Archive for October, 2009

A Review of the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Morgan Hamilton


Not long ago I bought a used 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee quite cheap. I was hoping that it will be nice and cool, but it was a real disaster. Still there are some good things in it, first of all it is big and the body is in perfect shape, and also the seating feels comfortable, however as a whole my 1994 Grand Cherokee jeep is awful. Now I am sure that I would have been better off with a sensible Honda Civic or anything of the kind, instead of buying the Jeep that I now consider as the worst ever purchase I’ve made.

The thing I want to begin with is the monstrous gas consumption of this SUV. I knew it will not be as for a Ford Fiesta, but getting only 13 miles per gallon is a bit too much for me, and it only makes me think about a shot engine. What comes next it the unsafe rolling of this totally unbalanced clumsy Jeep, along with its impossible shocks. With this 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee you are actually putting your life to the risk of turning over with every turn you make at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour. What I can say for sure is that I should not have rushed into that without having a detailed check on SUVs, which would have showed me what the possible and most common problems might be. And the only reason I skipped that part for was the thrilling price they gave me for the car

There are good things to be considered also in the 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is very spacious at the back and offers plenty of room, a plus that makes it a great road trip vehicle. Thinking about storage room no one can deny that it is awesome too, and this once again confirms the statement that this is a road trip machine. What is more, I have a killer sound system in the SUV. It was actually decked out by the previous owner who just left it in the car. This sound system not only delivers great bass, but also keeps unbelievably crisp hi-fi sound in the treble scale. Even having that, though, is not at all enough to compensate for the faults it has, and hen I think about t eventually all the money I saved by getting it cheap will soon be wasted for repairs of the shocks, engine, etc. or even only for gas to get it going

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Exterior Jeep Accessories All Jeep Enthusiasts Should Know About

Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Sydney Davidson


It doesn’t matter whether you’re a bona fide Jeep owner or just a loyal enthusiast; there are hundreds of exterior Jeep accessories that all Jeep enthusiasts should know about. Whether you’re looking to make your Jeep safer and more rugged, or simply looking to add personal style like a true off-roading warrior, here is an overview of five of the most popular exterior Jeep accessories you should definitely know about:

Armor

Jeep armor helps to protect your Jeep during off-roading excursions and along tough Jeep trails. Each piece of armor is designed to protect a specific function of your Jeep and may make the difference between needing a tow home or being able to ride off a trail comfortably. When you hear the words “Jeep Armor,” they could be referring to dozens of optional protective devices. The most common of these devices include: skid plates, rocker panels, sport bar cages, and differential protection.

Body Lifts and Mounts

Nearly every Jeep owner is familiar with what a body lift and mount is. Body lifts and mounts are designed for specific Jeep models, such as the Wrangler (auto and 5-speed), or CJ-7. Some of these lifts help the Jeep get extra clearance for oversized tires. Other lifts simply raise the Jeep by as little as one inch above the factory setting. The body lifts and mounts always need to be installed by a professional in order to ensure safety, but installation may not require welding or drilling.

Bumpers

Many Jeep owners customize their bumpers in order to stylize the Jeep or to increase a particular function of the Jeep. There are many different types of Jeep bumpers that can be used to customize the Jeep, but the most popular bumpers include: Bull Bar, Grille and Brush Guards, Heavy Duty Front and Bumpers, and receiver accessories for towing options.

Jeep Tops

When you hear the term “Jeep Top”, it is usually going to be in reference to a top to a Jeep Wrangler. There are a huge variety of Jeep top variations, which include both hard tops and soft tops. Here are some of the most common Jeep tops to look out for: bikini tops for half of the vehicle, duster for the rear cargo area, half top (like a bikini top), sail cloths, and even modular roof rack systems to store your gear.

Lights

No Jeep is truly complete until you have customized the lights. There are different types of lights for each different model of Jeep, including Jeep Cherokee lights, Jeep CJ lights, Jeep Wrangler lights, and even Jeep Grand Cherokee lights. These lights may include a simple halogen headlight or sidemarker bulb, or they could include specialized lighting, such as flood lights roof-mounted to light the trail even brighter.

