1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

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Mopar stuffs the Jeep Performance Parts catalog with 200 accessories

We don't get to savor the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler until sometime in November. Today at SEMA, however, we get to sample some of the more than 200 Jeep Performance Parts that Mopar designed for America's off-road mascot. Among the totally new offerings are a roof rack and a stowable tailgate table. The roof rack can accommodate the standard carriers, such as those for skis, snowboards, and bicycles. The tailgate table flips down from the rear hatch, creating a workspace complete with a beverage holder. Urbanites can get down with the mesh and solid bikini tops, a cargo tray that extends to the back seat and doubles the surface area, logoed door sills, and new fuel doors. Redesigned tire covers flash new graphics and incorporate an aperture for the backup camera. When distant GPS points require low-range four-wheeling, redeveloped goodies include 17-inch beadlock aluminum wheels, a two-inch lift kit that permits 37-inch tires when paired with high-top fender flares, thicker, wider rock rails coated with Ram bedliner material, and hard-secured grab handles. Five-inch LEDs throwing 4,080 lumens and seven-inch LEDs throwing 8,000 lumens work with a new mount kit to attach to windshield, winch guard, or frame rails. An auxiliary switch bank with a dedicated power distribution center means convenient access to controls for auxiliaries like those lights and the Mopar Warn winch. A screen protector keeps dust and debris from damaging the Uconnect screen. When the inevitable boo-boo happens, grab for help from the improved emergency first-aid kit and roadside assistance kit. Mopar says the entire range of Jeep Performance Products will be available at dealerships as soon as the Wrangler goes on sale. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeep Performance Parts: SEMA 2017 View 17 Photos Related Gallery 2018 Jeep Wrangler Mopar accessories View 14 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Auto News Aftermarket SEMA Show Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles SEMA 2017

Texan finds creative way to clear highway fast lane

Few things are as infuriating as someone driving slow in the fast lane. A Jeep driver from Texas found himself in just such a predicament near Fort Worth, and came up with a creative way to urge the offending lane-blocker to get a move on. Machine, a YouTuber and off-road enthusiast from the Lone Star State, posted some dashcam footage to his account back in March which showed him stuck behind a slow driver. He was attempting to pass a slow-moving bobtail Peterbilt tractor when he got hung up by a white Ford Econoline squatting in the passing lane. On his YouTube page, Machine stated that the van, which apparently belonged to a plumbing company, was traveling along between 60 and 70 miles per hour along a stretch of highway with a stated speed limit of 70 mph. Confronted with the slow-moving van blocking the left lane, and traffic in the right lane, Machine called the number on the back of the Econoline and politely asked him to get out of the way. In the Econoline, the passenger picked up and was momentarily confused as Machine asked him to ask his driver to move out of the lane and let traffic pass. The van sped up, passed a tractor-trailer, and got out of the way, much to the relief of the traffic behind him. According to CBS news, 38 states have laws on the books to punish slow drivers squatting in the passing lane. In five of those states, the fine is upwards of $1000, and 22 states classify it as a misdemeanor. Related Video: News Source: YouTube, CBS News Auto News Humor Weird Car News Ford Jeep Driving Safety Minivan/Van SUV Commercial Vehicles wrangler passing lane

Jeep recalls 228k Cherokees over airbag deployment fears

Jeep is recalling an estimated 228,181 examples of the 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokee worldwide because the airbags can inadvertently deploy in some situations. Specifically, the campaign covers 168,092 vehicles in the US, 19,557 in Canada, 4,133 in Mexico and 36,399 outside of North America. According to Jeep, the problem occurs when drivers execute extremely hard handling maneuvers and upset the vehicle's balance, which causes the side-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags to deploy. "The air-bag systems, sensing potential rollovers, automatically activated," according to the automaker's announcement. While this occurred in "a small number" of cases, according to Jeep, the problem caused no reported injuries or accidents. To fix the fault, the company will issue a software update to recalibrate the bags' deployment. Statement: Restraint-System Software Upgrade February 2, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a global recall of an estimated 228,181 SUVs to upgrade software governing side-curtain and seat-mounted side air bags. The action follows an investigation by FCA US engineers after a small number of inadvertent deployments involving drivers who executed extreme maneuvers. These maneuvers dramatically changed the vehicles' angle of operation, relative to the ground. The air-bag systems, sensing potential rollovers, automatically activated. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The software upgrade will recalibrate the threshold for deployment and the vehicles will remain compliant with all applicable safety regulations. Affected are certain 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees. Estimated volumes by market are as follows: 168,092 in the U.S.; 19,557 in Canada; 4,133 in Mexico and 36,399 outside the NAFTA region. The Company will notify affected customers. Software will be available at that time. Customers with additional concerns or questions may call 1-800-853-1403. Featured Gallery 2015 Jeep Cherokee View 41 Photos News Source: FCA USImage Credit: Jeep Recalls Jeep Safety Crossover