theksmith

i've used RockAuto in the past and it is nice that they offer several manufacturers for a lot of parts. i try to stick with OEM most of the time, or Napa as a second choice - unless it's a part that would benefit from an aftermarket upgrade. i looked briefly at some "performance" full aluminum radiators. Mishimoto seemed to be the best rated, but even they had mixed reviews on fitment. i also saw Cold Case offers a heavy duty extruded core version. but since the original factory radiator lasted so long, and i know OEM will fit correctly, i decided to just go with Mopar. do you think the chassis flex from wheeling more difficult trails, coupled with the fact that the body mounts have sagged some, would contribute to a radiator failing?

4th time's the charm, right? the original radiator lasted like 5 years. then 2 Autozone radiators only lasted 6 months each - their lifetime warranty is only useful if your time has no value! back to OEM this time. at least i've got it down to just over 2 hours now!

come on the run this weekend: or maybe our holiday party the first weekend in Jan:

nope, this trail is much shorter and easier

welcome to the club - i look forward to meeting you and your wife! there's no camping for this event, it's just a day run / party. we're usually done by somewhere around 3pm to 5pm (depending on the turnout) and this year the trailhead is less than 30 minutes from I-17 & Carefree Highway.

looks really solid!

it's not rock crawling at all, but there are bumpy loose rocky sections and one good articulation area (heavily rutted).

trail ride?

actually the 10 plate turned out to get plenty hot. originally i had it plumbed into the heater core lines and later found out those don't flow coolant until the thermostat opens at 190* (and on cold start it actually takes a while to reach that temp if you're just idling). it's now plumbed inline with the oil cooler instead, which always flows coolant. so now even when the engine is just starting to warm up the exchanger works and everything is fine. the only problem i still have is that the water in the tank itself gets hot, especially on a slow crawl type trail in the summer - just from the exhaust and transfer case and everything else shedding heat underneath the rig. so even with the thermostatic mixing valve the water can be a little too hot sometimes. i have only insulated one side of the tank (next to the exhaust), but one day i may get around to trying to insulate the entire tank and see if that helps.

thank you Steve - i hope you guys, and everyone here, had a great day!

trail ride or skipping?

Join us for a short trail ride and big time fun with your Offroad Passport friends at our annual Holiday Party! We bring the burgers & dogs for a potluck lunch, plus there's the infamous cut-throat white elephant gift game, and the delicious cookie contest! Note that we have a new location (near Lake Pleasant) and that the optional trail ride is rated moderate this year. Important Details: This is a Potluck event! Please see the sign-up list below and let us know what you can contribute. Subject to cancellation or postponement due to rain. Pets are ok, so long as you follow our Pet Policy. Please also keep them reined in close and no begging while folks are trying to eat. Comms on GMRS channel 20 (462.675 Mhz) Bring cash if you'd like to get one of the new style ORP shirts (or just win the cookie contest)! Meetup / Trail Info: Meetup location (for both groups) Gravel parking lot beside Wild Horse West restaurant. Click here for a map... Please arrive fueled up and ready to go! Note there is a brand new gas station right next door. Option #1 - Moderate trail ride before the party. Meet @theksmith at 9am sharp! This trail is doable by a stock high-clearance 4wd rig with aggressive A/T or M/T tires, such as a Wrangler or Tacoma. Other rigs might need a small 1" or 2" lift. Option #2 - Easy route direct to the party spot. Meet @4x4tographer at 10:30 am. This will be a quick ride down an easy wash. A high clearance vehicle is still required. White Elephant Game: Bring a wrapped gift to participate! $20 suggested gift value. 4x4 or outdoor/travel related gifts, or just something fun, but please bring something you'd actually love ❤️ to win! Take a number for each gift you bring. The highest number goes first by opening any present. The next highest number may steal the first gift or open another one and so on until all the gifts are open. A gift may be stolen no more than 1 time per round, and is completely frozen after it's been stolen twice (i.e. it can't be taken from it's 3rd owner). Enter the Cookie Baking Contest! Bring your homemade cookies! Everyone please try all the cookies and vote for the winner. The cookie with the most votes wins a NEW Offroad Passport T-Shirt! Potluck (items needed): Everyone - please bring a table if you have one! Hamburgers, Hotdogs & Propane are provided by @Offroad Passport Grills: @theksmith, @4x4tographer Paper Plates, Plastic Cutlery, Napkins & Trash Bags: @johnpa Buns (hamburger and hotdog): @Riddler Condiments (ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo) & Fixins (cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions): ? Cans of soda (Coke, a diet something, etc., in a cooler on ice): ? Water bottles (in a cooler on ice): @Curly Chips: @Kenneth Johnson, @Riddler (chips & salsa) Side dish or appetizer: @Bradywgn71 (meatballs), @mynr1 (baked beans), @AFeiner (vegan desert), @mbuckner (tater salad) Attending: Please indicate the total number of people in your party, if you are going on the trail ride, and which potluck item you're bringing! - Trail Ride: @theksmith - 3 - (leading moderate trail ride) @Bradywgn71 - 2 @Curly - 2 - Tentative trail ride @mbuckner - 1 - Tentative trail ride @johnpa - 2 @mynr1 - 1 @Riddler - 2 - Easy Route: @4x4tographer - 4 - (leading easy direct-to-party ride) @Mick Bowers - 2 - @Kenneth Johnson - 2 - @AFeiner - 2 Just reply to this thread to sign-up! There is no rig limit on this run and it is open to anyone with an appropriate vehicle. Have questions? just ask!

