New Member Jeep Commander

[getlost4x4]

Well after hitting a deer a few months ago i finally replaced the fog light bulbs. the deer hit my bumper hard enough to damage the bulb and it also removed some paint in the process on my bumper. the deer was killed. sorry deer.

Jeep commander 1, deer 0

anyway. just a dumb upgrade for the bulbs.

I couldn’t find any better bulbs for my stock 9145 light bulbs. I noticed in the stores that the 9005 (high-beam) bulb had the same plug style as my 9145 bulb. The 9005 bulbs are rated at 80 watts light power compared to the 9145 bulbs 45 watts. The only difference I could see between the bulbs were the tabs. After comparing the tabs I noticed it would be possible to trim down one tab to fit the bulb in the fog light housing.

After looking around town at bulb prices (extremely expensive in a small town without any competition), I decided to get onto eBay to purchase these lights bulbs. I found some Nokya bulbs in yellow that seemed to fit my needs. After a few searches on the interweb to check the quality of the bulbs, I decided to push the mouse button and order a set. The bulbs have great ratings from what I have read on the interweb.


About 3 days later the bulbs arrived.


Below are the pictures of the install and results.

 

[Root Moose]

Good mod!

One thing about the amperage of the lights though...

Jeeps in the past have had notoriously crappy wiring for thing like lights. I don't know if this applies to the newer Jeeps like yours.

I'd suggest checking out the wiring carrying the current. You should be able to eyeball the gauge on it and compare against a amp/gauge chart to see if there are any issues. Also feel if the wire is getting "stupid warm".

If there is an issue, replace the wire with heavier stuff or add an additional relay circuit with the correct rated wire.

 

[getlost4x4]

i'll check it out. i've only had them in for a few days.

 

[winkosmosis]

The fog light wiring may not be up to the task of 80W bulbs

Edit: Root Moose beat me to it

 

[getlost4x4]

drove home from Montana tonight (100+ miles) with the fog lights on. The wires were cool to the touch. Outside Temp was 32 degrees.:elkgrin: according to the temp gauge in my Commander.

 

[getlost4x4]

well, i need to update this.

got rid of the commander about 3 weeks ago. kind of a happy sad thing.

on one hand no more car payment right now. it was starting to get boring, i didn't want to do much more to it anyway. anymore lift was just defeating the purpose. there weren't any regearing options so any bigger tire was out of the question.

i have my 1978 wagoneer and its being built into an expo rig.

end of the story.

 

[realdeal]

well, i need to update this.

got rid of the commander about 3 weeks ago. kind of a happy sad thing.

on one hand no more car payment right now. it was starting to get boring, i didn't want to do much more to it anyway. anymore lift was just defeating the purpose. there weren't any regearing options so any bigger tire was out of the question.

i have my 1978 wagoneer and its being built into an expo rig.

end of the story.

It's understandable, dude. The XK and WK are probably the most underestimated Jeeps in the lineup (especially QuadraDriveII equipped models). I absolutely love mine.

However, the XK and WK have some serious limits when expectations grow beyond 32" tires and the lack of flex in the front IFS doesn't help either. The 4" lifts look cool, but allow minimal clearance increase under the front cradle and retain short rear control arms. Even then, you can't run a "typically large" tire, like a 35".

That being said, I bought mine knowing that it will always have a 2" budget boost and 32" tires, and for the minimal investment, it's extremely capable off road. It runs circles around my similarly equipped Land Rover Discovery. The HEMI also has plenty of power to go offroad with an expedition trailer behind it while seating 7. That's the plan for mine. Even though my Land Rover can't hang with the XK offroad, it has much more potential as a rock crawler. Front and rear lockers will give the nod to the Rover due to ground clearance, and larger lifts like the 3" have ample room for large tires and have ridiculous amounts of flex.

I think the XK and WK are great Jeeps and very capable as long as the expectations for them stay realistic. Unfortunately, they aren't Wranglers, but they sure aren't street queens, either.

Best of luck with the REAL full size Jeep! She looks awesome, and I'm sure it will be a fun build.

 

[getlost4x4]

they are a good vehicle. it will be missed for its comfort levels. but with enough patience i can make the waggy just as nice inside.

 

[HopeOverLandandSea]

Are you still building the bumpers, etc? I noticed your website was not working?

 

[getlost4x4]

nope never again

done, hated doing that for a business.

going to school for business accounting. will be done in 1.5 more years.

 

[2500Adventures]

Should keep the website up for your build of the Waggy. Definitely interested in seeing that build as i might pick up one locally.

 

[getlost4x4]

i'm too busy with work to do anything right now. i'm putting in 60 hour weeks and i'm pretty much dead at the end of the day.

maybe someday i'll do something again. but i like being off the map for now.

the waggy hasn't been driven in 2 weeks. the front main seal blew out and i haven't had any time to mess with it yet. just bought the tools and seal yesterday. i've just can't get time for it now.

 

[winkosmosis]

Wait.. When did BFG KM2s look like this?

KM:

'

KM2:

 

[tweenerlj]

Those are the special oe BFGs that were built for chrysler and put on the JK Rubicons.

 

[mountainsoul]

I know it's no longer with you but just wanted to give you props for an awesome build on the Commander. I've always had a soft spot for this Jeep. IMHO Jeep's best looking vehicle right now.