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Comments
Whether to get the hard top, soft top, or dual tops is entirely dependent on your particular situation. No one can just say without qualification that one top is better than the other or that the dual top option is the way to go.
The weather here in western Ky is suitable for topless Jeepin' about eight or nine months a year, as far as the temperature goes. We do have rainy periods, though.
Whether or not the Jeep will be your daily driver is a major consideration too. After buying a little S10 pickup for my work vehicle, I didn't have to depend on driving Thelma Jane every day. So, I take the hard top off (and the doors off) and leave her in the garage and drive the S10 if it is raining or if rain is in the forecast.
If I had to drive Thelma rain or shine, I would definitely want the soft top.
So, I guess my point is that if you can afford to take the hard top off and leave it off for long periods, then that might be the way you should go.
The hard top is quieter than the soft top and provides some security for items left in the Jeep.
I really don't think there is a noticeable difference in the heating and cooling with the hard top vs the soft top from all that I have heard. I have no personal basis for comparison, however.
Soft tops need replacing every few years, and the windows get scratched and all.
I am happy that I got the hard top only, but that is just because of the way I use my Jeep and because of the climate here.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Anonymous-Thanks for the web-sites...Is headers just another name for exhaust manifold? And if so, and I went with one of these would I have to get a whole new exhaust system or would it fit the factory exhaust?
Tom-Thanks for the "Exhaust Manifold for Dummies". I'm definitely looking at going to an independedt for this. In the past we've trusted our Local Jeep Dealer, but have just recently gotten a new Service Advisor. He seems to make more expensive recommendations, and $1200 does seem like a lot!
Ducks and MtnGal- Thanks fellow '98ers! Misery loves company! Yep, not going with a factory manifold when we replace it. And since it doesn't seem to affect the power, we'll drive it until we can't stand it anymore! I hope Raleigh is as reasonable as Bakersfield is:)
Thanks again for the great advice guys!
Cam
Also, I suppose you could say the factory manifold is a header, but people usually reserve the term "header" for an after market device. They serve the same purpose, but after market headers are more efficient at letting the exhaust gasses get out of the engine, thus relieving some back pressure and making the engine gain some horsepower. Since you have an inline six, only one header is needed. There would be a header on each side of a V6 or a V8 engine.
You don't have to do anything about the rest of the exhaust system, but to gain the fullest advantage of the header, a less restrictive exhaust system from the header on back would be needed.
I know only enough to be dangerous, so check all this out with a good mechanic.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Anyway, to weigh in on the hard vs soft top debate--I lived in Oregon for 8 years and did a lot of driving in the rain (in the valleys) and the snow (in the Cascades). My first Jeep was a soft top YJ and the heater worked fine up in the mountains in the winter, I was never cold. However, the hard top on my TJ was preferable for a number of reasons in the mountains in the winter. It is quieter (though that is less of an issue with the new soft tops). The hard top has a rear wiper/defroster--this is very useful on winter roads, as soft top windows seem to get grimy pretty quickly. Your stuff is more secure at the lodge or wherever and you can access the back more easily--just open the tailgate and the back window pops up vs unzipping a soft top window. A hard top handles 8 or 10 inches of snow on the roof just fine, and you can get that on a parked car in the Oregon Cascades on one day. I remember a snow bomb (load of snow being shed by a Douglas fir tree branch) landing on my Jeep one day in the Cascades with a big WHUMP! My passenger looked at me and commented "good thing you had the hard top on."
Since I moved to San Diego last year, the hard top has been parked in the garage. This is pretty much a year-round soft top sort of place. I haven't sold the hard top though--if I ever move to a place that gets winter again I know I'll want it.
If mine were gone, I'd definitely go with an aftermarket "performance" one. They "claim" to improve performance, fuel efficiency, and even longer life for your engine (who knows how true their claims are?).
Sounds like the price and the results are both better with aftermarket. As far as fitting with factory setup, that is something you need to check with the particular manufacturer.
If you wait, your current one is going to get pretty loud, so the new one will be nice and quiet. I find that whenever I do exhaust work, it feels like a new car after having it done. Not only does it sound smoother and quieter, but it feels like it runs better too.
Kahuna
lawdawgfl- I actually don't have any factory warranty left on the 99 Jeep I bought. It was originally purchased in June of 99 so the 3 years on the warranty has run even though the mileage hasn't. Good luck.
Thanks Tom, Mr. Shiftright, and thebigkahuna for your messages and suggestions. I'm actually pretty amazed myself that it hasn't sold it, since as I mentioned it's a popular color, only has 14,000 mi, and is like new...and I'm asking over $1000 less than the Kelley's Blue Book price too!!
