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http://www.drivetraindirect.com
1-888-584-4327
http://www.differentials.com
1-800-665-0950
http://www.reiderracing.com
1-800-350-1330
http://www.desertrat.com
1-877-469-5337
http://www.precisiongear.com
1-800-494-0524
http://www.ringpinion.com
1-888-231-2401
http://drivetrainwarehouse.com
1-888-432-7656
http://www.superioraxle.com
1-888-522-2953
http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com
1-800-544-2103
http://www.motivegear.com
1-800-934-2727
http://www.nationaldrivetrain.com
1-800-507-4327
http://www.ring-pinion.com
1-877-349-1478
These were all from adds in JP magazine.
There are some changes for '03 that are worth considering if you are going to purchase. I just got an '03 on the 18th and it was my first Jeep. My knowledge of past models mainly came from reading and viewing this board. I don't have any experience with past models. So consider my input with that degree of weight.
One thing I ordered when I learned that it was available was the 4 wheel disc brakes. It is a cheep option with a $150 list price. I really like the brakes on my Sport and I am crediting the fact that they are the 4 wheel disc type. I believe they are only available with the Dana 44 rear axle option, but you will most likely get that anyways.
Another thing I do like even though I did not initially want this option was the new 4-speed auto transmission. The wife really wanted this option and I resisted until she won. I do like it and it seems to be very well matched with the 4.0 L. I have the 3.73 gears which is also something worth ordering. With this option the RPM's are approx. 1750-1800 at 60 mph.
I also got the new self dimming compass/temp rear view mirror. Not a necessity but a nice gadget. It seems to work good.
As far as color goes, I got the new Inca Gold. I like it but it is controversial and not widely accepted by everyone. I bought it for me and not everyone else. If you would like to see what it looks like go to "photo gallery" in the Edmunds "Jeep Owners Club".
Although the seat type is not an option, there was a change for '03. The new seats seem to be noticeably lower. I guess the change was made to accommodate taller people, one of which I'm not.
I hope this information helps you in some way. If not there are plenty of very helpful people on this board that know much more than this "new guy".
Tom
For those who don't know what we are talking about, I am thinking about regearing Thelma Jane from 3.73 to 4.10. I want to eventually have 33" tires, and the 4.10 gears will bring me back to the orginal factory RPMs with the 33s.
I will have a little extra gear while I am still on my 31s, but that should be OK. I will have a little more acceleration and more RPMs at highway speeds.
I want to get a locker for the back, and there's no sense getting a locker for 3.73 and then have to get a new locker when I go to 4.10. That's why I am thinking about getting the gears now, even though it will be a while before I can go to the 33 inch tires.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I believe that some lockers are available for a range of gear ratios (e.g. 3.54 and below, 3.73 and above, etc.). That being said, if you're going to open up the diffs to replace the gears, it's the best time to install a locker. If I were you, I'd save my money and do it all at once.
Jeeperman
Thanks
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
So...
HOWDY AND WELCOME
TomHave you hugged your Jeep today?
twylie Oct 1, 2001 8:26am
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I just hope they don't mess around too much with the Wrangler. I know it isn't a perfect vehicle, but I'd rather put up with the poor handling in the wind if it would mean that they turn it into another "cute-ute" or take away its stock off-roading ability.
PS : Still waiting for my new Jeep......
We still haven't driven a 2003 to compare seating yet - we ended up not doing much except taking my Mom out to eat while we were in Vegas last weekend, playing computer games on her computer and going to church on Sunday.
I hope that you are right - that they plan on leaving the Wrangler more or less alone. They are planning on expanding the number of models they will offer under the Jeep name, and that isn't such a bad thing. If I had been your wife, I might have just bought out the lease on that Cherokee - that's what we should have bought instead of that (hated) Taco!
I'm not sure about the driving characteristics with a Detroit - I went the ARB Air Locker route. From what I've heard about the Detroit, I think you'll find that you'll get an occasional chirp of the tires where it's been slow in releasing. I think that would happen if you were cornering and accelerating at the same time - like making a turn from a stop sign. I don't think you'll notice it at all on the highway. Maybe somebody else can share more.
