Battle

So, yesterday I replaced the cap, rotor and coil (easy peasy) to try and eliminate the potential of my intermittent hesitation issue being caused by bad ignition timing. Well you know what - I didn't help.

This is very similar to what I'm going through:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/he...update-326747/

I just don't think it would be fuel pump/filter related because the hesitation will go away. Maybe the TPS? I floored it yesterday (albeit at operating temp) and she ran fine.

I might just wait for my next paycheck and get a brand new o2 sensor and high flow cat which may rule out that as an issue and....

complement the brand new Gibson GP400 header I got off craigslist for $200! Should fit like a glove unlike the APN I once tried to install.

Battle

Well, my intermittent problem still exists but I think I have it on the run. It happens mostly after I restart it from having been driven for a bit but when it does, I can make it pretty much go away by simply shutting off the engine and restarting it. This makes me think it's electrical i.e. a sensor. I'll test the TPS and O2 during the week but in the meantime, I did pick up another project.

I'm sure some of you know about BleepinJeep or at least their videos but the main the guy, Matt, lives in East TN. Well yesterday, I met him and picked up the bumper and winch from his old crawler. It's stubby but well built and looks sweet plus, it'll be an honor to rock a piece of that legendary rig. I really couldn't beat the price too!

88whitecomanche

Nice!
Craigslist shopping helps a lot!
Can't wait to see it installed

Battle

Got it all fastened up yesterday. Had to take the skid plate off the get the steering box back in line and I left it off so I could have more space to mount the winch solenoid box - not real sure about how I'm going go do that. The winch free spools at least!





I think it'll look even more awesome with the skid back on.

Next up is replace the upper radiator hose (it sprung a leak when leaving our off road club meet), thermostat and housing, valve cover gasket and degrease her. THEN I can swap manifolds to get the Gibson header in, replace the downpipe (mine's bent), cat and 02 sensor.

Seems like being a weekend warrior is not Ruby's favorite thing...

zach128

is your tierod bent or is it just me

Battle

It's from a V8 ZJ. They are shaped like that. Not sure why to be honest. I do know I can adjust my toe so much easier now and my steering is stronger than before.

J3ff3ry_J33pst3r

I also enjoy your thread ; lotsa nice helpful tips and picts ; thanks!
I interupt the flow to ask about Windrock you mentioned testing tires at back in this Jan post....I live in West Nashville and my "home-base" is Wooly's and then AORP ... but wheeling all over S.E. , I realized that Windrock & Royal Blue were the only places between TurkeyBay and Beasley **** that I have not been to ; is Windrock possible for a day drive or best to camp overnight after travelling? A good place to wheel?

Battle

i never did test those Treadwrights up there... oh well.

You can camp at Windrock. I've personally never done it but our local offroad club is planing an overnight trip in October that I'm super pumped about. I wouldn't want to drive all the way there from Nashville though just to wheel for a few hours and go home. Heck, simply driving a car across the plateau is tiring enough. It ALWAYS rains when I do it.

Battle

Replaced the valve cover gasket and a leaking radiator hose yesterday and drove her in the first time in about a week. Good gravy I ADORE this thing.





Funny thing - when I was installing the bumper, I of course had to unbolt the steering box. Well, it moved (not much) but just enough that I knew my steering angle would be just a tad off. My drag link was adjusted to where my steering wheel was tilted to the left just so slightly as every time I thought I adjusted it correctly, I was wrong. Anyways, my steering wheel is as straight as it was when it was stock!



I got everything I need to wire up the winch and an in-cab controller. I just need to mount the solenoid box and wire everything.

Battle

W00T!!!!!!

Battle

Time to update this. Last weekend was very Jeepish. Spent Saturday wiring wiring the H4 harness and headlights. Getting the harness behind the grill was interesting considering the bumper. I literally cannot get it off without cutting it or taking the bumper off haha! Anyways, the new H4s work like a dream! I still don't have turn signals though... all my bulbs work, my flashers work (replaced the relay about a year ago) and replaced the switch. I think I got a dud switch. Oh well.

Then I wired up the winch and in-cab winch controller. The solenoid box is mounted underneath the skid and fits nicely. Since Matt left his extension cord for the in-cab controller, I basically copied his controller idea. I have an on-off switch for the power to the in/out controller. It works well!

Off:



On:



Underhood wiring:



Sunday I went with my local club to the east side of Royal Blue. First time there - cool WMA. Mostly mud. We rode around as a group until we got to trail 9 which was marked "most difficult" and wasn't even marked for trucks. Our 12ish trucks turned to four, myself included, and we went down the 1.5 miles. It was AWESOME! Mostly downhill, off-camber rock drops. The truck did great. Really just strategic brake control.

Nothing broke but the rig did run hot. 220 at the hottest. My fan shroud is broken and I'm pretty sure my e-fan isn't working. I'm considering running straight e-fans.

On to the pics.

All of us pre-trail:


Three of the four who went down trail 9:


TJ hardware envy:


Sweet looking XJ - but drive was a bit timid (not guy pictured - he was one of the trail 9 four):


Off camber stuff:


First real obstacle. I went right (pictured left). The drop was much steeper but I didn't run the rick of sliding into that rock:


Other guy who went down trail 9. Sleeper status FJ - 3" lift on 33 ATZs. Sweet rig:


Second obstacle with our club president. Cool little spot. You dropped down and had to turn hard left:


6 speed TJ was super clean:




Guy only had two wheels touching the ground but I made him stop to take pictures haha!


Meeting back up with the crew. You can spot my rig showing off in the background.

88whitecomanche

Lol you couldn't hold yourself from showing off huh? I don't blame you...
Looks like your having fun...might have to drive up one day and wheel with you...

Battle

How else are you supposed to park haha!

Man, that would be awesome! Get Gary, Scott and JR to come with you.

Battle

Haven't done much to her other than drive it. The past week and a half, she's been my daily since my Civic had a flat tire. 40+ mile round trip days, mostly freeway speeds (75 ish) and even with a bad o2 sensor, she did great. Finally got the o2 replaced and she runs like a top. Took her to my dad's new-to-him land - we're going to use the Jeep to build a road!



On the list of things to do:

• Replace serpentine belt (hopefully it's causing the slipping when I engage my a/c)
• Repair/replace electric fan
• Replace fan shroud (currently doesn't exist)
• Flush coolant
• Change trans fluid

Mod wise, who knows. Electric fan conversion? Maybe some 4 inch springs? Adjustable control arms? OX Locker for the front? 33X10.5 TSLs?

Battle

Found my old CB radio. It's a little guy - Cobra 19 Ultra III. It turns on and seems to work - just need a good antenna.

I'm thinking more and more about running 33x10.5s. Anyone have any input on weight difference between them and 31x10.5s? I'm curious if my 3.55s will be up to snuff to pull the weight, or should I go ahead and regear to 4.10s.