I will preface this with admitting that I am merely whining.

I just left my local Jeep dealer feeling thoroughly sodomized...

I recently purchased a 2001 XJ and am refreshing various systems on the Jeep. I like to keep my vehicles in a state of service where I would feel comfortable to jump in at a moment's notice and make a cross country drive. I am also very picky about everything HAS TO WORK.

The details of all my mechanical work are fodder for other threads but I have started work on tidying up the interior details. Clean, freshen, upgrade the head unit, Auto-chromatic rear-view mirror, etc. Well I had instrument cluster lights that were burnt out. No big deal, I am thinking just replace all 5 bulbs and move on. The bulbs are readily available at the local auto parts store but the little blue "Jimmy Hats" on the bulbs are kinda melted on and disintegrate when trying to remove them. They are just little translucent rubber sleeves that go over the bulbs. I do a little searching and quickly come to LED upgrades, all kinds of colors, etc. Since I want to keep it pretty stock and don't want to go with some Gaudy color scheme to the instrumentation, I end up at the dealer looking for these bulb covers. The bulb, socket and Jimmy Hat are a single assembly Mopar part#4874349 and they want $12/ea for the little bastards. I paid less for Both Wagner loaded brake calipers with Thermoquiet pads from Rock Auto than I just paid for 5 measly little light bulbs.

After a long wait for an under staffed parts department, rude attitude and general lack of give a crap behind the counter, I leave $60 poorer, have to wait until tomorrow to get the bulbs and will be generally grumpy the rest of the afternoon...

Edit: SORRY. To keep things better on topic for OEM Tech, there has to be a better solution. Does anybody know where to get just the little rubber bulb covers OR a more economical solution that will maintain original lighting intensity and color? There is a second XJ that might enter my sphere of influence and I believe I will have to travel this road again.

 

Might want to vent in "Chat" & not "Tech".

 

Ya. Not the right place. But, if you want as stock as you can get it, and aftermarket parts are not what you are looking for, you got to pay the piper. Just how it is, no reason to whine.