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Comments
Sorry I havnet been here in awhile.
Been a busy 2 months, plus I had a death in the family.
Be safe out there..
See you in 03'
BamaTazz
bama - good to see that you are still around.
Now, I know that all of you are just waiting for the after season sales to send me a Christmas gift, so here is a suggestion - can someone send me an accurate gas guage? Mine said that I had a quarter tank when I had filled up earlier that day and only driven 50 miles. I filled up again thinking there was a problem and only put in a couple of gallons...
TSB Number: 755
Issue Date: June 98
TSB Title: Recall - Fuel Tank Sending Unit
Should be a free fix at your dealer, so Happy Christmas!
What info do ya have on that? Hope I'm wrong, but that's what I have been led to believe.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
A TBS is current indefinitely or until it's superceded. A TSB is just a means of simplifying a fix to a specific problem that isn't definitively outlined in the Factory Service Manual. However, unless your 'in warranty' vehicle is manifesting the symptoms that the TSB corrects, it probably won't be accepted by the dealer for a free fix. In other words, you can't just go to the dealer with a list of the TSBs for your vehicle and say "Fix these under warranty for me". Won't happen.
Recalls are generally applicable for the life of the vehicle as you say. However, the manufacturer can apply limitations if they choose. An example would be the exchange of Firestone tires on Ford Explorers. Ford set a cut off date (which is now past).
If you look at the title of the TSB which may apply to mtngals fuel sender, it's listed as "Recall - Fuel Gauge Sending Unit". It's possible that DC may have time limited it, but they've not made it public if they have. It's certainly worth her while to check with at least a couple of dealers to see (some are less cooperative than others).
So, a Recall can be detailed in a TSB, but a TSB is not necessarily a Recall.
I know my buddy at work had that same thing done on his 97 Sport. He just got it this summer, and when he contacted DC about getting a build sheet sent to him, they told him their computers were showing that this work had never been performed on his Jeep. The local dealer did the work at no charge to him once the part came in.
I thought it was a full fledged recall instead of a TSB, but you are saying the terms are somewhat overlapping. In his case, the TSB carried the weight of a recall, so Mountain Gal, maybe you're in luck!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
The gas guage has always been consistently higher than the real level, which doesn't bother me as much as it does my other half. I've only seen these wildly inaccurate readings a couple of times, and it goes back to the regular reading after I fill up. What bothers me far more is the dash guage problem, which I really need to get fixed one of these days.
TSB Number: 755
Issue Date: June 98
TSB Title: Recall - Fuel Tank Sending Unit
Should be a free fix at your dealer, so Happy Christmas!"
I have a 1997, but it I bought it used, and it is out of warranty. I wonder what these cost. I have not paid attention, but will now. Maybe I can just live with it.
??
I bought it used, and doubt Jeep would know how to contact me about a recall. Do I just bring it in to them and ask them to check it out?
What IS the warranty on a 1997 anyhow? 7/70 and I'd still be good, but 3/30 and I'm out. Bet it is the latter, with maybe emissions going beyond that. Anyone know for sure?
I can't think of any specific questions besides just what I have included. Your opinion and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Please feel free to reply to jeff_burgess@yahoo.com if you'd like.
Thanks.
I LOVE it!!!!
It is the first year of the TJ model, which I would recommend.
I got the 6 cylinder, 4.0 liter motor. I would recommend this as well. One thing I got that I'd change if I could was a 3.07 ratio Dana 35 rear end.
If I had my druthers, I'd get a Dana 44 with any ratio, or a higher ratio D35. I didn't know that much when buying, and was anxious to get my Wrangler. I MIGHT have done it differently knowing what I now know.
I got the soft top and half doors. I picked up a used hard top for $650 last December (or was it the one before?).
It changed my driving style from the Civic, for sure, but I was due for a change anyhow. Now I can listen to the birds with the top down (when not listening to Kid Rock!)
I put in an aftermarket stereo and speakers, and that is about it. I have a spacer lift (3/4") in and a 1" body lift ready to go in any time now.
