Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Man, that is really weird! I hope they figure it out soon. It would kill me to be without Thelma Jane for that long.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
What a wierd situation! Be glad they aren't putting a bandaid on and returning it back to you without fixing the problem. I've had such rotten luck with many dealership service departments that I tend to avoid them if at all possible. It sounds like your dealership is great! Though I will say this, the last time I saw a dealership it was a Toyota dealership in Bakersfield and I had a good experience, so I'm not saying they are all bad!
What's the long distance experiences from the forum? I plan on keeping it to 70 mph for fuel and safety (TJ's seem a little shaky at 80 mph - IMHO). Any thoughts?
I often choose to drive the Wrangler on our often trips to Vegas and back because it is so much more comfortable. And it still is more comfortable, even though it has something over 105,000 miles on it (the weather has been hot for a couple of weeks, so I haven't had much excuse to drive it and I don't remember the mileage off hand. We always keep it on the trip odometer).
It seemed like the stock Goodyear tires were OK, but compromised too much everywhere. I switched to Bridgestone Dueler ATs and like them very much. They seem to be wearing much better than the Goodyears, are quiet on the road, and have more stick in icy conditions.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Tell THEM to replace every single engine related component, which includes the engine.
I know of one Dodge dealership, where you the Customer Service is so crappy, that you have to get LOUD to get your problem solved. My uncle used to go there, and they threatened to call the police a couple times. But, if that's what it takes...
My mother also took this route when they wouldn't fix the oil leak in her '93 Duster (At a different dealership), way back in the day. She took it in once @ 69,913 Miles. (Still under warranty). They said that there was no problem found. SO: then when we noticed a large PUDDLE of oil coming from the engine, she took it back @ 70,021 Miles, they refused to fix it under warranty, AND they KNEW that they didn't fix it in the first place. All it took was one LOUD complaining call to Chrysler Headquarters, and it was fixed, free of charge, deductible free. THEN it happened again 500 miles later. Once again, fixed for free. As for that engine, it was never really fixed. The Duster was later dumped.
Call, complain, contact the BBB, do whatever you can to get your Jeep back. It must be mind blowing driving that Corolla around, and you're currently making payments on a Jeep that you can't even drive.
Heck, make a trip out to Auburn Hills, MI.
I watched the video last night and I'm confused on the dual top issue. The jeep comes with both tops installed and suggests that one be removed immediately. I believe the word "MUST" is included in the suggestion. My question is do I need to remove the hardtop to remove the soft top assembly or is there some trick to removing the soft top without having to go through the pain of hardtop removal. It is 5 degrees outside and I'm not happy about the idea of doing a remove/install.
What have others done?
Thanks
(Yes, you MUST remove the hardtop to remove the soft-top.)
Stephen
Now tell us all about the Jeep! My shrewd, calculating mind has told me that you got the dual top option. (what tipped me off?)
How 'bout some other details? How bout some pics?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Do you want your lift for function or looks? A suspension lift will enable you to fit larger tires and will also give enhanced wheel travel, thus improving your off road capability. A body lift will enable you to fit larger tires, period!
A body lift is cheap, around $100, and easy to fit. A suspension lift is more expensive, and more complicated to install.
Plenty to research!
Like Mac said, what is the purpose of the lift? Are you going to wheel that Jeep or do you just want bigger tires for looks?
This is one of those "I've heard" things, and not personal experience, but it is WIDELY held that a body lift of over one inch is not a good thing.
There is a very good lift by all accounts called an OME (Old Man Emu) for people who don't want to get too radical. It is a suspension lift, including four springs and four shocks. It is nominally a two inch lift, but people are getting three inches when they get the heavy duty version.
Even with the OME, some people have to use the trac bar relocator bracket that comes with the kit and do a transfer case drop for driveline angle correction. (The trac bar is what keeps the rear axle centered, and after the lift, the axle can shift to one side or the other, requiring the use of the tac bar relocator bracket)
What size tires are you wanting to go to? That will determine how much lift you need.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Adam, things really need to start with tire size. You decide which tire size you want to go with, and then you lift the Jeep accordingly.
Did you know that you can put 31's on your Jeep with no lift at all? I ran mine that way for a good while before finally getting a used 2" Procomp lift from a wheelin' buddy. I did not disconnect my sway bar while I had the 31's and no lift. My tires might have rubbed the flares during full flex with the sway bar disco'd, if I had tried it, since you get much more axle travel when the sway bar is disco'd. That's the very reason you disconnect: to get more axle travel or "articulation."
