redtomatoman

So, I'm probably totally missing the point somehow. . . But wouldn't it have been easier, and maybe even cheaper, if you include time spent on the project, to have traded your DJ for another with the options you are trying to get? I get that maybe you are a tinkerer and this project is only the excuse to tinker, but I am not wired that way and have difficulty with laboring and toiling for countless hours to obtain what can be obtained for less when the cost of labor is factored in. Please don't take me as being condescending, I'm just trying to understand. I would have traded my DJ or paid to have the dealer upgrade the system. I think I would have even had a warranty in either case. I have the 8.4 with Bluetooth and Nav and I completely get why one would want those. Anyway, best of luck to you. I hope your RB5 works great when you're done. Peace.

Congratulations. Hope you have a great experience as I and many others have. Peace.

That's great. I've been monitoring my 2011 for a few years now. Drive in the southwest. Lots of mountains and hills. I am averaging in the high 24's overall recently. That's approx 70/30 highway/town. I drive responsibly with some bursts of WOT; I like to be sure someone didn't steal my Pentastar. B) On the highway I get 27 - 28 mpg. Usually with a bike or surfboard on the roof. Peace.

Can't picture where you are talking about. Two rattles? One in the wheel well and one in the pillar near the wheel well? Maybe post pics of the area(s). Since one rattle is worse at speed, I'd check all the plastic wheel well liners and associated clips. Maybe the high speed wind is moving things around. If there is an entrance place, maybe a rock or something got in behind the wheel well liners and is causing the bumpy condition rattle. If that doesn't look like the problem, take the technician on a ride, have him or her sit near the rattles and listen closely to try to discern the cause. Good luck. Peace.

I don't. I'm a Mopar man though. On an unrelated note, I've decided that the Dodge Journey is one of the most artfully executed CUVs ever. Only the Murano comes close; distant second. Peace.

Like I posted above, Avondale CDJ service department has been good, responsive, and prompt in my experience. Not sure if you consider Avondale close to Scottsdale. Good Luck. Peace.

Huh. Great info Mcgusto. I stand corrected. I was thinking that the 2010s were nearly as integrated as the 2011+ models. Best of Luck to you btown! Peace.

btown, You, sir, are brave. These systems are amazingly integrated. Maybe less so in 2010, but, nonetheless, still integrated. If you can return the pioneer system and get an upgraded Dodge OEM system, I think you'll be better off even if the cost is substantially more. I can't think of anything more infuriating than discovering some part of the vehicle electronics doesn't work while I'm driving. Makes me homicidal. I honestly believe that the days of aftermarket systems are numbered. If not, I think aftermarket systems will soon change markedly. I may be wrong, but I think you have a lot of frustration in your future with the pioneer system. I'm pulling this straight outta my @$$, but with OEM software linked directly to hardware, future aftermarket systems will need licensing from manufacturers. Maybe not, dunno. Maybe these aftermarket companies have some software tricks HP their sleeves. Right now, I think your chances of getting a fully operational better than OEM system are slim. Not impossible, but slim. Best of luck to you if you forge ahead with the pioneer. Peace.

Today I ordered and paid for my hood insulation logo. I have some appearance mods in the works for my JC. I will post pics when all is complete. I also left my freshly washed JC in the garage so it didn't get rained on. Peace.

I'm no mechanic and I've never changed my own brakes, but it seems to me that if the brakes are hanging up in the rear then the calipers are to blame for that. Even high dollar rotors and new ceramic pads will wear out if they are in constant or more frequent contact. If that's the case, and your brakes are hanging up, you should also expect to be getting sub-standard gas mileage. I'd look seriously at your calipers. Take your DJ to a shop that you trust or you could DIY. My understanding is that brake jobs are quite straightforward IF you know what you are doing. I think there are a number of things that a newbie can goof up; bleeding, pad alignment, etc. I think the rotors need to be turned even before first install. Not sure on that though. Good Luck. Peace.

Avondale. Good. Melloy in Albuquerque not bad but not great. That's where I bought my DJ. Tate's DCJ in Gallup. Excellent. Very happy with my Gallup home town dealer. They were not here in 2011 when I bought my DJ. Peace.

I think you should mention the previous appointment that was for the same problem(s). If you can make the case that the previous appointment was during the warranty, the service folks may be more apt to help you out. Good luck. Hopefully your problems will fall into a well known category. Peace.

