theksmith 3,838 Posted February 11, 2016 any info on those valve cover gaskets?? this is the info i just got from Joe. these ARE different than the part numbers i had off the 2004 WJ parts sheet... ...left side gasket # (Driver) is 53020877AB, and right side, (passenger) is 53020878AC....the "thick" grommet kit # is 53027855BA you have to use the thick grommets with the new gaskets to accompany for the differences. i think i still have some leak, but definitely not as bad - maybe even small enough that further torqueing the bolts would fix it. i can't tell for sure how bad mine is right now as i have a rear main seal leak that drips from the same place so not sure how much is valve cover and how much is the rear main! also can't remember if i posted this already or not, but Joe thought maybe the heads didn't get machined perfectly flat on the reman engine, or came loose in the jig enough to twist a bit. he suggested that next time we should use the plastic valve covers since those might "give" and conform to a twisted/non-flat head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WJChris 0 Posted February 15, 2016 thanks Kris!! I have only used the mag covers (2 sets). Honestly, I have never seen nor tried the plastic ones. Seems logical. Im putting in a new motor on my 04 now. As soon as I have more time and space, Ill tear into the 2000 and check the heads for flatness. Ill also order those gaskets as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WJChris 0 Posted February 27, 2016 this is the info i just got from Joe. these ARE different than the part numbers i had off the 2004 WJ parts sheet... Kris, I went to Jeep an none of those part numbers came up.... Not sure how to order them! Now I just found this: http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=540207&ukey_make=1064&ukey_model=15529&modelYear=2000&ukey_category=20309 they are OEM part numbers?? But the site linked does not provide the REV code AA, AC, AB, Ect... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,838 Posted February 28, 2016 Kris, I went to Jeep an none of those part numbers came up.... Not sure how to order them! Now I just found this: http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/showAssembly.aspx?ukey_assembly=540207&ukey_make=1064&ukey_model=15529&modelYear=2000&ukey_category=20309 they are OEM part numbers?? But the site linked does not provide the REV code AA, AC, AB, Ect... sorry i don't know anything more. i do see you can only find them without the revision, not sure how he got a specific revision other than he has a friend working at a dealership and that was who told him they never use the mag covers when there is a problem and instead just replace with plastic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevep0210 0 Posted June 12, 2016 I realize this is a few years old, but do you have plans for the rack system in the back that you could share? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,838 Posted June 13, 2016 I realize this is a few years old, but do you have plans for the rack system in the back that you could share? are you talking about my storage shelf thing with the pull-out table? no plans were made, and i didn't do a full write-up (just the couple posts in this build thread i think). i can take some measurements for you if you tell me exactly which parts you want me to check... also here's another guy that recently made one out of a steel frame after seeing mine. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f197/my-build-expedition-rig-2003-wj-4-7-ho-526660/index111.html#post34831017 his project might give you some more ideas, or PM him on jeepforum and see if he made any plans. looks like his is taller than mine so you'd need to strap the tire down. mine worked out where the tire is wedged in really well, but that was an accident because the carpet/padding compressed a lot more than i expected when i screwed it down! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,838 Posted July 5, 2016 folks keep asking me about selling Lafawnduh... well, i need to make a nice ad to showcase her with new photos and such, and i still have a few little things to do to get her in tip-top condition to maximize my price - but i'm traveling the next few weeks and it's too hot outside to do anything! ...so, for those already familiar with the rig, i'll go ahead and give an informal for-sale notice. i reserve the right to take this down and raise the price in a couple months though if she doesn't sell to someone familiar with her already! i really don't expect this sale to go fast. hopefully someone will eventually stumble upon her who can appreciate her for what she is - a ready-to-go turn-key expedition rig capable of conquering difficult rated trails and still getting you home reliably and comfortably over a long freeway drive! what's included: if you've read this build thread, you already know she's a 2003 WJ Limited 4.7 H.O., with every factory option except adjustable pedals and rain sensing wipers... and should be aware that she's on the second engine and tranny (and that those have been working just fine) and that nearly every accessory and all electronics were either replaced during the engine swap or soon after (headers & pre-cats, a/c compressor, alternator, all pulleys/tensioner, all electronics except wires and PCM, etc.)