JET Performance Module for Jeep Commander

The JET Performance Module for Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles provides power gains across the entire power band (not just at full throttle). By optimizing point by point air/fuel ratio, ignition advance and various other tuning points the JET Performance Module can provides performance gains of up to 25 horsepower.

Modules are available in two configurations: Stage 1 and Stage 2.

The Stage 1 Module is recommended for stock or mildly modified vehicles. Programming is designed to burn fuel at peak efficiency, increasing mileage while using regular fuel (for performance gains the use of mid-grade or better fuel is recommended).

The Stage 2 Module is recommended when the end goal is increased performance. It features more aggressive programming to make the most horsepower and torque available. Fuel and timing curves are extensively modified for peak performance. Requires use of 91 octane fuel, 180 degree thermostat and free flow exhaust. Also works well with aftermarket intake systems, mass air sensors, TBI spacers, etc.

You can go to the JET's website for FAQs regarding performance, suitability, environmental compliance, etc. In this page you will find the model numbers for the Stage 1 and Stage 2 modules that fit the Jeep Commander's three engines: 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8 and 5.7L V8. And, if you go to this page you will find a write up and pictures by a guy who actually installed and tested one of these modules in his Dodge truck's 4.7L V8.

While so far I haven't been able to find any Jeep Commander owner actually using the modules, there are a couple of Jeep Grand Cherokee owners (4.7L and 5.7L Hemi) in JET's Testimonial Page that apparently are very satisfied with the results. If you are a Jeep Commander owner who has tried the modules, please feel free to add your comments.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Performance Parts, JET Performance Modules

Jeep Commander to the Rescue

Off-Road Adventures magazine and the Placer County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Team came together to build the ultimate Jeep Commander rescue vehicle. The idea was to take a stock, Hemi-equipped Commander and turn it into an uncompromising off-road machine. During five months (between July and November 2006) the Commander underwent a significant transformation, as it was lifted, equipped with bigger tires, fitted with performance intake and exhaust kits, and many other serious mods. You can read about the project from beginning to end by following these links:

Part I: Suspension, Wheels and Tires
Part II: Performance Intake and Catback Exhaust
Part III: Bumpers, Rock Sliders and Skid Plates
Part IV: Essential Gear for the Back Country
Part V: Hitting the Trail

We thank Off-Road Adventures magazine for the comprehensive write-up and detailed pitcures of this remarkable project.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Off-Road

Hemi Fuel Saving Tips

The 5.7L V8 Hemi comes standard with the MDS (Multiple Displacement System) feature, seamlessly alternating between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

Watch this video to see the MDS at work

Jeep offers the following fuel saving tips for owners of Hemi-powered vehicles:

• Keeping speeds to 65 mph or below — MDS uses four cylinder mode most at these speeds
• Use cruise control — this helps maintain a steady speed, generally allowing the HEMI to run on four cylinders for longer periods
• Accelerate more gradually — the HEMI will provide V-8 power whenever it is requested by the driver
• Use a steady throttle whenever possible — this maximizes four cylinder mode

For more on the MDS and the Hemi engine visit the newly revamped Hemi.com, DaimlerChrysler's official site for the Hemi engine.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Hemi

AEV Iceland Expedition Episode 3 Promo Video

This is a promo version of the third episode of the American Expedition Vehicles expedition to Iceland. In this video you will see primarily the heavily modified AEV Jeep Commander being tested at Big Sky Resort, in Big Sky, Montana. You will also see footage of other AEV Jeeps in Moab, Montana and other locations. Visit http://www.aev-conversions.com for more information on the Expedition, and the vehicles involved.

Jeep Commander Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs)

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are issued by vehicle manufacturers to help automotive technicians diagnose and repair problems reported by consumers and repair shops.

TSBs contain up-to-date factory fixes for difficult to diagnose problems such as rough idles, intermittent stalls, hard starts, and all kinds of "shakes", "rattles" and "clunks". TSBs also describe service procedures that may improve performance, reduce future breakdowns, or show a factory authorized modification for your vehicle.

TSBs are not recalls, though, and you may be expected to pay for their repair if you vehicle is already out of warranty.

Xkjeeps.com has put together a comprehensive Jeep Commander Technical Service Bulletin page where they keep track of every TSB and recall for the Jeep Commander, and have organized all the information (TSB number, date and title) in a neat and easy to access table. Normally consumers have to pay in order to get copies of the actual TSBs, but xkjeeps.com has included links to the pdf version of most of the TSBs for the Commander directly from this table.

