some basic n00b questions

backwoodsKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 12:19 pm

Hey guys,

So, I'm new to the community. My parents bought an 06 Libby brand new. I'm considering taking over the payments next Spring and using it for a daily / trail rider. It's a Limited. It's got basically every option except the tow-package and the off-road package. But it's got everything else. Up to now, it's always been a daily driver. One trip to SC, lots of runs around town, and a good blizzard last winter. It's been fine overall. The tires that were on it during the blizzard, however, were terrible. So we'll see how these new guys are.. But it's an 06, so it's the "revised" style with the grille mounted fogs.

My main wanting of this Jeep is for the obvious usage. Off-road and being able to get around in any condition. All while remaining comfortable. I'm talking, snow and ice in the winter, and sand at the beach in the summer. All with trail rides scattered in-between. I've never been to any out of the area, but trails are big around us. I'm not planning on doing any mud / water pits or anything, however just some fun trails. My girlfriends family lives in the deep woods, so they have acres and acres of land that is regularly used for quads and such. My girlfriends brother has an old Samurai that he takes back there, but I want to show him how to do it up right in a Jeep..

So, with all of that underway, let's get to the questions. These are mostly basic questions, but I figured it'd be best to ask them all in one place vs making a ton of single posts.. Feel free to answer them all, or one, or whatever. Links, basic explanations, etc would be great. Just looking for some simple answers..

1) What is the benefit of the factory "heavy-duty cooling kit" that comes in the off-road package? How does it differ from the standard cooling? Do either include a tranny cooler? Is it worth it to upgrade to this HD cooling?

2) I've got the 17x7 chrome wheels. It's also at the stock height. It's always had stock size tires, but what are the biggest ones I can run at stock height on the 17's?

3) What is the best "budget" lift, and what about does it cost? I'm not talking some huge 4 foot lift or anything, but springs, struts, etc. A piece together even..

4) Am I better off keeping my 17's as-is, or get some type of 16's for the lift / off-road tire application?

5) Is it hard to add the OEM top-light bar? Sorry, but I love that. lol

6) How hard is it to add front and rear tow hooks? OEM locations. And would you recommend getting the OEM hooks, or some type of aftermarket?

7) Any reccomended engine mods to spruce the 3.7 up a bit? This would be mainly intake and exhaust, but anything else too. For intake and exhaust, likely something that will also add to the off-roadability.. The intake is already the high-mount, but still.

Is any type of brake upgrade suggested for off-road? It's got front and rear discs, but I figured I'd ask about lines, pads, etc.

9) What are some strongly suggested front and rear bumper replacements to increase clearance? Or do you suggest simply trimming the stock ones? Specifically the front.. Also, side skirts? It's got them, but should I do anything to them?

10) Dumb question, but WTF does "Type 35" mean on the gauges?? lol

11) Can you / should you disable the airbags during off-roading? I'd imaging that if you could it;d be suggested incase you "mess up"..

12) What is needed to convert to the "trailer tow package" so that the Libby can tow to 5,000 pounds? Or can they all do that and you essentially need to just add the tow bar?

13) Should I look into adding OEM skid-plates or some type of aftermarket variation?

14) How hard is it to remove and swap out the front grille and side door guard slats? I've got the chrome ones, and I want to convert to the black plastic sides and a gloss black painted front grille to match the rest of the vehicle..

15) How hard to swap interior components? I've got all of the brushed silver stuff inside, and I may possibly look into going with some of the black stuff instead..

16) How are the KJ's overall for off-roading / trails? They seem pretty good, and over time, more companies seem to be making stuff for them.. I mainly like the stock short wheel-base for great agility on the trails..

Thank you guys very much for reading, and I look forward to hearing the answers. I don't "have" this Jeep to modify yet, however these will surely help me when I do..

:JEEPIN:

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 2:03 pm

[quote="backwoodsKJ"]

1) What is the benefit of the factory "heavy-duty cooling kit" that comes in the off-road package? How does it differ from the standard cooling? Do either include a tranny cooler? Is it worth it to upgrade to this HD cooling?

Mainly towing and offroad it helps but I have done both with mine for 146000 miles and no problems
2) I've got the 17x7 chrome wheels. It's also at the stock height. It's always had stock size tires, but what are the biggest ones I can run at stock height on the 17's?

tallest is like 29 inches or so stock

3) What is the best "budget" lift, and what about does it cost? I'm not talking some huge 4 foot lift or anything, but springs, struts, etc. A piece together even..

