Travel trailer for the KJ?

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:48 pm

You're painting it orange? :wink:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:58 pm

KeswickDave wrote:

You're painting it orange? :wink:

No, but pumpkin orange is my favorite color……………………….

The bumper is a little too heavy for my comfort, but I like the clearance that it offers in addition to the tow option.

In order for the bumper to do it’s job, RL had to build it right, so no complaints on the weight issue. :wink:

And now that I will be sucking down fuel, I might need the jerry can carrier on both sides. :shock:

JL Rockies · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:50 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Why is Ted giving Troy the finger in this post???? :shock:

mrkake · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:35 pm

Quote:

Why is Ted giving Troy the finger in this post????

Cause he's jealous of how much flex Troy is getting

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Fri Sep 19, 2008 3:43 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

KeswickDave wrote:

You're painting it orange? :wink:

No, but pumpkin orange is my favorite color……………………….

The bumper is a little too heavy for my comfort, but I like the clearance that it offers in addition to the tow option.

In order for the bumper to do it’s job, RL had to build it right, so no complaints on the weight issue. :wink:

And now that I will be sucking down fuel, I might need the jerry can carrier on both sides. :shock:

Don't laugh... I actually took a full 5 gallon jerry can with me on my 5000 km (3400 miles) camping trip last summer. Never needed it, but came real close a couple of times!

Dave

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Sep 20, 2008 12:57 am

I ordered this one..........................
Description:
"Tub & fin transmission cooler kit, universal and fits all Liberty's, was designed for trucks with 12000 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight (6 ton truck) serious 7000; the cooler is 5" wide x 12" long x 3/4" thick, You will mount this unit in front of your radiator and connect one hose to the outlet of the factory cooler and the other hose to the line of the transmission. Comes with simple easy to follow installation instructions."

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:23 pm

We decided to trade in our 30 foot Keystone Sprinter for this ultra light camper yesterday. The Dodge Cummins averaged 17 mpg running 65 mph pulling it. My KJ didn’t come with the Tow package, so I’m a little worried about overheating issues with the absence of a mechanical fan. I’m adding an aftermarket transmission cooler and maybe a better radiator.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:38 pm

Does anyone know the height on the Rock Lizard hitch receiver on a lifted KJ? Here's the height of my stock hitch receiver on my Truck. I’m curious to see if I will need to go any lower, I’m nearly at my max with one hole left for the lowing adjustment.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 1:54 pm

There are too many variables to height for lifted KJ's. Different lifts (and even the same ones0 give each vehicle a slightly differnt height. Alos, an older one compared to a new one.

Not all people get the same measurements with the Frankie, Rusty's, the OME, JBA. So measuring the hitch height for RL's bumper may be useless unless you just want a rough estimate from someone with the same lift as you and has the RL bumper.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:16 pm

Tokyojoe wrote:

There are too many variables to height for lifted KJ's. Different lifts (and even the same ones0 give each vehicle a slightly differnt height. Alos, an older one compared to a new one.

Not all people get the same measurements with the Frankie, Rusty's, the OME, JBA. So measuring the hitch height for RL's bumper may be useless unless you just want a rough estimate from someone with the same lift as you and has the RL bumper.

Yep, just an estimate is what I‘m looking for. With the my current setup, I can lower my hitch 1 more notch (approximately 1 inch). I’m hoping that my KJ with the Frankenlift will not be any lower than 20 - 21 inches. Actually, your KJ with the JBA 4” lift and the RL bumper should be close to my Frankenlift II Premium with the extra rear isolators.

KJ Taz · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:26 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

I ordered this one..........................
Description:
"Tub & fin transmission cooler kit, universal and fits all Liberty's, was designed for trucks with 12000 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight (6 ton truck) serious 7000; the cooler is 5" wide x 12" long x 3/4" thick, You will mount this unit in front of your radiator and connect one hose to the outlet of the factory cooler and the other hose to the line of the transmission. Comes with simple easy to follow installation instructions."