Other way to get access to the full text of all the TSBs for your vehicle is to get a subscription with a service called Alldata.com ($24.95/year per car) You will also get illustrated diagnosis and repair procedures, diagnostic charts and trouble codes, component locations and diagrams, factory maintenance schedules and more.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Auto Repair

K&N Air Charger Intake Kit for the 5.7L Hemi

Some time ago, I posted about the K&N performance intake kit for the 4.7L V8. Now, K&N has launched its new AirCharger Intake Kit for Jeep Commanders with the 5.7L V8 Hemi. Here is what K&N has to say:

"K&N Engineering, Inc. has made its first 63 Series AirCharger Intake Kit (63-1549) for the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 6.1L V8, the 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L V8, the 2006 Jeep Commander 5.7L V8 and the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7L V8. K&N test have shown a horsepower gain of 15.30 at 5046 RPM with the 63-1549 Intake Kit.

K&N’s (63-1549) rotationally molded polyethylene Intake Kit uses a conical shaped High-Flow Chrome Top Air Filter (RF- 1048) that can fit into the engine compartment using factory holes and mounting points.

It takes less than an hour to install this kit and the lifetime K&N Air Filter performs for up to 100,000 miles before service is required depending on driving conditions."

You can follow this discussion thread in Jeepforum.com to read Jeep Commander owners' experiences with this performance intake kit, and to see pictures of it already installed in the Commander's engine bay.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Off-Road, KN

Jeep Commander Photo Gallery at Cardomain

Looking for owners' photo galleries of the Commander I ran across Cardomain's Jeep Commander gallery, where you can find hundreds of Jeep Commander pictures ranked by user ratings. You will find Commanders with both the "street" and the "off-road" looks, all of them representing the pride and joy of their respective owners, like Fernando's "Big Blue" on 22" wheels (pictured above). This gallery is a good place to see some of the mods that can be done to a Commander to make it look and perform even better. Thanks to Cardomain.com, the online community where car enthusiasts can get their own web page to show off their rides!

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Cardomain

Jeep Commander Grill Guard by Mopar

One useful mod for the exterior of the Commander (especially if you plan to take it to the back country) is a good quality grill guard. This tubular OEM grill guard by Mopar is especially designed to fit the contour of your Commander’s front grill and bumper, and will protect your vehicle’s front end from off-road damage. They are made from heavy gauge steel and are powder coated for longer life. I particularly like the tight fit and the clean and understated look of these OEM grill guards.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Mopar

2007 Jeep Commander on 20" EGO Wheels

Surfing the web for information on rims for the Jeep Commander I stumbled upon rozziewheels.com, a Colorado-based wheel specialist and found this picture of a mean looking black 2007 Commander clad with 20" Ego wheels. Go to this page for other pictures of the Commander from different angles. You can also browse through other wheel styles by Ego.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler , Custom Wheels, EGO, Wheels, Aftermarket

Jeep Commander: What's New for 2007

Directly from DaimlerChrysler's press release, these are the new features being offered with the Jeep Commander for 2007:

Two New Models:

• Commander Sport (New name)
• Overland

Exterior:

• Five new colors: Red Rock Crystal, Light Graystone, Steel Blue Metallic, Jeep Green Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic (pictured above)
• Power liftgate
• Body color matching door handles on Commander Sport
• Overland model includes:
  -Front tow hooks
  -Bodyside moldings with platinum finish
  -Front fascia with platinum finish appliqué
  -Wire lattice grille with platinum finish surround
  -Overland liftgate badge
  -Platinum finish on roof rack side rails
  -Outside mirrors with matching body color
  -Liftgate license brow with platinum finish
  -D-pillar appliqué/handle with platinum finish

Interior:

• Matching interior color cup holders
• Body color door handles — Commander Sport
• Diamond plate pattern console shifter bezel — Commander Sport
• Overland model includes:
  -Leather-wrapped center floor console lid
  -Lower center stack bezel — real wood design
  -Center floor console bezel — real wood design
  -Front door switch bezels — real wood design
  -Leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood inserts
  -Leather-wrapped shifter knob
  -Leather-wrapped door grab handles
  -Seats — suede with Yuma leather two-tone combination with embroidered Overland logo
  -Mopar®-designed “cross-car” cargo net
  -Front and rear Berber floor mats (no third-row mat)

Powertrain /Chassis:

• 4.7-liter V-8 Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) (not available in ME, NY, VT, CT, CA)
• Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) and Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) standard on 3.7-liter engine
• Quadra-Trac I® Standard on V-6 4WD
• Quadra-Trac II® Standard on 5.7-liter 4WD (late availability)
• Quadra-Drive II® optional on 5.7-liter engine
• Remote start
• Overland model includes:
  -18-inch platinum-clad aluminum wheels (Jan. ’07)
  -P245/60R18 BSW Goodyear Fortera tires (Jan. ’07)

Safety & Security:

• ParkView™ Rear Back-up Camera
• Active turn signals — “Three-blink Lane Change”

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler , Overland

Jeep Commander 2007 Lineup

Jeep has revealed the 2007 Jeep Commander lineup. The most significant development is the addition of the Overland version, featuring platinum-chrome exterior accents and wood, leather and suede interior accents, making the Overland the most luxurious Commander ever.

