I didn't really have an opinion on soft tops one way or the other, this one just happened to come with one. The hard top has some very definite advantages, security being the main one. We found that out today. I always keep an "earthquake kit" in any vehicle I am in, it co$t a few kopecks to put it together. Then there is my dog, I take him most places I go, what with him being my buddy and all. And there are other reason I am glad to have the hard top.
I figured the soft top was kind of a frivolous thing .. a toy, if you will . however. Once we go it on it is very cool. It isn't as noisy as I thought it was going to be, actually I am not so sure which one is noisier. At 70 mph I do believe the soft top is quieter. I got the dog thing figured out, ran it without the windows (this rocks) I wasn't sure I was going to like plastic windows, but they aren't that bad. The fact that they are tinted makes a lot of difference in that "what they can't see won't temp them" although they are a little "milky" when you look through them. As far as keeping the weather off and noise out I think they are every bit as good as the hard top . in short I take it seriously.
I think for summer country driving, they are the only way to go. as for areas where cars are more apt to be broken into they are week in this area. If somebody was to ask me which one they should get I would tell them to get the hard top with the jeep (it is the cheapest way to get one) and if you can't get both make the soft top your very first "modification".
That soft top gives you so much more in the way of options. You can run with the top down, top up and no windows, top up and the windows in, it is a real "summer tool".
One more thing .... the one I have is a 4 ply top. the earlier (don't know how early) ones have a 2 ply top. This, I beleive, makes a BIG difference.
We had a trying time getting the soft top on. It was stiff for one thing. The video instructions sucked, the camera was focused more on smiling boy than the damn top. We have our own TV show I know about this stuff. The side windows were the worst for us, those clippie thingies didn't want to go where I wanted them to I won.
Mr. Smiles didn't say anything about undoing the top over the doors BEFORE zipping in the side window. This took a little bit (and a few nautical terms) to get the hang of. Then the Velcro that goes around to 2 bow, T-bone, crossbow what ever (like to get my hands on those engineers that thought this up) was a flaming hemorrhoid. Then there was the double zippers on the rear window. I think flogging AND keel hauling should be brought back just for the swine that designed that.. other than that it wasn't to bad. Took us about a half hour.
Gotcha... yea, the Axel would do it by itself, I'm looking at a Currie cut Dana 60 and it's like $6,000 just for that with 4.10 gears and a locker. I thought you were just talking about a lift. If you're going with a 4" are you going to get a long arm kit? I HIGHLY suggest it. Also if you're going with 4" get 33's they'll fit perfectly. 31's would just be too small. Keep me posted about your build up once you get it started, I'm working on mine and could probably use some ideas! Oh yea, and be patient with the problems... I hope everything gets worked out. Mine's got a transmission pump on backorder right now, so she's runnin a little weird. They're not perfect but you can go more places in them than you can in that honda That's why I still have mine.
It took us about 2 hours the get the soft top on.. the hardest thing for me was the getting the back to snap around the bow..that took some strength.. but TZZ looks great. I really like the dark tint on the windows. Of course I like No Top better.. I do know that I'm not going to put that hard top back on till the winter months.
I'm sure with practice i will be an expert at the soft top..
The first time I put my soft top on I had similar thoughts. I was wondering who the heck designed this thing and what were they drinking/smoking at the time!
Now after several times of putting it up and down, I can take it down in about 2 minutes and put it back up in 5 minutes. Everything does loosen up after a while and you learn a lot of tricks that work well for you. Just remember, it does get easier!!
I agree with you nkelly1, I am not looking to make a jeep fashion statement. Just want colors that blend well together. I am not into the flashy colors like solar yellow, though I think it looks good. Sienna is also nice. That was the only other color I was considering. Oh, by the way, my dog also hates cats (inserting same evil grin :-))
As for the locking differentials, I will probably install a Detroit Truetrac before winter. I go to Vermont frequently and it would sure come in handy.
Here is the jeep description:
2001 Sport D Package (I guess the 2001's are now considered leftovers since you can't order one), 5spd (the only way to go), forest green/camel top and interior. 30" wheel group, tow hooks/fog lights, AC, CD w/subwoofer, lockable trunk, full doors. And the things I don't want......no hard top, no tracloc and no speed control (don't get opportunity to use much anyway here in the northeast).
Now it is just a matter of convincing the salesman to let me have it for the price I want. The dealer knows it is more difficult to sell a jeep in NY without a hardtop. Maybe I can "steal" it from them. Sticker is 22,935. Invoice is somewhere around 20,800 depending on the source.
saharanut: You and tsjay are living proof why I don't want a hard top. I don't care how cold it gets. I had a 91' wrangler once, with dual tops and I promised myself never again. Pain in the butt!!! Period.
Still huggin' my cherokee.......Happy fathers day to all of you dad's out there.
I went to the Busch race at Sparta, Ky, which is near Cincinnati. It took about three and a half hours to get to the track, and about an hour and a half to get parked!
There's are road all around the track, and the parking areas are all accessed from this one main road. There was no one telling anybody anything, and the cars were bumper to bumper three lanes wide. Every time I came to an entrance to a parking area, there were cones across the driveway indicating that that particular area was full.
People were just parking wherever they could! The land surrounding the track is very hilly, and people with four wheel drive vehicles were parking on the slope between the elevated parking area and the main road.