If 31's are not big enough for you, then you will need some kind of lift.
You might want to find out which rear axle you have, the standard Dana 35, or the optional Dana 44. The Dana 44 will handle larger tires with less chance of breaking. If you are only going to do mild offroading, and if you are not going to have a locker in the rear end, then the Dana 35 would probably still support tires up to 33". I sure would not go over 33's with the Dana 35.
I really think that OME lift would be what you would want, but even for 33's, you would probably need a 1" body lift, if you plan to disconnect your front sway bar for offroading. Otherwise, you would probably be fine on the pavement, but would rub your flares when getting full flex with the sway bar disco'd out on the trails.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Larry
P.S. I know distributor caps and rotors have all but dissappeared on modern engines. But it's sure nice to know there's still a job for the distributor shaft.
Seriously, glad that things are looking up. I hope that this is the fix and that you won't have any more problems. I know you'll be glad to have that Jeep back! I would kill me to be without Thelma Jane that long.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I think I'll recommend that Edmunds provide cheese to go with that whine! ;-)
tidester, host
I sure hope they get that Jeep back in good running condition for him. Man, I would have a stroke if I had to give up Thelma Jane for a whole week!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
However, that brings me to a question. My poor Jeep definitely needs a bath. Are there any concerns I should have with using a Professional Car Wash with the hardtop? Any particular type I should avoid? I'd wash it myself but frankly it's too cold out and the outside faucets at home are closed for the winter.
Susan
tidester, host
- Harriet
Any gas stations in your area that will hand wash a vehicle? I guess the car wash wouldn't hurt anything, especially the brushless type. A hand washing would get that puppy cleaner, though.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I washed my jeep at the car wash, using the hand wand. I just used low pressure when washing areas where I was afraid the water might penetrate the inside. No problems.
·Quadratec sells replacements in pairs for $240. Anyone know if it’s possible to buy just one?
·Is there any way to repair the tear?
·If I replace the windows, would it make sense to get the sliders ($370)? Anyone have these?
·Has anyone purchased a replacement at a salvage yard? What was the price?
Thanks in advance!!
eARS
All in all, driving a rental for a week or so is maybe a good thing. When I get the Wrangler back, it will be that much more fun after Corollaing at low altitude these past few days.
Ears, about that slit window: If you live near a big marina, shop around for a canvas shop. Big boat owners use a similar material for bimini tops, and they are often made locally on a custom basis. They have the machines and materials to do such a repair. An auto upholstery repair shop could fix that, too, I imagine.
Larry
Rb, I didn't have to do anything about driveline angle after my lift was installed, and this is not surprising, since it was just a 2" lift.
The folks who get the HD version of the OME lift often get 3" of actual lift, and they sometimes have to do a transfer case drop to get rid of vibrations from a bad driveline angle. I have never done one, but a T-case drop is supposed to be very simple to do, just adding some washers where the T-case is mounted.
You will be giving up some of the ground clearance that the lift gave you when you do a T-case drop, but if your purpose for the lift was more for fitting larger tires and not so much for ground clearance, it's no biggie.
Keep posting!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I don't have any tips for ya on those uppers. I do wish ya good luck, though.
How bout some more frequent posts, and how 'bout ya come back to Gill's?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
In between hand washing, I have found that one of those "California Dusters" does a nice job of keeping the dust off. Honestly, a good wiping makes her look pretty clean.
They do not use a lot of salt on our roads, so that is less of a concern. However, they do use cinders for traction, so what we gain in rust protection, we lose in cracked windshields. :-)
Nope, didn't get to wheel this past weekend.
This coming Saturday, maybe, but it will be COLD!
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I try not to get over 60 MPH while at home and get around 15 MPG more or less. I do have engine, gas tank, rockers, lca, and steering gear box skids, along with the steel wheels, 31 inch tires and rock guard on the rear differential. Easily have over 200 pounds of extra steel to help with mileage.
I ended up putting 833 miles on this weekend and I think I put a total of 56 gallons in after filling up once I got home.
Mtngal I don't want to hear about your 20 MPG:).
Still a happy camper.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
I think we should observe that day, and I would give up one of the other holidays in order to have that one. I am NOT a bleeding heart liberal, and usually vote Republican, but I do think that our whole country owes a great debt to Dr. King.