I just took a couple of photos and after I get them scanned I'll make a flyer to post in the local stores. I'll probably also post in the online autotrader.com, even though it used to be free and now you've gotta pay...but I guess that's where the net is headed...
Mr. Shiftright, unfortunately my Jeep is 5 speed not a/t, so I assume you wouldn't be interested?
Thanks again,
Alan
I have put the safari top on, but I am going to let it stretch a while and then go tighten all the straps.
Have to say that I am not real impressed with it so far, but maybe I will get used to the looks of it after some time goes by. I know it isn't something for "looks," but I was hoping it wouldn't detract from Thelma's appearance too much.
Also, it doesn't go all the way back as far as I thought it would, and Ross Allen will only have shade if he gets up toward the front of the cargo area. I guess it can't go back far enough to hang down any, cause it would catch wind that way, but it looks like it could have gone back further without hanging down. Maybe after it sretches a while it will go back further.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
In fact, who cares? I am only doing it to satisfy the letter of the law, and if both sides were painted black, I wouldn't really care. I might just do the driver's side.
Happy 4th of July everyone!
Don't forget to
Mourn on the Fourth of July: 2002
http://www.rationalreview.com/archive/tlknapp/tlknapp070102.html
Don't forget to
Mourn on the Fourth of July: 2002
http://www.rationalreview.com/archive/tlknapp/tlknapp070102.html"
I believe that the reason you posted this is one of the following.
1) You are a troll looking to stir up controversy.
2) You are a communist moron and don't appreciate the country you live in. If it's that bad, leave. Then you wouldn't have to worry about your mirrors, either. I hear that in Iraq you can drive a Jeep with no mirrors at all. Wouldn't that be great??
3) You are the pathetic hack that hosts that useless web site. Wow- for $2 I can learn how to win at roulette?
If it is 1, you win. If it's 2 or 3, please don't post here anymore.
Everyone else:
Have a happy (and safe) 4th of July. I will be flying the flag off my Jeep for the rest of the week, topless, doorless, and with the AC on extra high for anonymous.
Sorry for the rant...
Really, lighten up!
1) no
2) no
3) no, wrong again!
Enjoy the Fourth in your Jeep, everyone. I know I will. (no AC).
http://www.jpfo.org/alert20020628.htm
' "And I told him that flying the flag upside-down was as great a sign of respect for my country as I could think of. After all, America is in trouble, and flying its flag upside-down is a sign of distress*. The inverted flag calls out to everybody who sees: "Please help the United States. Don't let the most promising nation on earth fall into tyranny." '
Perhaps Mr. Warren66 cares so much for this country that he will do this too? Please help "MW" and myself to keep this country free.
Rusty's 3" Basic Kit Ø $459
Front and Rear 3" Coils
Drop Pitman Arm
Transfer Case Drop Kit
Extended Rear Sway Bar Links
Rear Trac Bar Bracket
4 - Rusty's Hydraulic Shocks
OME (at quadratec):
Price: $ 649.95
front and rear coil springs
top and bottom poly spring isolators
transfer case lowering kit
track bar relocation bracket
Emu Nitrocharger shock absorber
It looks like Rusty has the sway bar links and a pitman arm, while OME has the "isolators". OME comes in at $190 more.
If Rusty's can do a heavier load rated spring like Emu does, I think I might have to go with it.
I also plan on checking the warranty on both.
Yeah, that was a hint! Enjoy the holiday.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Its real purpose is shade from the sun, and I know I am gonna like that part. I think Ross Allen will get more benefit from it than I had originally thought he would.
The top DOES go back is far as it can, contrary to my prior post. It's just that the roll bar turns and starts downward farther forward than I thought it did. The top goes all the way to the point where the roll bar starts down.
I'm gonna post a pic in the photo gallery, if you are curious about how the top looks. I have three pics posted in gill's gallery, if you want to go there. I added them to an existing album of mine there that shows Thelma with her rocker guards.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Oh yeah, right on, Steve! Let's talk Jeep in here!
New or used, congrats on the "slightly used, more like new" Jeep...a Wrangler new or used is a joy forever...ok a joy til the newer model that catches your eye comes along .
As for the "debate" on the above posts...come on boys get along here. We celebrate our differences and our similarities...Jeeps that is! If ya wanna take off the gloves for a political or phylosophical discussion...make up a website/chat room for that. We like talkin Jeeps and Jeepstuff here....take it easy. Remember...one nation under God.
ok that's my final comment on that one. Well if I don't chat with you all before or during the 4th holiday weekend...have a safe and happy one...and don't forget.....