There were a few places where you could turn off the main road and just park in fields, but these places weren't designed for parking, and there were steep slopes and gullies. I parked Thelma in one of these places.
I went ahead and put her in four high, but I might have been able to do what I did in two wheel drive. It felt good to have the four wheel drive engaged just for a little insurance.
The race was great! That is a really nice facility (needs more parking, though), and they had over 70,000 paid attendance. That set a new attendance record for a Busch race anywhere at any time! Bring on Winston Cup!
Thelma rolled over the 10,000 mile mark on our way home. She got 18.7 MPG on the tank of gas that included my drive to the track and the hour and a half of stop and go driving trying to get parked. Wonder what it would have been without that stop and go stuff?
Terry, it sounds like you had an awful time with that soft top! Probably too much trouble, huh?
I guess I could drive down there, and you can just give that darned old soft top to me. Honestly, I wouldn't mind and would be glad to take it off your hands.
Its about time you put your jeep in four wheel drive!!!! LOL Hope you had fun wish I had a nascar track in my area. Hopefully now you will take Thelma off-road more often.....she really whats you too.
OK, edmunds gives me a invoice price of 20,830. The dealer is telling me that advertising fees must also be paid by the buyer. The codes are E03 for $190 and L02 for $210. Which brings the invoice to 21,230.
I have read mixed opinions on this. Some say the dealer should include the fees in the invoice price and some not. What is the advice of some of you seasoned veterans. Should I start negotiating from 20,830 or 21,230? The dealer is trying to get me to pay 21,873, which to me is way too high. that's either 640 or 1040 over invoice. He is certainly smoking something. But hey, that's NY for you.
I bought a 1998 rodeo, new in 98' of course, and didn't pay advertising fees, also got the car $1000 under invoice because of a $1500 rebate from Isuzu.
I forgot something I noticed about the soft top. It is a lot more rugged then I thought it was going to be. I have a lot of out door gear and the material of the soft top looks to be a lot tougher. For what I am going to do it should hold up good. No top is going to hold up under sever off roading.
The one thing I am trying to figure out is how to carry the windows with the jeep (this is one reason I am looking for a trailer). It would really be nice to be able to run with the top down and still be able to flip it up, with the windows, when I need to (in Washington you need to).
Anyone have any ideas, or know of a good "add-on" that would facilitate this?
While I have the hard top off, I want to "modify" it a little. Does anyone know what would be the best way to insulate it?
I'm in Atlanta, so I'm not sure if there's a big difference in our markets, BUT...I've spoken with SEVERAL dealers who were willing to sell me a Sport or Sahara at invoice right off the bat. I mean with absolutley no negotiating. The Sahara I will be purchasing in a few weeks is supposed to be sold to me at $200 UNDER invoice. Now granted, I haven't made a purchase yet, but I think you should be able to get your Sport for very close to invoice. I really think you should be able to get it AT the invoice price now, since the 2002's are almost here! Also, I've always read that it is reasonable for the consumer to pay advertising fees, so I would include those in the invoice price. Have the dealer show you what he paid DC for the vehicle.
Call around in your area, the sales managers will tell you what they're selling Wranglers for. The dealers in the Atlanta area come right out and tell you that they sell Wranglers for invoice to $100 or $2oo above. Just call around. I bet you'll find that they're more up-front about it than you might have thought.
Glad you enjoyed the race! I have been to a few tracks and pretty much wherever you go there is never enough parking.
I believe you are wrong about the record attendance for any Busch race anywhere. I know for sure that Bristol has had in excess of 100K people for the past couple years for each Busch race. That is really good attendance though considering that there is no Winston cup race there this weekend.
Haha, congrats buddy... just a bit more and you'll catch the bug (if you havn't already). I do believe that Jamboree in NC is still open if you still want to sign up for it It should be really pretty and fun, me and alee got our info on it last week and it looks to be enjoyable. Also you may wanna call this number and see if there is a Jeep 101 near you (1-888-TestJeep). This is a test track where you are provided a vehicle to take on a test course (that way you wont have to get Thelma dirty).
HELP! Last night I noticed after a day of heavy rain here in the Northeast that the inside passenger's side of my JEEP floor was SOAKED! I had been out driving during the rain and I had the A/C on (very humid here) but everything seemed FINE when I left my vehicle. There was a little bit of wetness on the front passenger side (from about where your feet would rest trailing along side the door) but the BACK passenger side where your feet would rest was SOAKED! I have a soft top and I haven't spring any leaks as far as I could tell. I've heard that some JEEPS have had problems with a leaky A/C water hose? Is this true? If anyone out there has has this kind of trouble or heard anything like, please let me know. My JEEP is a 2000 Sahara and for a year and a half it has been PERFECT! I've spent my entire morning pulling out the carpet trying to get it to dry! ARGH! The last thing I need is water damage everytime some rain falls or the A/C goes on. Hopefully someone can help me, otherwise it's back to the dealer for their advice. Thanks a lot everybody!
I just roll up my side windows and put them in the rear "trunk" space before I put the top down. That way the top covers them so you can't see them and they won't blow out... some people put them under the back seat. Sure it might scratch it, but I'm not that Anal... I've got a lined Hard top, me and my grandfather did it and it looks VERY NICE. We did a layer of that metal type sound and heat liner and then foam padding and then a black vinyl which we stiched and it looks great! A little tough to do around the windows but well worth... My jeep sounds as quiet as a car with the hard top on now! I'll try to snap some pics sometime this week for ya.