Our country had to change, and he led us into that change in a nonviolent way. There could have been almost a civil war if the black population had followed the militants instead of following Dr. King.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
tsjay - Love the picture - a good example.
Other thoughts:
Nice picture if the wheel travel, tsjay.
Wind: Ha, got you beat, gal. I got 22mpg (6 cyl, 5 spd) going south last month on I-5. Coming home, I got 16mpg. Damn headwinds! This Jeep is aerodynamic as a brick; wouldn't have it any other way.
Larry
Wrangler Sport, 6cyl, 5spd, 30"tires
Stephen
I have tried shifting when the little arrow lights up, but I did not find much of a difference in my milage. Better to trust the "feel" of the engine. Besides, it's more fun to change gears on my own.
I had the fluids changed today in the tranny and in the transfer case on Thelma Jane. I bought the stuff a while back from the local DC dealer's parts department, but I just hadn't gotten around to changing it or having it changed until today.
I let it get too cold and the days get too short to do it myself, since my garage has no electriciy, and therefore no lights and no heat.
That good old GM dealer that changes my oil for $5.95 when I bring in my own oil and filter did the job on the tranny and t-case for $22.12! That was a special deal that I'm not sure they would do for just anyone, but I have bought several vehicles from that place in my car trading past. Salesmen there have named their children after me. You guys know how often I used to trade cars.
Anyway, I'm rambling, so I'll get to the point. I wish I had changed those fluids sooner. The tranny has a magnetic drain plug, and it was loaded with metal particles. There were also some small paricles in the oil that drained out. I have read on other message boards that it is important to change those fluids, even though DC claims the fluid never needs to be changed on the manual transmission.
Also, the transfer case fluid was very dark compared to the new stuff that went in. The transfer case just gets automatic transmission fluid, Mopar ATF +4. I don't think I had really waited TOO long, but it sure looked like it was in need of changing.
Thelma Jane is a little over two years old, and she has 26,000 miles on her. I wish I had changed those fluids sometime during the first year.
The good news was that neither the tranny nor the t-case fluids showed any sign of water contamination.
If you are gonna keep your Jeep for a long time, and if you want to be serious about maintenance, then I highly recommend that you change these fluids at least once a year. I really don't think all the "wheelin" I've done with Thelma Jane had anything to do with the fact that those fluids needed changing. If there had been water in there, then, yeah, I guess that would have been due to the wheelin'
This would have been a very easy job to have done myself, but not in this winter weather without a heated, lighted garage. It's a simple matter of removing the drain plug, re-installing it afer the fluids runs out, and re-filling through the fill plug. These plugs are pretty easily accessible, but the t-case fluid runs out onto the t-case skid and then runs out through the holes in the bottom of the skid. So, you have to be prepared to catch the stuff. They had a plastic garbage can lid turned upside down to catch the stuff at the shop today.
The transfer case takes Mopar ATF +4 automatic transmission fluid (1.0 L according to factory service manual) and the tranny gets Mopar Manual Tranmission Lubricant (2.28 L also according to factory service manual).
I bought two quarts of ATF +4 and three quarts of the Manual Transmission Lubricant, and I had a little of each left over. It seemed like the t-case must have taken a little more than the service manual said it would, since a liter is just over a quart, and it took close to two quarts to fill mine.
I went with the Mopar stuff this time, but I have seen posts where people have used substitute lubricants. I just wanted to play it safe, since I am still in the warranty period.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Can you do this at a "Quick Lube" joint or do you need to go to the dealer? We have a Jiffy Lube that has done a good job on our Subaru and they are scads cheaper than our local dealers. I have also been warned to avoid our local Jeep dealer as his shop tends to breed gremlins (Jeeps coming out with mysterious problems that they didn't have going in).
If you go to a Quick Lube, you'd better stand there shoulder to shoulder with the guy and make sure he does it right. I wouldn't depend on them to have the right fluids, though. You still ought to get those from the dealer to be sure you are getting the right stuff.
Tom
Have you hugged your Jeep today?
Road Test Follow-Up: 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
Steve, Host
The other thing we would see is over filled oil. It is interesting to see oil actually spraying up out of the dipstick tube under pressure I tell you...
I go to one of these places now. It is a valvoline place and they do a good job. They probably can't understand why I stand around and "supervise" as they do the work LOL.