Build thread: daily driven tow rig

[Woodswanderer]

Originally Posted by Anak

I can't recall exactly what the issues are, but I know that when I converted my tail lights to LEDs I had to install a trailer wiring converter and change out my turn signal relay. I think part of that was the fact that I ditched the factory arrangement involving amber turn signals. IOW, I wasn't just changing out my bulbs for LEDs. At any rate, I have been happily running my LED tail lights for something on the order of five years now.

It is possible that the LEDs that you bought were simply defective. Between the popularity of them and the supply chain issues that everyone is dealing with there is a reasonable chance that they simply weren't up to snuff.

Very well could be the issue. I installed another one of the same brand/pack to replace it, we’ll see what happens. Swapped the bad bulb over to the driver side to test and the problem followed. The IC driver inside the bulb probably failed...I’ve used these Auxito brand canbus leds in the past with no issues, but they are made in china.

One thing i will say i dont like about them is that with full LED conversion, i can see the signal and high beam indicators dimly lit up on the cluster when im driving. I suspect its because they are lower current than the halogen bulbs that came factory. Could also be due to one side having halogen and one side having LED, causing an imbalance in the circuitry. I do need to install a resistor on the headlights, they run dim when the switch is off, like an underpowered daytime running lamp. Minor annoyance really...i’ll eventually install a custom built relayed headlight harness at some point, so i dont burn out a headlamp switch harness. Low priority at the moment.


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Anak]

I have the same issue with the dimly lit turn signal indicators. No issue with high beam however. Might be a difference between '96 and the late model. It hasn't been worth bothering over.

[Woodswanderer]

Originally Posted by Anak

I have the same issue with the dimly lit turn signal indicators. No issue with high beam however. Might be a difference between '96 and the late model. It hasn't been worth bothering over.

Very well could be. I figure its most likely due to current draw of the LED headlights 🤷🏼*♂️ minor annoyance really. Daylight hours its not noticeable, and at night from the driver seat its not really noticeable either (lights being on). Just the high beam indicator on the dash.

Afaik this jeep never came with DRL but the capacity for it is there in the fuse blocks. May play around with it in the future if i get curious enough, wouldnt mind having that function


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Picked up energy suspension poly 9.8107G shock eye bushings for front and rear shocks (6x total) and 9.8101G shock tower bushings (4 pack) today in prep for the bar pin eliminators to go on before end of the month.

Also snagged a Cherry Bomb 85710CB 2.25” in/out 23”L muffler to have welded in. For $25 i’ll deal with a little more noise...thats what the volume knob and pandora exist for 😉

From here she’ll get the 2-3” lift after i move west anf i’m done for awhile. Eventually i’ll build another junkyard ling block in the living room to have dropped in down the line, and get a junkyard aw4 to rebuild and drop in. Gotta have some goals 😉🤣


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Investigated the ticking noise i get at cold idle. Its not the flex plate bolts as far as i can tell. Very well could be the issue but i can only verify 3/4 bolts are tight. It could be a cracked flex plate too i suppose 🤷🏼*♂️

Most likely a lifter. Goes away once warmed up and doesnt change speed as rpms go up.

Chalk it up to a 193k mile 4.0. Still runs fine, good oil pressure and power, no overheating.


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Next oil change i need to address the o ring on the filter housing. Im tired of getting ridiculously oil covered when im under the car 🤣 also tired of seeing an oil soaked starter.

Anyone have specs/pn for the o ring?


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Anak]

Get the kit. It is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't know how much those vary by year. That particular one was the right one for my '96 XJ and for The Varmints' "97 ZJ.

Be prepared for a bit of battle with that monster Torx bolt. It was no problem on my "96, but the ZJ was tight. You will want leverage. The socket won't fit, but you can take the insert out of the socket and use a doubled up wrench on that. Or you can get the L-shapted Torx wrench (like an allen wrench) and add a cheater pipe on that.

[Woodswanderer]

Originally Posted by Anak

Get the kit. It is something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't know how much those vary by year. That particular one was the right one for my '96 XJ and for The Varmints' "97 ZJ.

Be prepared for a bit of battle with that monster Torx bolt. It was no problem on my "96, but the ZJ was tight. You will want leverage. The socket won't fit, but you can take the insert out of the socket and use a doubled up wrench on that. Or you can get the L-shapted Torx wrench (like an allen wrench) and add a cheater pipe on that.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

I have something in mind for that T60...my serpentine belt wrench should give enough room with a 1/2” t60 socket on the end. If not, there is a volvo specific tool for belt tensioners that i think i still have floating around from my 850T wagon days that should work (similar to the L shaped wrench and used a T60 iirc)


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Energy suspension 2.6102G 1.75” front coil spring lift blocks on order. That should level out the front to rear at least, until i pick up the RRO 2” lift kit. Since the crown springs were 1-1.5” shorter than what came off and i doubled up the oem rubber spring isolators, im still 1” low in the front

I suspect ditching 1 OEM rubber spring isolator and installing the ES blocks will bring me in at 2.25”-2.5” up front, leveling things out. I also need to adjust the rear shackles and retorque them to make sure they arent binding or causing unwanted lift due to incorrect installation/angles.

Cherry bomb isnt going on just yet, unless i leave it hanging out underneath without a tail pipe welded on. Which i may end up doing just to get it out of trunk. I’ll hack the old tailpipe off the oe muffler and take it to the exhaust guy later on to weld in. 🤷🏼*♂️ we’ll see what happens. Doc has me on light duty no lifting over 5lb right now, so not much is getting done


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Nothing new to update. Back to banging around in the ass end again... i need to re-adjust the rear shackles i think. Suspect they are binding and blowing shocks out.

Jeep projects took a back seat for the moment. Pistol league starts up again this month so i’ve been prepping for that...suppose it could be jeep related since i want to install the JCR molle panels for my favorite banana pill dispenser 😉😅 it’ll match the camo headliner and dash covers once i finish it up 😋


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread

[Woodswanderer]

Havent done much anything beyond check and top off fluids and drain/refill the brake fluid reservoir. Need ball joints soon-ish, so planning for dual piston brake swap at the same time

Otherwise, shes running great


codename 99 problems: Daily driver/tow rig build thread