HEY ALL!!!!

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:36 pm

Well thought I would chime in here since it has been a while since I've just shot a normal message out to the group and give you all an update on my Jeep Life.

As many of you know I have done quite a bit of work on the Jeep and as luck would have it, more work is continually needed. I think it loves the theme name Just Empty Every Pocket (JEEP), lol. At any rate since the build was completed some things are still being worked out and new things are wanting to be added. So with that said I'll cut to the chase now, the t-case is messed up in some way, 2Hi feels great, no issues as far as I can tell, but I dare try to get her into 4HI and it sounds like bolts and nuts in a garbage disposal. So i'm mulling around two different scenarios that will ultimately, i think, end up with both of them happening. I plan on rebuilding the current 231J t-case with new parts from jbconversions and pray that does the trick in fixing the issue I have. (The issue I think I have is a broken front drive gear or a maladjusted chain perhaps, i'm guessing the first since 2HI works fine) If the issue is not resolved, well it looks like i'll be a poser for a while till i get the funds for a NVG241OR RocTrac T-case, the same one used in Rubicon Wranglers (so if anyone hears of one for sale please let me know, thanks!!!)

So woe is me in the t-case department, lol. So tax day is approaching, still awaiting the W2 to see if I get some cash back or not. If I do, the absolute first thing is to get a radiator flush and clean out and even replace the hoses most likely, then also get the spark plugs replaced and perhaps the wiring as well. Then once that is done it will be t-case time!!! I also need to take a look at the front drive shaft as well since it seems the double cardon joint is sloppy where it meets the t-case and is also causing a bit of a noise (it will actually get pulled again this weekend, argh).

Alright so hopefully my solutions will be complete come the end of March if not much sooner for the above listed issues, because Phase 2 will need to commence on the build of The Beast as she is now affectionately called. I'm looking at either getting an ARB front bumper or having a custom front bumper built. I know I want a winch on the front of the Jeep as well, especially before I hit up Moab in late June this year. So the winch will most likely be a Warn unit of the 9K variety. I also will be having a custom made belly pan (unboltable) to help protect the underside of the rig.

So I mentioned Moab in the previous paragraph which gets me to the other part of Phase 2. I'll be heading to Moab via Co Springs. I plan on hooking up with Rock Lizard and getting one of those sweet rear bumpers with the tire and hi-lift/jerry can swing out carriers installed. Along with that I will most likely, if I don't get them custom made locally, add some Skink Sliders to the rig as well. I plan on visiting friends and family in the area as well so it's not out of the way at all. Then it is off to Moab to test all this new stuff out and pray to God it doesn't fail on me!!!

So yep, lots of work ahead of me both on the Jeep and literally at work too. I just got assigned my new program which should help get me some extra hours to also aid in getting me closer to the end of this build, at least on the exterior, lol.

So now you all have an idea on what's going on in my Jeep life, how is it looking in yours, hopefully not as daunting, lol. Look forward to getting out with you guys again soon whether I am 4WD or not!

OHHHHHHH, I have this in the works too, it's my most cherished mod that I can't wait to get on the rig...and what’s best is it can be shared with others too if you are interested. I was working with Pixel Design Decals and we came up with a little memento to help keep the Spirit of AJ alive and well on our rigs whenever we hit the trail as a group or by yourself. Hope you like it, I do!! (If the image doesn't show up for you let me know, thanks!)

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:30 pm

Great to hear from you Scott. We need to get out on the trail sometime soon. I spent some quality time on the phone yesterday with some jeep peeps. Hoping to spend some more quality time on the phone with some more jeep peeps this week. We are discussing a joint AZ/CA Lostjeeps fall run in the colorado river area. This run will probably take the place of our annual trick or jeep event. No details yet as it's still evolving. I'm hoping to make contact with the Parker and or Havasu 4 wheelers and see if we can get them to help us scout some trails for the group. If so I will probably try to schedule that scouting trip sometime this spring. Hopefully you will have everything together by then and we can get together for some runs. I'll keep everybody posted on the progress. If anyone has any experience in the river area trails it would be greatly appreciated. Post up here or shoot me a pm and we can schedule a phone call. I'm already getting excited about this event. Should be a blast and it's been too long since we ran with our neighbors to the west

Draco · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:10 pm

Great post! Sorry to hear about your T-case woes but some of that is to be expected with such a big project. Sounds like you've got it figured out.