... and you know about the major upgrades like JK Rubicon axles and all their goodies such as electric lockers, RCV & Superior Alloy shafts, 5.13 gears, trusses, gussets, HD covers, etc., and the Clayton 6"+ long arm lift, HD steering stuff, belly skid, long Teraflex shocks (from JK 6 inch lift) with custom mounts which give her nice droop, Magnaflow cat and Flowmaster Delta 50 with turn-down, rebuilt 242HD with upgraded 6 pinion planetary, custom driveshafts with flanges on all 4 ends, 35" KM2's, eagle alloy wheels, JKS disconnects & custom holders, etc... well, i'm also including pretty much EVERYTHING with her - the only things i've removed are my tools, SPOT messenger, door mounted leatherman, newest flashlight & machete, and the Kenwood ham radio (still has antenna mount, cable and hidden/recessed speaker). she also still has an older machete, the custom door storage pockets, a door mounted maglite with 700 lumen LED bulb, and 2 door mounted halon fire extinguishers... also included is the Edgestar 43qt fridge and custom mount, Sony 10.1" tablet with maps/audio in custom dock (rooted, can be used as just a WiFi tablet without activation or can be used with a Verizon account for 4G/cellular internet, includes SIM card & 32GB Micro SD with backups), all the newer stereo stuff (2 MB Quart amps, Pioneer sub, JBL speakers, Sony bluetooth DAC, Clarion EQ, etc.), fold-down rear-screen LED projector system (works with tablet or anything with an HDMI output, or even reads movies off an SD card)... and Midland CB & Firestik antenna/mount/cable, 48" Hi-Lift, shovel, axe, roof rack/basket with custom solid mounting and accessory attachment points (including stainless steel combination locks), custom lock in/out rear table & storage shelf, the recently completed HID headlight project and new custom grill, new horns, LED switchback front turn signals (with load resistors for normal flash rate), LED running lights, smoked third brake light, red/white aftermarket tail lights, all LED interior lights including custom red "night vision preserving" extra map lights... she still has the giant constant duty air compressor & 5 gallon air tank, dual AGM batteries (less than 1 year old each), Blue Sea dual battery controller, manual battery cut-off switch, Bussmann weatherproof fuse/relay box, the "engine oven" (burrito warmer), custom rear "wing" shade/rain awning. includes a bag with an air hose and ARB inflator, small factory jack, tire iron & gorilla wheel lock key, and of course the full-size spare tire/wheel... and there is still around $1,000 in spare parts tucked mostly in the factory wheel well (sensors, joints, pulleys, pumps, hoses, etc.) includes 3 factory keys and 2 factory remotes. i'm sure i'm forgetting some upgrades here, i mean she's been my little project for over 8 years! current condition: runs great - no hiccups/stalling/erratic idles or shifts/etc. she just plain works. just over 200k on the whole package, with much less on engine and tranny (would have to look up exactly how many miles are on those now). the biggest and only real issue is a minor rear main seal oil leak - i'm talking a drip once a week at most if she stays parked. not getting any worse for over 1k miles. could probably never be replaced, but does take a lot of labor to do so if you wanted to. lots of dents & scratches. very few squeaks/rattles/clunks and nothing major or newly developing (much better than most off-road vehicles i've ridden in). no TPMS sensors (kept getting sliced off when rock crawling), so EVIC alerts you to this on startup. you could get an EVIC off eBay from a rig that didn't have TPMS if it bothers you. there is a very minor vibe at 75 MPH & up. the original custom driveshafts were never quite right even after multiple re-balances. i completely replaced the front one a couple years ago and that fixed 90% of the vibes. a new rear one would probably fix the remaining vibes but it's not bad enough that i even worried about it. there is nothing resembling death wobble nor even the slightest shimmy. currently the rear factory bumper is off because it had a major tear. i have a replacement in great condition but it still needs to be trimmed to fit the larger wheel wells and then painted. (i will have that done within a couple months if she doesn't sell fast, otherwise you get the replacement bumper as is and some factory color spray cans). you can have the factory front bumper which has been trimmed a fair amount to work with the large wheel wells. you would need to do some minor work to re-attach it and it has some large scratches. there was a persistent valve cover leak - after the last replacement with thicker gaskets nearly fixed it, i waited a few weeks and tightened down a few of the bolts another quarter turn or so and it has seemed good ever since (over 1k miles). A/C & heat works, heated seats work, windows/locks/hinges and even the struts for the hood & rear hatch (and glass) are all good. seats go forward/back and recline up/down fine, but the motors to raise/lower the bases only work when they feel like it. i will include the factory am/fm/cassette head unit and bezel. it could be made to work with the new EQ/amps/speakers fairly easily (if you don't want the tablet based