Bought one of those for my TJ for $15.00. Watch for them you can find them pretty cheap. It had never been used, just taking up space in someones garage.

kskj · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:49 pm

dieselenthusiast wrote:

Does anyone know the height on the Rock Lizard hitch receiver on a lifted KJ? Here's the height of my stock hitch receiver on my Truck. I’m curious to see if I will need to go any lower, I’m nearly at my max with one hole left for the lowing adjustment.

My stock rear hitch is only 18inches to center of the hitch.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:30 pm

kskj wrote:

My stock rear hitch is only 18inches to center of the hitch.

That’s good to know KsKj. I figure the RL bumper hitch sets at least 2 inches higher than your factory hitch, which would be a total of 20 inches. Hopefully, the Frankenlift II with the extra rear isolator will put me at 21 inches.

tommudd · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:56 pm

I am at 18 1/2 with 255-70s so you should be right in the area you want to be with the rear RL bumper

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:01 pm

I'm sitting at 22.5" from the ground to the center of the hitch in the RL bumber with half worn 265/75 Trxus MT's.

Inc · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:39 pm

19 1/2" ground to center hitch with 31" Trxus and a Franky. Wish I had that extra 3" for sure.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 6:51 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

I'm sitting at 22.5" from the ground to the center of the hitch in the RL bumber with half worn 265/75 Trxus MT's.

That's good to know, although my tires will never be as tall as yours. Either way, with what Tom is reporting, it doesn't look like I will need to buy a longer hitch shank.

I should be able to pull the equalizer from my truck and transfer to the KJ without much adjustment.

Now to the next question: How long do I have to wait before I get a RL bumper. :?:

The last I knew, I was pretty far down on the lizard list.

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:25 pm

KeswickDave wrote:

Dave, does your KJ have the mechanical fan? Have you considered regearing with 4:10's, adding a cold air intake, adding a throttle body spacer, or opening up your exhaust? I would imagine that going the extra step to do these modifications might help with power, torque, and fuel economy. It might take forever for these mods to pay for themselves, but with the price of fuel, who knows? I will keep you updated (1 mod at a time) as to how well each modification worked.

KeswickDave · **Posted:** Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:28 am

dieselenthusiast wrote:

KeswickDave wrote:

Dave, does your KJ have the mechanical fan? Have you considered regearing with 4:10's, adding a cold air intake, adding a throttle body spacer, or opening up your exhaust? I would imagine that going the extra step to do these modifications might help with power, torque, and fuel economy. It might take forever for these mods to pay for themselves, but with the price of fuel, who knows? I will keep you updated (1 mod at a time) as to how well each modification worked.

No mechanical fan, although that's one I've thought about doing, as well as an upgraded transmission cooler. On my trip last summer (3400 miles), the temperature gauge never budged, which was comforting. I did, however have one incidence of the trans temp light, which occurred about 50 miles from home on the way out. I attributed this to driving technique, as I was using the throttle to maintain speed when going uphill which was causing frequent downshifting (with OD off). When let the cruise control do it's thing, it would allow the speed to drop off if necessary when going uphill, around 4-6 mph, before downshifting. Often it would not downshift at all, and I never saw that light again.

As for the other items, I have only added an Amsoil drop in air filter and a Flowmaster 50, both with the intent of allowing it to breathe better. I also would like to do the "$4.00 intake mod" or whatever that thread is called, adding an additional hose or plumbing from the side of the airbox to the grill to get more air in.

I'm not really sure how much they helped with regards to towing, as I installed them both just before that trip which was my first major tow. Not much difference in day to day fuel economy that I've noticed either.

The Flowmaster sounds pretty good though

As for 4.10's, or TBS, hadn't really thought about them, probably not going to happen before the lift I want to do one day... gotta stop spending money on my house!

I will be interested to hear how it goes with your mods, thanks!

Dave

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:21 am

After reading this very detailed and helpful link, I now know what I need to do. Oh, and also a big thanks to SirSam for giving me some advice.

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26895

Okay, I have decided to order the OEM Jeep Liberty Wiring Harness Kit (Equipped with the overhead console). The harness will come with the RV 7-way round connector. The harness requires no splicing.
Part # 82207248
Estimated Cost $136.00

The plan is to have Marty install the 7-way round connector in the bumper creating a clean (stock like) appearance.

Travel trailer for the KJ?

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