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I would think you'd be hard pressed to find a cold weather dealer selling soft tops only. Then again, if you're a seasoned New Englander, the minute the mercury gets above freezing, you'll be putting the top down anyway and enjoying the weather!
-Mike
Do not use an ice scraper on the plastic windows - they will scratch easily. I didn't notice all that much snow and ice build-up on the windows - far less than I had expected. Most of the time the heater is enough to keep the snow and ice from building up while you are driving. I have about a 15 minute drive on rural 2 lane roads before I hit the interstate, and my windows are normally clear by the time I get there. We've gone all winter with just a soft top and been perfectly happy. I find visibility more limited because of dust/dirt/mud on the back window than ice (the hard top has the advantage there with its wiper blade).
I actually prefer the hard top for a variety of minor reasons, but you do have to have somewhere it store it if you take it off (the Sport's hard top has never been off because of that). The soft top flaps when there's snow on the roof and you are driving about 45 mph, I don't like the bar on the back window - makes it harder to load tall things in the back, like trash cans, etc. and it lets in more wind and traffic noise than a hard top. If you crack the window (my husband smokes) the window will softly flap against the support. It's not really loud, but occasionally annoying.
thanks for the advise!
4 wheel disc brakes: See mac24, "Jeep Wrangler" #17339, 17 May 2005 10:44 pm
Trac-Lok: Helps give you traction in poor surface conditions, virtually invisible to the driver, cheap way to get an LSD.
It's hard to make suggestions without knowing the use you intend to put the Jeep to, both now and in the future.
I know that my salesman told me four and half years ago, when I was ordering Thelma Jane, that orders for "sold" Jeeps took precedence over Jeeps ordered by dealers for their lots.
Peeps, if you want an 05, and if they really are still taking orders, you'd better get that order in NOW. (Wrangler1, sorry if that seems like I am doubting your word, but it's validity of the info you were given that I question, not your word.)
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I have not been able to find anything on the Premium Fender Flares though. If I could order the same "color matched" fenders aftermarket, I'd look into other options for aftermarket (i.e. body side steps, chrome grille, pumped up stereo, etc).
Any suggestions on being able to find these same fenders aftermarket?
if you want factory side steps, watch ebay, many people (me included) when putting on rocker guards will take off the factory steps and sell them for a fraction of what the cost was to buy them on the jeep.
chome accessories,,,
www.quadratec.com or many other online / hardcopy catalogs.
if you just do an internet search for "jeep accessories" I'm sure you will have more choices than you will know what to do with.
I've bought from quadratec and jeepline.com I was very happy with the service from both
jeff
Oh, and for a few who were wondering - you definately can't order an 05 Wrangler anymore. And the Solar Yellow color that jeep.com put on their website, that is for 06s only.
Once I get the Wrangler I'll definately take a few pics and try to put 'em up here.
One question: I recently was browing the internet for hardtop storage accessories, and found a "cart" that held your hardtop in an upright position. Now, I can't find what site it was at! Does anyone here know?
CONGRATULATIONS! Yeeeeeeeeehawwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
Page 30 in the Quadratec Summer 2005 Catalogue for you hardtop dolly. Or, go to quadratec.com.
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
A simple thing like a gas cap not being properly tightened can cause that code.
Cars nowadays have a closed loop system for fuel. Fumes from the gas tank are collected, condensed, and returned to the tank, I do believe. Mac???
A leak in a hose or fitting short circuits the system and causes the check engine light to come on.
I'm sure Mac can correct and/or expand on what I have said.
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
What town do you live in? Email me, if you don't want to say where you live here on the forum. My Email is public in my profile.
By ALL MEANS get 3.73 gearing. I'll have to go back to read your post again, but I THINK you said you are going to get the "tire and wheel package." If that is the "AAS" package that you are talking about, you will LOVE it, and 3.73 gearing is included.
The factory limited slip is called TracLoc. Some people belittle it, since it has clutches that will eventually wear out. If you are not going to install a locker or some after market limited slip, then the TracLoc is much better than an open differential.
Gredden, while your tires are brand new, try to get a good deal on trade-in and buy yourself some good mud tires. Those factory GSA'a are not called Get Stuck Anywhere's for nothing. They are just highway tread, and they are very unsuitable for off roading in our area, where mud is often encountered.
You might as well get the biggest tires that will fit your stock Jeep (no lift), and those would be 31" x 10.50" tires.
Ask around and make your mind up based on your research, but I run BFG Mud Terrains, and they are great mud tires. They DO have weak side walls, but they are great in the mud. I avoid mud when I can, but there's no way to stay out of it all together where I wheel. If you are going into the woods for hunting and fishing, then you will need some good mud tires.
I recommend a winch as one of your first mods, since it sounds like you will be out in the boonies by yourself sometimes on your hunting or fishing trips. A winch can save the day for ya.
Good luck in getting yourself just the right Jeep! Ask any and all questions that come to mind.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Just keep in mind that the salesman telling you to settle for a Jeep with the main compnents, and get the rest aftermarket, while not incorrect, is in the business of selling you a Wrangler. On his lot. Right now. I never get tired of pointing out that my "knowledgeable" Jeep salesman drove a RAV4 which made his advice very circumspect (nothing against RAV4s).