Ad fees are legitimate costs that the dealer has to pay. They appear right on the invoice and are considered part of the "invoice cost" just like the shipping charge and all of the various options.
Edmunds does not include these on their reports, and I suppose that's because the ad fees vary from region to region across the country.
I would say that your dealer's true invoice cost is the $21,230.00 figure. Your ad fees total $400, which is probably the correct amount for NY.
Thelma also had two different ad fees on her invoice (E30 and M30), and the total was $285.00.
You are correct in saying that your dealer's offer is high. Wranglers are going at invoice! Almost no one in this group has paid more than $200 over invoice!
Your offer should be to pay the guy his invoice cost of $21,230.00 plus taxes, license, etc. Keep driving home the point that the 02's will be out soon, and that if you are going to pay much over invoice for a Jeep, you might as well wait for a 2002 model. He will probably counter with a reminder about the incentive financing available now on the 01's. (That 4.9% isn't as attractive as it was a few weeks ago, since the normal rates have dropped. I think I got 6.49% on my son's Grand Am about a month ago.)
Now, tell the guy to "get real" and buy that Jeep!
If he won't deal, walk out on him and find another dealer. I gaurantee you that you will find one for no more than $200 over invoice somewhere.
Woo hooo 1st day Topless...What a Great fathers day Washed TAZZ up..I couldnt stand it..Beautiful day here today..that top had to come down. Went to put flowers on my dad grave,,,and just had a time riding around town with a CLEAN jeep crusing along your right Tsjay..thats the most fun with clothes on... Glad you mad it back safe.. & "Happy fathers Day" "POPS" SaharaGal..Atalanta traffic wasnt fun driving in with a new jeep..I was terrified..
Thanks everyone. nkelly1, I have also visited that website on differentials. Good info. As for the financing, DC is offering 1.9 % over 36 months. Can't beat that. I'm now better prepared for battle.
I stand corrected. I was repeating what they said on the radio as I was driving home after the race, but maybe I misunderstood what they said.
Here's a possibility... Maybe they said it was the highest attendance for a Busch race when there wasn't also a Winston Cup race at the same track on the same weekend????
Crap, I don't know. Maybe they just didn't know what they were talking about.
At any rate, the race was a sellout, plus they sold SRO tickets or temporary seating tickets. The paid attendance was greater than the official seating capacity.
This can only bode well for their chances of getting a Winston Cup race! I wonder if the fact that Owensboro, Ky., has produced the Waltrips, the Greens, and Jeremy Mayfield might be a factor in getting a Winston Cup race in Ky?
By the way, you DO have a Nascar track in your area. You live in Chicago, right?
There's a brand new track in Joliet that will host a Busch race on Saturday, July14, and a Winston Cup race on Sunday, July 15.
You ought to try to make it to one or both. I gaurantee you'll love it, if you've never been to one. They may be sold out, but you can always get scalper tickets near the track.
You have time to put an add in the paper and ask if someone wants to sell you a ticket.
Check the internet, maybe they still have some tickets! It's called "The Chicagoland Speedway."
Yeah I guess Dover and Pocono aren't too far, about 2 hours. I like to go to the local dragstrips for fun. Its fun to see a variety of cars going at it down a quarter mile, plus some of my friends run and I help them work on their cars. I only wished I lived in Joliet where there's, I believe, Route 66 dragstrip where many car events happen every year. Oh well guess I'll have to stay in boring NJ.
Well after the remains of Tropical Storm Allison rolled through the area last night. I now have the dreaded soaked passenger footwell problem. Just like Jeepguy10's post above. Im the local Fire Marshal and got called out last night in heavy rain to assist in the evacuation of a flooded apartment Building. I didnt notice it till this morning. The inside of my windows werent wet and I couldnt see any water residue traces from under the dash. I have used the A/C many times with no water. I was hoping I just left the door ajar, but I dont think so. Anyone have any thoughts?
Pull the plugs on the floor then drive with the top down or let it sit with at least the windows open to let water evaporate. Man I really got roasted on Q-tec tonight....I was just joking around since I am still a teenager...didn't know everyone would take it so harshly.
We have had some pretty nasty rain storms here, no leaks. Is it possible that one of the floor plugs is letting in the water, being thrown up from the road? Is the bottom window seal leaking? If you have half doors, is it getting in that way and running down? That's the only thing I can think of, off hand.
My off road buds take the floor plugs out and get plumbing stoppers (the type you screw in on, which pushes out on the rubber seal, and tightens up the plug) they work really well . they do a lot of river crossings.
We took the top down, took our time about it, it took about 15 minutes. Put Bart in the back, hooked him up, and took a ride .. very kewl! Bart loved it, he couldn't figure out what side to stick his nose out of. He gets a little tangled in the leashes so I am going to tie them up on the top roll bar see if this works any better. The sound bar looks pretty tough, so we'll see. We put the top, w/windows, up in under 10 min.
Drove it about 80 miles with the soft top and got 18.3 mpg, I though the drag of the soft top would effect the mileage guess not, but I'll check it at the next fill up.
TsJay .. Yes we took pictures. How many are you allowed to post and how do you do it? We only have a few left on the roll.
