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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

Messages Page 2299 of 2340

#22981 of 23393 AH! NEED HELP ON WRANGLER! by jeepboy08

Feb 01, 2008 (10:40 am)

Okay, so here's the deal.
 
We own a 2005 Jeep Liberty, Limited Edition, 3.7L V6. WE LOVE IT. But we gave it to our daughter when she turned 16, in 2005.
 
My son is turning 16 in september of this year, and he wants a Jeep Wrangler, and he told us that he wants us to surprise him. I know he likes black, and hard/soft top, but I have no idea WHATSOEVER on what options to choose, nor the trim. Please help!

#22982 of 23393 4wd vs 2wd SSF by prizma

Feb 07, 2008 (6:47 pm)

According to the www.nhtsa.dot.gov the 4wd version of Wrangler has SSF (Static Stability Factor) of 1.09 while the 2wd has much better 1.18. One would expect the otherwise identical 4wd vehicle to have lower center of gravity, just because of extra weight in the lower part of the vehicle due to additional 4wd power train / parts. Anybody has an idea why that is not the case?

#22983 of 23393 Back window leaks by trish11

Feb 09, 2008 (5:16 pm)

I just bought a mint 2000 Wrangler Sahara and the owner has the hard top on and the soft top rolled down and folded up so that it sits across the back of the car. We had a lot of rain lately and I am getting leaking from what seems like the bottom of the window into the trunk. The seal looks to be in good condition and flexible enough, so I am wondering if maybe the soft top should not be stored inside the car while the hard top is on. The owner said that is how he has kept it for the past 2 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.

#22984 of 23393 4x4 posi lock by yjohn

Feb 11, 2008 (4:22 pm)

Does anyone here have experience with the 4x4 posi lock system? I just installed mine in January, but the only way it will fully engage is if i twist the handle out once it has been fully pulled. Is this normal?

#22985 of 23393 Re: Back window leaks [trish11] by roadburner

Feb 11, 2008 (8:07 pm)

Replying to: trish11 (Feb 09, 2008 5:16 pm)
The owner said that is how he has kept it for the past 2 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Back when the TJ was new the soft top came installed just as you describe. However, Jeep recommended that the soft top be removed after purchase. As for the soft top causing the leak, who knows?

#22986 of 23393 Re: AH! NEED HELP ON WRANGLER! [jeepboy08] by jimlw2

Feb 16, 2008 (12:23 am)

Replying to: jeepboy08 (Feb 01, 2008 10:40 am)
Your daughter was very lucky to get your new 2005 Liberty but like any SUV, be sure she's fully conscious of roll-over from fast steering or curves at too high a speed.
 
Regarding Wrangler for your son, I'd be conscious of the distraction factor of driving it with top-down, the difference in steering a Wrangler compared to other vehicles, and highway-speed handing of it's suspension if you go with the "regular" (aka short-wheelbase) models. Even with 23 years of driving when I got my first Wrangler, I had to adjust to it's characteristics unlike any vehicle I'd ever driven. Not necessarily bad but different.
 
I have the "old" Unlimited (2-door) and it drives at highway speeds with less "pitch-pole" and "squirminess" than the regular length wheelbase Wrangler. I love my Wrangler's handling but in strong side winds, it can be a handful to keep in the lane. With the top down, it's easy to get distracted when you're alone let alone with three "friends" (hopefully no silliness and allowing more than there are seatbelts or the standing up while driving antics...you have to judge his maturity on those serious matters). A teenage boy with the top down in a Wrangler with his favorite music blasting away with teenage girls driving by are certainly going to give him alot to distract him from driving. Throw in the "quirks" of the Wrangler driving characteristics depending on weather conditions and a young driver had better be very "mature" his concentration. Those would be my concerns.
 
One other thing to think about...will he want to take it off-road? He needs to get experience with someone that knows off-roading rather than just going out with friends and making a mistake that could be serious. Then, as a dad who bought him the Wrangler, he may expect you to cover costs of repairs and if he off-roads, there will be repairs...that's just part of the "adventure"...eventually.
 