HUG YOUR JEEPS FOR ME TIL I GET MINE
dwrangler
Addison-
Same with our military folks and firemen/rescue workers. Seems like we don't think about our police, firemen, and soldiers until time of crisis. Just human nature, I guess.
So...
Thanks to all of you!
TomHave you hugged your Jeep today?
We have to remember that Gill does this on the side and at his own expense. He runs a computer shop, has a job with the schoool board maintaining 600 computers, and he administers an ISP service owned by a cable tv company. He has lots of irons in the fire, and he can't always jump right on a problem with itsajeep.org. Often he doesn't know there is a problem until someone emails him, since he doesn't even have time to go to his own site every day.
It's a fun place for all the edmunds gang here to go to and chat with each other, so don't give up if the chat room doesn't work on certain days. Just keep trying.
I see that you've been there, lawdawg. That's great! Keep trying to get into the chat room.
Gill may be in Georgia for the 4th, so it might be a couple days until we have the chat room back.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
The MSRP on my car was $21,875 (although obviously that's not what I actually paid). Kelley Blue Book price with all the options came out to $17,065. I also did a TMV on Edmunds as you suggested and got $16,234. Curiously Edmunds does not allow for inclusion of the Canyon Package in calculating the price, which mine has.
Anyway, I've priced my car at $15,900, so based on the above numbers it shouldn't be too high.
Thanks again,
Alan
What's in a Canyon package?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Still a happy camper.
I believe that the 2003 Wranglers should be at dealers in late September.
I hope this helps.
I love how close knit this whole little Edmund's Jeep community is. One of the things that I hated back when I had my 99 Wrangler was all the flaming that I got on internet message boards from people about having a TJ instead of CJ. I'm glad to see that none of that has started up here and hopefully it never will.
Anyway, I just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone. I plan on being an active part of this message board and maybe I'll even stop by Gill's and chat it up with some of you.
Rick
You read EVERY message in here? MAN! Bet that took a while, huh?
I hope you will do as you say and become a regular poster and frequenter of Gill's.
You are right about this being a close knit group, but we are NOT a clique, and new folks are always welcomed into the family here. Like I said in a prior post, you can only come here once as a stranger.
I love this place, but I guess you know that after reading all the posts.
Man, I hope you can make it through your waiting period. Believe me, I know all about Wrangler Fever.
Rick, when you said your wife is gone now, I'm not sure what you meant, but if she passed away, I am terribly sorry.
Once again, welcome, my friend.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Bury me shallow
Or bury me deep
As long as you bury me
In my Jeep
Tell the mortician
It's no disgrace
If he can't remove
The smile from my face
When friends come view
My earthly remains
They'll see me in Thelma
My Thelma Jane
Be sure she's topless
And doorless too
Do this for me
And I'll be grateful to you
When you get to Heaven
Be sure to look for us three
You know we'll be wheelin'
Thelma Jane, Ross Allen, and me
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I was going to comment too but discretion compelled me to steer clear of that one! :-)
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Welcome to Town Hall - great bunch of Jeep folk here.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Also, how about the one about "now I have 3 daughters of my own..." "Just an old, worn out Jeep..."?
:-)
Do you have the back seat in the jeep, or out?
I made up a harness for the dog, which attaches to both rear seat belts, and then to her collar, so she can move around in back, but won't jump out or get thrown out in an accident.
I just leave the factory soft top up for her (the dog, that is).
By the way, topless for over a week, doorless for 3 days (put top and doors on last night for threat of thunder boomers). I made my own mirrors from some old ones I had in the shed. Thank goodness for black spray paint!!!!
I think I was too worried about RA getting tossed out. I have wheeled topless and doorless the last two times, and he has made it fine back there. Altough there is some jostling around, the speed is so slow through the rough places that RA can ride it out with no problem.
I took the back seat out within the first couple weeks of owning Thelma Jane, and it has not been back in there since.
I'm getting quite a collection of Jeep parts in my garage. There's the back seat, the original springs and shocks, the bumper corners, and the factory gas tank skid. Of course, the hard top and doors are out there now also. I have sold the Canyon wheels, but they were out there too for a while.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Liked the poem, but you have way to much free time on your hands.
What is the status on your gas tank?
I have the hole plugged where the nipple broke off on the roll over valve and I plugged off the vent line that ran to it. I put the tank back in with that "fix" in place, and I'm trying to find out from anyone who knows what they're talking about if it will be OK to run like that for the long term solution. The tank has two roll over valves, one on each side, so I still have the tank vented from the passenger side roll over valve. Why shouldn't one be enough?
