For your Jeep Creep questions, respond to this story in the comment box or send an e-mail to editor@off-road.com. Be sure to include your your first and last names, your hometown and state/province/country, so that we can publish that information here. If you don’t provide this information, we may not be able to publish your question and answer. Don’t forget to be as complete as possible with the description of your Jeep and its problems, too.

Jeep Recalls:
10V-234
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass passenger vehicles manufactured from March 7 through May 19, 2006. The pivot bushings in vehicles with oversized accelerator pedal bearing pockets may become dislodged and potentially cause the accelerator pedal to bind or stick. Should the pedal bind or become stuck, it can be overcome by smart brakes which override the accelerator pedal in certain conditions. Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace all affected accelerator pedal assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on June 29, 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler toll-free at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler’s recall campaign number is K11.

10V-236
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2006 through 2010 Jeep Wrangler left- and right-hand drive passenger vehicles manufactured from May 15, 2006 through April 22, 2010. There may be contact between the right and left front inner fender liners and the right front and left rear brake tubes, which could cause wear of the tubes causing a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak can cause partial loss of service brakes at the affected wheel increasing the risk of a crash. Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during July 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler toll-free at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler’s recall campaign number is K13.

Trail Tips
In April 2010 I instituted a new feature. I call it Trail Tips, and I’ll be including up to three tips each month shuffled in amongst the questions and answers. I’ll be numbering them sequentially so if you keep a file on the tips, you’ll know right away if you’re missing any.

Trail Tip #13: When you’re meeting a friend on the trail, how can you tell if the friend has already traveled through the rendezvous spot? If it’s in a dry sand wash, look for darker spots where the tires have turned over rocks or clumps of sand to expose the damper underlayer. Like a Texas Ranger of the 1800s observing a horse’s shoe wear, make a mental note of how your friends’ tires wear and their tread patterns so that you’ll be able to recognize their tracks in the future.

Wrangler Wheels
What is the smallest diameter rim that can fit on a JK? I am told that the calipers can be ground down. Is there any information available on this?

Rob
Rocky Ford, CO

I’ve seen catalogs offering 16” and 15” wheels for the JK, but I wouldn’t recommend going with anything smaller than the OEM 17” wheels. You might be able to grind down the calipers, but the brakes also need air circulating around them to keep them cool during heavy use in traffic or on a technical trail. If they overheat, they could cause problems such as grabbing, not holding, accelerated wear, etc. Stick with at least 17” rims.

Windy Wrangler
My 2007 Jeep leaks with my soft top on the driver and passenger seat and doors. Also, when I am driving, I hear a lot of wind noise from where the roof meets with the windshield.

J-snake
Glenshaw, PA

I’m not sure what you’re asking? Are you asking how to seal it? Or are you asking why is it leaking? My ‘07 JK Unlimited also has a soft top, which I usually install for the winter here in Arizona, and I installed it according to Bestop’s instructions and it didn’t leak, nor did it allow excessive wind noise. Perhaps you should remove your top and reinstall it per Bestop’s instructions (which you can find on www.bestop.com). Good luck.

Trail Tip #14: Continuing the same theme of when you’re meeting a friend on the trail, how can you tell if the friend has already traveled through the rendezvous spot? If it involves a stream/mud hole crossing, are there tracks on the far side leading out of it?

Walla Walla Wrangler
We are brand new owners of a 1999 Jeep Wrangler 4.0. We managed to get the soft top on today, but we’re wondering if there is specific order to getting windows in? Seemed really tight; back window zipper just about gave out on us, so we gave it a rest. We couldn’t find any manuals or directions online.

Rosa McDonald
Walla Walla, WA

Ah, Walla Walla, so nice, they named it twice! I haven’t been there for a few years, though, but I bet the weather hasn’t warmed up yet, has it (emailed in March)? That’s your problem with a tight top and window wrestling. If you have access to a garage that you can warm up to above 72, park the Jeep in there for about 12 hours and then everything will slide together easily. I remember years ago at Glamis a friend who was camping with me, pulled his FJ40’s top off when it was about 80. It was New Year’s and that night a cold front moved through and the temps dropped down to the 20s. He couldn’t get his top to fit again until the next summer. You didn’t say the top’s manufacturer, but www.bestop.com has all the installation instructions for all their tops online.

