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Comments
Thanks in advance!!!!...Lew
How are the Trxus MT's on the street? I hear they are a little quieter than most MT's?? BTW, just did a search of the forum to find out what the backspacing was on the canyons and turned up this quote from one of your posts last year:
"I'm running 30x9.5 BFG AT's right now. With my Dana 35/30 combination, I won't be going any bigger than 32x11.5"
Funny how our finish line for these damn things keeps moving. I remember thinking "I'll just buy the Rubicon so I don't have to make any mods...".
Anyway, your Jeep looks great; the new tires make it look like its feet finally grew into its body :P
If you get a chance post a pic from the side so we can see those wheelwells filled up!
Paul has quite a few pics over in his CarSpace album.
I still think it's cool to see the transformation that "little" jeep has gone through.
Looks great Paul. Would love to see a pic next to Thelma Jane now.
Rich
First, you'll do no damage to your Jeep using synthetic. At the far end of it's life you may see a little less wear. This may be important to you if you intend to keep it for over 200k miles. You may see a small improvement in fuel consumption. You may run a little cooler. If you already have a high mileage you may get a few oil leaks as hardened oil seals are softened. You can extend your engine oil change intervals, though the amount of particulates circulating won't be reduced. If you tow the DC recommends you use synthetic or semi synthetic in the axles.
Finally, I use non-synthetic in the engine and transmission, and synthetic or semi-synthetic in the axles, brakes, and power steering. You may decide differently and I wouldn't argue with you.
Initially, i wasn't going to go with a BL/MML and 33's, but after a wheeling trip in October, my wife said the Jeep needed to be bigger and needed better traction. She mistook a wheel not spinning in the dirt as no power, but it was a case when lockers would have helped. So, I went with an ARB air locker in the back and a Lockright autolocker in the front. I don't get stuck like I used to - just more damage to get. hehehe
You can check my carspace account for pictures, but if you have any specifically you want, let me know and I'll try to get em.
As far as being next to Thelma Jane, mine is taller now. Tom's lift is a 2" Procomp lift and he's on 31's. My total lift is about 4.5 (3.25" suspension and 1.25" body) and I'm on 33's. However, Tom is still the much better driver and goes places I'm still too timid to try!
It is probably more about the driver and skill level than it is with the capabilities of the equipment.
-Paul
By the way Mtngal...i bet your enjoying that little Fit eh?
Lew
Having a Fit has helped me get over saying goodbye to the old Sport. It seems to be a car you either "get" or not, kind-of like the Wrangler (and I sure "get" it!). I'm still having a problem believing that I own a Honda car (don't know why I should have trouble with that - I used to own a Honda motorcycle).
I hesitated to answer the question "how is the Wrangler" as a daily driver, because I wasn't coming from a sports car, and people have different tolerances for what is acceptable. That said, we've used both the '98 Sport and the '04 Unlimited as our daily drivers at various times. The Sport wasn't as good of a day-in, day-out, long distance commuter type of car since it is more skittish and rough riding than the longer Unlimited.
I would hear more engine and road noise in the hard top Sport than in the soft top Unlimited, though you can hear more traffic noise with the softtop Unlimited. If sound is an issue to you, then go for the hardtop Unlimited.
The Sport was definitely more fun to drive, it's just harder to relax. The Unlimited was fine as a daily driver for us, and if it weren't for the gas and the need for a car my elderly Mom could get into, we'd still be driving it. But Wranglers aren't for everyone, and especially for someone who likes speed (those things that make Wranglers so outstanding off-road work are liabilities at high speed).
Vintage Jeep Vehicles To Appear in Medal of Honor Airborne (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
If any unlimited owners like that color and need a softop, let me know on here and I can direct you. I think they have another.
jts
Big photo
More in The Eye of the Beholder story. I suppose it's really crash foam, but it sure looks frosty to me.
Steve, Host
Speaking of soft tops. I just used some 303 cleaner to get stains off mine, and then used Lexol's Vinylex protectant on it. The top looks like it just came out of the box now. The Vinylex is awesome. It also works great on faded plastic.
If you are thinking about buying a Jeep GO DUAL TOP! I only have a hard top and it is driving me nuts. I feel like I am missing part of the whole experience.
Go easy
LOL......you're obviously not bidding high enough! :P
Oh yes. And the good part too
Been running no doors, bikini top only for the past week straight.
I went doorless and topless today and plan on the same tomorrow. Love it! :shades:
-Dan
How is the wind noise at speeds of about 65 mph?
Would I probably lose 1 mpg at that speed?
I think the Wilderness rack is the best looking, best integrated Safari rack on the market, except for having to drill above and below the tail lights. I like to take the Wrangler out with the family more often, I really need the cargo space. Other racks like Cargo Master or Olympics I think do not require drilling into the tub, but look like an after thought installation.
Terry
I don't see the auction still listed, so the other one may be gone. Even with shipping (for me, ~$200) it was still a better deal than buying over the counter. It should be here Thursday, so I'm quite excited. I still have the top on this year since we've been getting a couple thunderstorms a week. The bikini just doesn't keep the interior dry at all in a downpour. July and August around here you can pretty much go no top at all.
Look into the basic rope winch. You don't need to pay for a powered winch unless you really want to. (I have the cheapo triple-pulley and buckle job.) It lifts the top right off, then I lower it to the ground for storage.
