Hi everyone,
My name is Steve, but I go by SlowSpyder on various forums. I've had, since around 2000, a 1997 Eclipse GS-T Spyder that's been my toy. Some years ago I had a buddy who bought a 94 Wrangler, and I always kind of liked it, it was hard to explain. It was slwo (2.5 liter engine in his), got terrible gas mileage, had no amenities like power windows/AC/etc., but still in a hard to explain way, I really liked that thing!
Well that was years ago, and having gone through many different rides over the years I decided to get a Jeep. It'd be useful in the WI winters, and having two vehicles that both can go topless seemed like a lot of fun.
So, I dragged the wife all over, she knew once it was in my mind to get a Jeep that I was going to annoy her non stop until one was in my driveway, she's very understanding.
A few months ago I settled on a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L, red with a black hard top. It had more miles than I wanted, and I really, really wanted AC, but the price wasn't bad so I figured 'why not' and jumped on it.
It's a bit finicky, only 3 of the 4 blower settings work for the vents, some times the left turn signal illuminates for no reason (blinker switch? column switch? short somewhere?) after rain or driving though the mud. Worst of all the transmission has some moderate grinding issues, 1st -> 2nd gear grinds almost always unless I double clutch it, so I'm guessing it's the synchro. 2nd -> 3rd grinds when it's cold, until I trive for a wihle and thin out the fluid.
So, that leads me to my newbie questions. In the DSM world (90-99 Mitsu Eclipse, 90-98 Eagle Talon, 90-94 Plymouth Laser) the factory calls for either 5W-30 or 10W-30 depending on the climate. It's generally accepted by the DSM community that heavier oil is better for these cars, most of us run 20W-50. Also, there are a few brands of manual transmission fluids that are sworn by, I wasn't sure if the Wranger has anything similar? Should I use a lighter or heavier manual transmission fluid? Oil? Or just go by what's called for in the manual? I'm guessing synchros are worn and I'll have to drop the transmission and rebuild replace, but I would like to at least try a fluid that is recommended to see if that helps.
My kid loves the Wrangler because when I park it in the driveway with the top off it doubles as a jungle gym for him. He crawls around the roll bar and likes being high off the ground.
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and ask those newbie questions. If there is a new member frequently asked questions type of post or website, please point me towards that, I'm sure that'll answer a lot of my questions.
Lastly, here are a few pics.
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090016.JPG
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090014.JPG
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090015.JPG
And my Eclipse Spyder if any of you are interested.
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Lake Michigane Pics/P1020402.JPG
My name is Steve, but I go by SlowSpyder on various forums. I've had, since around 2000, a 1997 Eclipse GS-T Spyder that's been my toy. Some years ago I had a buddy who bought a 94 Wrangler, and I always kind of liked it, it was hard to explain. It was slwo (2.5 liter engine in his), got terrible gas mileage, had no amenities like power windows/AC/etc., but still in a hard to explain way, I really liked that thing!
Well that was years ago, and having gone through many different rides over the years I decided to get a Jeep. It'd be useful in the WI winters, and having two vehicles that both can go topless seemed like a lot of fun.
So, I dragged the wife all over, she knew once it was in my mind to get a Jeep that I was going to annoy her non stop until one was in my driveway, she's very understanding.
A few months ago I settled on a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L, red with a black hard top. It had more miles than I wanted, and I really, really wanted AC, but the price wasn't bad so I figured 'why not' and jumped on it.
It's a bit finicky, only 3 of the 4 blower settings work for the vents, some times the left turn signal illuminates for no reason (blinker switch? column switch? short somewhere?) after rain or driving though the mud. Worst of all the transmission has some moderate grinding issues, 1st -> 2nd gear grinds almost always unless I double clutch it, so I'm guessing it's the synchro. 2nd -> 3rd grinds when it's cold, until I trive for a wihle and thin out the fluid.
So, that leads me to my newbie questions. In the DSM world (90-99 Mitsu Eclipse, 90-98 Eagle Talon, 90-94 Plymouth Laser) the factory calls for either 5W-30 or 10W-30 depending on the climate. It's generally accepted by the DSM community that heavier oil is better for these cars, most of us run 20W-50. Also, there are a few brands of manual transmission fluids that are sworn by, I wasn't sure if the Wranger has anything similar? Should I use a lighter or heavier manual transmission fluid? Oil? Or just go by what's called for in the manual? I'm guessing synchros are worn and I'll have to drop the transmission and rebuild replace, but I would like to at least try a fluid that is recommended to see if that helps.
My kid loves the Wrangler because when I park it in the driveway with the top off it doubles as a jungle gym for him. He crawls around the roll bar and likes being high off the ground.
Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself and ask those newbie questions. If there is a new member frequently asked questions type of post or website, please point me towards that, I'm sure that'll answer a lot of my questions.
Lastly, here are a few pics.
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090016.JPG
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090014.JPG
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Jeep/P1090015.JPG
And my Eclipse Spyder if any of you are interested.
http://www.stevesgrandehead.com/Lake Michigane Pics/P1020402.JPG