JCWhitney should have it. My grandfather got it from one of his friends who reapolsters hot rods, so we got it for free but I have seen it in the JCWhitney catalogs Check there. I'll get pics up as soon as my GirlFriend gives me my digital camera back!
This is VERY common... Although I don't know what causes it (I don't think anyone but Jeep does) I do believe there is a TSB out about it. Take it back to your dealer and they should fix it right up... At least that's what the guys on the JU forum said. Worth a try. I'm pretty sure it's not the A/C as it only happens when it rains, I thinks is something to do with a seal in the wind cowl area or firewall. I don't know.
Yep, that's me that lives around Chicago. I have been to several Bush and NASCAR races at other tracks, seems getting there and parked is always the problem. I am not going to the NASCAR race here this year. They still have tickets if anyone is intrested.
You need to get the soft top. I know you drive some distance to work and there is some risk of a quick weather change. Even with the soft top, you need to have windows and all with you in case you get "caught out" by the weather.
So for you and nkelly1 I will share this. I bought the Mopar Top Boot from my dealer. Can't remember exact cost, but think it was around $125.00. This sounds way more complicated than it is. It fits in the tuck rail around the top of the tub (the same one that holds the bottom of the soft top). After you fold the top down, it "wraps up" and zips around the folded down top in the back and the bows on the side. This really dresses up the look. Then, there are three bags that hold the side and rear window after you roll them up. The two bags that hold the side windows then attach to each side of the top boot by zipper. The rear window bag goes behind the seat. I went to a local fabric store and bought some heavy flannel to put over the plastic windows before I roll them to keep from scracthhing them.
This would also keep the top from getting dusty on the inside if you were doinf off roading in dusty areas.
I know this is not a very good discription of this thing. I had my top down for the last week, and did not worry about havivg to find a place to hide if it looked like rain or even if it started raining. I figure I can get the top "over" (not put up) my Jeep in 30 seconds or so.
The Top Boot adds about 10 minutes to the take down time and about 5 minutes to the put up time.
Go to any Jeep dealer and ask them to show it to you in their catalog.
You can post pics in the "members photo gallery" section. Go to the very first article in there and they show you how to post a pic.
You can post a couple of pics in there, but what you really ought to do is make yourself a web page!
I'm on AOL, so I took advantage of their free service to members. They reserve some space for members to put up a web page. I can also just store individual pics there too.
You are going to have so many beautiful scenery pics plus lots of Jeep pics/ hunting pics, etc. that you really ought to have a web page to share all of these with the "less fortunate" like me, who don't live in such a gorgeous part of the country.
There are free web page hosting services, but you'll have to ask around about them. I don't know much about them.
Building a web page is simple (even I managed to do it with Alee's help).
I have been to Talladega twice and to Atlanta twice for Winston Cup races, so I know all about the parking fiascos. At those places, parking can take a long, long time, but they don't "run out of room." The Ky track this past weekend actually had all of the authorized parking areas full before anywhere near all the fans got parked.
The facility itself is really, really nice! It's as nice as anywhere I've been, and I know that they will add parking. I would gladly go back for another Busch race or, hopefully, a Winston Cup race sometime.
1997 Sport, I think it is 52,000 miles, $13,000 asking price. Black. 5 speed. 4.0 motor. looks like the original (GS-A?) tires, pretty worn on steel rally wheels.
I am almost hooked. A little less mileage would have been preferred. What to look for on this for mechanical stuff. Looks in good visual shape. Underneath is clean and nice. I know, sniff the oil, ... What else?
I want to check it out in a downpour (we had one yesterday, but they were closed).
If I get this, I will probably do it on a 5.99% home equity loan. If I do, I would like to include money for a hard top, 2-3" lift, tires, trailer hitch (for that 1300# boat), maybe exhaust, hitch mounted cargo carrier, and stereo.
questions: What size tires will rally wheels take? What size can I get if I don't do the lift right away(something about bump stops for steering with washers?)? I see there are 31X10.50R15 tires and also 255 or 265/75R15. How do these compare? I might look at General Grabber, Scorpions, Yokohama, or maybe maybe BFG AT's. Could anybody give a lineup of metric and english sizes and how they relate (no url for conversion programs please). What is the widest tire the rally wheels can take?
What is a good aftermarket exhaust? Is Gibson good quality, or should I just go local?
How do half doors work with a hard top? Do you still keep the cloth upper half?
What is a good lift kit for these? I don't plan on rock crawling, but then again, there are a lot of things we don't plan for. :-) Mostly, I want some better clearance for bigger tires for mild off roading.
Who makes a good hitch?
I plan on removing the back seat and making my own storage box for back there with gray paint. This would still leave enough room for the dog (who will be tethered somehow yet to be determined.
My wife already asked where we are going to go the first day!!! Yay!!! She wants a bandana on Holly (the dog).
What is a good price I should offer for this JEEP?
It is at a dealership, who has a so-so reputation, but I think with summer coming, the demand might be in their favor. Yet, last time I talked to them about a Ford Ranger, they sounded pretty flexible.
Need help ASAP before it is gone!!!
Also, how do I tell what rear end it has (differential, gear ratio, etc?) without asking it to turn around and walk for me?