I have to be honest. I drove a lot of cars before buying the DJ. The turbo forester finished second in the mix. BUT it was overpriced and cheap on the inside. And those Subaru guys do not negociate. . . Any Subaru comparable to my DJ is $10-12,000 more in price. If you like blown head gaskets at 100,000 miles, buy a Subaru. My opinion. (but head gasket thing is a fairly well known fact) Peace.

Right. Its a controller that also controls your music. Not sure there are ANY options for replacement. If you can replace it, the new hardware would simply replace the screen. The true guts are part of the vehicle. All this technology has us married to the manufacturer. Its not just Chrysler, its all manufacturers. Maybe someone else has a different take on this situation. Your best bet, IMHO, is the extended warranty. I got mine. Peace.

Mountain bikes, surfboards, and fermentors are my "other" toys. I also love my 1991 Dakota. Peace.

Is there a new very recent RB5 map update available? On the garmin site it says "just released", but there is no date that I saw so what that means I am unsure. My navigator pissed me off this past weekend when it would not find a particular store I was looking for that I was unsure exactly where it was. I knew it existed but my navigator had no clue. The POIs for our garmin nav need serious help. Peace.

27,000+ miles on my 2011 kumhos. I'd say I've got at least 10,000 miles left. Peace.

Sounds like a software issue. I would see your Dodge service folks. Good luck. Peace.

The only beef I have with I-4 that comes in the DJs is that it doesn't do that much better when it comes to mileage. Yes, it is better, but not by much. I tend to restrain my tendency to really get into my acceleration. BUT, when I do, its really fun, man!! I use my DJ for road trips (mountain biking, surfing, etc.) and I tend to have gear on the roof rack. That tends to decrease my mileage slightly, but I drive responsibly. Over the past 3-4 tanks of gas, I have averaged better than 26 miles/gallon. That figure includes the in town driving that any of those trips include. I'd say its an 80/20 mix of highway/town driving. On the freeway, I get somewhere in the 28s most often. The thing that I like about the Pentastar is that the power is there if I need it. The thing I have mixed feelings on is the computer programming because our DJs are programmed for fuel efficiency and the downshift can come late. I compensate by using the autostick with frequency. I really like the autostick. I can leave it in D or drive my DJ "like" a manual transmission if I so choose. Anyway, I have had lots of fun with and have been very happy with my DJ thus far. I hope to keep it many years. I have some new mods planned, so I'll post those when I get them completed. Peace.

Both the DJ and caravan have the 3.6 L Pentastar. Upgrade. You've tasted excess, now there's no going back. Peace.

I'm not sure about other vehicles sitting higher. You may be right, but the DJ has nearly 8" of clearance. Pretty good for a "car". The question as to why Dodge would not lift the DJ further from the factory has a simple answer. On the same lot where the DJ is sold is a whole fleet of Jeep vehicles, all of which are intended, at least partially, for varying levels of off road use. There is no reason to equip the DJ for off road use. The aim of Dodge recently is to get back to its muscle/performance roots. While the Pentastar is no Hemi, it does give the DJ some muscle. Dodge is leaving the off-roading to Jeep and the top luxury for Chrysler. Peace.

Not all forum members have engine/transmission technical knowledge. There are some though. I'm sure you will get some suggestions. My suggestion is to find the nearest dealer or transmission shop. My feeling is that the dealer is best. We are all married to the dodge service center with the new levels of technology and electronics that our DJs have. Good Luck. Peace.

Not sure about any additional additives, but here is an article summarizing the pros and cons of ethanol. http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1077734_ethanol-in-your-gasoline-tank-the-pros-and-cons Peace.

I think the Dodge dealer should warranty your brakes. As a dealer selling a used car, it is their responsibility to be sure the vehicle is reasonably driveable. 600 km before brakes need changing does not seem reasonable to me. I agree though, if you have to pay. Use aftermarket performance parts. Good Luck. Peace.

Does anyone use a vehicle tent with their DJ? Which one? How's the fit. Any paint damage? Anything that I should know? I am thinking about getting one but I'm not sure if there is any real advantage over my regular camping tent. Just wondering what other's experience is. Also, my main question is how the DJ will do with the rear gate door open all night or for extended periods of time. Will this wear on the battery? I know our DJs wake up whenever a door is opened or anything is changed in any way. TIA. Peace.