TJ available with ABS?

ABS was an available option, you'd have to check the build sheet of what you are looking at, or check for the tone rings & sensor wires on the front axle, or the ABS controller under the hood.

And make sure they didn't install an aftermarket axle that didn't allow for the ABS hardware :/ (But if they did, IIRC, the dashboard warning light would be on all the time.)

...

Unless it was a Dynatrac axle. (Oh boy am I opening a can o' worms. Thank God I killfiled Bill H.)

So they are in fact available. I did an AutoTrader search on 'em and only a few came up with my search criteria. I didn't know if those few were actuals or if they were mistakes in the description because almost EVERYTHING comes with ABS now and has for a while. Thanks guys.

Most people won't even know they have it. You might be eliminating some nice Jeeps in your search criteria method.

tw

Oh, I'm sure you are right, but like I said in my original post, this is for my daughter. She's a newby driver and we live in Wisconsin. She will be taking this thing to school every day and I need to know she's driving something that will stop as efficiently as possible. New drivers (actually most drivers) don't have the sensitivity and presence of mind to NOT just "lock 'em up" in an emergency stop. They just panic, jam on the brakes and pray. ABS gives those prayers a better chance of being answered. Don't want to have to test the airbag system! :) Pete

be taking this thing to school every day and I need

(actually most drivers) don't have the sensitivity

panic, jam on the brakes and pray. ABS gives those

There is an other end to that. Drivers that aren't aware of what ABS feels like (Buzzzzzzzzzzzz) when it kicks in are likely to let off the brake. My suggestion is what ever vehicle you do get, take the time to go to a dirt/gravel spot and practice emergency stops.

ABS won't necessarily stop you faster. What ABS does is let you maintain steering control while your skittering to a stop.

I can stop faster in a straight line without ABS, especially in loose dirt/gravel/snow because the debris pile up in front of the tire and the vehicle digs-in. While on ice where ABS shines, it basically allows you to pick where your going to hit. :/

I was just saying that by using "ABS" as a keyword in your search, you might be missing some nice Jeeps that _DO HAVE_ ABS because the owner just didn't list it, or even know it was on the Jeep. Also, ABS has become so standard on so many vehicles, ads just don't necessarily list them as an option.

tw

Pete Stolz wrote:

Couldn't agree more. Technically, if you've practiced it enough and have developed a good sensitivity to lock up, you can beat ABS, especially on dry pavement. Practicing that has a tendancy to square off your tires though. We do a braking exercise that does just that. We run students through a couple of times with ABS on so that when they hammer the brakes, they feel and hear that buzzing. Then we switch it off and run 'em through again and have them simulate ABS with their foot. It's hard enough when you're not panicked, but when a kid jumps out in front of you unexpectedly, your instinct is to shove the brake pedal through the firewall. That's what great about ABS: the computer compensates for panic and lack of sensitivity.

My daughter has her temps right now and I've already had her out practicing braking just to give her the feel of how hard she needs to push the pedal (even with power assist) to get to ABS, and also a feel for how quickly a vehicle will stop. It will probably be awhile (read never) before I'm comfortable with her in something without ABS.

Pete

OK. I misunderstood what you meant. My bad! Your probably right about that. I'll have to check each one individually I suppose. Thanks, Pete

Good grief, I'm not THAT old but I still remember when car ads in the classifieds often had "R&H" in them.

For those that don't know that meant the car had a radio and heater, yes they used to be options.

Jeff DeWitt

twaldr> I was just saying that by using "ABS" as a keyword in your search, you