If you're the type who enjoys aftermarket optioning, you're in for a world of fun. Especially with the help of the guys on this board. (Don't get Tom starrted on ties and winches!) But for guys like me, who didn't want to mess with that, I waited and demanded the exact Jeep I wanted.
No idea about the fender flares, so I guess I haven't really helped at all.
Good luck.
-Mike
The Dana 44 is a heavier duty axle than the standard Dana 35, and it will support the combination of larger tires and a locker, in case you ever want to put a full locker in your rear axle. That limited slip will be good enough for you to start with, but if you ever get into serious off roading, you will want a full locker.
Now, you can't order an 05 any more, so I assume you are just going to be looking for a Jeep in someone's inventory that fits the bill? Be careful. Some of those salesmen will tell you anything. Some of them honestly don't know squat about Wranglers. VERIFY that the Jeep has the Dana 44 axle (if that's what you want) or whatever other options you want. Check the option list on the window sticker.
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
http://www.jeepworld.com/accessories/wrangler/dolly.htm
Since I'm probably getting the "H" Package (and very much like you wanting to get just the way I want it), that package gives me some "bling" to get started. I think I'll be looking for the some good looking running boards though, since the factory stuff doesn't really jump out at me... Any suggestions (picture) on some hot looking running boards?
P.S. Thanks for the thoughts... just talking to other folks really helps in making some of these decisions!
I cannot wait for the first day I take out my Unlimited topless... hopefully Chicago weather cooperates with me this summer....
my 04 had the wiring connections in the rear passenger wheel well, her 05 was in the rear drivers wheel well. I took a couple pictures of what the connection looks like if anyone that is doing this for the first time wants to see what to look for, drop me an email (address in my profile ) I can send a pic of what to look for.
I still can't convince her to take her's offroad.
jeff
3 days of clear weather predicted, tops down!!
Also, let's try to set up something on your end at Rockport.
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I was in Burbank today and understand completely. Sometimes it's just too hot to go topless.
-Mike
You will probably need the following:
- door surrounds (depends on full or half doors, etc)
- Soft top hardware and mounting points on your roll cage
- Soft top (DUH!)
Issues you have to deal with include:
- Where will you store your hard top while off. Many have hard top hoists and leave it hanging in their garage.
- Where will you store your soft top while the hard top is on. You don't want both on at the same time.
You can find hardware and software to do this using either factory parts or you can go aftermarket. Bestop makes a top, but I am not sure they sell the hardware to mount it. www.quadratec.com or www.bestop.com are great places to get educated. You can find stuff (factory and aftermarket) from eBay as well.
If you can post some specs about your Jeep (full or half doors - I suspect you have full) and such, that would help. To see what door surrounds are, look at the attached pic. It is my Jeep (soft top only) with the safari top, which is different from a regular soft top. The curved plastic around my driver door is the door surround and is used to attach not only the top, but the rear side windows. If you don't have these on your Jeep, you'll need something that will work with whatever soft top you go with.
-Paul
In the second image, you can see the surrounds with NO top on. They actually attach directly to the sport cage above the doors.
Hope this helps some.
-Paul
You can get heated seats for a Wrangler - aftermarket from Bestop actually.
Sounds like you would need the surrounds with any soft top you purchase. Here is a link to Bestop's Supertop - http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=2 that would have the hardware you need. This is not an OEM replacement - the factory hardware is different. But this solution would let you have a full top to take up/down easily.
If you want factory hardware, here is an example of one on eBay. This setup would let you use the Replace-a-top from Bestop.
-Paul
putting the top on the first time is a little more work than normal, and you will need help lifting the soft top off.
Single / Female show up at a local jeep club meeting and say you need some help swapping on a soft top, you will have all the help you need.
Heck, most jeepers would even offer to help a old, bald guy with a beer belly
jeff
not quite old yet, far from bald, and my beer belly is still under control
If it isn't attached to anything, couldn't you just stitch it back on to the seat. Got pics of it?
-Paul
http://www.ewylie.com/jeep/seatheat.htm
-twylie
Good luck!!!
Hey, ewylie, my OME finally shipped! The next two weekends are booked (going to Missouri, then to the coast for the wife's bday), then I'll actually have a weekend to get it all installed! WOO HOO!
-Paul
Welcome to Edmunds Jeep Wrangler, and CONGRATS on that brand new Jeep!
You only THINK you know how much fun it will be, if you have never owned a Jeep before. It is going to be 100 times more fun than you could possibly imagine.
Really happy for ya, Blue. Be sure and post your first impressions after you pick that puppy up. Do you think you will ever off road with it?
Hey, if you really wanted your user name to be "blue_jeep_wra" instead of "blue_jepp_wra," one of our hosts, Steve or Tidester, can fix it for ya.
Stick around and become one of the gang here. Glad you posted.
Tomster
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Heh, we can float the request and it goes through channels and if the spokes are aligned right and the CEL isn't on, sometimes the member name can be changed. It's a big hassle trying to fight the database though, so it's rarely done.
Besides, Blu_jepp_wra is unique!
Steve, Host
Dan