head-unit). the 4 tires are about 50% tread but with heavy chunking and some cuts/etc. they have been rotated often so no strange wear pattern nor weird noises from them except the normal mud-terrain loudness. the full-size spare has more like 30% tread left. there are no rips in the seats, no stains on the carpet, leather steering wheel is in great condition, headliner is great. the entire interior is in excellent shape overall other than the mismatched front seats (they are agate/black and the rest of interior is tan with some black). all the wood grain trim was painted metallic silver except i haven't gotten to the piece above the glovebox yet (i will get to that within a couple months if she doesn't sell fast, otherwise you get the spray paint can)! a couple of parts of the hot-water shower needs to be re-installed. it was working just fine but i was planning to re-organize the system and move the hookup ports. i will get this re-installed within the next couple months as well, if she doesn't sell first - otherwise you get the parts. passed Phoenix/AZ emissions recently without any issues. the check-engine light is NOT on. there are NOT any OBD2 pending diagnostic trouble codes. the suspension is completely dialed in. nothing has been changed recently with that respect as the ride/flex/handling has worked great for quite some time. the passenger rock rail that was bent on the Rubicon trail has been recently fixed (the entire custom "hoop" was cut off and new one welded on). both rock-rails have a fresh coat of satin black paint. 4 Johnny Joint bushings were replaced fairly recently (the rear upper Clayton control arms). registration was renewed in May. installed new wiper blades and topped off the washer fluid this weekend! i will get her detailed before anyone takes her (clay bar, buff, wax, carpet shampoo, complete interior detail, etc.) - i already have pre-paid for the detail at local car-wash, just need to drop her off for a day. think you want her? i'll include a couple hour orientation or Q&A session about the rig if you need it, and you can have 30 days of email tech-support! (like if you want to ask me why a certain wire is somewhere, or questions about how to customize the tablet, or have issues with the rear-screen-projector, etc.). beyond that, this build thread will stay up pretty much forever and it contains nearly anything you could want to know about how/why/what has been customized. first $12,500 takes her - or best reasonable offer after a few months. i'd rather just not sell her than deal with any low-ball offers, so please keep that in mind. if you don't want the tablet and fridge then i would be willing to keep those 2 items and take it down to $12,100 (no other wheelin-n-dealin though - it's a package deal!) if you don't already have cash or finalized financing then please don't ask for a test drive. i'll need to make a copy of your driver's license and insurance card showing active comprehensive coverage before you can drive her, just a like any dealership does. i have the title in-hand. cash only and the sale is final. we'll need to meet at your bank or mine (B of A) to have the title and bill-of-sale notarized. i've described everything to the best of my ability, but in the end you are buying a well used off-road vehicle and it is being sold as-is with no warranties expressed or implied! important note: please have your financing figured out before you make an offer! no bank in their right mind will give you a car loan for more than blue-book value. they may give you a personal/signature loan, likely at a higher rate than their car loans though. there is no sales tax on private party vehicle sales in AZ! AZ registrations do not transfer, you'll need to have a temporary tag to drive her home as i'll remove mine (you can print a temp tag by going to http://servicearizona.com for AZ, or check with your state's MVD). if you want to fly in from out of town, i'll be happy to pick you up at the PHX airport and we can go to my bank nearby with the rig so you can just drive her home after the transaction. happy trails! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PMA4x4 4 Posted July 6, 2016 finally, someone is making a WJ front bumper where you cut out some factory steel so you can recess the winch - but then the bumper doesn't stick out like a big nose. http://www.hkoffroad.com/products/hk-overland-winch-bumper could stand to sweep up in the corners more for my taste, but doesn't look too bad. also not sure why they did a million little bends - would rather see it rolled to form a smooth curve or else really just do less bends and have more severe angles (i.e. make it look more like Greg's bumper). That is slick. nice low profile. I've been working on a WJ bumper off and on for a while now with no end in sight. The angles are such a PITA. This one is perfect I love it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottL 178 Posted July 9, 2016 Someone's going to buy this beast the jeep's been places I thought never imaginable. Kbro, how much for just the maglite with 700 lumen LED bulb? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,838 Posted July 10, 2016 sale pending! looks like Lafawnduh is headed to Texas at the end of month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