Bummer about the DC policy on Jeeps. Some DC guys at the Rubicon Jamboree said the Rubicon Wrangler was only slated for a three year run with no follow-up plans. I thought that was strange, but it may play in with the change in policy.....
So on the one hand they say that the Jeep line is under-utilized (don't recall how they phrased it, but that was how it came across to me) and want to use it more. But at the same time they are going to change it from what it is. IMHO changing the line will be short sighted - they will be killing the goose that laid the golden egg.
Well, I was quite pleased with the salesman I got. He was not uptight or anything like that which put me more at ease when it came time to drive and deal on the Cougar....Yes tomster I said C-O-U-G-A-R My first love is still the Wrangler, but it'll have to wait for a while longer...and I am pleased with the practical car that I have purchased.
I got approved for up to $17,000 at 5.65% for 5 years, so the payments will be around $263/mo. I was to be honest shooting for closer to $200, but the original car I drove was sold (it was a base model) so I upgraded to a Sport model with more features. It didn't have a sunroof, so I got a moonroof that will hopefully be installed Monday so I can pick it up Monday before I go to class. Hopefully I'll have time to bring it back by the house to show Mom and Dad. I know Mom will be thrilled to see that I didn't get a Jeep this time. As I've told her before if it doesn't work out right now to get a Jeep...I still plan on getting one eventually and I'll have all the options that I want to get on it.
I still plan on posting here, so to those that think I'm betraying the Jeepsters here remember...once a Jeepster always a Jeepster (whether you have one or not...it's the fact that you love and celebrate all that is JEEP )
It's just a dream postponed that's all.
dwrangler...or maybe for now...dtopcat
Oh well, I guess you did what you thought was best, but I sure don't agree. It's your money though, and I hope you will be happy.
Tom
Have you hugged your Cougar today?
I know that Tomster is really supportive too
I'm kiddin tomster I still have that email you sent telling me to keep my chin up
Well gotta go...long day tomorrow..and school too
Deb
:-)
Why did the post about the Sooners and the Crimson Tide get deleted? I didn't find that to be particulary offensive. Is there a rule about what team you are allowed to support on Edmunds. Go Huskers! I hope the host doesn't hate Nebraska football...
Take care all...
I am not aware of any such deletion.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
J.Thurlow
Anyone interested in the model X version?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
"Jeeps have been described by Enzo Ferrari, it is said, as the American sports car."
I take this not as a literal, but that if Italy is the home of sports cars, than the Jeep is Americas verison of a purpose built vehicle (our "sports car"). It could also relate to a 2 door drop top based on minimalist design.
Not sure how it all fits together, but the quote from Enzo is one you'll hear many Jeepers echo.
-twylie
-twylie
And if the X model has been out for a year, how come you guys never talk about it?
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
-twylie
PS - good luck on the lasik! I'm too chicken to do it even though my vision is pretty bad.
And I'm not talking about driving it like a Mazerati either, and I don't think Reel Deal was talking about that.
But, I guess if you are like me (of a certain age) you remember the MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire, and other Sports Cars.
They weren't very expensive (Except to repair), they had some, shall we say, idiosyncracies. They weren't very comfortable, definitely weren't practical, broke down a lot, but ...were an absolute joy to drive on a curvy mountain road with the top down...
People tended to love them or hate them. And, even though the Wrangler has been civilized a bit, it is still only practical for the right kind of person (or family...) My wife, dog and I fit in it just fine and don't mind the difficult to put up top, hum from the tires, acoustics of a tent, and lousy gas mileage.
So, I agree with real on the def of a Sports Car, I think it fits the Wrangler, and I agree with Wheeler on respecting the vehicle and what it is capable of.
Semantics is an interesting thing isn't it?
Cam
I may be interested in the X if I replace both cars I have now. It would be a compromise for me - my off-roading hasn't needed a Dana 44 so far, and I would be using it for a daily driver. I won't get the 30" wheels, since it would be nice to be able to use chains (you can't with the 30" wheels). Now if I win the lottery I'll get a Rubicon for play and a WRX to be a daily driver. Then I'd be ready for anything! (I know, dream on!).
The locker should be in Monday, and a Jeep Bud is supposed to intall it for me next week sometime.
Finally will no longer have open diffs front and back!
