I'm just trying to help

[HappyFun Ball]

I own a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee.. It has a design flaw, the gas tank is at the very end of it, you can reach under the bumper and touch the tank. It can explode if you are in a wreck.


Every time I see someone driving one of these death traps, I warn them about it.. But they always act as if I'm lying. I am not trying to sell them another car, I'm just trying to give them a heads up on it, I tell em they should keep a fire extinguisher in their Jeep from now on, I always get the "Deer in the headlights" look when I explain to them about the gas tank.

It just upsets me that me telling them that they can die even if they are in a minor fender bender is met with such apathy. But I guess if they don't heed my warning then they get what they deserve.

Anyways, it's the 1993-2004 model Jeeps with this flaw, if you own one, please be careful.

[Food Lady]

There was another car a while back with the same problem. But maybe we all should have fire extinguishers. You never know what could happen. I grew up in SoCal, and we were advised to keep supplies like water, blankets, and extra shoes in case of an earthquake. Sadly, all I have is a captain's chair and a yoga mat and a comforter. I guess I'm only prepared for a relaxation emergency.

[Kogarashi]

Hmm...do you have any further information on this? We have a '95 Grand Cherokee Limited, and this is the first I've heard anything about it.

[csquared]

Here is an article on it.

Happyfun Ball, it might be all in how you present yourself. I'm am not sure how I would respond is a total stranger cam up to me and told me I was driving a death trap.

[Shpepper]

I have a 96 Laredo. Love her to death. The fuel tank has had to be dropped a few times. Most recently to replace the fuel pump. Please keep me updated on this and let me know if there is a recall. I don't know how they would change the design at this point, and I sure don't want to lose my girl.

[AccountingDrone]

Explosafe fuel tank perhaps? I know that they use similar tech in race cars.

I have always kept a small extinguisher in my car, habit from being a hazmat tech in my youth. We actually used it once in Wyoming on our way through - we were first on scene at a car accident well before either of us had a cell phone. A guy flipped his car in the median and there was a small grass fire so while Rob got him out of the car [he is an EMT thanks to the Navy] I put the fire out. Luckily a truck driver stopped to help and called it in, and the state cops arrived about 10 minutes later. Dry grass in summer would be a bad thing to catch on fire and spread.

[Seshat]

The Ford Pinto was the fuel-tank death trap.

In the case of the Pinto, a simple fuel tank liner - easily fitted, not quite so easily retrofitted but still do-able - turned the car from death trap to 'about the same as any other'.

Hopefully something similar can be done for the Cherokee.

Just did a spot of research: yes, either a hollow-core-foam tank insert or a fuel bladder would make the fuel tank much safer. (Assuming it doesn't already have one or both)

[Becks]

I'm am not sure how I would respond is a total stranger cam up to me and told me I was driving a death trap.

That's my reaction.

[wolfie]

You've probably heard about how Lee Iacoca saved Chrysler some time back (K cars, introduction of the minivan), but before that he had been at Ford (responsible for the Lincoln Continental and Mustang). Jeeps of the time period in question were a Chrysler brand (acquired when Chrysler bought AMC).

Ford produces a "one-shot firestarter" when Lee was there, Chrysler does the same after he comes on board. Coincidence?

[dalesys]

Ford produces a "one-shot firestarter" when Lee was there, Chrysler does the same after he comes on board. Coincidence?

Nah. Conspiracy!