some info for when i have to do this next time... part numbers felpro complete intake manifold gaskets: part # MS 97204 oil cooler/filter assembly (includes gaskets & a new filter): part # 68596317AB note the oil cooler no longer comes with the 2 sensors... coolant temp sensor: part # 5149077AB oil pressure sensor: part # 5149062AB spark plugs (sold individually): part # SP149125AF 10 Year coolant: part # 68163848AB i've been getting most of my OEM parts through azwholesalemopar.com lately, which is actually Larry Miller Dodge Peoria. just select free local pickup during checkout. the site seems to have as good or better prices than any other online Mopar place i've seen. torque values oil cooler heat exchanger: 35 in-lbs oil cooler assembly: 106 in-lbs lower intake manifold: 106 in-lbs upper intake manifold: 71 or 89 in-lbs? (conflicting search results) plugs: 13 ft-lbs (156 in-lbs) coils: 71 or 105 in-lbs? plug gap: 0.043" bolt tightening orders oil cooler assembly: lower intake manifold: upper intake manifold:

it appears the actual heat exchanger was separating, which is not a common failure from what i've read. it also seemed to be leaking either from one of the plastic plugs at the front, or that bottom seal. both of which are typical issues.

headed in for the oil cooler again. this time i was smart enough to take off the wheels and drop the Jeep to a more comfortable working height! last time replaced it was around 100k miles. i'm at 161k now, so doing plugs again too while in there.

i have 4 waterproof boxes for sale, $50 each. used but great condition. cash only! buyer must pickup in North Phoenix (almost Anthem). (2) Pelican Storm Case iM2306, both with the foam inserts. these are similar in size to a 18" toolbox. Interior dimensions: 17" x 6.3" x 6.2" Exterior size: 18.2" x 8.4" x 6.7" (2) Seahorse 710, only one has the foam inserts. these are about briefcase size. Interior dimensions: 18.1” x 12.9” x 4.0” Exterior size: 20.1” x 15.5” x 5.5”

yes, i edited the first post for ya!

they appear to be powder coated steel - pretty thin, but should survive home use. if you're looking for something more heavy duty, these are the ones i kept seeing advertised: https://www.tmrcustoms.com/products/jack-stand-storage-rack-pair

installed some jack stand holders on the wall this morning to help tidy up the garage. i'd seen ads for these before for like $100, but then ran across these on Amazon for under $30 for a pair (holds 4 stands). i can't make anything that cheap, so i bought 'em! they work with 2 or 3 ton stands, maybe 4 ton if anyone makes that size - but my 6 ton ones did have to stay on the floor. UPDATE: here are some that fit 5 & 6 ton jack stands...

I have a bunch of JK/JKU parts for sale and a 12v hard-mount Air Compressor. It's all on Craigslist (click here)... All prices are negotiable - make an offer! You do have to come get it though (North Phoenix).

i was up early doing some solo exploring before meeting everyone for the recent Mogollon Rim Overland trip. i ended up on a new-to-me section of the rim. here's a map link to where that was taken, at the end of a very bumpy and overgrown trail. also thanks @4x4tographer for these shots of Gadget and myself during the trip:

wow @Ladybug - that's a TON of info! thanks for putting that together (and thank you @Bradywgn71 for scanning it).

normally yes, but it is closed in winter (unsure of exact dates). i'm not seeing the seasonal closure order listed yet on the NF page though and it's not been a wet year, so my guess is that it's still open currently: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/coconino/alerts-notices EDIT - found a better page that specifically lists it as open all the way through: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5341633 p.s. hope you and your family are doing good Rey, haven't seen you in a while!