Thelma seems happy that way, and the check engine light has not come back on.
You must be shocked that along with my vast skills as a mechanic and a trail guide, not to mention my role as a sex symbol, that I also am a poet.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Another thought bouncing around in my head, Tom as a sex symbol. Scary stuff!!!!!!!!! I know he is a great interior decorator, but sex symbol?
Rick, not that long a wait till the 2003 model comes out. If you are looking for certain options you could always order a 2003 just the way you want. Kind of like Burger King, have it your way. Glad to see you getting back into a Wrangler.
Still a happy camper.
"rusty ole floor boards.. hot on my feet"
Have you seen the video? Alan Jackson is an idiot. That is a bronco not a Jeep. Looks like I won't be buying any of his crap or going to his shows anymore.
I was reading my alumni news letter and some kid just graduated and his first name is "Jeep". I would love to see what he drives and what all his father owns.
I just got my Jeep American flag stickers. They replace the Jeep sticker on the side and it is a sticker with Jeep painted like the American flag. I think they look sharp. I can find the ordering info and try and find a pic if anyone is interested.
rickagoodman
Welcome to the board.
If you plan on off-roading, I would consider getting the Rubicon model that is coming out in '03. It will cost a lot but has some great goodies coming on it.
huckhill
I use to run with the back and side windows out on my YJ. I did eventually have a rip on the rear corner. I had it sewn back together, so it wasn't a big deal really. I don't what the cause was. It could of just been normal wear and tear. I have heard running like that is rough on the corners of the softtop though. I have a bikini top and I think there is a big difference between those two styles. You can get a lot more air flow with a bikini. I think it is worth it. I don't care for the looks of a safari top and don't have backseat passengers very often.
Tom
My gas skid bolted up with out lowering it, so I don't much about it. But you do have a breather hose for the D44 that runs up to the gas cap. If that is what you are talking about then you probably want both of them functioning. You can follow the hose up from the axle.
You are on vacation for the week? Why aren't you in the Rockies or something. I am very disappointed in you.
I, for one, am interested in the flag sticker. I wanted some sort of flag to put on the jeep, but couldn't find one I like.
Just a thought on the Alan Jackson thing...maybe that's the only thing they could use...maybe the negotiations went south...or rust monster brought it to an early demise...or the director was too dumb to know the difference. Who knows
Tomster, Nice poem....don't know about the sex symbol part
Thanks for the info on the availability of the 03's...hopefully I'll be ready by then...(money wise that is).
If I see some of you all are online from my buddy list I'll chat with ya later.
I'd like to echo tomster's comments to those in the military, law enforcement, fire/rescue. I too appreciate your sacrifices on my behalf.
Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Hug your Jeeps for me til I get mine
dwrangler
"rusty ole floor boards.. hot on my feet"
Have you seen the video? Alan Jackson is an idiot. That is a bronco not a Jeep. Looks like I won't be buying any of his crap or going to his shows anymore.
I was reading my alumni news letter and some kid just graduated and his first name is "Jeep". I would love to see what he drives and what all his father owns.
I just got my Jeep American flag stickers. They replace the Jeep sticker on the side and it is a sticker with Jeep painted like the American flag. I think they look sharp. I can find the ordering info and try and find a pic if anyone is interested.
rickagoodman
Welcome to the board.
If you plan on off-roading, I would consider getting the Rubicon model that is coming out in '03. It will cost a lot but has some great goodies coming on it.
huckhill
I use to run with the back and side windows out on my YJ. I did eventually have a rip on the rear corner. I had it sewn back together, so it wasn't a big deal really. I don't what the cause was. It could of just been normal wear and tear. I have heard running like that is rough on the corners of the softtop though. I have a bikini top and I think there is a big difference between those two styles. You can get a lot more air flow with a bikini. I think it is worth it. I don't care for the looks of a safari top and don't have backseat passengers very often.
Tom
My gas skid bolted up with out lowering it, so I don't much about it. But you do have a breather hose for the D44 that runs up to the gas cap. If that is what you are talking about then you probably want both of them functioning. You can follow the hose up from the axle.
You are on vacation for the week? Why aren't you in the Rockies or something. I am very disappointed in you.
The axle vent is fine, Tex. It was just the gas tank vent on the drivers side roll over valve that got messed up.
Sure wish Gill's would be workin' tonight! Maybe it will be. Let's all give it a try tonight, OK?
I have not seen that video, but that really sucks about it being a Bronco! I still like the song, though, and just about every other song old AJ has come out with. He'll still get my bidness.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?