Whenever I take our dog for a Jeep ride, I put a walking harness on her, and loop her leash around the top roll bar/soundbar. This gives her enough room to walk back and forth, and stick her head over either side. Since she is harnessed in, she can't jump out, and if she tries, she won't get hurt too badly since she has a full harness on (it goes under her belly, not just around her neck). I have used this arrangement several times, and it seems to work well.
This weekend, I took the top down/doors off for the weekend. I went to my parent's house for a visit, and on the way there, it started to cloud up. (Trip takes about 15 minutes each way.) By the time I got to their house, it was starting to sprinkle, so I put my Jeep in the garage. An hour or so later, there was a lull in the storm, so I decided to make a run for it. I put the top back up, but left the back window rolled up since I didn't have any doors. I drove home fairly fast to keep out of the big part of the storm. Surprisingly, I didn't get too wet, and actually enjoyed riding in the rain that way. I had a nice breeze, which cooled me off after a hot day. The inside of the windshield and the rear view mirror got a lot of moisture on them, but it didn't affect things too much. Next time, I am going to watch the weather a little more when the doors are off, but it was still pretty fun!
I want to know what people think of bikini tops (for jeeps, in this conversation). What are they? Who makes different ones? Will they keep a light rain off your dashboard controls? Can a regular soft top go right over one (in the event of a downpour)?
I also see in addition to the "duster" rear cover, that another manufacturer makes a "jeep tonneau" which looks like the same thing. Who else makes these? What to look for? What is the best combo of all these?
Who here drive with windshield down? Do you remove the bars from the a pillar to the bar? What is up with that?
Anyone been to the drive in movies with the windshield down? I can't wait to try that trick!!!
OK..all.. anyone know how to keep the read back seatbelts from flapping when I go with no top? TAZZ is doin' great, I should've bought a jeep along time ago..
2 strips of double sided velcro. You can see the pics on mine if you enlarge the Duster images. I did this prior to getting the Duster, and it works great. They are tight enough to prevent flapping, but loose enough to allow the belts to be used if there are rear seat passengers.
Hi Folks. Well I am now one of you proud and very happy Wrangler owners. I just got my 60th Anniversary Edition on Friday... changed from Hard top to Soft top on Saturday. My Jeep looks like this:
60th Anniversary Edition, Silver w/Black tops, Aztec cloth seats Air Cond/Automatic (the only one I could find and my wife is also happy now :-) 30" Wheel/tire pkg, sub-woofer, tow hooks/fog.... basically all the goodies you have to order when you get the 60th AE.
Price: Invoice + advertising was $23,116... I paid $23,216 and took the 1.9% 36 month financing instead of the $500 rebate....
Got some questions for you folks though.....
1. After taking off the hard top, finding it too big to fit thru my basement door and having to store it temporarily under my deck/covered with canvas... I need a LIFT.... I remember seeing in posted somewhere here, but can't find the site ... can you suggest a web site to find a hardtop lift?
2. Of course the dealer tried to sell me an extended warranty.... $620 for 7 years/57K... it is basic.. covers the drive train, engine, transmission steering and air cond.... Does NOT cover electronics (sensors, etc), suspension, brakes, etc....
I want to keep the Wrangler for 10-12 years, but don't know if this Ext Warranty is worth it or not... oh yes, each visit to the shop using the warranty would cost $100 (after the 3/36 is used up).
3. I'm considering the "Add a Trunk" lockable storage... but then thought that if I install that, I'll loose the flat storage area for any bulky items with the seats folded or removed. Any opinions or options? I like the idea of having a secure area for storage, but not the idea of giving up the flat area.
Thanks and man, do I like this Jeep (by the way I also have a 1998 Grand Cherokee with 60K... trading it in on a new Liberty for my wife... ordered it last week... gotta make us both happy!!
Comments
I figured the soft top was kind of a frivolous thing .. a toy, if you will . however. Once we go it on it is very cool. It isn't as noisy as I thought it was going to be, actually I am not so sure which one is noisier. At 70 mph I do believe the soft top is quieter. I got the dog thing figured out, ran it without the windows (this rocks) I wasn't sure I was going to like plastic windows, but they aren't that bad. The fact that they are tinted makes a lot of difference in that "what they can't see won't temp them" although they are a little "milky" when you look through them. As far as keeping the weather off and noise out I think they are every bit as good as the hard top . in short I take it seriously.
I think for summer country driving, they are the only way to go. as for areas where cars are more apt to be broken into they are week in this area. If somebody was to ask me which one they should get I would tell them to get the hard top with the jeep (it is the cheapest way to get one) and if you can't get both make the soft top your very first "modification".
That soft top gives you so much more in the way of options. You can run with the top down, top up and no windows, top up and the windows in, it is a real "summer tool".
One more thing .... the one I have is a 4 ply top. the earlier (don't know how early) ones have a 2 ply top. This, I beleive, makes a BIG difference.
Mr. Smiles didn't say anything about undoing the top over the doors BEFORE zipping in the side window. This took a little bit (and a few nautical terms) to get the hang of. Then the Velcro that goes around to 2 bow, T-bone, crossbow what ever (like to get my hands on those engineers that thought this up) was a flaming hemorrhoid. Then there was the double zippers on the rear window. I think flogging AND keel hauling should be brought back just for the swine that designed that.. other than that it wasn't to bad. Took us about a half hour.
Happy Jeepin'
the hardest thing for me was the getting the back to snap around the bow..that took some strength..
but TZZ looks great. I really like the dark tint on the windows. Of course I like No Top better..