Regarding the decal image, I can't see it. Even when I cut and paste the image URL into Explorer it doesn't work. It seems to be a gmail access problem. I logged into my own gmail account but even then couldn't see the image.

bhc04 · **Posted:** Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:34 pm

oldhockeyvb wrote:

Great to hear from you Scott. We need to get out on the trail sometime soon. I spent some quality time on the phone yesterday with some jeep peeps. Hoping to spend some more quality time on the phone with some more jeep peeps this week. We are discussing a joint AZ/CA Lostjeeps fall run in the colorado river area. This run will probably take the place of our annual trick or jeep event. No details yet as it's still evolving. I'm hoping to make contact with the Parker and or Havasu 4 wheelers and see if we can get them to help us scout some trails for the group. If so I will probably try to schedule that scouting trip sometime this spring. Hopefully you will have everything together by then and we can get together for some runs. I'll keep everybody posted on the progress. If anyone has any experience in the river area trails it would be greatly appreciated. Post up here or shoot me a pm and we can schedule a phone call. I'm already getting excited about this event. Should be a blast and it's been too long since we ran with our neighbors to the west

I live in Bullhead City. Don't belong to any 4 wheel club, but fyi, took a drive in the desert about 3 years ago to a place called Fort Huachaca which is about 17 miles off paved road in Nevada. We started off Hi 95 Nv. between Avi Casino and Laughlin, headed due west. Went in early spring. Good trip, last mile or so very rocky and for me pretty challenging. Drove my 06 Lib. CRD.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:10 am

Funny, there is a Fort Huachuca in SE AZ too, the Electronic Proving Ground for the Army is based there. Interesting that there is one in NV too?????

As for the decal image, I'll work on getting it replaced with the rihgt formating, I did try to link it through a gmail format but it didn't work I guess. Thanks for letting me know Ernie.

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 3:26 am

Alive and kicking, well not well but still able to walk at least. Jeep will be written off I'm sure monday by the adjuster...but at least I'm ok. Already looking at new Jeeps, since they are 2 for 2 in saving me from stupid mistakes...sigh...

Hope everyone is doing well here at LOST!!! Hope to see yall on the trail soon!

-Scott

oldhockeyvb · **Posted:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 1:28 pm

Glad you are OK! What kinda jeep you gonna look for?

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 8:58 pm

Looking at 4-dr Wranglers, either the sahara or rubicon edition...

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 13, 2011 10:26 pm

Yea it certainly isn't a fun thing to go through but to able to talk about it at the end of the day is certainly a better alternative. Supposed to have the insurance adjuster here tomorrow but i'll be surprised if that happens. Seems they are closed on weekends here in AZ so they might not even plan to come down till tuesday. But I got a rental for the week till saturday, but i hope to have a new ride by then

Been scowering craigslist and autotrader like a madman!!! Not too many Rubicons that are in my price range in the 4-dr realm, which is what i really want since I like to take the long trips and I'll need the room for them. I found a Sahara which is the next best model that has a lift and aftermarket rims and tires already for $24K so we'll see if it will still be available by the time i can get there this weekend at some point after my jaunt to tucson this Friday. There is also another Sahara i'm looking at but it is $25K with 67K miles!! But it does have aftermarket bumpers, tires, lift, and a winch, and lots of aftermarket lights, lol (I think there are like 8 of them!!!!)

But i'm trying not to jump on the first cool thing I see, gotta assess the situation realistically, and mainly just wait and see what happens with the adjuster and if I can buy what's left of the Libby back and with whatever funds i got left over take care of getting a new rig or car.

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:08 am

Hey Scott,

Saw Jeep Vs Semi pic on facebook.....
Goodness sakes and thank goodness you are OK.
Yes things like jeeps can be replaced and things like good people cannot.
Glad, Very glad to see you are OK!
Keep us in the loop on your replacement JKU. (I kinda favor the Saharas cause they are the "luxury end")
And please continue on the tribute decal/ ornamentation for AJ. The image did not pop up for me and I am very interested in this!

Roland

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:24 am

Thanks Roland. I'll be making my way up through the Tucson/Tempe/PHX/Surprise/Goodyear area over the long weekend this upcoming weekend so hopefully i can catch up with some folks while galavanting around. Hoping to have a new ride this weekend if everything goes well with the insurance adjuster.

The sahara is the leading candidate now since the rubis are just too much for me.

As for the AJ decal, still working on it with Pixel Decals. I'll start another thread on it later this week.

Let's try this though, can you see it now???

Draco · **Posted:** Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:55 am

Ooh, sorry to hear about your accident. But am glad you lived to tell the tale.

Here's a reason you might consider the two-door Wranglers for long trips. You can haul a lot of gear in an adventure trailer. So if there are better deals on two-doors now, you can buy one of those now and buy / build a trailer somewhere down the road.

But if you want to pull a trailer heavier than an adventure trailer that's another story. And of course they're not great for carrying more than two people.

Ernie

2006KJSPORT4x4 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 20, 2011 11:53 pm

Found a used 2007 4-dr Sahara in Surprise, AZ that I couldn't pass up. Has a Skyjacker lift and 35s and I believe a 1-in body lift...

She rides great and I can't believe the space, it's more than I thought it would be, which is good.

Here's a pic for yall...

phxtoad · **Posted:** Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:02 pm

I'm jealous...

eyehatetofu · **Posted:** Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:49 pm

Awesome new rig! Sorry to hear about your KJ, especially after all the work that went into it. Sounds like it was pretty rough accident, glad to hear you're ok.

I'd have to say I'm jealous too. A silver 4 door JK; that is what I want for my next vehicle! :JEEPIN:

HEY ALL!!!!

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