To Lift or Not to Lift, Your Jeep

To Lift or Not to Lift, Your Jeep Wrangler
December 24, 2012

      One of the things that most Jeep owners want to do is to lift his or her Jeep. There are many reasons why one would want to do this, to put bigger wheels and tires on, for more clearance over obstacles while on the trail, for more travel while on climbing a rock trail, and just for the cool factor. But there are a few things to consider before you purchase your lift or decide to lift your Jeep to start with.

      One of the important things to consider is, how much do you use your Jeep? What I mean about this is, do you daily drive your Jeep, or is a weekend warrior vehicle? If you daily drive your Jeep to and from work, one of the factors you need to consider is, are you willing to climb in and out of a raised Jeep. A lifted Jeep will prove to be cumbersome after you have to climb in and out of it several times a day. You need to decide if your going to be dedicated enough to go through the process of entering and exiting the vehicle when you lift your Jeep.

      A second thing to consider is, how much lift do you think you'll need for what you will use your Jeep for? A Jeep Wrangler that is stock is a fully capable machine as is but you should decide, what kinds of terrain you will be using your Jeep for. If you decide you will drive light to moderate trails, stock form is fine but a one to two inch lift is fully adequate for these types of trails. If you decide you will be doing moderate to hard rated trails, you might consider going with anywhere from a four inch lift to a six inch lift kit. This amount of lift will allow you to run bigger wheels and tires and not worry about rubbing the fender well area because it will allow your axles to travel more. Usually with this amount of lift, one is able to run tire sizes anywhere between thirty three inches, thirty five inch tires.

      A third thing to consider is, what type of lift you want to purchase? There are several options for the consumer to choose from, there is body lift kits, suspension lift kits, and a budget lift kit which is a cheaper suspension lift kit. A body lift kit is just that, it allows you to lift the body off the frame to install rubber spacers between the body and the frame. This type of lift will allow you to run bigger wheels and tires to fit your type of off road experience. These lifts typically cost anywhere between one hundred to two hundred dollars.

      A suspension lift kit allows one to use bigger suspension components to lift his or her Jeep to gain more ground clearance. With a suspension lift, you get bigger springs, shock absorbers, and several other components to lift your Jeep for more clearance. These types of kits run anywhere between two hundred to one thousand dollars, the more height the kit is, the higher it tends to cost. For the person on a budget, there is what is called a "budget lift kit". A budget lift kit is one where you place bigger rubber spacers under your already stock springs, therefore allowing the Jeep to be raised and gain more ground clearance. These types of kits mostly only come with just the rubber spacers but it is highly recommended that one change out the shock absorbers to longer ones to accommodate the extra lift.

      With the older Jeeps, one on a budget could also lift their Jeep pretty cheap by installing bigger lift shackles for the leaf springs on their Jeep. Shackles are the brackets that are attached to the spring and the frame. When one installs taller shackles, it allows the Jeep to gain more ground clearance. Shackles can be bought for around one hundred to one hundred twenty dollars.

      Will once you have your new lift kit installed, its time to hit the trail and try it out. With the extra clearance you have gained, your now able to tackle moderate to hard rated trails, places you never where able to go before in your Jeep. Guys, thanks for reading, and happy Jeeping.

What Model to Buy, For the First Timer Buyer

What Model to Buy, For the First Timer Buyer
February 25,2013 

      You've finally decided that its time to live out that dream of owning your very own Jeep Wrangler but your new to the field. You've went to your local Jeep dealer, you've walked through the lot looking at the Jeeps they have, some say, "Sport", "X", "Unlimited", "Sahara", or "Rubicon", and your thinking, "why so many models". Today, I'd like to talk about some of the features and the differences between each model.

      Back in 1987, the Jeep brand was purchased by Chrysler, and it wasn't really until 1997, that they began to indentify each of the Wranglers they produced with different model names. They had such names as the SE, Sport, and the Sahara from 1997 to 2003. Starting in 2003, is when the model names began to become the standard on into today. Today you have the Wrangler X, Sport, Sport S, Sahara, Unlimited, and Rubicon. And sometimes you may even have two or even three of the model packages mixed in together, such as the Rubicon Unlimited. Chrysler has produced special edition models as will but I won't cover them today, only the standard models you will mostly see sitting on your local dealership lot.

      The Wrangler X is what is considered as your entry level, base model Wrangler. You have the option to customize is with some higher end model features if you like. With the Wrangler X, get such things as, base model steel wheels, basic interior, most of the time a soft top is standard equipment. Today, with the newer Wranglers, they have discontinued the Wrangler X name in favor for simply the Sport. This paticular model is perfect for the guy or gal on a budget or who wants to customize their Jeep by saving model to buy after market accessories.

     The Sport or now days, Sport S, is the next step up in the Wrangler trim package line. With this paticular model, you get alluminum wheels, the option to have both soft or hard tops, cruise control, heated seats, heated mirror, power windows and locks, middle grade sound system with the option to upgrade to the higher end navigation system, leather seats, and many other cool options.