I do know that I'm not going to put that hard top back on till the winter months.
I'm sure with practice i will be an expert at the soft top..
Take care
Got Jeep?
Snut
Now after several times of putting it up and down, I can take it down in about 2 minutes and put it back up in 5 minutes. Everything does loosen up after a while and you learn a lot of tricks that work well for you. Just remember, it does get easier!!
As for the locking differentials, I will probably install a Detroit Truetrac before winter. I go to Vermont frequently and it would sure come in handy.
Here is the jeep description:
2001 Sport D Package (I guess the 2001's are now considered leftovers since you can't order one), 5spd (the only way to go), forest green/camel top and interior. 30" wheel group, tow hooks/fog lights, AC, CD w/subwoofer, lockable trunk, full doors. And the things I don't want......no hard top, no tracloc and no speed control (don't get opportunity to use much anyway here in the northeast).
Now it is just a matter of convincing the salesman to let me have it for the price I want. The dealer knows it is more difficult to sell a jeep in NY without a hardtop. Maybe I can "steal" it from them. Sticker is 22,935. Invoice is somewhere around 20,800 depending on the source.
saharanut: You and tsjay are living proof why I don't want a hard top. I don't care how cold it gets. I had a 91' wrangler once, with dual tops and I promised myself never again. Pain in the butt!!! Period.
Still huggin' my cherokee.......Happy fathers day to all of you dad's out there.
I went to the Busch race at Sparta, Ky, which is near Cincinnati. It took about three and a half hours to get to the track, and about an hour and a half to get parked!
There's are road all around the track, and the parking areas are all accessed from this one main road. There was no one telling anybody anything, and the cars were bumper to bumper three lanes wide. Every time I came to an entrance to a parking area, there were cones across the driveway indicating that that particular area was full.
People were just parking wherever they could! The land surrounding the track is very hilly, and people with four wheel drive vehicles were parking on the slope between the elevated parking area and the main road.
There were a few places where you could turn off the main road and just park in fields, but these places weren't designed for parking, and there were steep slopes and gullies. I parked Thelma in one of these places.
I went ahead and put her in four high, but I might have been able to do what I did in two wheel drive. It felt good to have the four wheel drive engaged just for a little insurance.
The race was great! That is a really nice facility (needs more parking, though), and they had over 70,000 paid attendance. That set a new attendance record for a Busch race anywhere at any time! Bring on Winston Cup!
Thelma rolled over the 10,000 mile mark on our way home. She got 18.7 MPG on the tank of gas that included my drive to the track and the hour and a half of stop and go driving trying to get parked. Wonder what it would have been without that stop and go stuff?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I guess I could drive down there, and you can just give that darned old soft top to me. Honestly, I wouldn't mind and would be glad to take it off your hands.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I have read mixed opinions on this. Some say the dealer should include the fees in the invoice price and some not. What is the advice of some of you seasoned veterans. Should I start negotiating from 20,830 or 21,230? The dealer is trying to get me to pay 21,873, which to me is way too high. that's either 640 or 1040 over invoice. He is certainly smoking something. But hey, that's NY for you.
I bought a 1998 rodeo, new in 98' of course, and didn't pay advertising fees, also got the car $1000 under invoice because of a $1500 rebate from Isuzu.
Help on this would be greatly appreciated.
http://truckworld.com/How-To-Tech/Lockers-Differentials/4x4Lockers-Diffs.html
The one thing I am trying to figure out is how to carry the windows with the jeep (this is one reason I am looking for a trailer). It would really be nice to be able to run with the top down and still be able to flip it up, with the windows, when I need to (in Washington you need to).
Anyone have any ideas, or know of a good "add-on" that would facilitate this?
While I have the hard top off, I want to "modify" it a little. Does anyone know what would be the best way to insulate it?
Call around in your area, the sales managers will tell you what they're selling Wranglers for. The dealers in the Atlanta area come right out and tell you that they sell Wranglers for invoice to $100 or $2oo above. Just call around. I bet you'll find that they're more up-front about it than you might have thought.
GOOD LUCK!
I believe you are wrong about the record attendance for any Busch race anywhere. I know for sure that Bristol has had in excess of 100K people for the past couple years for each Busch race. That is really good attendance though considering that there is no Winston cup race there this weekend.
Happy Jeepin'
Happy Jeepin'
Edmunds does not include these on their reports, and I suppose that's because the ad fees vary from region to region across the country.
I would say that your dealer's true invoice cost is the $21,230.00 figure. Your ad fees total $400, which is probably the correct amount for NY.
Thelma also had two different ad fees on her invoice (E30 and M30), and the total was $285.00.
You are correct in saying that your dealer's offer is high. Wranglers are going at invoice! Almost no one in this group has paid more than $200 over invoice!
Your offer should be to pay the guy his invoice cost of $21,230.00 plus taxes, license, etc. Keep driving home the point that the 02's will be out soon, and that if you are going to pay much over invoice for a Jeep, you might as well wait for a 2002 model. He will probably counter with a reminder about the incentive financing available now on the 01's. (That 4.9% isn't as attractive as it was a few weeks ago, since the normal rates have dropped. I think I got 6.49% on my son's Grand Am about a month ago.)
Now, tell the guy to "get real" and buy that Jeep!