With this basic knowledge of some of the most popular exterior Jeep accessories, you’re all set to talk Jeep with anyone. Remember: Jeeps are some of the most customizable vehicles, so be sure to define exactly what you want your Jeep to look like and how to want it to perform in order to get the most from your money!

The 2008 Jeep Liberty at NYIAS

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Lisa Ziegler


The Jeep Liberty, Chrysler Group’s range-topping model in the mid size sport utility vehicle (SUV) market segment is offering something new for North American off-road vehicle enthusiasts at the 2007 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. Chrysler Group will present the all new 2008 Jeep Liberty featuring new features inside and out, as well as innovative components.

Ford the 2008 model year, the Jeep Liberty comes with a redesigned exterior styling, but retails the rugged and classical Jeep exterior design cues featured in every Jeep model. The vehicle is equipped with a front fascia highlighted by aggressive head lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front bumper, and Jeep’s signature 7-slot grille that allows air flow to coll down the Jeep radiator. In addition, the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty is the first Jeep model to have the company’s Sky Slider full-open canvas roof. This innovative feature allows the driver to have an open air driving experience aboard an SUV model, which is exclusive for the 2008 Jeep Liberty. Inside, the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty has a functional interior with an increased cargo and storage space, along with improved seating comfort on the driver and passenger seats. A bunch of interior amenities for the 2008 Jeep Liberty is also available. The MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System uses a hard drive with 20 gigabytes of space to store different files types like photos and music. The system also includes voice-memo recorder, real-time traffic information through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and touch screen or voice commands to control the system. The 2008 Jeep Liberty also offers the UConnect hands-free communication system using Bluetooth technology.

In addition, the 2008 Jeep Liberty comes with a host of standard advanced safety features and driver assistance safety systems. These include side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Roll Mitigation, All-speed Traction Control, advanced anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Brake Assist (BA), Tire Pressure Monitoring system.

At the heart of the all-new 2008 Jeep Liberty is a 3.7-liter SOHC V-6 engine capable of delivering a maximum of 210 hp (157 kW) at 5,200 rpm and produces 235 lb.-ft. (319 Nm) amount of peak torque rotating under engine speeds at 4,000 rpm. The engine is combined with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox. Chrysler Group offers a wide range of available drivetrain configurations for the 2008 Jeep Liberty. These include two four-wheel-drive systems, the all-new Selec-Trac II full-time four-wheel-drive system, and the Command-Trac part-time four-wheel-drive system.

The 2008 Jeep Liberty will be produced at the Toledo (Ohio) North Assembly Plant, and will roll out in Jeep dealer showrooms starting in the third quarter of 2007.

Jeep Comanche – The Last Jeep Pickup!

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
Larry H. Morton


The Jeep Comanche was built from 1986 through 1992. It was introduced by the American Motors Corporation (AMC) in 1986, but then AMC and it’s Jeep Division were bought out by the Chrysler Corporation who began distributing the mid-sized truck officially in 1987.

The fact that Dodge pickup trucks are also Chrysler products made it difficult for the Jeep newcomer to compete with the established Dodge line especially the Dodge Dakota which was also available in 4 wheel drive.

Also, Jeep sales had been declining with the slow death of American Motors Corp. and now it was up to Chrysler to decide what to do with their new division…but especially the Jeep Comanche.

The Comanche pickup was built on the successful Jeep Cherokee platform sharing most major drive train and even some body/interior parts.

I have always felt that the Comanche truck was a handsome looking pickup, as well as being a good size between the compact and full-sized pickups throughout the spectrum of American and Foreign entries.

I currently own an original 1987 Jeep Comanche 4×4 long bed with a 5 spd. standard and the first of the 4.0 Liter engines. I thoroughly enjoy my truck…and have loved most Jeeps for quite some time now. This truck has plenty of power and will go anywhere it is pointed…especially in rough driving conditions.

