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Jeep Wrangler

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  • inajoonginajoong Member Posts: 46
    i live in chicago and am thinking about buying the soft top wrangler.

    i've heard that it sucks in the winter due to the gaps in the top and the fact that it has no insulation.

    is this true?

    also i've heard bad things about it having too much noise...
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    i've heard that it sucks in the winter due to the gaps in the top and the fact that it has no insulation.
    is this true?


    No.

    also i've heard bad things about it having too much noise...

    As this is purely subjective, why not take a test drive so that you can judge for yourself?
  • eagle41eagle41 Member Posts: 54
    Thanks !! I'll do that .

    My name is also Steve
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Then, if theory holds, one day you'll be driving a Subaru (long story among the Daves and Steves here). I did own a CJ-5 for a few years. It held its resale value good too.

    Steve, Host
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Keats. Can I go to Kinkos and have them scan pics and put pics on a disc and send the pics from the disc? Sunburst Keats, its a sunburst. All that tech. writing is turning your brain to mush, Pretty soon you will be dreaming about large 4 door sedans. Thanks for Krylon (sounds like a Star Trek species) info. KB2

    Yep, Kinkos can do that for you. I think they can also just email the pics to your inbox. I never thought about the Krylon thing, though I should have being a recovering Star Trek nerd.

    Now, KB2, the sun is a star, right? I'll answer for, "Yes." So, if the sun is a star then isn't a sunburst also a starburst?

    *elvis voice* Uh, thannk ya, thannk ya verrrry much.
  • eagle41eagle41 Member Posts: 54
    I did own a subaru several years ago !
    I left a post on the real value site as you suggested.
    I also read the Kelly blue book article. It mostly was about the buying process
    using blue book and not dealing with the trade in value they assign.
    Thanks !
    Steve
  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    Check this site. Second gallery down on the left. You might E-mail this guy to find out how he did it.

    http://www.jeepgallery.com/

    Terry
  • sprkplugssprkplugs Member Posts: 3
    I agree completely. No it does not suck in the winter and the noise is subjective. I find myself turning the heat off a lot and I'm in Columbus, Ohio so we see the cold too.
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    It was easy.

    Remove em first.
    Sand them with a fine grit sandpaper (220 or so)
    Paint with Krylon Fusion or a textured bumper paint. Let dry.
    Do 2 or 3 more thin coats to help prevent chipping from rocks.
    Let dry between coats.
    Re attach.

    -Paul
  • sprkplugssprkplugs Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone have advice for repeated misfires in cylinder 3? I have a 2002 Wrangler X 4.0L in line 6 that keeps having trouble. The engine shakes when it's bad, but once I let it cool off it doesn't happen for some time (days to weeks). Advice?
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Yeah, I thought it was a pretty easy process. I might have to tackle that soon.
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Follow the thread that starts here for the answer to a similar problem. You also need to see if there any codes thrown..............Autozone can do this for you for free.

    It's likely to be either a bad plug, injector, coil rail, CPS (either), or the PCM. However, don't go changing stuff at random, check for codes.
  • drewmeisterdrewmeister Member Posts: 168
    Any dealer will start at the Black Book (the Dealer Black Book is probably closest to Kelley's, as Edmunds is usually way too high). They will also start at "fair" rather than any better condition, and go to town on whatever they can take off. I did the car sales thing for a year. Taught me much about how the world really works, and to watch my back! At least they will rip you off fairly consistently...

    Your biggest competition right now is new, because of the discounts and cheap rates it's easier to get into a new one, so private owner might not be the right way to go.

    One good option is CarMax. You can take it there for free and they do an "offer" estimate. Then they print it out for you. You have 7 days to bring it back and take their cash offer, or decline. I did that with my trade when I bought the Jeep. Pretty fair, and I never got the feeling they were trying to "steal" the trade. Even if you don't buy from them, they're always interested in low-mileage stuff.
  • drewmeisterdrewmeister Member Posts: 168
    Nice buy! I wound up with Beryl green. I'm pretty pleased. I was looking for black myself, and was shopping new. I had to have an auto and hard top. When I saw this deal, I had to have it. CarMax also had a yellow one online for a couple thousand more, but seemed to be the same packages otherwise. Coincidentally, it's still listed on their site. Must have hit the "recently-used" market pretty hard when the extra rebates came out. I might have looked harder at buying brand new.

    Transferring the warranty really isn't so bad (or isn't supposed to be). Jeep's customer service number listed on their site can help you. Just tell them your info, and they change you over in their db as the owner for that VIN. I believe this moves the 3/36 bumper-to-bumper for you. Then, you have to go to a dealership and pay $75 to get the 7/70 powertrain. At least that's what they told me from Jeep headquarters. If any of you folks knows more, please correct me...