      The Sahara is the model for those whom like a little taste of luxury in his or her four wheel drive. With the Sahara, you get such things as matching body colored fender flares, upgraded style alluminum wheels, leather heated seats, power window and locks, high end garmin navigation audio system, down hill assist, heated mirrors, and the list keeps going on. The Sahara is Chryslers way of letting one ride in style in a Jeep Wrangler.

      The Rubicon was Chryslers answer for the hardcore folks that love to off road their Jeeps. With the Rubicon, you get all the interior features of the Sport or Sport S, and the Sahara models if you so choose. But the beautiful part with the Rubicon is not its interior, its its exterior that makes is unique. With the Rubicon you get stronger front and rear axles, a rocktrac transfer case, diamond plate body skid plates, Rubicon badging on each side of the hood, locking front and rear axles, electronic sway bar disconnects, and bigger wheels and tires. The Rubicon is a monster of machine  straight off the factory floor four wheel drive as it is.      

     The Wrangler Unlimited was Chryslers answer for larger familys, whom still want the joys of owning a Wrangler. The Unlimited is their four door model, which can come in any of the trim packages mentioned above. The longer wheel base also helps these Wranglers out by providing somewhat of a smoother ride than two door models, and the extra room is also alot nicer for groceries or storing all your camping equipment on weekend get aways.


       Will there you have it, your more knowledged about the different trim packages, and model of Jeep Wranglers and are hopefully ready to head on down to your local Jeep dealership. Also, if you still seek more knowledge about the different models, ask questions, search the internet, and read all you can before making your first purchase. Happy Jeeping Guys.

Thinking of Buying Your First Jeep

 

Thinking of Buying Your First Jeep

December 2, 2012

 

       So you have been looking at that one Jeep at your local dealership, or you've been thinking about being behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler, and you're just not sure if its the right vehicle for you. You might have heard they are noisy, ride rough, you freeze in the winter, burn up in the summer, and the gas mileage is just horrible. Will long ago, that once was true, before 1987, Jeeps where cold in the winter, hot in the summer, and where just not very user friendly but since Chrysler Motors purchased the Jeep brand back in 1987, they've have worked really hard to make the Jeep more user friendly by giving it a lot of creature comforts. 

 

      Back in 1986 and before, you where lucky just be able to have a seat and an engine. Today, you can get the Wrangler with plenty of creature comfort options, most which you could of only found in a luxury car, such as heated leather seats, heated mirrors, power windows and locks, navigation systems, and the list just goes on and on. And one of the coolest features the Jeep has retained since its beginning in 1941 is, you can take the top and doors off, there's not to many four wheel drives today you can do this with. This one feature has helped the brand live on for seventy something years. There is no other feeling in the world than driving down the open road, cruising down the trail, and the air in your face and blowing you hair. On your worst day, just a drive in a Jeep, and you come back in the greatest mood.

 

 

      Ride wise, the Wrangler is not bad, the more that time has went on. Back in 1997, Chrysler redesigned the suspension under the Wrangler from leaf springs to coil springs, which really helped the ride and also to give the suspension a little more articulation. Before 1997 and previous models, the ride was very rough, when you hit a bump in the road, you felt it, in newer ones, not so much. For those concerned with safety, the Wrangler since 1997, has come standard with dual airbags.

 

      When it comes to MPG's, the Wrangler is not bad for what it is, you can expect to get 15-23 mpg, about what a standard half ton pickup truck will get. One of the factors to this is, its not very aerodynamic, its not a slick sports car, its the ultimate off road machine. If your the adventurous type, then the Wrangler will suit your desires, and your not concerned by mpg's, just the fun you can expect from owning a Jeep.

 

     The kind of on road handling you can expect from the Wrangler is typical of most all terrain vehicles, you have to keep in mind that your not going to be driving a sports car. Being that the Wrangler is a smaller vehicle, you can cut on a dime if you chose to. This is one of the coolest advantages to being a Jeep owner, you can go where your buddy in his half ton pickup truck can not go. You can maneuver in and out of tight places.

 

      In 2007, the people at Chrysler introduced the four door Wrangler. They realized that there are folks out there that have families, and they still have the desire to have the capabilities of owning a Wrangler. The Unlimited model has they are known, being that they have a longer wheel base to accommodate the four doors, helps the Unlimited to ride just a little bit better than its two door counterpart.

 

      So after all this, you're still unsure that becoming a Jeep owner for the first time is for you, you will not find another vehicle that can take you where places you've never imagined and still be able to use for a daily driver. Since 1987, the Wrangler has become more user friendly, and loaded with many creature comforts. Guys, take the plundge, I promise, you will not be unhappy. Good luck on your first Jeep. Happy Jeeping Guys.