My truck is smooth on the highway and handles dirt, rocks, mud, snow and ice as well. There are no power windows, seats or locks anywhere on this workhorse.

Chrysler/Jeep has been talking for several years now about building a production pickup to fill the long gap since the Jeep Comanche. In 2005 they came out with the Jeep Gladiator Concept prototype which will knock your socks off. This is one nice looking pickup built on the Wrangler Unlimited platform.

In the meantime, while awaiting new Jeep Pickup blood from Chrysler…there are some nice Comanches still on the road and some are even available to good homes. They can only become rarer with time.

So…grab one up…take care of it…and enjoy the Jeep Experience!

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How The Jeep Got Its Name

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Al Carl


Where did the name Jeep come from? Not from the original designer and builder, the Bantam Car Company. It wasn’t Willys, the famous manufacturer of the Willys MB, either. Ford didn’t pick the name when it was making the GPW, and the U.S. Military never designated the term either. Truth be told, no one knows for sure just how the name “Jeep” came about, but the one common thread is that all of the theories relate to a sort of general population adoption of the term.

There are a number of theories on the origination of the name. There are reports that the term “Jeep” was used in Oklahoma in the 1930’s to describe specialized trucks used in drilling for oil, and that was how the term was later used by those from the area in describing the Willys MB.

Others believe that the name came from a slang abbreviation of the term G.P., which was an acronym that stood for General Purpose vehicle. The trouble with this theory is that the term General Purpose was reportedly used to describe the US Army’s quarter-ton reconnaissance vehicles, and not the Willys. Further, the Willys MB was designated for specific duties and was not referred to in Army circles as a General Purpose vehicle.

Along similar lines goes the theory that the name was a one-vowel slang word replacement for Ford’s description of the vehicle (the Ford GPW now commonly referred to as the Willys GPW), which referred to it as GP. The G stood for government use and the P referred to its wheel base size of 80 inches. When Ford began making these vehicles some people may have found it difficult to call it a Willys since it was actually manufactured by Ford.

Another explanation of the name has it that it was based on a character from the Popeye comic strip in the 1930’s that was known as Eugene the Jeep. This little guy was from another dimension and was blessed with the ability to go anywhere and do anything. He went through walls, scaled huge trees, flew, disappeared, etc. There wasn’t anywhere Eugene the Jeep couldn’t go. The theory goes that US soldiers were so impressed by the Willys go-anywhere performance that they began calling it Jeep after the character.

We’ll probably never know the answer to how the name Jeep began, but maybe that’s a good thing as it adds to the mystical allure of this American icon. What we do know for sure is that over 70 years later the Jeep, not to mention quite a few Willys, is still going strong!

There are many fantastic websites that offer a large line of Jeep replacement parts including parts for the Willys MB and Ford GPW today such as http://www.xtremeterrain.com

Play a Cool Jeep Game Online

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Mark Neustedt


If there were anything that could excite a Jeep enthusiast
more than a 4×4 trail run, it would have to be a Jeep game!
Jeep games are as close to the real thing as you can
possibly get without actually being in a Jeep. The best part
about Jeep games online are they are completely free, so
play away to your heart’s content.

Some of the more popular Jeep games online are:

Mountain Madness

This Jeep game revolves around a quiet mountain town that
faces grave danger. You have to tame the elements and save
the town from an impending avalanche in your new 2005 Trail
Rated Jeep Liberty Renegade. You can drive up to the edge of
the mountain in several Jeep vehicles, any one of which you
can choose, and Ski Bike down. On your trip down you can set
explosions along the way to divert the path of the
avalanche. If this Jeep game sounds really exciting, that’s
because it is!

Jeep 4×4 Adventure

If dense jungles and eerie sounds are your thing, this Jeep
game is going to be right up your alley. You get to race a
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty or Wrangler through urban
jungles and treacherous trails.