Don't plan on doing much else with this one.
Might trade up in a few years for a used Rubicon or a diesel Liberty or diesel Wrangler (if they come out) with an auto. Who knows? For now, I am very happy with my Wrangler.
Are you aware of the handling characteristics of a Wrangler? They are different than regular cars (lousy in the wind, noisy, very quick steering for high speed driving etc.). I've found that slowing down to 65-70 mph means better handling and MUCH better gas mileage. If you do much highway driving at all, get the I6.
The sound bar was not standard those years and mine doesn't have one. I really wish it did (the only thing mine doesn't have that I really want).
If you have the Wrangler bug, you might as well itch it and buy one! I got the bug in '75 but didn't actually do anything about it until '98 - I sure missed out on a ton of fun waiting that long. Just be aware that you are not buying a sports car or a cushy luxury car, because that's not what a Wrangler is all about.
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/04/980430D2.html
TSBs and Recalls '97:
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/04/970406D2.html
Best plan is to let your dealer run the VIN through their computer to see if you're eligible. Alternatively, you can contact DC and let them tell you. Tsjay can give you the details.
In addition, steep descents in 4wd low range (especially manual) using engine braking, will be far easier to control than using the brakes alone.
On braking - I agree that this is a good time to be using lower gears rather than brakes. One of the times when having a manual pays off. There is nothing worse than getting halfway down a hill and smelling that distinctive aroma of burning brakes... I've never actually done that, but have been in a friend's car when he decended a paved mountain road while depending almost solely on his brakes, and know the odor.
I've never owned (or driven) a vehicle with ABS, so I don't know, but I thought that they only pulsate when the wheels are locked up. Since you would not have the brakes locked, they wouldn't affect what you are doing. Or am I wrong?
You've been sleepin'. Here's a copy of my post where I told everyone how to contact DC for a build sheet for their vehicle. There was another, more recent, post of mine where I said that going to that web site and requesting a build sheet is how my buddy at work found out that the TSB/recall had not been performed on his 97 Sport. He wasn't even aware that there had been a recall until they told him about it when they sent his build sheet. They said their records did not show that the work had ever been performed on his particular Jeep.
#7207 of 7794 This is so cool! by tsjay Oct 23, 2002 (08:36 pm)
I just learned that you can go to the Jeep web site (www.jeep.com) and request a vehicle build sheet for your Jeep!
I will list the steps that you have to take:
1. www.jeep.com
2. type in "customer service" in the search window at the top of the home page
3. in the next window that pops up, click on the second option "how do I contact Chrysler"
4. in the next window, click on the third option down on the left side "customer assistance-United States" (click on the little envelope icon)
5. now you are there! fill out the form and at the top, just ask them to send you a vehicle build sheet
Give it a try, Doug, and you might even specifically ask them about whether or not the recall work has been performed on your Jeep. You might even ask them if their records show the exhaust manifold has been replaced under warranty on your Jeep. Might be too late on that one, if it hasn't, but at least you would know.
Tom
Welcome! All of us here love our Jeeps, and it would be very easy for me to say, "yeah, go for it."
You didn't mention your intended use for the Jeep, whether you have a family to transport in it, or any pertinent details of your particular situation.
So, without knowing these things, I can't advise you as to whether a Jeep would be the right way for you to go or not.
I CAN tell you that they are FUN! They are small, rough-riding, noisy, gas-guzzling vehicles, but they are FUN!
If you will have no more than one passenger most of the time, and if you can get by with the tiny amount of cargo area, then maybe a Jeep would be OK for you.
I have had my Jeep for two years now, and I am still excited about her. I have a long history of trading vehicles way too often, so having the same vechicle for two full years is almost unheard of in my case. I not only have had her for two years, but I am still thrilled with her.
I suggest that you read lots of the posts in here. That should give you a feel for what it's like to have a Jeep.
Please let us know more about how you intend to use the Jeep, and then we can give you better advice.
In answer to your specific questions about the engines, if you do much highway driving, definitely go with the 4.0 L six cylinder engine!
