rcguymike

Nate just texted me a pic!

aroundincircles

Nice!

rcguymike

Hoping to get the bumper back this week or next week from the powder coaters. They are super busy and had a holiday to boot. Hoping to do the water pump on the "new" ZJ this weekend, and finish up the battery cable install. Also had the dealer fix the wiring issue on the XJ a few days ago, they replaced the connector to the Map sensor and also found frayed wire towards the back of the head that was grounding out causing all kinds of problems. She's running like a champ now.

rcguymike

So tried to get the water pump swapped and the coolant leak fixed...pretty sure I know why it was leaking but now I have another problem.

Furthest right bolt on the bottom row was broken off by the PO...
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Might be time to call in reinforcements...

aroundincircles

Broken bolts SUCK... Ask me how I know.

rcguymike

If the bolts are symmetrical then it's one of the 5" long ones too...

rcguymike

Just got a call from the powder coaters! Bumper is done for $65!

Also fixed an idler pulley in the last couple days, that was causing a screeching sound at higher RPMS:

rcguymike

Bumper teases:
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Stealth mode activate! lol
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rcguymike

Finally, only 3 problems during install so it only took twice as long as I thought it would...Lol
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This is why my horn was sounding funny...
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Looks a bit more "bug eyed" than I thought it would, thoughts?

aroundincircles

it "feels" too big to me. at least from the pictures.

rcguymike

It does stick out about as far as the fender flares. At least it'll be functional...lol

rcguymike

Have rampage H4 housings on the way for later this week.

rcguymike

Installed the rampage housings with new bulbs and aimed the headlights a bit better. For less than $100 the output is now comparable to the MK only a bit narrower. I think they throw light even further with high beams. Next plans to finish off the lighting are welding on tabs for the cube lights from the old MK and I should have just as good if not better visibility than a 2017 Jeep. WOOT! Also, it looks like the winch wiring harness from the MK should work with my XJ. Instead of running the rear wiring all the way to the back I think I'm going to leave it coiled in the engine compartment and route it over the roof under the rack if/when I need it. The front wiring I'll route through or under the grill. Due to other events I'm no longer planning on lift, rocker replacement, and tires anymore this spring.
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Silly water main...at least it was before the meter...

rcguymike

waterpump has been spitting up every now and then, new thermostat and flushed the heater core too

New shinies:
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rcguymike

Well poo...


Wonder if one of the new injectors is leaky...? Might have to pull the plugs and check for unburnt fuel, and head gasket is probably in order.