2005 Rubicon LJ

[jscusmcvet]

MCAI

Well I had today off and took the time to install the Macs Cold Air Intake. Install was not difficult, primarily because the instructions were detailed and specific. Only difficult part, as identified by others on this forum who have installed was the drilling through the firewall and the plate through that wall at the same time. To solve that I drilled through the firewall, marked the MCAI part and drilled on my workbench.

Since I am not a mechanic, it is rare that I purchase an aftermarket part and the instructions are clear and the install goes as planned. It took me 4 hours, and a few beer breaks. I cannot say how much I appreciate the details in the instruction.

I almost skipped the cabin filter, cause that does not mean that much to me, but since I was in there, went for it anyway.

I did a quick test drive and my seat of the pants says it is awesome... almost as much as the bandana hanging on the rearview mirror of my 77 Datsun pick up when I was in high school:wings:. Real purpose of this install for me was gas mileage and engine temps, so I will report back in due time with enough seat time under my belt to have it make sense

Thanks to Mac for the excellent product quick delivery and extra info.

John

 

[jscusmcvet]

Finally got around to installing the Rokmen 1/2" body lift on Sunday morning. Install went smooth, although like every project for me, took longer than expected. This little body lift allowed me to take out the spacers I had on my transfer case skid. The skid is an old Rock Krawler design, that improves clearance by 1", is smooth underneath and is a heavy duty 1/4" steel. This is also the last bit I will do to make clearance for the metric 33's that are likely to be my next tire size.
I have some pics and will try to circle back tonight and get them posted.
Couple notes - the 1/2" BL does not need a MML to go with it, does not require any adjustment of the tcase shifter, although I did have to dremel out the fan shroud holes to realign it..
On a completely different note, 30 years ago I stepped off the bus and onto the yellow footprints at Parris Island. Changed me and my life for the better. Gave me a compass to live life. Semper Fi.

John

 

[Yuman Desert Rat]

Finally got around to installing the Rokmen 1/2" body lift on Sunday morning. Install went smooth, although like every project for me, took longer than expected. This little body lift allowed me to take out the spacers I had on my transfer case skid. The skid is an old Rock Krawler design, that improves clearance by 1", is smooth underneath and is a heavy duty 1/4" steel. This is also the last bit I will do to make clearance for the metric 33's that are likely to be my next tire size.
I have some pics and will try to circle back tonight and get them posted.
Couple notes - the 1/2" BL does not need a MML to go with it, does not require any adjustment of the tcase shifter, although I did have to dremel out the fan shroud holes to realign it..
On a completely different note, 30 years ago I stepped off the bus and onto the yellow footprints at Parris Island. Changed me and my life for the better. Gave me a compass to live life. Semper Fi.

John[/QUOTE

Thanks for your service, John. I've been at it for 19 years and counting now. No regrets.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Thanks Ryan. Thanks for putting your time and talents toward the defense of our country.

I look forward to meeting you in person at the Appalachian Rondevous.

 

[heehawhardy]

Always excited to see this thread updated

:cheers:

 

[jscusmcvet]

Pic with my stealth body lift... just enough to clear the belly skid, yet be barely noticable

 

[jscusmcvet]

After much debate and discussion regarding building an off road trailer, perhaps with a RTT, we have decided that the best route for us is to continue to use the Rockwood 1640 pop up. Ours is a relatively simple tent trailer, without ac, stove or fridge. We like it that way.

With this decision in mind, I gained permission from Ann to "tinker a bit" with the camper.

I looked hard at the various spring over possibilities, so we could add clearance and better tires. In the end, if I look past my ego and into how we actually use the camper, those steps are not needed. However, I stumbled across this thread the other week and I am following Clay's lead: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/131745-Starcraft-Starlite-17

I have ordered the wheels and tires. They are the same diameter as our current tires, but double the width. This should help in the cases where we pull on sand or wet areas. Even just in and out of the dirt road.

I also ordered 7 pin wiring for the camper, Jeep and Ann's Toyota Tacoma. This way we'll be better able to camp comfortably outside regular plug in parks.

Here are the two projects completed this weekend:
-Outside camp table. This will allow cooking, etc... under the awning
-Repurposed a Barnes 4wd rear bumper that I had modified to add a 2" receiver. It is now our camper bumper. The 2"receiverr can carry bike rack or rear cargo rack... or as Joe put it, "Our camper can no pull another camper!":wings: I put the smiley there so that you guys who take stuff so seriously know I am not going to do that.

This route will be far less expensive and while less "cool" that an off road trailer with a RTT... this will suit our real use better.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Picked up a smittybilt trail shade. I know there are awnings that are a ton better out there, but this was cheap...ummm... less expensive and can be moved from vehicle to vehicle as needed. Works out nice, that way. A few pics for you, followed by Joe and his newly rigged up "winch"

 

[Leftka]

nice find...LJs are hard to find let alone a rubi with low miles. enjoy!

 

[heehawhardy]

Pic with my stealth body lift... just enough to clear the belly skid, yet be barely noticable
View attachment 292622

So perfect yet So simple.

 

[jscusmcvet]

nice find...LJs are hard to find let alone a rubi with low miles. enjoy!

Thanks! We love the LJ. Recent trip, pulling the pop up, covered 1200 miles in a week and a half. Jeep did great, even in the mountains of West Virginia. Having had TJ's in the past, the LJ makes packing, towing and riding for long times much more enjoyable.

 

[jscusmcvet]

So perfect yet So simple.

Thanks buddy! Jeep has not been getting much love lately, as we put some time in on the pop up camper. I am holding off on new top, which is much needed, to see if Squint77's top comes to market.

Little Joe and I did a day out at Uwharrie Nat'l Forest on the ORV trails there when we got back from vacation. Jeep is performing just right and I am very happy with the series of decisions to keep this one relatively unmodified in comparison to rock climbers of the past. I still have a couple things I am interested in doing to the jeep, but not too many.

John

 

[jscusmcvet]

Ordered a replacement top today. I have been putting it off in hopes that Greg from JF would release his design. My stock top (10 years old, is basically in rags... rear window zipper broke long ago, sunrider feature disabled (and a general PIA)... etc...etc...etc... Regardless of what I was going to do I was going to ditch the frame for the soft top... wheter it be for Greg's top, which has it's own frame, or for one of the frameless tops on the market.

While daydreaming about the Gr8tops LJ hardtop (Not remotely in my price range... if I went that route I would have to sleep in it, casue Ann would give me the boot.. haha), I stumbled upon their scratch and dent sale for the rampage frameless top. Normally retailing on Amazon for about $440, Gr8tops had it listed for $200.

http://gr8tops.com/shop/jeepmodels/wrangler-lj-2/rampage-lj-frameless-softop-scratch-n-dent

Fedex says it is arriving today.

I know this is not the best frameless top out there, but at that price, I figure it may be a bridge purchase until Greg offers his product for sale.

I will post pics, etc... when I get it mounted on the jeep.

 

[jscusmcvet]

Done. Needs some time and sun to loosen us a bit

 

[Mitch502]

I really like the LJ. Simple is key! Keep it up.