Been awhile

Phsarge · **Joined:** Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:22 pm **Posts:** 34

Well been awhile since I been here.

So been gathering some parts and then lost track of time with the gun shop opening and such. So far got a pair of 2012 libertys. One Blue and One Black forest Green. Been starting on the green one since I got less warrenty left on it than the Blue one. So far I haven't done much. I got a KN air filter in it as well as I have a rocklizard front bumper and roof rack in the garage for it. Picked up those before he stopped making them.
Who is making rear bumpers now adays? Also Sliders?

Also looking what more can be done to the motor. Is there any way to get decent towing power out of it as well or should I be looking to swap motors in the net year when the warrenty expires? If that's the case what motor and anyone done the swap yet?

Thanks all in advance
Jeff

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

AtTheHelm has been the go-to for just about everyone now. He helped me alot in getting started with my own bumper.

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=46183

As for the engine, she can tow a pretty good amount as is...if you do an engine swap please do provide details as you'd be the first non-3.7 swap in a KK (to my knowledge) haha.

At The Helm · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 12:06 am

Phsarge wrote:

Who is making rear bumpers now adays?

You've got two to choose from :mrgreen:

Phsarge · **Joined:** Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:22 pm **Posts:** 34

Well what you doing for front bumpers. I got a rock lizard front bumper. So I guess the question is how off will it look to have that front with that rear one with the spare tire holder? Or should I replace it. Also looking for a set of sliders? Are you making those as well?

Did some searching and as far as engine swaps seems to retain the original transmission I am screwed. Unless I want to drop one of the 3.6 wrangler motors with superchargers in it. I did manage to figure that with a drivetrain out of a nitro I could go up to a 4.0. 260 Hp and a 5 speed. Not sure if that will help any.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:59 am

I heard the Nitro's 4.0 v6 isn't any better than our 3.7. The 3.7 was designed to be a truck engine and has the torque to love the heavy Jeep. The 4.0 is built more like a car engine with more horsepower. Completely different from the old 4.0 I6.

A guy just did a 4.7 v8 swap into his KJ on jeepkj. I can get the link tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm out on my boat for the weekend and am not sure when I'll be coming back to land.

Either way the hardest thing will be getting the computers and electronics to all work together. You can most likely fit a small v8 in front. A GM small block fits in pretty much everything lol

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

I love my rear tire carrier :BANANA:

Another thing you need to think about when you start wheeling (I assume you are going to start wheeling as you are asking about armor) is the lack of radiator skid with the rock lizard bumper. ATH has a rock solid front bumper with a radiator skid that can take a beating. There is a Nitro (KA) that I know who has damaged his radiator on one trip and cracked it on another due to his lack of radiator protection with his Rock Lizard bumper. :2cents:

TIJKK1220 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:40 am

Every time that poor guy wheels he busts the rad mount lol

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

I dont know whats worse....rad mount or steering rack...

Sent with the power of children's screams!!!

At The Helm · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:22 pm

Phsarge wrote:

Well what you doing for front bumpers. I got a rock lizard front bumper. So I guess the question is how off will it look to have that front with that rear one with the spare tire holder? Or should I replace it. Also looking for a set of sliders? Are you making those as well?

Did some searching and as far as engine swaps seems to retain the original transmission I am screwed. Unless I want to drop one of the 3.6 wrangler motors with superchargers in it. I did manage to figure that with a drivetrain out of a nitro I could go up to a 4.0. 260 Hp and a 5 speed. Not sure if that will help any.

I don't see a reason to do it twice, but you might eant to figure out some radiator protection like the guys said. Here's a pic showing the rad skid on mine and a link with more info:

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=77091

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 4:46 pm

Ahh muslez's old KK. It was a great looking Jeep, too bad he got rid of it.

Phsarge · **Joined:** Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:22 pm **Posts:** 34

Well as it sits right now most of it revolves around deer protection. My old ZJ was outfitted alright. Heavy enough bumper close to these designs that after the first one damaged the old girl but when I replace it never again. I moved up here and working nights have hit close to 15 deer in 7 years. I only say that cause I lost track after number 10. It is a common occurance and definatly easier when they hit and go under the vehicle.

I don't get a lot of time to do wheeling. But living where I do in Montana getting anywhere is pretty much unmaintained dirt road and a lot of lighter offroading. Most of my drive time is 3/4 dirt road. Most of the good time I get to wheel revolves around a lot of old ghost towns and mining claims.

As for the 4.0 will have to look into what else can be done. I got a 16 foot trailer I gotta pull at times for machine gun shoots and such and would like to be able to haul it without cutting to about 1/4 of my MPG.

So either got to build a front skid for it or Buy a new bumper. Anyone built some lower protection for the Rock Lizard bumpers?

I am definatly liking the rear bumper your making atthehelm. whats the one with the spare tire mount going for? You also got sliders for the side?

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:29 am

Phsarge wrote:

Most of the good time I get to wheel revolves around a lot of old ghost towns and mining claims.

As for the 4.0 will have to look into what else can be done. I got a 16 foot trailer I gotta pull at times for machine gun shoots and such and would like to be able to haul it without cutting to about 1/4 of my MPG.

So either got to build a front skid for it or Buy a new bumper. Anyone built some lower protection for the Rock Lizard bumpers?

I am definatly liking the rear bumper your making atthehelm. whats the one with the spare tire mount going for? You also got sliders for the side?

That sounds like a blast! I'm jealous, NY doesn't even have legal wheeling unless you count the beaches.

If you're looking at the 4.0 to tow, look at its power numbers and power curves. It's basically a car engine. A v8 might suit it better. Or even a diesel out of a CRD KJ. I'm not sure what would be needed for that swap though.

ATH doesn't make sliders(yet). Be the force that kick starts that program lol

lfhoward · **Posted:** Thu Sep 04, 2014 11:37 am

Radiator protection for the RL bumper and stock bumper comes in the form of the OEM radiator skid. This skid did not come with the majority of KK's from the factory, but it can be added as a replacement part. You need to have the engine skid as well, since the two bolt together. Here is a write up by Diggerfreek about adding the OEM radiator skid:
http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=76967
A pic from Digger's thread:

I don't think it would be as tough as ATH's bumper/skid combo, but it would be more protection than nothing!

Been awhile

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