In terms of styles of Wranglers...it's really up to what you think your son wants to do with it. "Mall Crawlers" are Wranglers that may never see dirt or rocks unless they're going through a road construction zone on the way to the movies with his buddies or girlfriend. A hard-top might take away a little distraction factor and when he's had more driving experience, he could buy an aftermarket soft top. I'd vote for the "old" 2-door Unlimited mainly to offer slightly better highway speed stability...but I'm biased since that's what I have and they're likely to be more expensive than the many older regular wheelbase Wranglers in the market. Most folks like the regular Wranglers and I've got some buddies that think my Unlimited looks "dorky"...again, just personal preference.
 
Though, if you gave your daughter a "new" Liberty, maybe you'll go with the new Wrangler which I've read is a bit more "refined" than the pre-2007 models...it has the same engine as your Liberty and from what I've also read, isn't necessarily a speed-demon in the 0-60 which might be a natural "governor" to keep your son from drag-racing.
 
Good luck.

#22987 of 23393 Re: Back window leaks [roadburner] by erickpl

Feb 19, 2008 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 11, 2008 8:07 pm)
That wouldn't be the problem. Most likely, the seals around the window (not necessarily the bottom part) are the culprit. Having only a soft top, I'm not sure what seal packages are available, but I'm sure there are some out there.
 
-Paul

#22988 of 23393 Re: AH! NEED HELP ON WRANGLER! [jeepboy08] by yjohn

Feb 26, 2008 (3:25 pm)

Replying to: jeepboy08 (Feb 01, 2008 10:40 am)
Before I could drive, my dad bought me a Wrangler because this was the one vehicle that could make me abandon the plans for my '76 AMC Pacer X. It is a 1992 and when I got it, it needed some serious work. The frame was rusted out, the top leaked a little, the 4x4 didn't work, and it had 155,000 miles on it. However, over the past two years, nothing has brought me more joy than adding to that jeep and rebuilding it from the frame up. I bought an entire new suspension for it, a hardtop, rebuilt the transmission, put an exhaust on it, threw in a new radiator, starter, and alternator, and brakes on all corners. If I had to do it all again, I would not hesitate one second to repeat it all. Here's the bottom line: If your son wants a Wrangler, you can't go wrong because once he understands that "jeep thing" he'll be hooked for life just as I am.

#22989 of 23393 Engine swap by eagereyz

Mar 02, 2008 (10:28 pm)

I have recently got a 2003 wrangler. I LOVE IT! The only thing that sux is its the 4 banger. I want to put the 4.0 6 cylinder in it, but I don't really know what all goes into replacing an engine. I've found a 4.0 for a 2004 with 20k miles for 800$. Good price? What else would I need to get? Will the trannie from the 4 cylinder work with the 6? I kinda doubt it, but I dont know anything about this stuff. Any one with any help, please let me know! Thanks.

#22990 of 23393 Re: Engine swap [eagereyz] by erickpl

Mar 03, 2008 (7:14 am)

Replying to: eagereyz (Mar 02, 2008 10:28 pm)
Price is decent, but you are only beginning to consider what needs to be changed.
 
You need to factor in:
 
- new transmission. The 4 banger tranny won't last with the I6.
- new engine wiring harness
- new motor mounts
- new fan shroud
- possibly new driveshaft for the rear
- possibly a stronger axle in back if you wheel it hard
 
For the effort to swap, you may as well find a SBC V8 (Small Block Chevy).
 
What size tires you running? If larger than stock, consider regearing the differentials to 4.56 or 4.88 (depending on tire size). While it still won't win any highway long distance drives, it will do GREAT around town.
 
For a comparison, I normally drive 3 hours to a wheeling spot in KY. In my wife's car, it takes about 2 hours, 45 minutes. In my TJ is right at 3 hours. Not a whole lot of difference there, so regearing may be a cheaper option (around $1k) than swapping all that extra stuff.
 
-Paul

Messages Page 2299 of 2340

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