off roader. They are some very nice looking tires, especially on a Jeep. Mine showed no measurable wear in the 6K miles that they were on Thelma Jane. It looked like those puppies were gonna last me a LONG time.
I would have been happy with them, if it weren't for all the mud I encounter off roading.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jee today?
Beula is one good-looking vehicle! Silver is a very sharp color in the Unlimited - probably the second favorite color out here. There was a really good looking rig at Camp Jeep - a silver Sport towing a small silver and black trailer (filled with all kinds of neat camping equipment).
I have the BFG AT tires on the Sport and will probably go with them on the Unlimited when I have to replace the tires. The Goodyears are wearing very well - I don't get the cupping I get on the Sport.
Congratulations to you guys who brought home new jeeps!
Jeff
Appreciate the info. Have a good one!
Glenn
Is there anything else i need to do if i decide to roll with those?
Thank again Guys!!!!
This multi mount mounts to receivers in your bumpers (you'd need aftermarket bumpers and/or hitches) so you could winch yourself out backwards if you needed to.
www.winchdepot.com has good prices on winches, as does www.e-winches.com.
Mud tires would also be a good way to go. IF you think you'll get in some interesting places, you may want to consider the Rubi Unlimited. Front/rear lockers and 31" tires are standard. Those could really be a help to you if you are going solo... you'll pay more up front, but to add that kind of capability (just in the switchable lockers) you're looking at some $$.
Here's my Jeep with the BFG AT's in case anybody wanted to see. gman said something about new bumpers... take a peek.
From Camp Jeep (a little dirtier)
On the trail
or this..
You can see my tires are kinda stuffed with mud. The All Terrains are a decent tire, but when you start getting into mud, they don't self-clean like you would like them to. This can make getting out of a pickle tough. In the above pic where I'm really off camber, I got stuck about 25 yards beyond that... on a TREE ROOT! My tires were too smooth with mud to grip it and get me over. Tom winched me out (He had the winch and I had the tow hooks). See how important winches and recovery points are?
The MTR's on a Rubi or the BFG Mud Terrains would probably be a better choice for your area. In California, when I got these tires, most of the terrain is rather dry except for a few months (this time of year, right mtngal?
These were taken by Tsjay!
-Paul
a big end and the whole bottom is stuffed.i have been told a new short motor has been put on order,it will take 4 weeks to get here and a week to get the car back on the road.the car had only done 1750 kms,not sure if i want it back
When I drive her Red '95 I can put it into 4 wheel drive and it drives as smooth as silk, but when I put my Black '89 into 4X4 it drives like I have an anchor dragging behind. I have to give it gas to get it going and when I let off it comes to a stop very quickly. I dont hear any noises or feel any grinding in the gears, it just goes slow, any ideas?
Also, I want to put in new A/C units in both of them, who should I order from or go to for something like that?
Thanks, Red...
Going to 31" tires actually made my speedometer more accurate. I had 30" tires from the factory, and Thelma Jane was showing a little faster speed than I was actually going.
I checked the odometer on Interstates, where they have the mile markers, and the odometer reading was increasing faster than the mile markers were being reached. Whatever percentage error you have on the odometer is the same that you will have on the speed.
Once the 31's were on, I found that the odometer was not quite keeping up with the mile markers, but the reading was closer to being correct than it was before the tire switch.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Hey, maybe you already know this, but you should not be driving around in four wheel drive on dry pavement, since Wranglers do not have a full time four wheel drive system.
I think a vehicle SHOULD feel different when it is in four wheel drive. They DO stop rolling sooner when they are in four wheel drive than they do when they are in two wheel drive.
This makes me wonder if your wife's Jeep is really going into four wheel drive??? Maybe the vacuum line has come loose or something, and maybe it is not really going into four wheel drive at all.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I am so sorry about your bad experience with your Jeep. A new Jeep is supposed to be nothing but pure joy.
Jeeps have very good reliability, and what happened to you is VERY rare. That sure doesn't make you feel any better, I know.
I would insist on a complete new engine, since you have a brand new Jeep!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today? (well, not in your case, huh?)
I hear what you are saying about the extra gear. I spent a lot of years flogging bush aircraft around the northern parts of Canada, a lot of the time alone
For the most part, at least to begin with, I'll be in fairly tame conditions. Mostly just backroads that are definite roads, but may be soft or snow-covered, depending on the season. I'm quite a long way from any mountains, so that's not an issue for me. If I start going to more advanced stuff, then I'll definitely team up with a group before hand so I'm not travelling by myself (and I'll be with folks who have a decent amount of experience - as a rookie I could get myself into all kinds of problems
Those are terrific shots of a really, really nice looking Jeep, Eric! Thanks for those (talk about inspiration!). My first choice of colour has always been yellow, with red a close second, but after seeing your machine I may ammend that
Glenn