    Funny story about the rest:
    I went to a dealer locally to pay for it. Waited at the window, smiling. For about 20 minutes. As the ONE person in the ENTIRE dealership who could apparently do this transfer was headed over to the window, talking on her cell phone on a personal call, the desk phone rang. She stopped, turned her back to me, and sat down to take the call, leaving me standing there checkbook literally in hand and mouth open as I had started to say 'hi'. The funny thing was, no one else was in the waiting room, and the sales people were just standing around smoking. Wasn't like they were even busy. One of the other gals said "now don't move, just stay right there". I walked out. Will try another dealer tomorrow. As I see it, that was free profit for no more than filling out a piece of paper. Bizarre. I'm assuming they catted about how rude that guy was when I left. :mad:

    But anyway, I assume any DC dealership can take your check and plug in the numbers...
  • div2div2 Member Posts: 2,580
    I really like the Banks header; it's a very well designed unit. I can't detect any horsepower increase, but then I didn't expect any. I bought mine from Quadratec. The price last November was $399. Another online vendor-can't remember which one-was offering the Banks for the same price+free shipping. Quadratec matched the deal. I've bought a bunch of stuff from Quadratec and I've been very pleased with their product lines and their customer service.
  • mrnaturalmrnatural Member Posts: 21
    I am a recent new owner of a '99 TJ, 4.0 with automatic tranny. I realize the drawback to a slushbox (as we used to call them when I was a kid) is the lack of engine compression on downgrades since the torque converter is designed to lockup in the opposite situation eliminating slippage and reducing heat. I have seen instructions for wiring a switch to the clutch control relay to manually lock the clutch providing the engine back pressure I'm looking for.
    Has anyone on this benevolent list tried this setup and with what result? I would rather replace brakes more often than buy a new tranny but it seems like I find myself going downhill about half the time and engine braking would be an interesting feature. Thanks!
  • eagle41eagle41 Member Posts: 54
    I read the article off the Edmunds main web page under tips and advice entitled" confessions of a car salesman". Pretty enlightening !! I was trying to trade my Jeep unseen through the internet department on an 06 charger rt.The internet manager only asked me the vin # of the jeep. I also gave him the miles and told him to assume excellent condition.From his response I sort of figured he was allowing $15000. for my car.That seemed LOW to me! I was trying to do this deal only with email's and no personal contact till the very end.
    I think that there is a Carmax in Atlanta.( I'm not really familiar with them.)
    That's maybe a 5 hour drive.Considering the mileage I put on the car, I can't see me making the trip.

    Is it better to hold onto this car for another year? Maybe put 7k miles more on it at the max then move on. I still have 35 payments left on it.
    Thanks
    Steve
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    That new Charger looks pretty cool but there's always a price to pay for being first on the block, especially when trading a vehicle that still has payments to be made.

    Make sure you don't end up posting here! :shades:
  • karlw90karlw90 Member Posts: 59
    Hey, I live in Chicago too.. pleeease first off, capitalize the city..at LEAST...

    Anyways.. I see lots of soft tops here in the winter.. they are definately not in the best of shape... I went with the dual tops, it was a pain to take the hard top off (Unlimited), but in the long run I think it will definately make the soft top last longer... plus I will have defrost and rear-windshield wiper in the winter...

    Put it this way, if you have the storage for a hard top and the extra $750 or so, it is a great investment in the Chicagoland area to get the dual top.. or hard top if you don't want to go topless... if you go just soft top, it will definately get you through the winters, but it won't last as long... and have fun scraping the side and rear plastic windows... JUST kidding... don't ever do that...
  • koolbreeze2koolbreeze2 Member Posts: 252
    Keats. Thanks. You must be living across the street from Graceland. (did he drive a Jeep in the Army?) *Oscar Wilde voice* Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.
  • eagle41eagle41 Member Posts: 54
    Just read some of the posts over there. Pretty Nasty !!
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    "Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination."

    I don't who the quote is from, but I'd say it should be the other way around. It requires no imagination to live beyond ones means, anyone can do it! ;)
  • chris_doingchris_doing Member Posts: 9
    I'd have to agree that dual tops would be desirable in the Chicago market but not a necessity.

    Hey Karl if you're looking for help to get that hard top back on come fall drop me a line. You scratch my back I'll scratch yours...