If he won't deal, walk out on him and find another dealer. I gaurantee you that you will find one for no more than $200 over invoice somewhere.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
1st day Topless...What a Great fathers day
Washed TAZZ up..I couldnt stand it..Beautiful day here today..that top had to come down.
Went to put flowers on my dad grave,,,and just had a time riding around town with a CLEAN jeep crusing along
your right Tsjay..thats the most fun with clothes on...
Glad you mad it back safe..
& "Happy fathers Day" "POPS"
SaharaGal..Atalanta traffic wasnt fun driving in with a new jeep..I was terrified..
GOT JEEP?
SNUT!
or
60AENut
I'll let you know what happens..
I stand corrected. I was repeating what they said on the radio as I was driving home after the race, but maybe I misunderstood what they said.
Here's a possibility... Maybe they said it was the highest attendance for a Busch race when there wasn't also a Winston Cup race at the same track on the same weekend????
Crap, I don't know. Maybe they just didn't know what they were talking about.
At any rate, the race was a sellout, plus they sold SRO tickets or temporary seating tickets. The paid attendance was greater than the official seating capacity.
This can only bode well for their chances of getting a Winston Cup race! I wonder if the fact that Owensboro, Ky., has produced the Waltrips, the Greens, and Jeremy Mayfield might be a factor in getting a Winston Cup race in Ky?
Sure hope we get one!
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
By the way, you DO have a Nascar track in your area. You live in Chicago, right?
There's a brand new track in Joliet that will host a Busch race on Saturday, July14, and a Winston Cup race on Sunday, July 15.
You ought to try to make it to one or both. I gaurantee you'll love it, if you've never been to one. They may be sold out, but you can always get scalper tickets near the track.
You have time to put an add in the paper and ask if someone wants to sell you a ticket.
Check the internet, maybe they still have some tickets! It's called "The Chicagoland Speedway."
http://www.nascar.com/TRACKS/chicagoland/
That is a link to the track info on Nascar.com, but I'm sure the track has its own web site.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
You live in NJ, so Dover and Pocono aren't too far from you, are they?
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
My off road buds take the floor plugs out and get plumbing stoppers (the type you screw in on, which pushes out on the rubber seal, and tightens up the plug) they work really well . they do a lot of river crossings.
We took the top down, took our time about it, it took about 15 minutes. Put Bart in the back, hooked him up, and took a ride .. very kewl! Bart loved it, he couldn't figure out what side to stick his nose out of. He gets a little tangled in the leashes so I am going to tie them up on the top roll bar see if this works any better. The sound bar looks pretty tough, so we'll see. We put the top, w/windows, up in under 10 min.
Drove it about 80 miles with the soft top and got 18.3 mpg, I though the drag of the soft top would effect the mileage guess not, but I'll check it at the next fill up.
TsJay .. Yes we took pictures. How many are you allowed to post and how do you do it? We only have a few left on the roll.
Happy Jeepin'
Happy Jeepin'
Yep, that's me that lives around Chicago. I have been to several Bush and NASCAR races at other tracks, seems getting there and parked is always the problem. I am not going to the NASCAR race here this year. They still have tickets if anyone is intrested.
You need to get the soft top. I know you drive some distance to work and there is some risk of a quick weather change. Even with the soft top, you need to have windows and all with you in case you get "caught out" by the weather.
So for you and nkelly1 I will share this. I bought the Mopar Top Boot from my dealer. Can't remember exact cost, but think it was around $125.00. This sounds way more complicated than it is. It fits in the tuck rail around the top of the tub (the same one that holds the bottom of the soft top). After you fold the top down, it "wraps up" and zips around the folded down top in the back and the bows on the side. This really dresses up the look. Then, there are three bags that hold the side and rear window after you roll them up. The two bags that hold the side windows then attach to each side of the top boot by zipper. The rear window bag goes behind the seat.
I went to a local fabric store and bought some heavy flannel to put over the plastic windows before I roll them to keep from scracthhing them.
This would also keep the top from getting dusty on the inside if you were doinf off roading in dusty areas.
I know this is not a very good discription of this thing. I had my top down for the last week, and did not worry about havivg to find a place to hide if it looked like rain or even if it started raining. I figure I can get the top "over" (not put up) my Jeep in 30 seconds or so.
The Top Boot adds about 10 minutes to the take down time and about 5 minutes to the put up time.
Go to any Jeep dealer and ask them to show it to you in their catalog.
wheelsdown
You can post a couple of pics in there, but what you really ought to do is make yourself a web page!
I'm on AOL, so I took advantage of their free service to members. They reserve some space for members to put up a web page. I can also just store individual pics there too.
You are going to have so many beautiful scenery pics plus lots of Jeep pics/ hunting pics, etc. that you really ought to have a web page to share all of these with the "less fortunate" like me, who don't live in such a gorgeous part of the country.
There are free web page hosting services, but you'll have to ask around about them. I don't know much about them.
Building a web page is simple (even I managed to do it with Alee's help).
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
About time we heard from you!
I have been to Talladega twice and to Atlanta twice for Winston Cup races, so I know all about the parking fiascos. At those places, parking can take a long, long time, but they don't "run out of room." The Ky track this past weekend actually had all of the authorized parking areas full before anywhere near all the fans got parked.
