Jeep Creep: Off-Road Technical Questions Answered

In your Jeep Creep questions, please list your first and last names, your hometown, and your 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. Send your questions to

Previous Jeep Creep Columns
April 2012

March 2012

February 2012

One Jeep recall this month:
12V-142: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass vehicles manufactured from December 17, 2011, through January 2, 2012. Some vehicles may have been built with a fuel tank assembly containing a damaged roll-over valve. In the event of an impact or roll-over, fuel leakage could occur, increasing the risk of a fire. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2012. Owners may contact Chrysler at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler’s recall number is M11.

Wranglers for your Wrangler
I have a 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. I am looking to replace the original 25575R17 M/T tires with an all-terrain tire. Do you have any suggestions? I am not looking to make any modifications to the vehicle at this time.
Craig Levine

I’ve just installed a set of Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires on my personal 2007 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited and I love them! They’re a bit taller than your old tires, but if you match the sizes—or go up one size—you’ll be very happy with the result. If the DuraTrac’s tread design looks a bit too aggressive for you, you’d also love the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar tires.

Bucking Wrangler
I have a 1994 Jeep Wrangler. It bucks and backfires while I am driving it. I thought I wasn’t letting it warm up enough but that doesn’t seem to be it. I have had several sensors replaced and then the computer. It still has not solved the problem.
Lawrie

It sounds to me, Lawrie, that you have fuel pump problems or plugged up fuel lines and/or fuel filter.

EFI Info
How do I disable the fuel injection system to do a compression check on a ‘95 Cherokee 4L so I don’t get gas in the cylinders?
Mark

Simple, Mark, pull the fuel pump fuse or unplug the relay.

High Idling Cherokee
My son has an ‘88 Jeep Cherokee Chief 4WD V6. It was idling hard at 2,200-2,500 rpm. We unplugged the MAP sensor now it idles at 1,100-1,200 rpm. Can that sensor stay off for a while or how soon should he replace it?
Larry

Look for a major vacuum leak. Use your ears to try and hear it. Failing that, use a can of WD40 and spray it along the vacuum lines. When the vacuum sucks in the WD40, the idle will change. Don’t leave the MAP sensor disconnected.

JK Suspension
What’s the best off-road suspension for a 1012 Jeep Wrangler? Money is OK—$2,000-$2,900 maximum—but I also need a good ride for my wife on the road. Can you please help me? I have spent almost 12 days doing research.
Brian

Brian, if you have a 1012 Jeep Wrangler, that’s got to be one heck of a classic Jeep! So I’m assuming you mean a 2012. There are so many really good lift kits on the market that I can’t really recommend just one. I can say that I’ve worked with BDS, Daystar, Rancho, Rough Country, Rubicon Express, TeraFlex, Skyjacker, and I have seen many others on the trail. They’re all good and fully back their products. But first you have to decide how high, long arm or short arm, etc. Also, your price range will be barely adequate for a 3- or 4-inch econo or short-arm lift kit if you’re not doing the work yourself. If you’re going with a long-arm kit, it’ll be more expensive but it will provide a smoother ride for your wife. With a lifted Jeep, you’ll want taller tires and aftermarket rims with the proper offset so the taller tires will clear the Jeep’s frame (which is another two grand or so). If you don’t have a Rubicon, I don’t recommend more than a 3-inch lift and 33-inch tires. Simply do a Google search and see what turns up.

YJ Clanking
Hello, I have a 1994 Jeep Wrangler. The other day I got stuck in a ditch here on post. I threw it in 4x4 and I dug out a great big hole on the driver’s side front. Little did I know that one wheel was on the asphalt? I just had a new Rough Country 4-inch suspension kit and 33-inch Mickey Thompson tires put on. Now, when I drive at low speed I hear what sounds like clanking, but it only does that at low speed, and not all the time. Any help would be great! Thanks from the vets here at Campbell!
James Brock

James, go through the entire suspension and check all the bolts again. Torque everything down to the correct specifications. If that doesn’t stop the clanking, have a friend walk beside the Jeep to try and isolate the problem.

Flashpaq
If I was to install the Superchips FlashPak, can I clear the settings without the Jeep dealer not finding out and voiding the warranty? I am interested, but I have a 2008 Jeep with lifetime warranty and want to make sure before I take the plunge.
Walter Pelletier

Simple answer, Walter, call Superchips’ technical support and ask 888/227-2447.

How Big Can I Go?
I have a ‘91 Sahara with a 4-inch Rubicon Express suspension lift and a 1-inch body lift. I have 16-inch rims. What’s the largest tire I can put on without having to re-gear? Also would bigger rims be an option for bigger tires? Please help. What’s the best tire brand for my buck and what type of tire? All-terrain tires?

Although you could go taller, I’d recommend LT285/75R16. With this size the front tires shouldn’t come in contact with the Jeep’s frame during tight, off-camber turns, and you won’t have to change differential gearing. With a Goodyear DuraTrak, recommended rim width is 7.5-9 inches wide, and the tire is 11.5 inches wide and 33.5 inches tall. Other tires from other brands will vary in size and width.

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.

In your Jeep Creep questions, please list your first and last names, your hometown, and your 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. Send your questions to editor@off-road.com, Attn: Jeep Creep.

Previous Jeep Creep Columns
April 2012

March 2012

February 2012