 

 

 

      

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The Almighty Jeep Rubicon
November 24, 2012

       One of the best all around factory Wranglers that one can find is the Jeep Rubicon. See the guys over at Jeep realized one thing back in 2003, the Jeep is one of the most popular vehicles for guys and gals to modify. Bigger wheels and tires, lockers in the front and rear axles, better suspension components and the list just goes on and on. The guys over at Jeep decided to knock some of these modifications out of the way so folks could spend money on the other mods that rather than start all from scratch.

      The Rubicon debuted in 2003, and with it, a person could get the following options, Dana 44 front and rear axles, with lockers in those bad boys, 16 inch moab wheels, some of the sexiest wheels I think that have ever been put on a Wrangler, bigger fender flares to cover those Good Year Wrangler mud terrains that come on those 16 beauties, black diamond plated rocker guards to protect under the doors when your skimming off the rocks, a lower geared transfer case to help you skim on those rocks, and those one of a kind Rubicon hood decals doing all the advertising. Also with most of the Rubicons, the interiors come pretty tricked out, such as cruise control, and a fancy rear view dimming mirror with temperature gauge that's mostly found in the Sahara models.

      Most of the 1997-2006 model non-Rubicon models came with a Dana 30 front axle, and a Dana 35 rear axle. These same axles can also be found on 1987-1995 model jeeps as will. These axles do just fine for most folks for day to day use but are not very strong built to handle such things as rock crawling or putting your Jeep through mortal hell. The Rubicons axles are set up to do just this, its strictly built for off road use, and its very capable at holding its on. That's not to say that the Rubicon cant handle your daily driving needs as will.

      The Rubicon is one heck of an off road machine, and very impressive right off the show room floor, or stock form. I recently got my 2004 stuck, and in regular four wheel drive limited slip, it didn't even want to come out, but after engaging the button on the dash by locking the rear and front axles, my Jeep came clawing out of the mud that it was stuck in. And I didn't know this but for those like myself, when you lock the axles, it makes both wheels turn on each axle at the same time. Without this feature, you only have limited slip, where when your stuck, the wheel with the most weight on it has the only traction. But what ever the case, the locking axles are a very nice thing to have in case one ever needs that feature. The Rubicon is a very impressive machine, and if your looking at one, and thinking that a Rubicon might be what suits your needs, I can promise you, it will not let you down, heck, it might even make your jaw drop from disbelief.

Anyway guys, Happy Jeeping.

Recent History of the Jeep Wrangler

Recent History of the Jeep Wrangler

 

November 24, 2012

 

      Now days the people over at Jeep realize this and have strived to make the Wrangler more user friendly and just a bit more comfortable than in years passed. Todays Wrangler you can have things such as, heated leather seats, power windows and locks with keyless entry, heated mirrors, navigation systems, awesome sounding entertainment system, and many other great creature comforts. Back when, you only had the choice of two doors, but today, you have choice of four doors now, so you that have familys, can still enjoy the pleasures of owning a Wrangler. Jeep came about in 1941, and has lasted up until today, which means there is a great heritage behind the vehicle. When you become a Jeep owner, you automatically become part of a unique club. If you have or used to own a motorcycle, you get waved at at every motorcycle you meet, and its the same thing with a Jeep. Its just a natural thing for another Jeep owner to wave at another.

       But, Jeep has had many models since 1941, I only know from 1970-2012 models. In the 1970's you had what was called the "CJ" body style. There was such models as the CJ5, CJ7, and the CJ8 aka, the Scrambler. The number just after the CJ meant how long the body was for each model. American Motor Company made the Jeep CJ until 1986 until Chyrsler Motors purchased the line from them. AMC worked with Chyrsler to make the uncoming model for 1987 which would be known as, "Wrangler".

       Their goal was to make the Jeep a little more comfortable, and user friendly unlike past models. It would become known as the "YJ" bodystyle and would be made from 1987-1995. It featured for the first time, square headlamps, along with square signal lights. This was the first time that this bodystyle of Jeep featured square lights, because previous models had always had round lights. They also redone the interior a bit, The YJ would get a new redesigned dash panel the gauges now where along the dash panel in front of the driver unlike previous models which where in the center of the dash. During those years, Chyrsler put out several different trim packages. There was the basic se, the Sahara, the Rio Grande, the Renegade, and the islander. The Se model was your basic model, the Sahara trim package was your more luxury trimed interior, the Renegade was made in limited numbers, but it featured a added on body exterior trim package, which included fog lights in each of the front fenders. In 1996, Jeep did not make the Wrangler, there where still car lots that where selling them but they where 1995 models, Jeep was gearing up to realease the new upcoming model.

      In 1997 they realeased the "TJ" bodystyle, with a host of revisions. In this model, they redesigned the interior, now the Wrangler had an even more modern dash with a center stack housing the radio, ac vents, hvac controls, rocker switches, and 12 volt accessory plug in. Most TJs come with a console with two cup holders, some came with a sub woofer, and small compartment to store things. This also was the first time the Wrangler came with driver and passenger airbags. In 2007, Jeep introduced the new Jk body style, and even included a four door model. This jeep is now still in production.