The facility itself is really, really nice! It's as nice as anywhere I've been, and I know that they will add parking. I would gladly go back for another Busch race or, hopefully, a Winston Cup race sometime.
tsjay
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I am almost hooked. A little less mileage would have been preferred. What to look for on this for mechanical stuff. Looks in good visual shape. Underneath is clean and nice. I know, sniff the oil, ... What else?
I want to check it out in a downpour (we had one yesterday, but they were closed).
If I get this, I will probably do it on a 5.99% home equity loan. If I do, I would like to include money for a hard top, 2-3" lift, tires, trailer hitch (for that 1300# boat), maybe exhaust, hitch mounted cargo carrier, and stereo.
questions:
What size tires will rally wheels take? What size can I get if I don't do the lift right away(something about bump stops for steering with washers?)? I see there are 31X10.50R15 tires and also 255 or 265/75R15. How do these compare? I might look at General Grabber, Scorpions, Yokohama, or maybe maybe BFG AT's. Could anybody give a lineup of metric and english sizes and how they relate (no url for conversion programs please). What is the widest tire the rally wheels can take?
What is a good aftermarket exhaust? Is Gibson good quality, or should I just go local?
How do half doors work with a hard top? Do you still keep the cloth upper half?
What is a good lift kit for these? I don't plan on rock crawling, but then again, there are a lot of things we don't plan for. :-) Mostly, I want some better clearance for bigger tires for mild off roading.
Who makes a good hitch?
I plan on removing the back seat and making my own storage box for back there with gray paint. This would still leave enough room for the dog (who will be tethered somehow yet to be determined.
My wife already asked where we are going to go the first day!!! Yay!!! She wants a bandana on Holly (the dog).
Please help me!!!!!!!!
(I think the fever has bitten and taken hold....)
It is at a dealership, who has a so-so reputation, but I think with summer coming, the demand might be in their favor. Yet, last time I talked to them about a Ford Ranger, they sounded pretty flexible.
Need help ASAP before it is gone!!!
Also, how do I tell what rear end it has (differential, gear ratio, etc?) without asking it to turn around and walk for me?
Jeephead
That, or train them to stay without being tied, or train them to be stunt dogs!
Jeephead
I want to know what people think of bikini tops (for jeeps, in this conversation). What are they? Who makes different ones? Will they keep a light rain off your dashboard controls? Can a regular soft top go right over one (in the event of a downpour)?
I also see in addition to the "duster" rear cover, that another manufacturer makes a "jeep tonneau" which looks like the same thing. Who else makes these? What to look for? What is the best combo of all these?
Who here drive with windshield down? Do you remove the bars from the a pillar to the bar? What is up with that?
Anyone been to the drive in movies with the windshield down? I can't wait to try that trick!!!
I am REALLY getting the fever!!!!
anyone know how to keep the read back seatbelts from flapping when I go with no top?
TAZZ is doin' great, I should've bought a jeep along time ago..
Got jeep?
Snut
http://www.ewylie.com/jeep/mods.htm#velcro - install
http://www.ewylie.com/images/jeep/duster2.jpg - image
-twylie
60th Anniversary Edition, Silver w/Black tops, Aztec cloth seats
Air Cond/Automatic (the only one I could find and my wife is also happy now :-)
30" Wheel/tire pkg, sub-woofer, tow hooks/fog.... basically all the goodies you have to order when you get the 60th AE.
Price: Invoice + advertising was $23,116... I paid $23,216 and took the 1.9% 36 month financing instead of the $500 rebate....
Got some questions for you folks though.....
1. After taking off the hard top, finding it too big to fit thru my basement door and having to store it temporarily under my deck/covered with canvas... I need a LIFT.... I remember seeing in posted somewhere here, but can't find the site ... can you suggest a web site to find a hardtop lift?
2. Of course the dealer tried to sell me an extended warranty.... $620 for 7 years/57K... it is basic.. covers the drive train, engine, transmission steering and air cond....
Does NOT cover electronics (sensors, etc), suspension, brakes, etc....
I want to keep the Wrangler for 10-12 years, but don't know if this Ext Warranty is worth it or not... oh yes, each visit to the shop using the warranty would cost $100 (after the 3/36 is used up).
3. I'm considering the "Add a Trunk" lockable storage... but then thought that if I install that, I'll loose the flat storage area for any bulky items with the seats folded or removed. Any opinions or options? I like the idea of having a secure area for storage, but not the idea of giving up the flat area.
Thanks and man, do I like this Jeep (by the way I also have a 1998 Grand Cherokee with 60K... trading it in on a new Liberty for my wife... ordered it last week... gotta make us both happy!!
(fives approximate comparison of tire sizes for fitment for chains)
http://www.4wheelparts.com:80/product2.asp?imseqn=89&occlass=SCCT&cat=TIR
and this:
(gives gear ratio conversions for tire sizes)
http://www.4wheelparts.com:80/Tirel_Gear_Ratio.asp
printed out the jeep delivery checklist posted here, and will use it.
thanks!!!
(already kicked the worn tires)
I have the black 60th aniversary .
I got mine on 6/14. I love it!
I agree that hard top is a pain..
my wife is still mad at me...
try Queadratec.com or thnkjeep.com
for hardtop hoist..they run about 140.00
We both paid about the same for our 60AE
Where ya from
heres a link to a pic of mine
http://www.itsajeep.org/public/tazz.htm
take care
Snut
Got Jeep?