Jeep Rescue Patrol

This Jeep game is perfect for those of you who fancy
yourselves as rescue rangers. The objective of this Jeep
game is to find all stranded SUVs in the Jeep game and lead
them to safety within a given time period. Obstacles along
the way like boulders, mud bogs, streams and trees don’t
make the task any easier. You get 4 lives in this Jeep game
and you can pick up bonuses also along the way.

Jeep Trail Of Life

If you like off-roading, you will love this Jeep game. The
objective of the Jeep game is to take the Jeep Wrangler out
on the trail to help save the world from impending doom.

Leveling Kits – Jeep and Truck Leveling Lift Kits Guide

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
Billy Han


In vehicle customization, leveling kits fly under the radar as far as off road vehicles are concerned. Yet while suspension lifts may hoard the limelight as flashier and more crucial pieces of off road hardware, leveling lift kits play an essential role as well.

Before anything else, it should be understood that this not a supplementary upgrade, but rather a modification that can have a significant impact on vehicle performance and reliability, and thus deserve a fair amount of attention.

Think of leveling kits in this way: sure, vehicles needing leveling lift kits can still drive without them. But then again, a blind man may know how to drive a car, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he should.

Many probably know the purpose and benefits, but rarely does one possess a more intimate understanding. Herein, we’ll attempt to broaden that understanding with a closer look.

Why Leveling Kits?

With so many lift-related components out there, it’s easy to get confused about where they fit in. In their base concept, leveling lift kits work similarly to body lift kits in both application and function, but with a slight difference.

On one hand, a body lift is meant to provide lift for a vehicle, allowing it to add larger tires, or simply offer that lifted look at a lower price and less installation work than a full suspension lift.

On the other hand, leveling kits serve the same purpose, but only for either the front or rear end of a vehicle primarily for the purpose of evening out a vehicle’s stance.

With this in mind, leveling out your vehicle come in handy in cases where suspension modifications or uneven weight distribution causes one end of a vehicle to sag. For instance, a vehicle with a considerable amount of added weight on the front end due to a bumper, winch, or other components is the perfect candidate for front leveling lift kits.

As stated earlier, leveling kits aren’t a necessary upgrade to continue operating your vehicle; however, neglecting an imbalance in ride level can impact a variety of crucial factors, such as handling, tire or suspension wear, and even plain old aesthetic appeal.

They offer alternative functions as well, such as some extra inches for tire clearance, or improved rear end wheel travel during towing or hauling jobs.

Additionally, leveling out your ride is simple and effective to operate, and also relatively easy to install.

Know Your Vehicle

Leveling kits differ slightly from suspension and body lifts in their application. Although there are essentially 3 different types of leveling lift kits, the one you need is entirely dependent upon your vehicle. There’s simply no way around this.

Knowing what type fits your vehicle can make it much easier to shop for one, and also help you get accustomed to exactly what’s involved in installation.

Types of Leveling Kits

As stated earlier, there are 3 primary types of kits that work for most major vehicles, plus block kits, which are a kind of specialized leveling kit. The type of kit you need is entirely vehicle-specific, and can be easily determined by contacting your manufacturer.

It should be noted that you should not confuse these with air leveling kits, which can be easily viewed as being a suitable replacement for leveling lift kits. This is most definitely not the case, and air-based versions should never be considered as an alternative to complete truck leveling kits.

Strut Extensions For vehicles that use a coilover strut in their front suspension, which usually includes late-model half-ton trucks and SUVs, strut extension leveling lift kits are the way to go. Strut extension leveling kits function off the basic concept of adding a spacer on top of factory struts. This process is typically a simple and cost-effective method of adding lift, especially since it requires no modification of factory parts, and can also be easily removed.
Torsion Keys On its own, a torsion bar can actually be adjusted to provide lift without any additional modifications; however, stock torsion keys don’t usually have the strength and sturdiness to safely maintain the lift. Aftermarket torsion keys provide a solution. These reinforced keys are built stronger and more stable than factory units, as they are specifically designed as both a safe and effective way to maintain lift upon adjusting a torsion bar. A torsion key adjuster tool is a recommended purchase to go along with torsion key-style kits.
Coil Spacers Coil spacer leveling kits are similar to strut extensions in concept, but slightly different in application. Whereas strut extensions add a spacer on top of factory struts, coil spacer leveling lift kits instead add them to the top of factory spring buckets. These modifications will help your truck maintain a factory stance and OEM ride quality. In order to compensate for the additional lift, some coil spacer applications will require the installation of shock extensions, which are usually included with these leveling kits.