Anyone have an Unlimited with half top? I would love to see some more pics of that. I think I might go this route with my Jeep.
Thanks
I've seen a few installed Garvins, and they're quality racks, but will be noisier than a KargoMaster because a KM doesn't have to have a basket up there. It also isn't quite as sturdy. With the Garvin and Olympic (and most others), the front mounts only attach to the sides of the windshield frame hinges. The KM attaches to both the sides and the front of the hinges, which makes it much more stable and considerably less damaging to your windshield frame nutserts. The KM rear mounts require drilling one 5/16 hole above each taillight, while the Olympic required 2 holes above each. It also utilizes the existing taillight mounting holes as well, and the KM brackets are gusseted on one side for strength.
In addition, I substituted stainless hardware, including 8-5/16x4 eye-bolts w/nylocks in the upright and "streamer" bars. This makes the hardware rust-free and provides additonal tiedown points.
Wind-noise is hardly noticeable with Thule crossbars on it, compared to going rackless, and seems better than what the Olympic used to sound like. I haven't got a wind-deflector for the Thule yet either.
For even more cargo space, put a sturdy 2" receiver on the back (350-500lb tongue rating), get an aluminum 20x60 HitchHaul, a Husky 20x60 aluminum truckchest (@ Home Depot), and a locking hitchpin. Bolt the chest to the HitchHaul with nylock nuts and you now have lockable storage that can be installed/removed in a matter of seconds. HitchHaul also makes a 24x60 carrier, and there are many sizes of chests on the market, but you might want to beef your rear suspension/axle for more weight. See Airlift in-coil airbags for that stuff.
I never used my hardtop, so I sold it. The softop is fine, as long as you have full hard doors, down past -10F. Just don't fold/roll/scrape the soft windows or take it through a carwash.
Got one of those Lange quick-disconnect mirrors yesterday and attached it to the driver's side windshield post. Tired of being paranoid around cops when running soft- or no-doors in the summer.
http://www.floridajeepers.net/viewtopic.php?t=24896
I have read sketchy things about the Gator Top place and customer service on other forums. For the price of that top, I can find the Mopar half cab (close enough $715). Problem is I would have to buy the door surrounds and tailgate bar. That's another $185 or so.
Any Floridians (or South easterners) w/ an Unlimited looking to unload a soft top?
Thanks
I hate the thought of going to the local dealer, but might not have any choice.
Here is a picture of the rear so you can see what I mean...
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And another one....
Help in Northern Virginia!!!!
Thanks - Chuck
Secondly, the bar should be part of the soft top setup, so if the dealer provided the soft top, they should provide that bar. I'd try them first.
Otherwise, you can probably find one on eBay easily enough since you already have the brackets for that back window installed. I would only try this route if dealing politely with the dealer does not work.
You might also try Bestop. They sell OEM style replacement parts and should be able to help you at least with the color matching. Does your top say Bestop anywhere on it (usually by the header by the front door).
The only issue I see with it being used is that the dealer may not be too willing to add stuff that they have to pay for (though most likely they pilfered parts off this one for another Jeep on their lot - it does happen). However, since the dealer provided the soft top stuff (windows), they should realize that the bracket is essential for using said back window.
If you need to buy them
http://www.jeepsareus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=JAU&Prod- uct_Code=TJrod&Category_Code=Wrangler6
Good luck!
-Paul
First, as I best can tell, this is a factory soft top that came with the dual top on this particular jeep.
I did call the dealer that I bought it from (a Chrysler dealer) and they told me that I need to take it to the Jeep dealer and have them let the selling dealer know what they need to order to complete the top. They did advise that they would buy it and I would have to return to them the 'replacement' windows that they ordered for me.
The Jeep dealer said that they can order the same color for both the side and rear windows and the bar at the bottom. I was 'stunned' at the prices. They quoted me $238 for EACH side window, $198 for the rear window, and $129 for the bar! What a RIP OFF! :mad:
If they renege on the original purchase of the OEM, I will look to aftermarket tops.
Thanks for all the information! - Chuck
Also about ease of removal of hardtops, softops etc. I prefer the push botton power top of my mustang, and its excellent wind defection of its windshield. My wrangler's seat belts would sing in the windstream with the top down. I will keep its hardtop on permanently, anybody needs a dual top?
heres a half top for an unlimited on EBAY, looks good!!
jeff
I tried to post a link, it wrapped around and didn't work, so edited my post to the item #, sorry its not just an easy click.
Tiny URL
what did you do to create "tiny url" ?
jts
guess I'm not supposed to post without something Jeep related, got a bestop bikini top for christmas, put it on a week ago, really nice. its a "sunlighter" its transparent, lets some light through, I like it more than I think i would have liked one that blocked all the light. I may be pealing it off for the weekend, its so nice out right now, I don't think I need any top.
Steve, Host
Thanks!
Mike
Mirror Glaze Plastic Cleaner and
Mirror Glaze Plastic Polish
As for the top itself, I like Raggtopp Cleaner and Fabric Protectant.
Thanks Chow
As far a hitch, I have an ACME, I bought it at the local farm store. It always seems to take me longer than the directions estimate for installing parts, but it was pretty straight forward and not that difficult. Holding it inplace while putting the bolts in was the hardest part.
on my 04, I got a Hoppy trailer wiring harness, it is a t shaped connection just unplug a connection in the rear fender well and plug end each into the T Connection, it was really easy.
jeff
Terry