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Jeep Wrangler JK
JK Build Threads & Member's Rides
Scepter Toad
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<blockquote data-quote="ScepterToad" data-source="post: 462097" data-attributes="member: 25142"><p>Well, on to the next "problem" I guess. But first, a little update.</p><p></p><p>This past weekend, I needed to winterize the coach as we're getting closer to freezing/cold temperatures here in Ohio. I also wanted to get the Jeep "undercoated" in anticipation of the salt they like to spread around here. I had purchased 6 cans of woolwax a while back with the trigger gun and the tube to snake into the cavities. I ended up using all but a small amount of the last can and was able to cover the frame inside and out, all suspension parts, and the bottom of the body. Pretty happy with that coverage, even if it only lasts the winter. I'm pretty convinced that I managed to get all of the nooks and crannies and inside of all of the various parts. I then put it to an immediate torture test as it was raining when I finished and I needed to get back down to the coach to grab a few things. Overall, very happy with it so far. I'll keep an eye on it as winter really sets in. As much as I love snow, I really hate the salt that comes along with it. And I plan to keep this Jeep a good long time, so I want it to last. </p><p></p><p>Yesterday, it was cold out (in the 20's) when I went to work. When I got on the highway, I popped a check engine light. UGH. Fired up the JScan app and I had a P0128, which is related to the thermostat and according to the internets, possibly the sensor. I kept the temperature on the screen and it sat right around 185 all the way on the highway and then for the few mile run down the road to office if came up to 195. No big deal. Cleared the code when I got to the office. LEft last night, light back on, code back. Watched the temp all the way home and it stayed right around 195. Got off the highway, stop and go traffic and by the time I went a mile or so, it was up to 225. Sat at the light and it climbed to 228 and stayed there the 1/4 mile to the house. Also noted, the fan was not on when I pulled in the driveway and I didn't hear it shut down after I turn off the engine. Crap.</p><p></p><p>So, given that I have 55 degree weather this weekend, I'll be tearing into it. And, given that I'm at 110K on the clock, there's a few maintenance items that I'll take care of while I'm into it. The plan is to do the following:</p><p></p><p>1. Coolant flush and replace (maintenance from manual)</p><p>2. Thermostat</p><p>3. Serpentine belt</p><p>4. Tensioners/idlers</p><p>5. Transmission service (fluid and filter - left over from before that I didn't get to)</p><p>6. Spark plugs (maintenance from the manual).</p><p></p><p>I'm essentially covering the 100K and 120K service with this work, so should be good for a while. I'll also check the air and cabin filter and replace as necessary, along with anything else I see going into it.</p><p></p><p>Now the fun stuff. I blame the internets for this completely. I've been pretty happy with the performance as a daily, with the exception of the gears with the tires that are currently on it. My original thought was I'd have someone put gears in it early next year prior to our June trip out to Moab. However, I started watchin builds on youtube when searching for options and I fell in love with a 1 ton swap using the D60 and 14 bolt. This came around because I follow a guy on the RV forum that did an LS swap. I love that too, so that was on the table. So, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't have the time to do all that, especially going into winter and using it as a daily driver. I can drive the excursion, but I don't want to run it through another winter as it needs rockers, tires, door bottoms, and some other misc body work (because of the dang salt). I'm also not super happy with the suspension that way it's set up. Could be any number of things, but the bottom line is I didn't do the work and therefore don't know for sure what it has under it.</p><p></p><p>So, I think I've settled on a new plan. Based on my abilities and several videos I've seen, I think I can do the gears myself, which will save me a fair amount of money. The D30 in the front is not ideal for any high level wheeling, but then again I won't be doing anything crazy either. Still working this out in my head, so I'm open to opinions:</p><p></p><p>1. Keep the existing axles and regear to 4.56 </p><p>2. Keep existing tire size (35x12.5 17), but will need new tires. Waffling between the Nitto ridge grappler, BFGs KO2, and the Toyo Open country. All seem to be good tires and seem to be similar in abilities and wear. </p><p>3. Truss the axles and move to a 3 link front and 4 link rear. This may require new springs, but I haven't worked that all the way out yet.</p><p></p><p>I think this plan will give me more than enough wheeling ability for what I plan on doing. Obviously, I'll need to look at driveshafts and other accessories depending on whether I go with a taller lift or move the axles at all with the 3/4 link. Really depends on what I end up with. Still in the research phase, but this should scratch my itch do do something with it to get it to where I want to be while not breaking the bank LS swapping and going to 1 ton. </p><p></p><p>This isn't to say I won't eventually go to an LS and 1 tons, but it'll be a good interim step and not a lot of money to do it (comparatively).