Another possibly very important option to consider is the Dana 44 rear end. They are much stronger than the standard Dana 35, and if you think you might want big tires and a locker someday, then you might be best to try to find a Jeep with the Dana 44. Go back and read the posts on this subject from several weeks ago. This issue got beat to death then.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1875823821&category=6286
Entering 'Jeep' and 'Landrunner' into Google would have given you this site:
http://www.landrunnerwestinc.com
as the first result.
I don't understand how they can sell the one on Ebay for 2 grand since a conversion kit is almost 7 grand on top of the price of a Wrangler.
Still a happy camper.
It'll only be available for sale when the reserve price is reached.
I hope someone here can help me out. The soft top of my 2000 Wrangler has begun to accumulate little patches of what looks to be mold or mildew. Soap won't wash it out, nor will the Mother's Soft Top care that I tried. Has anyone had this problem? If so, what can I do?
I also learned about the "Reserve Price" on eBay. Item is not for sale until that price is met! Wonderful! (I'm being sarcastic).
Me? I love the Wrangler, and would like to have one, but they tend to hold their value much more than the Cherokee, which I am forced to buy... (Simply because it's a few thousand cheaper than a Wrangler...err...I mean TJ or YJ)
I would love to have a Cherokee to go along with my Wrangler. A Cherokee would be cool for a family "car." You have room for passengers and cargo, and you can still offroad with it.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Thelma Jane had a couple minor problems today. I tried to make it across a ravine, and I didn't make it. Thelma was kind of balancing on two wheels, rocking a little. Even with the locker in the back, I got into a position where I couldn't go forward or backward, and I had to take a strap from the guy ahead of me.
Later on, I could hear a noise that I first thought was the sound of a tree limb scooting along the hard top, but I wasn't near any trees. I finally decided that the noise sounded like what it must sound like when tire lugs contact the flares (had never heard that noise, but it was just like what I would have expected tire lugs hitting a flare to sound like). I stopped and took a look, and the left rear flare was nearly in contact with the tire, even though I was on level ground at the time. Guess what? The left rear spring was gone!
One of the guys in the group said the only place that could have happened was in that ravine that I didn't make it through, because he said that left rear tires was really hanging down. He went back and found my spring just where he thought it would be.
We used a highlift and raised Thelma's rear off the ground far enough to get that left rear tire hanging down again, and I put the spring back in.
Then later on, instead of making a three point turn like I should have, I tried to keep going and weave through a tight spot between trees. I wasn't paying enough attention, and I got the left front flare into the tree. This pressure on the flare caused the left front fender to crinkle a little.
Hey, it was bound to have happened sooner or later, and if that is the worst damage Thelma Jane ever gets, you won't hear me complain.
I LOVE WHEELIN'!!!!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
It's like someone told me - you have a Jeep. Dings are character marks, not flaws. A little touch up paint to stop any rust and keep on going. I didn't buy my Wrangler to sell it - I bought it to have fun with it.
Happy New Year!
It was actually a relief to me to get off that kick about thinking that Thelma had to be in perfect condition all the time. I used to drive myself nuts keeping the bug guts off of her and trying to keep her spotless inside and out.
It's a lot more fun this way. I still take good care of her, and when I wash her, she still looks good... just not PERFECT any more.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
What do you guys think of the Liberty? I have 9 words: "It's not a Jeep. It should go to Dodge."
No, I'm serious...the Liberty is what Dodge has been asking for a LONG time.
I was reading through the message board and noticed that there are alot of regulars posting often. I plan on posting frequently so I will introduce myself. My name is Rob and I live about 5 minutes outside New York City. I make often trips to upstate New York where I go hunting and camping in the catskill mountains. My last car was a chevy blazer which was fun on some of the trails but was limited as to which trails I could take. So I decided a Wrangler was for me.
Let me tell you about my Wrangler. Its a 2003 Inca Gold Wrangler X. Equipped with 5 speed Manual transmission, Steering group, convenience group, smokers group, wheel plus group, Full doors, air conditioning, Fog lights, Side Steps, and tow hooks.
