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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 955 of 2340

#9540 of 23393 2004, 2003 August Wrangler incentives?? by mjkane1

Jul 26, 2003 (6:26 pm)

Hi All. Im planning on buying a new Wrangler (Hopefully a '04) within the next week or two, and I was just wondering if anyone has got word yet on what the new August incentives will be. Are August incentives traditionally better than July, or should I get a '03 with 2.9 APR while I have the chance?? Is there anything else I should know before purchasing my first Jeep (MUST HAVE options, etc.)? Look foward to hearing from ya!!

#9541 of 23393 kb28 and mjkane1 by tsjay

Jul 26, 2003 (7:57 pm)

Welcome to both of ya!
 
Don't know what changes are in store for the 04's, but from all I can gather, not much. (That's good!... they haven't messed 'em up yet)
 
I would recommend to each of you that you read LOTS of the old posts in here. I think it would be to your benefit to do so before buying.
 
There's a lot of good info in here. I know there are almost 10K posts, and you might not even know enough about Jeeps to do a good "search," so don't feel bad about asking a question, but I am just saying it would be good if you could read a BUNCH of the old posts. Reading some of the posts might actually lead you to ask a good question that you would not have even though of otherwise. A Jeep purchase, like the purchase of any new vehicle, is a big investment, and it is important to know what is available and what is most appropriate for your needs.
 
Mjkane, my friend, it would be impossible to give good advice on the choice of models and options without knowing how you plan to use your Jeep. Give us some more info. You'll find that we all love to "talk Jeep" in here, and we freely give advice, but we need to know some things first.
 
Once again, welcome to both of you.
 
Tom
 
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

#9542 of 23393 by mtngal

Jul 26, 2003 (8:14 pm)

I agree with Tom - it all depends on what you want to do with your Wrangler. For instance when I bought mine in '98 I got the 30" wheels and after I had signed the paperwork they handed me a sheet that said that I couldn't use chains with the larger wheels (was almost a deal-breaker but at that time I was still a "flatlander"). I have been thinking of getting a second Wrangler for a commuter vehicle, and if I do, I will NOT get the larger wheels. In fact, I might get an X with standard wheels since it would be a commuter vehicle, not an off-roader. And there is the occasional day when I would have liked to use chains on the Wrangler, along with 4x4 (like the time we more or less skated home). I would keep my '98 sport for off-roading. I'll probably get something else since the I6 engine is such a thirsty engine, and I wouldn't consider an SE with my steep uphill commute. Now if I were going to just go off-road or were a "flatlander" rather than a mountain dweller, I might look one.
 
Tom can give you more info if you are planning on doing significant off-roading. I do light to moderate off-roading and find my stock sport just fine for my needs. There are some places where I won't go without lockers, but that isn't really where my interests lie.
 
If you give us some more info, we could probably give better advice. Good luck with your decision.

#9543 of 23393 jenbradley by tsjay

Jul 26, 2003 (8:29 pm)

Sorry that I did not welcome you sooner. Your post came in at a time when the posts were fast and furious (and I LOVE it when they are!), so I was busy responding to some of the others and completely forgot to say "hi" and "welcome" to you.
 
So, here goes.... HI and WELCOME!
 
Hey, a Rubi is NOT overkill for someone who wants to get into offroading. If you can swing it, go for it!
 
Just learn to wheel on the easier stuff, and always go with someone who has experience and is willing to mentor you.
 
You can get into some serious trouble, if you get in over your head. Remember, the Jeep, especially a Rubicon, is going to be a lot more capable than the driver at first.
 
Let us know how the buying is going! Don't leave us in suspense. Good luck.
 
Tom
 
Have you hugged your Jeep today?

#9544 of 23393 seat belts... by grk235

Jul 27, 2003 (7:48 am)

update on locking seat belts ...
 
I was having trouble getting the passenger's seat belt to lock when jerking on it -- driver's side seemed fine.
 
"geepers" suggested I try it while braking sharply -- this worked. Apparently, the belts are integrated with the braking system. The confusing part is the various levels of sensitivity. Driver's side on my Rubicon requires no braking to lock, passenger's side does.
 
Thanks ... much more reliable info here than at the dealer or through the DC help line.
 
2003 Rubicon, armor, jks discos

#9545 of 23393 Seat Belts by mac24

Jul 27, 2003 (8:43 am)

"Apparently, the belts are integrated with the braking system."
 
Not directly, it only appears that way. They're actually controlled by the vehicle's deceleration. I forget which mechanism is currently used, but think of a saucer with a ball resting in the center. You can move the saucer around smoothly and the ball remains stationary. However, as soon as you jerk it in any direction the ball will move and tip the edge of the saucer down. The edge of the saucer could easily engage a latch etc. Just one of several ways to do it. The belts can also include a mechanism to lock when rapidly deployed, as with your drivers side. The only thing I would pursue further would be the discrepency of function between the two.

#9546 of 23393 seatbelts by twylie

Jul 27, 2003 (6:40 pm)

some good info:
 
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/seatbelt3.htm
 
also some good info on the page following this one on active pretensioners that are used in high end autos.
 
-twylie

#9547 of 23393 by mtngal

Jul 27, 2003 (7:29 pm)

A friend of mine has a saying - the only thing 4x4 does is get you stuck further away from help. A Rubicon will get you stuck even further away than a stock Wrangler will. Tom's advice of going with someone else is good advice - another vehicle can tow you out (take tow straps!) when you can't make it (and don't have a winch or can't use one because there are no trees). As well as helping you get through stuff you haven't seen before.
 
One of the reasons I tend to stick to easy to moderate stuff is that we are usually alone. Once I got a flat tire when we were on a dirt road a good 8 miles from a (sort of) paved road and probably 15 miles from the closest "help." We were able to change it ourselves, but it sure got me thinking about getting stranded. While I have a cell phone, it doesn't work in many mountain areas, CBs are limited in range etc. All things to think about before you head off into the wilderness.

#9548 of 23393 seat belts and buddies by geepers

Jul 27, 2003 (8:26 pm)

I should have done some more splainin' about the seat belt. I only knew that forward inertia figures into it locking as well as the speed at which the belt is pulled.
 
My biggest seat belt problem is leaving it accidently outside the door latching post that is on the door jamb and then closing the door on it. It's hard on the seat belt and I've done it enough times that I wonder if it would hold in a crash. I've also hung myself up by my belt loops and snagged a couple of jacket pockets on that post too.
 
Wheelin' with a backup is good advice. I ran across a picture of a couple of dessicated bodies near Death Valley. Their car broke down on a back road in the middle of summer. That was all she wrote.

#9549 of 23393 Thanks! by jenbradley

Jul 27, 2003 (10:51 pm)

Thanks to all that posted in answer to my newbie questions about the Wrangler Rubicon! Unfortunately, I have chickened out for the time being! I'm going to wait for the 2004 models that come out in a few months. I looked around at all the local dealerships and all they had were the Tombraider edition Rubicons, and the last thing I want is that embarrassing sticker/emblem on my Jeep!! But I desperately want a Jeep more and more everyday, so it's going to be sooner rather than later, that's for sure!
 
I have spent a lot of time going through this forum and all I can say is that it is an amazing resource and you guys have made this a really great place to visit!
 
jb

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