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Jeep Wrangler

23393 messages,  Last post on Feb 12, 2013 at 3:29 PM

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What is this discussion about? Jeep Wrangler, SUV

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#22050 of 23393 Jack and Jack Stand Placement by jimlw2

Sep 09, 2006 (10:57 am)

I would like to rotate wheels on both my 2005 Wrangler Unlimited and my wife's 2005 Liberty (4WD) without relying on a dealer or tire shop. Both vehicles have stock suspension and wheels/tires. This weekend, I'd like to buy a jack and 4 stands with the right dimensions and capacity.
 
What weight capacity should I buy for the jack and stands and stand height?
 
I've read suggestions about safety concerns including level paved area, using parking brake, transmission in park, wheel chocks, gently lowering the vehicle down onto the stands, and making sure the vehicle is stable once up on jack stands. However, I'd like to better understand the placement of the jack on the underside of the vehicles for lifting and the best placement of the jack stands for supporting the vehicle.
 
Under the Wrangler, where's the right place to place the jack for lifting the front and the rear of the vehicle? What parts of the underside on the front and rear of the vehicle should the weight be carried on the jack stands? I'm thinking the differentials can be used for lifting and the jack stands may support the axles directly but I'd really like to check before causing serious damage for something as simple as a DIY wheel rotation.
 
Will the jack and jack stand placement be different for the Liberty because I think it has an independent front suspension?
 
I realize some (including myself ) are thinking "if he has to ask such a basic question, he has no business doing it himself". I'd like to start doing more on my own Jeeps since as the old adage goes, "no one cares more about your own Jeeps than you" (well, maybe the adage doesn't specifically state Jeeps but we know that's what they meant to say ). I know I won't find a better group of folks to ask the right way to care for our Jeeps...Forgive me for being so naive to basic vehicle DIY...I have to start somewhere, right?

#22051 of 23393 Re: Rear replacetment bumper suggestion [erickpl] by jimlw2

Sep 09, 2006 (12:56 pm)

Replying to: erickpl (Sep 08, 2006 12:20 pm)
Hi Paul - Just getting caught up on past posts and ran across your photos...Thanks for having the courage to share your carnage and insights on it as well as the hard work you've invested to wipe away the damage to Kermit...Looking good, again!

#22052 of 23393 Re: Jack and Jack Stand Placement [jimlw2] by highdesert

Sep 09, 2006 (1:56 pm)

Replying to: jimlw2 (Sep 09, 2006 10:57 am)
Jim,
While I'm no pro, I do rotate my own tires on my Unlimited. Since a Wrangler Unlimited only weighs about 3500 lbs, even the lightest capacity jack stands that I have seen at the stores (2 1/4 tons) would suffice. I have the stock 30x9.5 tires and my 2 1/4 ton jack stands reach sufficient height for these wheels. I also went cheap and got a 2 1/4 ton floor jack and while this works, a higher capacity would make me happier. On the front axle I typically place the jack under the front differential for the driver's side lift. Since the front differential is not centered it is difficult to lift the driver's side on the axle and still have enough space to get the jack stand under the axle. I always place the jack stands under the axle as close to the wheel as I can get it. After lifting the front driver's side, I move the jack to the front passenger side axle and lift it for the passenger side stand. While I have seen some lift the entire rear axle by the centered rear differential, I lift each side separately with the jack on the axle while leaving sufficient space between the jack and the wheel to allow placement of the jack stand near the end of the axle. Go slowly and be careful, following all of the precautions that you mentioned in your original post.
 
Dennis

#22054 of 23393 Towing a Wrangler by ocean_shipper

Sep 09, 2006 (3:15 pm)

Hi everyone. I have a 2003 Wrangler and am thinking about towing it on some family trips behind a 2005 Grand Cherokee with 5.7 Hemi engine. I am wondering what is the best thing to get; 1- a tow bar for the Wrangler, or 2- a trailer / dolly to tow the jeep on.
 
While I am not that concerned about adding mileage to the Wrangler, if I could find a trailer of some type, it might be better.
 
Any one have any ideas that you could share? I know (or think, at least) that if I tow it on a dolly lifting the front wheels, the spinning rear wheels will run the speedometer and odometer. Am I correct about that?
 
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Thanks - Chuck

#22055 of 23393 Re: Jack and Jack Stand Placement [highdesert] by jimlw2

Sep 10, 2006 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: highdesert (Sep 09, 2006 1:56 pm)
Thanks for the pointers, Dennis...I really appreciate it. Do you have any suggestions for my wife's Liberty which has independent front suspension? I'm thinking I could use your same technique but I'll have to see what sort of front axle length on each side of the differential is under her Liberty.

#22056 of 23393 Re: Rear replacetment bumper suggestion [4rider] by erickpl

Sep 11, 2006 (5:44 am)

Replying to: 4rider (Sep 08, 2006 4:17 pm)
Ravines and Canyons both have 5.5" BS.
 
-Paul

#22057 of 23393 Thanks by erickpl

Sep 11, 2006 (5:47 am)

Appreciate the kind words everybody. I wasn't trying to get sympathy, but want people to understand something that is VERY easy to overlook - modifying a Jeep WILL change its handling characteristics. Lifting it will change the COG. Widening the stance changes the COG. You have to drive it with those considerations in mind and realize just because a Jeep you are following did something, it doesn't mean YOU can, especially if your mods are different.
 
For 380, I've come a long way, but the hood is the one that will take some work since part of the firewall/hood mount is bent. I have found some hoods that match my body's color, but I may have to drive to pick em up. No biggie.
 
Even if you don't think you ever will flop it, consider safety. A never thought I'd flop, so I never got a cage. It is now on my hot list of things to do if/when I ever get approval. I think I can make it happen.
 
-Paul

#22058 of 23393 Hard to Start / Rough idle by erickpl

Sep 11, 2006 (7:50 am)

I took my Jeep for a short drive yesterday. Turning over was tough, but the engine caught and ran. Idle was rather low and I had to give it gas to keep from dying. I drove it on Thursday as well for some body shop estimates. It was hard to start then as well, but ran just fine at idle and at speed. After driving for a few minutes, subsequent starts worked just fine and it fired right up.
 
I replaced the TPS at Windrock after it threw codes and died at 45 mph on the main road. After replacing the TPS, it ran fine at both speed and idle.
 
After the flop a few weeks ago, it ran fine too, but it has been sitting for a while in my driveway and not driven much. I wonder what would cause the hard to start situation and the low idle.
 
I'm thinking my battery is not keeping a charge possibly due to low fluid after the flop. I think the alternator is doing its job to charge it, but with low fluid in the battery, it doesn't charge it much?
 
Here are my questions:
1. Would a bad battery or one low on fluid cause the hard to start?
2. Would a bad battery cause rough/low idle?
3. Can I adjust a TJ's idle?
4. Has anybody used NAPA's gel batteries and how do they compare to Optima?
 
Mac, any ideas?
 
-Paul

#22059 of 23393 Re: Ouch [nolid5] by cbeas

Sep 11, 2006 (8:50 am)

Replying to: nolid5 (Sep 08, 2006 6:39 am)
Paul,
 
Question about your lift....I'm considering the same OME lift for my '04 Sahara. I see that you ended up with 3.25" before the body lift...is that correct? If so, would that give me enough clearance to upgrade from my current 31" tires to 32's without doing the bodylift. I've been concerned about pulling the trigger due to the advertised lift results being only 2-2.5" & they recommend 31" tires.
 
I want to do something soon. My new jeeperman front bumper and winch addition have created a slight sag in the front.
 
Your input is appreciated.
 
Chad

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