Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

[Voss001]

Hello all,

I'm very interested in CNG and quite happy to find this site as I've found I need to do lots of digging to find most information.

I'm contemplating many options for my first CNG vehicle, one of which is the possibility of converting a 1994 jeep Cherokee Sport (6 cyl) which I own. Does anyone know of any Cherokee converions that have been done? I would be interested in a conversion shop, a kit, or even a CNG crate motor that could be swapped in.

I've heard rumors of CNG Cherokees, but haven't been able to turn up anything concrete so I'm not sure if it's been done or worth pursuing so any info is appreciated. Primarily I'm interested in CNG only but certainly happy to hear about bi-fuel or any other setups that have been done or are available.

Best regards,

Mike Voss

[Curtis]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Where are you located, Mike? If out of Ca, then you have some options. A CNG conversion is not an inexpensive setup. You could be looking between $10,000 and $15,000 to do a conversion. The kit must be EPA approved and the computers "black box" must be configured properly. I believe there is a list of EPA approved kits in the files section of the group. Frequently cngmotors (cngmotors.com), in Phoenix, has some off the wall conversions, and do it themselves in some cases. Keep us apprised of your progress and any questions that come up.

[Voss001]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Curtis - thanks for the reply. I am in fact in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles, so you are quite nearby.

I had no idea conversions were that expensive, which makes the prospect of coming to see you for a Civic GX a good possibility in the future. I actually spent a lot of time calling around trying to find out about the GX locally and got nowhere, so it's great to have easy access to someone with all the info.

Can you tell me, how is the availability of new GXs? Also, I've never seen one in any color but white - do they come in all the standard Civic color schemes?

Thanks again,

Mike Voss

[Curtis]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Mike, the 2007 GX's are dwindling quickly, with the only color option being white. The 2008's began rolling off the assembly line on the 7th ov Nov. We expect to be receiving them in the next few weeks. The colors this year will be Taffeta White, Nighthawk Black, Alabaster Silver, Royal Blue Pearl, Tea Green Metalic, with the Borrego Beige not making a comeback for '08. If I can be of service in any way, please don't hesitate to call. With all the great incentives, and the long term fuel savings, there's never been a better time to go "green".

[Voss001]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Curtis - that's great to hear, thanks a lot.

Can you tell me, approximately, what the 2008 car's MSRP will be and what rebates/incentives are available to me in the LA area? I'm interested in incentives that apply to the PHILL or similar refueling device as well. I've also just started reading a bit about grants and how to get a grant writer to apply for them, so any info is greatly appreciated. And, if all this is covered in a FAQ somewhere that I missed, please feel free to let me know!

Best regards,

Mike

[Curtis]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

The MSRP will only increase very little for the 2008 model, Mike, from $25,185 to $25,225.
Grants have existed in the South Coast AQMD area on and off, however there are no programs at the moment that you can tap into. You are right though about submitting your own grant application. That's how I established the $3000 grant that my local customers enjoy. Vacaville and some of it's neighbors have $6,800 in cash rebates from the city.

What you do have is the:
$4,000 federal tax credit (consult your tax professional to see how it may benefit you).
A $2,000 buy down on the Phill unit from SCAQMD/MARB ($!,000 each) This would bring a Phill lease to somewhere around $48 per month. If you wish to purchase, it would lower your purchase price by about half. You may finance up to $1,000 of your installation charges within the lease if you choose to go that route.
In addition there is an additional $1,000 federal tax credit for the Phill unit.
SoCal Gas requires a "letter of intent to install" for the Phill. Once that approval arrives (about 2 weeks) you can then install the Phill and submit a "Request for rate change" to SoCal gas. This G-NGVR tarriff locks you into a rate that is below baseline (no tiered pricing as you now have) for all gas used in your home, and your fuel bill is conveniently mailed once a month combined with your house gas bill. This lower rate reduces the price of your motor fuel to about 60% less than you pay currently for gasoline.
You may also get the White Clean Air Sticker from DMV, by mailing in the "Reg 1000" form along with $8, and gain solo access to the diamond lane. (see Curt's Corner "What do I need to claim my..." thread for forms).
I hope this helps.

[Voss001]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Curtis - for some reason, those links are all dead for me - do they work for you? Thanks.

[Curtis]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

Sorry, go to Civicgxtalk in Yahoo groups, sign in, go to files/forms/then open the form you are after and print it out.

[sethdallob]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

A $2,000 buy down on the Phill unit from SCAQMD/MARB ($!,000 each) This would bring a Phill lease to somewhere around $48 per month. If you wish to purchase, it would lower your purchase price by about half. You may finance up to $1,000 of your installation charges within the lease if you choose to go that route.
In addition there is an additional $1,000 federal tax credit for the Phill unit.

Curtis,

I have a 2003 GX with 135k that still runs great, thanks to your dealership's fine servicing. However, my Phill is starting to die (about 5200 hours, and compressor problems). It looks like buying another new one is cheaper than the refurb deal for $2k+shipping both ways+installation based on the incentives above. Is the SCAQMD/MARB deal still available? All I can find is a press release about it, with no specifics.

[Curtis]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

The gentleman that runs that program is Phill Barocca (appropriately enough) and his phone # is 909-396-2409. I haven't spoken to him in a few months, so I'm not up to date on the number of incentives in each program. Buy and lease incentives are seperate. There could be money in one and not the other.

You may EBay and get some money out of the old Phill, as you can't buy a refurbished unit from FM, you have to send in a unit to get it rebuilt.

[cngmike]

Re: Newbie Q: Jeep Cherokee CNG

There in fact were Jeep Cherokee conversions. there use to be one that filled at Long Beach.