horay for faster internet so i can post pictures!

here's the cooler.

 

Nice find on the trans cooler. But the ZJ front skid plate won't mount of the XJ. I've heard it was tried but didn't work.

 

Makes the XJ cooler look puny....


Click for full res

Yeah didn't think it would.... of course, anything will fit with the right amount of fabrication.

 

I've been hunting a front skid for about a month now but every part-out i come across already has all the skids and tow hooks taken or spoken for.

It would certainly be unique to have a ZJ front skid, but also by looking at it, im not sure it would be worth the trouble of fabbing it on since it has holes in it that to me defeat the purpose of a skid.

I'd do my headlight harness today, its nice outside and i have time before i go to work but im not sure if the screws i got are really big enough to hold the grounds down, lol. ill see if i can dig up some washers.

then is taking out the ol wallet for three or so gallons of tranny fluid so i can get everything flushed and properly filled when i mount this cooler. May as well do the coolant at the same time too, and a thermostat

 

Got the headlight harness in!
It took about an hour. the hardest part was originally trying to route the driver side plug and wiring down behind the passenger light bucket and then up in front of the radiator with the factory harness. THEN i realized that my drill doesnt get into all those small nooks and crannies very well to drive these metal screws i had.

Regardless of that, they seem to work. tonight i can take a picture to compare them to some i took the other day in anticipation of the swap.


HOWEVER it makes me wonder about something. I have the factory fog lights and just wired it up normally. this is supposed to cause the high beams to not come off unless you turn the headlights off completely. this didnt happen.
I think its because when i look at the PDC, i only have one relay pertaining to fog lights, when there is another spot for FOG LAMPS (DRL). all the "fixes" for both the high beams switching off issue and a way to keep the fog lights ON when you have the high beams on, seem to mention there being two different fog lamp relays.
So maybe i'm just missing one?
Regardless, the harness add in was fairly straightforward and i cant wait until tonight when i can really see a difference.

 

Holy Crap this harness makes a difference! no pictures (weird stuff was going on where i took the previous pictures so i couldn't take new ones at the same location) but there is definitely an increase in light output.

Add me to the list that would recommend adding a harness to anyone's rig!

 

lol... that light harness is probably one of the most underestimated mods for any Jeep. It floors me all the inane arguments that people post up claiming that it's either not needed or trying other modifications like a heavier duty switch or other component.

It's super easy to do and 100% worth it... especially once you compare the original light output to the upgraded light output.

 

I have to agree with Basslicks. I was skeptical at first but with the new harness and just new sealed beams it makes a huge difference.

 

Well, as impressive as the harness has made the GE Nighthawks, either this pay or next I'll be getting a pair of E-code housings. And possibly more powerful bulbs.
Though I need change my oil and also have a tranny and coolant flush on the horizon, so it's a toss up.

Anyone ever use one of those 3m headlight polishing kits? Fixes the hazy misted lenses. I used one on my mom's WJ as a favor yesterday and it made a heck of a difference. I'm wondering if I should use that on my taillights and center high mount brake light....

 

Yes I have. Used it on my wife's 300m a couple months back. The difference is amazing and the kit is great!

From this:



To this:





Box says it can be used on headlights, tail lights, turn signal lenses, etc.... so I'd say go for it!

 

Well, two things. I used the 3m kit on the center taillight, it did clear it up pretty well.I'm actually wondering about using a different bulb for all my markers, turn signals, ect that are brighter than the stock ones, but not LED. I was considering using LED but ive also read they arent so bright.



Now for the bad news. remember how i said things were going too well?
Driving down a state route i always do on my route home, suddenly it acted like it downshifted from top gear and the CEL came on. Concerned about this (it was running 60mph at about 2,200 rpm) I checked my code scanner and got the P0758 code - Shift solenoid B electrical.

I checked the fluid and it was low but not to the bottom hole quite yet. topped it off and drove away, it seemed fine enough. CEL still on though. After going back into town, about 10 minutes of highway driving and 10 of city, it just wanted to do the typical "i'll stay in 4th gear when i'm in OD on the selector".

Parked at Walmart. Shopped for a while. got back in, CEL still on but shifted fine through all gears. drive down to the wing joint fine. then drive to the mall fine. drive to the booze store fine. drive back out of town down the highway fine. at the gas station/store i originally topped the fluid off at, still seemed fine. Then after leaving there i headed the 9 miles home and the CEL went off. Mayb e it was just the fluid after all?

then, a mile from the house, light comes on. back in 4th gear. Pulled the attached codes. Still will be in 1st gear if i put the shifter there though.

thought i read that "if its fine when its cold but after warming up it acts up, its probably the solenoid" and not a ground or the TVcable.
I'll check the grounds i messed with when i did the headlight harness but i have my doubts, and i havent messed with the TV cable so idk why it would be an issue.

 

Well I brought her to work today and the CEL is still on, but it drove perfectly fine.. no sticking shifted fine...

All 32 miles to work, mix of country, highway and city.
Never had a solenoid issue before, can they be intermittent like this or when they go, they just go?

 

well after a week of driving it, the transmission really only acted up one time. light has been off. IDK whats up but i'm planning on checking the TPS with my new free multimeter.


The lights still impress me. even more excited to know they arent done yet. the amount of light output by higher wattage bulbs must be amazing.

 

Hmmm... still not acting up. Ive even done a few harder pulls (pulling onto the highway, ect) and it didnt matter.

im leery though, i dont want to put the trans cooler on and flush the fluid if im going to have to drop the pan to do the solenoids anyway in a month.


BUT, i might have a lead on a front skid plate. we will see how that goes.

 

Dangit man... that's a tough choice.