There is no real good budget lift those who do a budget lift are back within a few months to do a complete spring lift with new shocks all around, figure 750-800 bucks

4) Am I better off keeping my 17's as-is, or get some type of 16's for the lift / off-road tire application?

17s are harder to get tires for, most popular are 245-75-16s on 16 inch rims of course maybe able to find some used ones on here

5) Is it hard to add the OEM top-light bar? Sorry, but I love that. lol

not hard but figure 450-500 bucks

6) How hard is it to add front and rear tow hooks? OEM locations. And would you recommend getting the OEM hooks, or some type of aftermarket?easy to add, no aftermarket hooks,

OEM again they are always for sale on here

7) Any reccomended engine mods to spruce the 3.7 up a bit? This would be mainly intake and exhaust, but anything else too. For intake and exhaust, likely something that will also add to the off-roadability.. The intake is already the high-mount, but still.

3 or 4 inch tubing from grill to the airbox with an Amsoil air filter, then cut out the old muffler and replace with your choice of aftermarket

Is any type of brake upgrade suggested for off-road? It's got front and rear discs, but I figured I'd ask about lines, pads, etc.
Not needed

9) What are some strongly suggested front and rear bumper replacements to increase clearance? Or do you suggest simply trimming the stock ones? Specifically the front.. Also, side skirts? It's got them, but should I do anything to them?

ARB bumper for the front is about it, 800-900, you'll need rock rails real ones not the fake ones Jeep installs

10) Dumb question, but WTF does "Type 35" mean on the gauges?? lol

Nothing its just a code for the gauge cluster

11) Can you / should you disable the airbags during off-roading? I'd imaging that if you could it;d be suggested incase you "mess up"..

Don't worry about them, you're overthinking this whole thing

12) What is needed to convert to the "trailer tow package" so that the Libby can tow to 5,000 pounds? Or can they all do that and you essentially need to just add the tow bar?

add a tow hitch and wiring

13) Should I look into adding OEM skid-plates or some type of aftermarket variation?

First thing you should do is invest in skids !!!!!

14) How hard is it to remove and swap out the front grille and side door guard slats? I've got the chrome ones, and I want to convert to the black plastic sides and a gloss black painted front grille to match the rest of the vehicle..

not hard at all

15) How hard to swap interior components? I've got all of the brushed silver stuff inside, and I may possibly look into going with some of the black stuff instead..

post up what you have and swap with someone on here

16) How are the KJ's overall for off-roading / trails? They seem pretty good, and over time, more companies seem to be making stuff for them.. I mainly like the stock short wheel-base for great agility on the trails..

They are great and will go places that you'll be surprised

Oh and welcome to LOST
I think you win for most questions in the first post :ROTFL:

plus all the info is available if you search and spend some time reading! :wink:

backwoodsKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:37 pm

Awesome man, thanks for the great info!!

:CAMPING:

Anyone else care to chime in?

03CDKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:48 pm

There is no need for anyone else to chime in... :lol:

The reason there where 15 views and no reply's is because everyone who read your post was like, PPPPFFFFFTT!
We'll let Mudd take care of this one... :lol:

Welcome to LOST :JEEPIN:

backwoodsKJ · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:23 pm

haha Fair enough..

:ALONE:

DirtyKK · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:34 pm

Mudd's got it covered. I've got a rear tow hook I would be willing to sell. Just send me a PM if you want it.

KJWildman · **Posted:** Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:34 pm

backwoodsKJ wrote:

15) How hard to swap interior components? I've got all of the brushed silver stuff inside, and I may possibly look into going with some of the black stuff instead..

post up what you have and swap with someone on here

Let me know when you get ready. I'll swap out straight across with ya for them.

backwoodsKJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 9:26 am

Cool guys, thanks! Will definitely keep you guys posted when the time is ready..

dontstrokeme · **Joined:** Tue Sep 14, 2010 11:28 pm **Posts:** 6

I might have not found a single collective thread like this yet.....but he just saved me a whole bunch of typing.....that is pert near to what I have gathered since I joined and a whole bunch of other info that I didn't know quite what the specifics were....gotta search harder I guess.

I am neck deep into LR rifle shooting and still help out people just puddle deep....just remember you were there too once and as a crowd builds there is alot of fluff at the top with the good topics dropping to the old pages.

Thanks alot.

backwoodsKJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 02, 2010 3:08 pm

No problem man. Glad to have helped you out as well..

I realize the thread it's self is funny including so many questions, but I figured it was easier that way.. I'm definitely no n00b to cars, but a definite n00b to this whole off-roading thing.. I've only ever been IN a vehicle driving, never actually working on one..

:5SHOTS:

some basic n00b questions

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