    Chris
  • woodyvwoodyv Member Posts: 3
    New to the Jeep experience and have finally lowered the soft top for the first time. The folded top just sort of lays in a heap in front of the tailgate. Is this the way it is supposed to be or does it get rolled in some way to make a neater package?
    Woody
    '05 Wrangler, Black/Black, Rocky Mtd pkg.
  • mrnaturalmrnatural Member Posts: 21
    Here is the article for a torque converter lockup switch. Specifically geared for Dodge I figure a Jeep transmission can't be far off. Has anyone tried this?
    click here
    Mr Natural needs to know...
  • koolbreeze2koolbreeze2 Member Posts: 252
    Wheelsdown. Thanks . Its interesting. We must have too much time now that we are retired. I got the idea from that same picture. Of course I never thought of emailing the owner of that Jeep. Thanks, John
  • koolbreeze2koolbreeze2 Member Posts: 252
    Thanks. What color is your Jeep? John
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    Here is a pic of Kermit. The higher res version isn't so grainy, but a 2560x1900 TIF file is 14 MB and would take a while to post here. :) heheh

    Image hosted by Photobucket.com

    Heh, the more I look at that pic, the more I realize I need bigger tires... *sigh* it never ends...

    I did my bezels with Duplicolor Black textured bumper paint. I didn't want flat black and I sure didn't want gloss black. The very slight texture is nice. If I repaint them from chips and such, I'll probably swap to Krylon Fusion for Plastics.

    As for the soft top folding in back. You CAN get soft top rolls that will help manage the mess, and even allow you to roll in your side/rear windows as well. I think Quadratec has them. I think Tom has even wheeled with the couple who 'invented' these rolls, but I'm not 100% on that.

    -Paul
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    I meant to reply when you first asked but I guess I must have got distracted. :blush:

    Ok, it's not a new idea, and it seems like a good one at first. However, if you think about how the lockup of the t/c works you'll realize that it only comes into operation under low torque loadings, i.e. only in higher gears, above certain speeds, and lower throttle openings. As soon as the torque loading is increased the t/c is taken out of lockup. This is both to give the engine performance being called for at that time, and to protect the t/c lockup.

    So, can it be done?........yes. Have people done it?.........yes. Will it break (sooner rather than later)?.........count on it!

    If you need further convincing think on this. By the addition of a simple circuit and switch DC could add a great new feature to the Wrangler at virtually zero cost. In fact it wouldn't even need a manual switch as it could be controlled by the transmission computer. I guess it's not there for the same reason they don't fit throttle body spacers and K&N style air filters......... it's not a practical proposition. :(
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    Heh, the more I look at that pic, the more I realize I need bigger tires... *sigh* it never ends...

    However, if you fit a hardtop, full doors, and a winch, those tires will fill the openings quite nicely! :)
  • erickplerickpl Member Posts: 2,735
    but the hard top and full doors would tax my 4 squirrels. :)

    Winch is in the plans, as are 31's. I think with the winch and 31's, the squirrels won't complain too much on the highway (well any more than they do now).

    Tom runs 31's and a 2" lift and does very well when offroading. My configuration will be similar. I just need a MML to be able to ditch my t-case drop.

    -Paul
  • tsjaytsjay Member Posts: 4,591
    Jeep Buds, the Old Tomster and Ross Allen are going to be heading for Tellico this coming Sunday.

    Tellico is a famous wheelin' are in extreme western NC, for those who have not heard of it. The trails are mostly cut into the sides of the mountains, and I think most of them are old logging roads. There are some SERIOUS obstacles, like School Bus and Guard Rail, that I probably will not be able to handle, but it will be fun to see them.

    There's plenty of trail that a stock or near stock Jeep can do at Tellico, so I'll just stick to what it reasonable for me to try. I went to Tellico for this past New Years weekend, and the place was really pretty even in the middle of winter. With the trees being fully leaved now, it should be even prettier scenery.

    Tomster

    Have you hugged your Jeep today?
  • drewmeisterdrewmeister Member Posts: 168
    Hey all,
    My MT for the month just arrived. New spy article on 2007 Wrangler. I know I've read most of this before in different formats, like Mike's Jeep News, and other places, but it looks to be more solid now. (I don't see this article on their website yet, or would have posted a link.)

    Looks like the totally removeable top really is a goner. The v8 might make a reappearance for the first time since the CJ. And, they say that solid axles will probably remain for now. Should be two-door short wheelbase, and a 4-door (!) lwb, both with removeable roof "sections". Again, I know versions of this news have been available for awhile, but this is the first time I've seen it all in one place in print. Not sure what to think of this. Glad I got the 4.0 and removeable top before they're gone. Not that I'm not open to new things, but I wonder what is to happen to the future of the actual "Jeep"-Jeep? Will the totally open air offroading experience be left to the ATV crowd? Even the new Toyota FJ40 due out won't have a convertible option.