Block Kits

Not to be confused with standard leveling lift kits, block kits are the preferred method of altering the ride height of the rear end of a vehicle, whether you’re looking for a rear-high stance, or just want to put the rake back into your truck for hauling or towing.

Jeep, The All-purpose Vehicle For Rough Terrian

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Shannon Brown


Jeep is an all-purpose vehicle that is capable of traversing rough terrain. The first jeep prototype was designed by the Department of Army for purposes of carrying personnel and supplies.

Later on, Ford and Willys-Overland produced two more jeep prototypes. In the end, Ford and Willy’s-Overland manufactured the first mass production of jeeps.

The origin of the word jeep is not clear, however people believe that the word came from phonetically slurred pronunciation of “GP” or vehicle for general purpose.

Some people also think that the name for this multi purpose vehicle came from a character in Thimble Theater comic strip Popeye, the character is known as Eugene the Jeep. Eugene the Jeep is a character that could walk through walls and ceilings, climb trees, fly and just go anywhere it wanted.

Early Americans believe that soldiers were so impressed with the versatility of the jeep that they named their prototype from the comic character.

After the production of the first jeep prototype and the second set of jeep prototypes from Ford and Willys-Overland, Willys-Overland Motor Company was designated to produce the first mass production of jeeps in Toledo, Ohio.

However, because of the huge quantity requirement of the United States Government, Ford Motor Company complimented Willys-Overland to help complete the requirements.

In combination, the production of Willys-Overland and Ford reached about 600,000 units of this high mobility multipurpose-wheeled vehicle, which some call hum-vee.

The jeep is widely copied by other countries such as in France and The Netherlands. The french version of the jeep is designed by Hotchkiss and in The Netherlands, Nekaf is the manufacturer of their jeep.

Other versions of the jeep are the railway jeep and the amphibious jeep, which are more useful than any other vehicle of its size.

Part of the war effort brought jeeps to the Red Army during the World War II.

Today, the trademark holder of Jeep is DaimlerChrysler. DaimlerChrysler is the successor of the company Willys-Overland. Jeep aficionados are believed to recognize the distinction of the seven bar grille design of jeep as popular as Mickey Mouse.

DaimlerChrysler also believes that the jeep brand is famous worldwide, second only to the Coke brand. This can be true for those who are lovers of this versatile vehicle.

It is true that jeeps are multipurpose and known worldwide; as in fact, there are also producers of the jeep brand in Beijing, China. This manufacturer did this coming from the joint venture between Beijing Jeep Corporation Ltd., and DaimlerChrysler Corporation located in China.

In addition, other jeep vehicles have different model designation. Some of them are civilian jeep that carries the “xJ” designation although not all are well-known as the classic CJ or Civilian Jeep.

Historical models of the jeep:

Jeep CJ – Civilian Jeep similar to the original Willys’ Jeep Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Honcho – Full-sized pickup truck Jeep Cherokee – The original SUV Jeep Dispatcher – A postal truck for the USPS Jeep Jeepster – Passenger truck Jeep Forward Control – Light truck Jeep Wagoner – SUV

Current Jeep models

Jeep Wrangler – small successor of the Jeep CJ (TJ in Canada) Jeep Grand Cherokee – large family-oriented SUV Jeep Liberty – Small SUV (called Cherokee outside of North America) Jeep Commander – Newest model in the Jeep line, it is a seven passenger SUV

Jeep is a multi-purpose vehicle, which you can use even on rough terrain. It is very helpful to have one especially for those who are using their vehicle for their business.

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