Well thats my new baby, what do you think? I know alot of people don't like the color but its my favorite.
I am looking forward to being an active member of this board. Take car all.
I know you are going to have the time of your life with that Jeep. There's just nothing like 'em.
I like the Inca gold color just fine. Tluke, who posts here sometimes, also has Inca gold.
Rob, one word of caution: take off the side steps when you go into the woods. Those things get torn off on the trails, and the sheet metal often gets bent in the process. If you really don't need the steps, then I would just leave them off. If you actually need them, then it would be smart to take the time to remove them before hitting the trails and put them back on when you get back home.
I'm very happy for ya, Rob! Be sure and post after you pick up your baby and give us your initial impressions of her. Hope you were serious about becoming a regular here, because you would be very welcome to join the family.
GET READY TO HAVE SOME FUN!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Thanks for the advice about the side steps TSJAY. Unfortunatly I do need them since my father often rides in my car and he will have trouble getting in and out of the wrangler without side steps. Are they easy to remove?
A buddy of mine with a 99 Sport had the steps, and it was not too much of a job to remove them. The bad thing was that he didn't take them off until he had already hung one on something and damaged his Jeep. Also, a guy at work with a 97 Sport took his off without a lot of trouble. In his case, he took my advice and removed them BEFORE he went wheelin' the first time.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Steve, Host
Glad to see some of the same here and some new Jeep owners.
Hope everyone had a good Christmas and everyone will have a Happy New Year.
That article is a joke. That guy has no clue what he is talking about.
kewlrobd,
The side steps are easy to remove but may be a little hard to put back on. They should have two mounting points with 3 or 4 bolts on each.
If you want to replace them with something that works off-road, here are some options.
Here are some frame mounted rocker guards.
http://www.turbocity.com/JeepBumpers.htm
Body mounted rocker guards with a step. The step maybe too high for what you want. The body mounted ones give you more clearance though.
http://www.fourxdoctor.com/main/body_guard/rockerbars.html
Same style, but better design and more expensive
http://aev-conversions.com/ssi/osb/showitem.cfm?Category=3
I think the inca gold looks horrible on pt cruisers. I actually like it on a TJ though. I am glad you bought what you wanted. Your opinion is the only one that matters with your Jeep.
I didn't think the Forbes review was all that bad. Did you think the guy was focusing on its road manners too much?
Oh wait, that Forbes review was about an Isuzu. That explains it!
Steve, Host
Been missin' ya here and at Gill's. Get back to Gill's and chat with us!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Steve
The guy makes it seem like there is a big difference between the rubicon and the other wranglers. There is but only off-road.
His article could of just been. "Tires are loud." I guess he wouldn't have a job though then.
My understanding is the handling and riding should be the same between the other TJs and the rubicon. I also didn't like his comments about the h2 vs the rubicon. Did he take the rubicon off-road or the h2? The h2 is completely different than the orignal hummer.
Jeep only offered 3 speed autos until this year. Not the best on the highway. Now they have 4 speed autos but I don't know much about their reliability.
I think abs WILL NOT activate under 15mph. It should not be a problem off-roading. I don't have ABS and don't really care for it. This is only what I heard so you may want to research it a bit more.
You can get the Wrangler with several axles. You may want the stronger Dana 44 vs. the Dana 35 in the rear. The dana 35 should work fine if you aren't getting too extreme or larger tires with a locker.
You may want to consider the Rubicon model that is new this year if you haven't heard about it already.
At least he was fair about saying that it was good off-road, though he didn't get into much detail about why. After all, wasn't that why they put out the Rubicon? Somehow I don't think anyone would buy one to drive to the supermarket or haul the kids around. My other half read the article and immediately squashed any idea I might have had about going that route for our second vehicle. He's right - for what we have time to do, we don't need lockers. But if I had them, I'd go someplace to use them! Maybe that's what he is afraid of...
How 'bout letting us hear from you???
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?