C.Shontz 2001 Jeep Cherokee (Progress)
- Thread starter cshontz
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cshontz
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Jay S. said:
Hey, Jay. The IPF lights come with their own wiring harness which is really easy to install. I'm not using the stock circuitry, except I did choose to use the factory switch.
I'm not sure what concerns you about the bulb, but they're very efficient and produce great light. They're weather sealed, water-tight, and haven't missed a beat since I started using 'em. If its any consolation, Scott Brady used these same lights (the round version) on his Tacoma, which has seen all kinds of action.
LOL! These instructions crack me up.
FourByLand
Expedition Leader
cshontz said:It wasn't mine in an official capacity. It was essentially the showroom model for the company I worked for. I returned it upon changing jobs.
Parting with it didn't break my heart. While it was awesome to deploy and use, it was a little much for my dd to lug around everywhere. I'd do a RTT again, but on a trailer ideally.
Thanks Chris, I always enjoy your thoughts and photos! I also look forward to your trailer build.
cshontz
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I hate wrenching. I don't know how you Jeepers cope with it. I can drive it from here to high-heaven, but I'd rather have a hole in my head than work on it. That being said, I'm mechanically competent (well... kinda) when something does need attention. That doesn't mean I have to like it.
Anyway, I digress. Yesterday, I installed the tie-road end and the... well... just the tie rod end. Nothing to it. Unbolted it. Gave it the old smackaroo - flop.
So then I moved on to the JKS trackbar. Got the old trackbar off easy enough and then sat down in a chair with the instructions. Okay, I needed a 9/16 drill... a 9/16 drill... - no dice. Off to Sears I went. I came home with a drill bit with the wrong shank. No time in the day left to go back, so that was that.
On my way home from work tonight, I replaced the drill bit, went home, popped the hole in the bracket and bolted the trackbar up to the frame. Well captain brainstorm here used a ratchet to hold the nut to the top. Cranked it so hard, and went to remove the ratchet from the top... wouldn't you know it was pinned against the frame!
Hours went by before I finally got it out of there. What should've taken 30 minutes was an epic ordeal. I am capable of making the most trivial tasks difficult.
After that was sorted at 10 PM, I did a driveway alignment. LOL! - yeah, that won't do.
Anyway, I digress. Yesterday, I installed the tie-road end and the... well... just the tie rod end. Nothing to it. Unbolted it. Gave it the old smackaroo - flop.
So then I moved on to the JKS trackbar. Got the old trackbar off easy enough and then sat down in a chair with the instructions. Okay, I needed a 9/16 drill... a 9/16 drill... - no dice. Off to Sears I went. I came home with a drill bit with the wrong shank. No time in the day left to go back, so that was that.
On my way home from work tonight, I replaced the drill bit, went home, popped the hole in the bracket and bolted the trackbar up to the frame. Well captain brainstorm here used a ratchet to hold the nut to the top. Cranked it so hard, and went to remove the ratchet from the top... wouldn't you know it was pinned against the frame!
Hours went by before I finally got it out of there. What should've taken 30 minutes was an epic ordeal. I am capable of making the most trivial tasks difficult.
After that was sorted at 10 PM, I did a driveway alignment. LOL! - yeah, that won't do.
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
cshontz said:
Last time I tried to do something really, really, simple, like removing the torx bolts that hold the windshield bracket on, I managed to damage them badly enough that I needed a mechanic with an impact wrench to finish the job. I couldn't face the humiliation myself so I sent Debbie to do the deed. I have many mechanical sins to repent for.
So Chris, you're a pro - you finished the job by yourself and you can look your mechanic in the eye.
Nice Jeep, by the way.
Cheers,
Graham
SeaRubi
Explorer
wrenching
We've all been there, Chris. Just think, it could be much worse - you could be trying to maintain a Rover instead of a Jeep. :coffeedrink: (BTDTGTTS)
Similar story, I knackered the threads really bad on the bottom side bolt on the PS framehorn on my LJ when installing the warn front bumper. A dealership mechanic ended up spotting the missing bolt during one of the warranty maintenance visits and corrected my handiwork for free
We've all been there, Chris. Just think, it could be much worse - you could be trying to maintain a Rover instead of a Jeep. :coffeedrink: (BTDTGTTS)
Similar story, I knackered the threads really bad on the bottom side bolt on the PS framehorn on my LJ when installing the warn front bumper. A dealership mechanic ended up spotting the missing bolt during one of the warranty maintenance visits and corrected my handiwork for free
jim65wagon
Well-known member
Sometimes, Chris, its the easy-peasy that sneaks up and kicks you in the, well, posterior!
I almost burned out the tranny on Beths car this past summer just trying to change the fluid. You know what happens when you overtorque a cork gasket....it tears...which makes leaks...so you tighten it more...so it tears more....so it leaks more....10 miles to the store, blowing tranny fluid all over the exhaust; smoke billowing, horns honking, fingers flying (theirs not mine). Buy twice as much fluid as needed and some RTV. Dump half of purchase in the tranny in the parking lot, scoot on home (remember the smoke, horns and fingers - oops there they are again). Drop the pan at home burn your fingers coat it with rtv (pan and fingers) let it set 20 minutes while you nurse your fingers bolt it back up fill it with fluid clean up the mess wife comes home in the truck..."Hey Honey, hows my car?" "Fine dear, you know me, like Scotty with the Enterprise - runs fine but I canna gi ya more power, captain!" Whew!
At least the bar is on, get a proper alignment done then I'll tell you the story of the auto shop that wanted 600 bucks to change the tie rod ends and do an alignment on the car!
I almost burned out the tranny on Beths car this past summer just trying to change the fluid. You know what happens when you overtorque a cork gasket....it tears...which makes leaks...so you tighten it more...so it tears more....so it leaks more....10 miles to the store, blowing tranny fluid all over the exhaust; smoke billowing, horns honking, fingers flying (theirs not mine). Buy twice as much fluid as needed and some RTV. Dump half of purchase in the tranny in the parking lot, scoot on home (remember the smoke, horns and fingers - oops there they are again). Drop the pan at home burn your fingers coat it with rtv (pan and fingers) let it set 20 minutes while you nurse your fingers bolt it back up fill it with fluid clean up the mess wife comes home in the truck..."Hey Honey, hows my car?" "Fine dear, you know me, like Scotty with the Enterprise - runs fine but I canna gi ya more power, captain!" Whew!
At least the bar is on, get a proper alignment done then I'll tell you the story of the auto shop that wanted 600 bucks to change the tie rod ends and do an alignment on the car!
cshontz
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I have the Cherokee out getting some much-needed tlc. Playing a little catch-up, but hopefully it'll be tip-top again after a good once-over. With gas prices how they are, I'd like to hit the trail sometime soon.
Next on the agenda is some new tires. The three remaining BFG's are still okay, but I'm running one junk Kumho from a mishap in WV.
Next on the agenda is some new tires. The three remaining BFG's are still okay, but I'm running one junk Kumho from a mishap in WV.
cshontz
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IH8RDS said:
I like everything but the load range E in the 16" sizes. They were designed with much heavier vehicles in mind, and as a result they feel like bricks on the lightweight XJ. The ride quality is still within the realm of satisfactory for a Jeep, but I want to try to soften mine up a bit.
Rest-assured, if BFG AT's were offered in 16" sizes in a C, they'd be at the top of my list. I love these tires.
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