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Thread: Andy's WK

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    Default Andy's WK



    First Jeep for me! 2005 HEMI QDII Grand Cherokee, bought from a forum member. He took good care of it, and had a lot of fun with it.

    We are planning on using mostly as an overlander, to get some experience on the trails here. It's setup to handle some of the harder trails, too. I'll need to get my confidence and experience up to do those!

    The plan is to sell our pop up and put a roof top tent on it. Looking at these 3.

    https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitty.../_/R-DSBP-2883
    https://tepui.com/products/baja-series-ultralite-xl
    https://cascadiatents.com/pioneer-series.html

    Currently rebuilding the front end, chasing down a whine in the power steering, and just general maintenance. Picked up 2 nails in the front and rear drivers side on the way home. Grrr.

    Having a blast, and the kids have been adventuring in it every night.
            

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    TyTheJeepGuy (September 16th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    You have great taste in wheelers, can't wait to see it out on a run

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Hey, I know that Jeep. Nice rig.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    All back together and aligned!
         

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    I've been thinking a lot about roof top tents lately as well. I think I'll rent one (there are several on outdoorsy) for ~$50/night before I get to the point of spending $1-$3k on one. Have you considered some rentals before your purchase?

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    By the way that air dam in the front pulls right off with 5 twist-locks or whatever they're called for some extra approach angle.

    Trent, do you have one of those wrap-around steel racks that attach at the frame for your LJ?

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    We have talked about renting before buying, that's a great idea. Have seen some ads on FB for rentals. We were originally thinking of a 3-4 person tent for 2 adults and 2 kids. But, maybe a 2 person would be good with 2 other people sleeping in the back of the jeep or a ground tent.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    IceBox Ty previously posted:
    "Trent, do you have one of those wrap-around steel racks that attach at the frame for your LJ?"

    No, I could only use a tent on my other vehicles at this time. There aren't any "exoskeleton" cargo racks for the LJ that appeal to me.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    IceBox Ty previously posted:
    "By the way that air dam in the front pulls right off with 5 twist-locks or whatever they're called for some extra approach angle."

    Perfect! I was going to take a look at how that could come off. There are people in a WK FB group that took theirs off and trimmed the plastic up to the fog lights. They added a different skid plate up front, too. I'm not sure if I'll take it that far.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    tirefoamcan previously posted:
    "Perfect! I was going to take a look at how that could come off. There are people in a WK FB group that took theirs off and trimmed the plastic up to the fog lights. They added a different skid plate up front, too. I'm not sure if I'll take it that far."

    Yeah it looked like some of the later years in the same gen got rid of that removable air dam and just made it permanent. I'm not sure if it was a trim thing or a model year thing. I was just glad the 05 pulled off easy

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    Default Re: Andy's WK




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    TyTheJeepGuy (September 17th, 2020)

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Interesting product / tire mount method.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    that tire mount is one helluva a blind spot....depending on the desired use, RTTs and high mounted tire carriers (some up on roof racks even) add a lot of top heavy weight for wheeling. Personally I am not a fan of RTTs - although there are some situations where they are quite functional. Mostly, when you are 'overlanding' and going to a new camp each night they work pretty well (although I would say a good tent on the ground is more comfortable and much easier to get in and out of - if a tent is even needed). But, they are kind of a PITA when you set up a camp (like in Moab or Ouray) and need to take your tent down every morning just so you can go wheeling with this heavy thing on your roof, and then get back to camp and set it all up again. Obviously, in such a situation, you could leave the RTT at home and bring a regular tent. I am more of a minimalist, and I also need my gear to be multi-use, so an RTT is too specific in terms of usage - so please don't take my comments too negatively. I just find it humorous when I am in Moab or Ouray and watch my camping neighbors have to take down and set up their RTTs every day - which also includes putting the sleeping pad and bag up, and removing any clothes bags etc....And my favorite style of overlanding camping, is just to throw down a pad and bag (or a cot if you prefer) on the ground and call it good - having grown up and backpacked/camped all across the southeast and Appalachians, the ideal weather and lack of bugs out here makes for great sleeping out. We all have what works for each of us....
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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    I totally agree and don't want to bring my center of gravity up higher than I have to and that mount sure does kill the rear view and 3rd brake light.

    I'm thinking of having the RTT on when we want to go on a camping trip. We have a pop up now, that I just don't see using it out here for where we want to camp. We'll end up renting one to see how it works for us.

    I grew up in camping on the ground in the midwest in the middle of mosquito swarms and rain storms. Only woke up a couple of times with a wet sleeping bad.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Was going to run the WK on the trail cleanup run last weekend, but found the right CV Axle boot had a hole in it and was throwing grease. Ordered and installed a replacement, good to go!

    Replaced the radiator hoses and flushed the coolant, and it's running cooler on the paved mountain inclines. Flushed out as much power steering fluid as I could, found it was pretty shiny, like it was full of metal flakes. Hoping it's just a P/S pump replacement.

    Been looking into putting a superlift on it. Lowers the LCA's and front differential to maintain original angles. Any front diff drop requires the cross member to be notched for driveshaft clearance. That is out of my expertise. Looking at having these guys do that. https://hcp4x4.com/

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    The PS pump that was on there was pretty cheap, whined immediately. I think its about time the hoses for the PS system get replaced too. How was the performance on the trail run for the new rig?

    Edit: I see now that you didn't take it on the run. Whoops

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    I shouldn't have taken a look at the radiator hoses! We still had a good time in the F150. Got some new scratches on the paint and was still surprised how well it handled on the whoops.

    I saw there was one PS hose that was replaced fairly recently. Nothing is leaking, figured it was an issue with the pump or maybe the rack. There is a slight knock when turning, maybe the rack, maybe something in the steering column.

    Having a blast working on it, it's going to be a totally different machine next time you see it Glad I could get this beast from you to tinker with.

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Yeah I hope to see it soon. I'd recommend trying it out on a trail first to see if you want to change the lift but its your Jeep and you know what works best for you. I'm glad its still going to be used right!

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Took my Mom and step Dad out on Virginia Gultch and Devil's Canyon Monday 9/28. The WK did great, had her up on 2 wheels over the whoops in Devil's canyon (sorry - couldn't convince them to get out and take a picture).

    Found some oil spots after an oil change and a drive up to Silverthorne. Determined it was the front main oil seal. Replaced that and the damper pulley that was ready to go.

    Replaced the power steering pump inlet hose, was sucking air causing part of the P/S whine. Pump still needs to be replaced eventually but still makes pressure. Secret is to tell everyone that it's the supercharger.

    Here's more of the plan.

    Decided to change the JBA 4" lift to a OME 2.25" lift. It was either go to an OME lift or have a superlift done. The superlift lowers the front diff, but requires cutting and welding a cross member for the front driveshaft and to cut parts of the front diff off. Figured that would be between 3K and 4K to have that done. The 2.25 OME lift will bring the CV axles close to the same as the superlift for 1K and something I can do in my garage.

    Mid to long term plans are to put on rock sliders, hidden winch mount behind the front bumper, wilco hitchmate spare tire carrier.
         

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    Default Re: Andy's WK



    Replacement power steering pump arrived today! And a new Bronco shirt

    We'll see if I get time to put it in this weekend.

    Noticing some issues with the upper radiator hose, getting leaks when the system gets pressurized. Apparently, the tangs for the clamp are supposed to face down. Mine are up. Not sure if that matters, only thing I can think of is interference with something when the hood is down. Also have a replacement radiator cap on the way. The pressure in the upper seems higher than 17psi. Squeeze test with my pressure sensitive hands.

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