</p><p></p><p>What say you JK gurus??</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ScepterToad, post: 462097, member: 25142"] Well, on to the next "problem" I guess. But first, a little update. This past weekend, I needed to winterize the coach as we're getting closer to freezing/cold temperatures here in Ohio. I also wanted to get the Jeep "undercoated" in anticipation of the salt they like to spread around here. I had purchased 6 cans of woolwax a while back with the trigger gun and the tube to snake into the cavities. I ended up using all but a small amount of the last can and was able to cover the frame inside and out, all suspension parts, and the bottom of the body. Pretty happy with that coverage, even if it only lasts the winter. I'm pretty convinced that I managed to get all of the nooks and crannies and inside of all of the various parts. I then put it to an immediate torture test as it was raining when I finished and I needed to get back down to the coach to grab a few things. Overall, very happy with it so far. I'll keep an eye on it as winter really sets in. As much as I love snow, I really hate the salt that comes along with it. And I plan to keep this Jeep a good long time, so I want it to last. Yesterday, it was cold out (in the 20's) when I went to work. When I got on the highway, I popped a check engine light. UGH. Fired up the JScan app and I had a P0128, which is related to the thermostat and according to the internets, possibly the sensor. I kept the temperature on the screen and it sat right around 185 all the way on the highway and then for the few mile run down the road to office if came up to 195. No big deal. Cleared the code when I got to the office. LEft last night, light back on, code back. Watched the temp all the way home and it stayed right around 195. Got off the highway, stop and go traffic and by the time I went a mile or so, it was up to 225. Sat at the light and it climbed to 228 and stayed there the 1/4 mile to the house. Also noted, the fan was not on when I pulled in the driveway and I didn't hear it shut down after I turn off the engine. Crap. So, given that I have 55 degree weather this weekend, I'll be tearing into it. And, given that I'm at 110K on the clock, there's a few maintenance items that I'll take care of while I'm into it. The plan is to do the following: 1. Coolant flush and replace (maintenance from manual) 2. Thermostat 3. Serpentine belt 4. Tensioners/idlers 5. Transmission service (fluid and filter - left over from before that I didn't get to) 6. Spark plugs (maintenance from the manual). I'm essentially covering the 100K and 120K service with this work, so should be good for a while. I'll also check the air and cabin filter and replace as necessary, along with anything else I see going into it. Now the fun stuff. I blame the internets for this completely. I've been pretty happy with the performance as a daily, with the exception of the gears with the tires that are currently on it. My original thought was I'd have someone put gears in it early next year prior to our June trip out to Moab. However, I started watchin builds on youtube when searching for options and I fell in love with a 1 ton swap using the D60 and 14 bolt. This came around because I follow a guy on the RV forum that did an LS swap. I love that too, so that was on the table. So, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't have the time to do all that, especially going into winter and using it as a daily driver. I can drive the excursion, but I don't want to run it through another winter as it needs rockers, tires, door bottoms, and some other misc body work (because of the dang salt). I'm also not super happy with the suspension that way it's set up. Could be any number of things, but the bottom line is I didn't do the work and therefore don't know for sure what it has under it. So, I think I've settled on a new plan. Based on my abilities and several videos I've seen, I think I can do the gears myself, which will save me a fair amount of money. The D30 in the front is not ideal for any high level wheeling, but then again I won't be doing anything crazy either. Still working this out in my head, so I'm open to opinions: 1. Keep the existing axles and regear to 4.56 2. Keep existing tire size (35x12.5 17), but will need new tires. Waffling between the Nitto ridge grappler, BFGs KO2, and the Toyo Open country. All seem to be good tires and seem to be similar in abilities and wear. 3. Truss the axles and move to a 3 link front and 4 link rear. This may require new springs, but I haven't worked that all the way out yet. I think this plan will give me more than enough wheeling ability for what I plan on doing. Obviously, I'll need to look at driveshafts and other accessories depending on whether I go with a taller lift or move the axles at all with the 3/4 link. Really depends on what I end up with. Still in the research phase, but this should scratch my itch do do something with it to get it to where I want to be while not breaking the bank LS swapping and going to 1 ton. This isn't to say I won't eventually go to an LS and 1 tons, but it'll be a good interim step and not a lot of money to do it (comparatively). What say you JK gurus?? [/QUOTE]
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Jeep Wrangler JK
JK Build Threads & Member's Rides
Scepter Toad
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