Complementing the lineup, we have a variation of the 2006 base Commander, now called Sport (pictured above), and the Commander Limited. The Sport version offers the base 3.7 SOHC V6 with the option of a 4.7L SOHC V8. The Commander Limited comes standard with the 4.7L SOHC V8, with the option of the 5.7L Hemi V8. The Commander Overland comes, of course, with the Hemi engine as standard equipment.

For pricing information and features click here.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler , Overland

Impressions on the Jeep Commander 3.0L Turbo Diesel Engine

Unfortunately, the 3.0 CRD diesel engine is not yet available in the U.S. For now, all we can do is read this review in Yahoo!'s UK site praising the features of this remarkable engine:

"The 3. 0-litre CRD diesel powerplant pops up all over the Chrysler, Jeep and Mercedes-Benz ranges and with good reason. Its one of the most impressive diesel engines money can buy. Its 218bhp output is capable of making a Mercedes C-Class feel indecently quick but when tasked with hauling the rather weightier Commander body about, it instead relies on its 510Nm of torque. This is more than even the Commanders range-topping V8 Hemi engine can manage. On the road it equates to a sprint to 60mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 120mph. Economy is very respectable at 30.9mpg and emissions are rated at 284g/km. When it comes to serious off-roading, this is probably the engine to plump for. "

I hope that DaimlerChrysler is seriously considering the possibility of outfitting U.S. Jeep Commanders with this engine soon.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Diesel

Jeep Commander Wheel Locks

At more than $200 a pop, the Commander's 17" Chrome clad wheels are expensive, so it's worth it to protect them by getting a good set of locks. These four chrome plated wheel locks with Mopar exclusive key are a good alternative if you want something that looks good and doesn't effect wheel balance.

Technorati Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Mopar

Jeep Commander Testing Maneuvers

I just found this short video on Youtube, of a Jeep Commander performing some three wheeled acrobatics at a Jeepland event. Enjoy.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler, Off Road

Airaid intake system for 5.7L Hemi

Weighing in at just over 5000 pounds, the full-size Commander uses every bit of the 330 horsepower the Hemi generates. So it stands to reason that more power, improved throttle response and more fuel efficiency would be at the top of the “must have” list for Commander owners. Fortunately, Airaid has launched its new performance intake system for the 5.7L Hemi. This new system gives Hemi equipped Commanders an extra boost of torque and horsepower. Another great thing about this intake system is that it can fit the original filter base of the 06 Jeep Commander and can be attached by using a few clips and clamps.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler , Airaid, performance intake

Motormax 1:64 Die Cast 2006 Jeep Commander

I've been patiently waiting to buy a 1:18 or bigger die cast model Commander but it seems that they are still not around. However, I have found a 1:64 Commander replica by Motormax. Motormax manufactures die cast and plastic replicas of various kinds of vehicles including cars, planes and motorcycles.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler

Jeep Commander 2006 E&G Classic Stainless Steel Heavy Mesh Gille

Now you can really make your Commander stick out of the crowd with this great looking mesh grill by E&G. It is a one piece replacement grille and requires the removal of the factory grille. The center section contains chrome mesh surrounded by a mirror finish bezel. It comes with two emblems ("Classic" and "Limited"), detailed installation instructions and mounting hardware.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler

T-Rex Billet Grill Insert for 2006 Commander

For those of you who are into the "chrome" look, check out this Jeep Commander Billet Grill Insertby T-Rex. Features:

• Made from solid stock of aircraft quality T-5 or T-6 billet aluminum.
• Pieces are cut to length and then shaped to the specific contour of the vehicle.
• Hand assembled and precision welded to ensure a strong and clean weld.
• The final stage of manufacturing includes a three-stage polishing and cleaning.

Grille Inserts may require some cutting and/or drilling to be installed.

Tags: Jeep, Jeep Commander, Jeep XK, DaimlerChrysler