I'm anxious to see how Thelma will do with the locker back there. Hope she doesn't act up too much on the pavement.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
That's great! I'll be interested to hear how it performs as well. I had already picked up an ARB compressor for next to nothing to use for airing back up (not nearly as good as York OBA, but for the tires we have, I can air up in less than 2 min each), but I just ran across someone wanting to get rid of an ARB locker for D44 that would fit with the 3.73 gears I currently have... I think I'll have about $375 in parts and then need to pay for the install. I'm somewhat torn as you were about "should I do gears at the same time, should I do a F locker first, etc.". I'm chalking it up to being a decent enough deal to not feel bad if I end up replacing something down the road. I don't see us going to 33's+ any time soon, so this should keep me set for the foreseeable future. Now if I could just find a great deal on an ARB for the D30! My original "plan", OK dream was to go with OX F&R. I like the mechanical aspect and design of their lockers, but you can't plan for good deals and I don't think the ARB will dissapoint me.
Curious, are you finding that being open F&R is limiting what you can/can't do at Turkey Bay? I actually would have preferred to get the F locker first, since that seems to be where I'm losing traction the most. We have Trac-Loc which helps enough to keep some power to the rear wheels in most cases. A tap of the brakes or a click or two on the parking brake is usually enough to get some traction applied to the rear wheel with traction.
I hear Brandon may come up to KY to run Turkey Bay in October. Depending on which weekend, I may road trip up there with him!
-twylie
Thanks
Apparently, getting them installed properly, with just the right amount of backlash, and adjusting one's driving style are both major factors in determining one's satisfaction with them.
I am fortunate enough to have a local Jeep Bud who is willing to install it for me, or to let me install it under his supervision.
As for the driving style, I will simply have to learn what it likes and doesn't like on the highway. I know you have to more or less free wheel through corners and stay off the gas.
You asked if I thought having open diffs is limiting me in where I can go at Turkey Bay. I guess I don't really know the answer to that, but I will find out once the locker is in. From what I have learned so far, a locker should allow me to crawl over something that I now have to take a run at. You know what I am talking about... a little step in the ground halfway up a steep ravine, or some tree roots, or a rock, etc. I am currently having to carry enough speed into those places to get me through on momentum rather than on traction.
I can see a big difference in these situations simply by disconnecting that front sway bar, which keeps those front tires on the ground and pulling instead of one side sticking up in the air and spinning. I guess disconnecting has somewhat the same effect as having a locker up front in that you are keeping the front axle pulling.
Trey, I hope you and Brandon both come up in October. That would be SUPER!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
From what I've been told, lockers are not the way to go in these types of conditions. I've never driven with them, so I wouldn't know.
Second, I live in MA, and ski in MA, VT, NH quite a bit, and that is one of the reasons I bought a jeep, so I could go up there in any weather. I thought a locker would only help that, by keeping the wheels from spinning. Some of them even have pictures of a truck in the snow right on the box!
The Wrangler's part time 4wd system should get you through most passable roads without any problems, although in my experience (ski areas in VA, and WV), a full time 4wd system will possibly do better in the snow since it can split power front to rear depending on available traction. Since you're in the market for a Wrangler, that's really a non-issue...
For snow driving, the other suggestion I'd make is to go with an All Terrain tread over a Mud Terrain tread due to the additional siping on the treadblocks. BFG makes their A/T tire in a 33 x 10.5 which would be excellent in the snow.
Check with some of the locals in your area to see what they have and if they'd do anything differently. Come warmer weather, nothing beats being able to drop the top on a Wrangler and enjoy the mountain air.
-twylie
The only thing I'd add is that 33x10.50 are not really applicable on a standard Wrangler without a lift. However, BFG AT 31x10.50 will fit nicely.
(look at the first picture, top right)
http://www.powertrax.com/truck.htm
nb: snow
of course i had to skip the off-raod post( lockers , differentals..etc)
BAMA is still here, ((ROLLL TIDE gave them sooners a scare, GREAT game) Not much going on with tazz just Clean & shiny as ever!!
Got both kiddies in school now, Busy being a PTA dad now.
Keep those post coming, even the off-road stuff
Keep Jeepin
BAMA
Rollll tide ROLL
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?