[Lord_Xcalibur]

Hi everyone, I am picking up my first Jeep at the dealer this afternoon so I'll admit to being a complete newb owner firstly. As an introduction, my new Jeep is a 2001 TJ Sport, hard and soft top, relatively low (77k-kilometres) usage and the 6-cylinder engine with manual transmission. I'm going to check the axles and tire size tonight when I get it home.

After test driving a new Toyota Matrix as a big "compromise car" to maintain our one-car family, my wife and I decided to just pick the vehicles we each want and get used ones. So last night we picked up a little Toyota Yaris and I got my very own Jeep that I've always wanted. It was that or an older Mustang, but it's time I stop fooling myself that I'm a "speedy sports car" type and admit I love the idea of a high-seating-position gritty 4x4.

At any rate, introduction aside I do have questions regarding the tops (I've researched the TJ quite a bit, but haven't seen the answer):

- When you install a soft top and "take it off" for driving, can you fold the windows back in with the rest of the fabric or do you absolutely have to remove them?
- I'm going to be using this as a fun vehicle mostly for transportation to and from our commuter rail station and weekend enjoyment (I've never been 4x4ing, but I plan on trying it ASAP with 2 coworkers), but are there any low-cost easily installed modifications to performance or otherwise that are considered "mandatory" for Jeep users?
- I've read about these performance kits that add throttle spacing and air filtration, etc... to the engine - they claim to add 20% horsepower and lower fuel consumption. In the real world do they actually do so without compromising the mechanical integrity of the engine?

[Crashnburn80]

Welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by Lord_Xcalibur

When you install a soft top and "take it off" for driving, can you fold the windows back in with the rest of the fabric or do you absolutely have to remove them?

You can roll the back window up and attach it with the straps at the top of the softtop. The rear side windows must be removed to put the top down.

Originally Posted by Lord_Xcalibur

...are there any low-cost easily installed modifications to performance or otherwise that are considered "mandatory" for Jeep users?

Yes, recovery points front and rear. If you don't have town hooks on both ends of your Jeep you should get some, they are cheap (maybe $10). These did come from the factory on some Jeeps. In the front they are on top of the bumper, in the rear its below on the driver side. Other than that your stock Jeep is very capible off road. Be sure to never go offroad alone, if anything happens you want the support of a second vehicle.

Originally Posted by Lord_Xcalibur

- I've read about these performance kits that add throttle spacing and air filtration, etc... to the engine - they claim to add 20% horsepower and lower fuel consumption.

They will do nothing more than drain your wallet. Complete waste of money.

[rustym38a1]

If you are going to drop your top and take the windows with you I would recommend a window roll or case such as those from Clover Patch or Bestop.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/91109_100_07.htm

http://www.quadratec.com/products/product_search.php?cn=Storage+Bags+for+Doors%2C+Wi ndows+%26%2338%3B+Soft+Tops&c=&pn=91109+300%2C9110 9+11%2C91109+21%2C91109+01&h=&spg=t&cv=

The windows should always be removed from the soft top when folding down. Look through the owners manual. These bags will definitly prolong the life of the plastic windows!
As for the rest of your questions look through the search threads in this forum and you will find all kind of ideas on what works or not by the folks who have already tried most of stuff out there.
That's the fun of a Wrangler, there are hundreds of items out there to make it the way YOU want it!
Enjoy your new Jeep!

[MusicMaverick]

Yeah, the side windows must be removed. But you can easily tuck them in the trunk or between the rear seat and trunk if you have one of those insta-trunks.

As for performance. Nothing really, you're good to go, especially with a 4.0 in there.

As far as off-road capability... You're pretty golden as is for now... Most say the best is to just go out and see what it can do, then decide what you need pending on what you want to do with it....

[Squeeky]

Originally Posted by Crashnburn80

Welcome to the forum.



You can roll the back window up and attach it with the straps at the top of the softtop. The rear side windows must be removed to put the top down.



Yes, recovery points front and rear. If you don't have town hooks on both ends of your Jeep you should get some, they are cheap (maybe $10). These did come from the factory on some Jeeps. In the front they are on top of the bumper, in the rear its below on the driver side. Other than that your stock Jeep is very capible off road. Be sure to never go offroad alone, if anything happens you want the support of a second vehicle.



They will do nothing more than drain your wallet. Complete waste of money.

x2

[TheBoogieman]

Welcome and everything was covered well.DON'T forget to wave.

[SillyPutty]

If you plan on venturing off the roads, get a first aid kit, a recovery strap, tow points(as mentioned before), and a fire extinguisher. This is the most basic list of gear to make sure everyone returns home and does so safely.


Welcome

[Lord_Xcalibur]

Thanks for all the help everyone. I picked up my Jeep today and it already has recovery hooks front and back (2 on the front, 1 on the back) and 30" tires as well. I guess that means it was off roaded before I bought it which is kind of too bad, but it looks really well maintained so hopefully it wasn't run into the ground

I think I might be in love with this TJ, it just screams character when driving - right down to the noise and roll and lack of almost any refinement. I might be coming off of driving sedans and little hatchbacks but I recognize fun when I drive it...

[Diablosjeep]

Welcome to the forum! Glad to hear you love your TJ already.

[SillyPutty]

Originally Posted by Lord_Xcalibur

Thanks for all the help everyone. I picked up my Jeep today and it already has recovery hooks front and back (2 on the front, 1 on the back) and 30" tires as well. I guess that means it was off roaded before I bought it which is kind of too bad, but it looks really well maintained so hopefully it wasn't run into the ground

I think I might be in love with this TJ, it just screams character when driving - right down to the noise and roll and lack of almost any refinement. I might be coming off of driving sedans and little hatchbacks but I recognize fun when I drive it...

Congrats. A lot of TJ's came from the factory with that equipment. If you really want to see if it has been offroaded, get underneath. and look around. Check the transfer case skidplate for scratches, the bottoms of the control arms, etc. But even there is evidence, it's not a bad thing. That stuff happens.

[irondan]

Please wave. It's a jeep thing.