    Anyone else seen this? :confuse:
  • wheelsdownwheelsdown Member Posts: 250
    I get a notice about the site security certificate every time I sign on. Is this a known problem? Do you want more details?

    Terry
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yep, it was supposed to have been fixed already but wasn't for some reason. More over in Forums Software! Your Questions Answered....

    Steve, Host
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I get a notice about the site security certificate...

    I've never seen that before but got one myself this morning - with 2 different browsers. Thanks for mentioning it. I've reported the problem.

    tidester, host
  • goducks1goducks1 Member Posts: 432
    After googling around I've found two different folks who have put the $135 exhaust manifold on their Wranglers, the one you can buy on ebay from 1a auto (or off their website). Neither has had a problem with the part. Good enough for me. Still waffling on whether I will install it myself. If I had a lift I would in a heartbeat. I need to put new brake pads on one of these days too, I still have the originals on there somehow at 79K.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    I highly recommend talking with the Wrangler enthusiasts in Jeep Wrangler.

    tidester, host
  • mac24mac24 Member Posts: 3,910
    I highly recommend talking with the Wrangler enthusiasts in Jeep Wrangler.
    tidester, host


    He's here already! 'Bout time for another coffee? :P
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, Tidester likes the physics of infinity feedback loops.

    Hey Eagle41/Steve, if you really are thinking of selling, you may want to make your email address public in your profile. There may be folks lurking down near Gainesville who would shoot you a line (especially since we aren't set up for ads in the forum).

    I bet Tom will talk you into keeping it though. :)

    Steve, Host
  • goducks1goducks1 Member Posts: 432
    Mr. Peabody, I'm confused! Aren't we there already?
    image
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Mac,
    KB2 is an Oscar Wilde fan and that is the only quote of his that I could remember. He was quite a funny character. I just found one I forgot about: "A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal."
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    ROFL! That's the problem with having too many web pages opened at the same time. Chalk it up to having just finished grading finals - feels like I'm on a Mobius strip. :)

    tidester, host
  • keatskeats Member Posts: 412
    Tidester, what do you teach besides summer school?
  • embeedueceembeeduece Member Posts: 260
    Certain rental car companies are allowing renters to select specific makes and models. That presupposes that the rental vendors near you have Wranglers in stock, and that they are offering this service.

    There may be specialty rental places near you -- 4x4 outfits, etc.

    For a cheap alternative, you can alwasy go test drive a few Jeeps. You don't get to go all hogwild, but then again it doesn't cost anything.

    -Mike
  • embeedueceembeeduece Member Posts: 260
    If I read you right, the top is hanging out over the tail gate and just flopping around. That's no good. Ideally, the top should fold quasi-neatly into the area between the rear seat and the tailgate. I forget if I saw the instructions in the manual or on someone's web page.... I will say that the built-in straps don't work real well. Also, if you buy a bag to roll the windows into, and it sits on the folded top, strapping to the roll bars, the weight of said bag will help keep the top in place.

    -Mike

    P.S. There is no greater joy than getting the perfect fold.
  • koolbreeze2koolbreeze2 Member Posts: 252
    Nice picture. I like the black bezels. Thanks, John
  • jeff62301jeff62301 Member Posts: 310
    I may have missed part of this thread,,,but if you have a copy of the video that comes with new jeeps,,, its pretty good at showing how the tops go on, up and down. although the video makes it look really easy,,, but it is not bad after doing it a few times.

    i've got an unlimited,, the tops on LJs is a bit longer than regular TJs ,, but if i'm careful, flop the back pieces up on top and tuck the fabric in as each bow comes down, it lays nicely.

    one problem i had ,, I was folding the drip rails in instead of out and it didn't allow the top to come all the way down to the tailgate.. i've got that figured out now,,,,, when its down I put a strap / velcro around it,, it stops the wind from catching it if I'm on the hwy,, in town its never a problem

    jeff
  • koolbreeze2koolbreeze2 Member Posts: 252
    FYI to folks in the Northeast. A truck show is being held on July 24 at Holley Dodge, 1000 Newfield St. Middletown, Conn. I understand that it is the largest judged truck only show in New England with 17 classes and 55 awards. No truck is denied entry. I am in no way connected to the show (except attendance) or Holley Dodge. Just passing info along. The event includes the Fourth Annual Jeep Reunion. It is from 9am to 3pm. Anyone know what a Jeep Reunion is or been to a Jeep Reunion? Steve, I hope its OK to pass this info on because of the dealership connection to the show. I found the info in The Hardford Courant. Tom, good luck, stay safe and have fun this weekend. John
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