T-Case Drop
I have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport and I want to install a 3.5” Super Flex Rubicon lift kit with full rear leaves. I can’t seem to get a clear answer if I need the slip yoke eliminator (SYE) and driveshaft or just go with a transfer case drop, or either. Any suggestions would be great. And I also am installing the Old Man Emu shocks and steering stabilizer. Do I need to install a SYE and driveshaft along with the 3.5-inch Rubicon Express lift kit in my 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport?

Newbie
Arlington, WA

The best solution is the slip yoke eliminator kit and a new driveshaft. The T-case drop is merely a temporary solution.

Swimming Cherokee
The previous owner of my 2001 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4X4 drove it into a swimming pool, in the shallow end, so only the front was submerged. No water made its way into the interior of the Jeep but the entire front end was under water. It sat approx. 3-4 weeks before I purchased it for the price of 400 dollars. However, the front clip does need to be replaced. I drained the water/oil from the engine and replaced with fresh oil and also replaced the crank shaft positioning sensor. I circulated the oil through the engine numerous times, and after a month went by the engine was seized up. I tried everything to break it loose including Marvel Mystery Oil in the top of the cylinders but much to my dismay, nothing worked. My question is: Before doing an engine swap, is the ECM, located on the driver’s side fender in the front, able to be tested without the vehicle running? I would appreciate your advice.

Cheyenne
Lakeland, FL

The ECM can only be bench tested with the correct test equipment at a rebuilder’s shop.

Dana 60 Disco
I am doing the same install on a semi-float Dana 60 right now as what I saw in an article on ORC on a Dana 44 differential. I’m wondering what rotors were used for the project? I need to find a pair that will clear the 6.5-inch axle flange on my build. Any help would be great.

Ken
San Jose, CA

As the article stated, the rotors came with the kit from TSM. Since the kit was for a Dana 44, the same rotors wouldn’t fit a Dana 60. Contact TSM for information on a Dana 60 kit. Ask TSM about using ¾-ton Chevy rotors.

RPM Ripple
I have an ‘89 Jeep with a 4.0L. I just bought it about a month ago and yesterday for some reason when I started it and went to pull away it just died. It started back up again and drove away, but even at a traffic light it seems to want to die as the RPM drop and rise. Not sure if it’s the fuel filter needs to be changed or what the issue is. Any ideas?

JJ Camaro
Baltimore, OH

You need to scan the OBD II to check for idle air control and TPS. That should tell you what’s wrong.

Wrangler Willys?
I have found a 1987 Jeep Comanche automatic 4x4 with a straight six 4.0L engine; would this engine and trans fit into a 1947 Willys PU 4x4?

Tracie
South Bend, IN

It would fit with a bit of shoe-horning, but why limit yourself to a straight six? A V8 would be easier to install, have more room, more power and more accessories. With conservative driving techniques it could even produce better mileage. Plus, it would be a lot more fun when you stick your foot into it. Go to Advance Adapters’ website to check on available adapter information.

UK Off-Roader
I have broken off the temperature sensor on my ‘95 YJ Wrangler (it’s the one on the top by the firewall). Is it a case of drill and tap? If so, what size is the thread, that is if you know?

Tony Clarke
Bicester, United Kingdom

It’s a 1/8 pipe thread. That’s in inches, Tony, not mm. If you go off road, could you share some photos of your next trail ride with us?

Bump Stops
I recently bought an ‘89 Wrangler. It has many upgrades already done to it including the Mopar fuel-injection kit and a shackle lift along with some 33-inch tires. So far I am loving it. I am looking for some helpful ways to get some extra flex out of my Jeep. I have gotten some small tips so far such as taking the bump stops off to start. But I wanted to get some advice before I start pulling off sway bars, track bar, etc. I am also on a budget.

Ronnie Evans
Fresno, CA

I’m glad you’re loving it. However, I’d leave the bump stops on. They provide a service, which is stopping a metal-on-metal collision when driving over large bumps. A collision of differential meeting frame could cause your leaf springs to become too flat or actually take on a reverse bend if the bumper stops are removed. Plus a solid slap when you bottom out would not only jar your teeth loose but could break something. My first suggestion would be to add sway bar disconnects so that you can easily disconnect the sway bar at the trailheads. This will give you more articulation without taking a chance on breaking something.

Trail Tip Teaser: In next month’s tips, I’m going to tell you about a super website I recently found for off-roaders with some California Dreaming in their future.

As usual, each month, I’m shouting out a huge THANK YOU to Paul Schupp at Rock Lizard 4x4 in Kingman, Arizona, for his invaluable assistance in answering many of the Jeep Creep questions.

For your Jeep Creep questions, respond to this story in the comment box or send an e-mail to editor@off-road.com.