The Frog Blog

[Letterman]

The issue with the rear quarter panel guards is you are adding strength to the spot that gets hit every time you drop off a rock, then sending the impact up to the top corner of the rig.


You end up needing hatch plates after a short time:

It is best to cut that part off and build a bumper to take the hit, not put the impact into the body.

Check out Mr. Ed's new rear bumper that Jes built, he has added clearance and some good body protection.

 

[XJensen]

The issue with the rear quarter panel guards is you are adding strength to the spot that gets hit every time you drop off a rock, then sending the impact up to the top corner of the rig.

Sorry to hijack but I had a few questions about this.

I have been thinking about this for a while. When I took off my plastic end caps to put on my tire carrier I found a nice dent in the drivers side rear lower quarter. I bought I set of guards which are being delivered today.

i was thinking of having them extended to tie into my tailbone tire carrier and also supported with a leg to the frame rail near the front on the panel. Do you think this will be enough Dave?

I know a cut and fold would be nice for clearance but I like the stock lines, but if I am going to screw things up and truly need the cut and fold I would.

 

[SeansXJ]

cut and fold Josh...i think it looks very clean when its done right. can't beat the clearance either.

sorry Kelly! im done...back to FB lol as you put it.

 

[connor0770]

So i know you just recently did a coolant flush. I bought all the stuff to do mine today. Did you use the stock drain? Cause not only is it a PITA to get to, but it is the slowest drain ever!! Is there a faster way to do this?? a nice little write up would be great

 

[rocknxj]

So i know you just recently did a coolant flush. I bought all the stuff to do mine today. Did you use the stock drain? Cause not only is it a PITA to get to, but it is the slowest drain ever!! Is there a faster way to do this?? a nice little write up would be great

I have not done a coolant flush on this heep. I did a tranny flush. but no radiator flush.

 

[rocknxj]

I'm sitting in a hotel in Ohio while on business this week and trying to browse the forum on my cell phone. FB updates will be slim for while. The FB haters out there will be happy to know that.

When I get home I will have a header waiting for an install and a new vehicle to play with. Hmmm, can't wait to crank up that hemi on the GC.

 

[connor0770]

I have not done a coolant flush on this heep. I did a tranny flush. but no radiator flush.

oops my bad. Well i did a coolant flush today and it turned out okay i guess. I didnt want to break off the petcock so i went straight for the lower rad hose. Well my 3rd time flushing it out i ran into some problems. My T-stat didnt come on and i almost overheated the engine. Then after the engine was off, 10 minutes later the T-stat turned on. Think i need a new t-stat or it was just acting up?

 

[connor0770]

Do you ever regret locking the front? and wish you locked the rear first?

 

[rocknxj]

oops my bad. Well i did a coolant flush today and it turned out okay i guess. I didnt want to break off the petcock so i went straight for the lower rad hose. Well my 3rd time flushing it out i ran into some problems. My T-stat didnt come on and i almost overheated the engine. Then after the engine was off, 10 minutes later the T-stat turned on. Think i need a new t-stat or it was just acting up?

I suggest you post that question in the OEM Tech forum because I don't want to tell you the wrong thing. I'm not sure what your other details are so it is difficult to answer. How were you flushing the coolant? Were you adding water during the flush, or did you just run the system dry in anticipation the therostat would open and release the remaining fluid?

In past vehicles, I would capture as much of the coolant as possible for hazardous waste disposal, then run a garden hose in the radiator while the engine was running. The thermo would open and close when the temp was right.

You might want to put the thermostat in a pan of water and heat it on the stove to see if it is working properly. Get the water hot and see if the thermostat opens/closes.

 

[rocknxj]

Do you ever regret locking the front? and wish you locked the rear first?

After wheeling this Jeep for six months with the front locker, I do not regret my decision to put the locker up front. The kid has a rear locker and I think I do better than him, considering I already have a LS rear.

What I WOULD do, is buy a selectable locker for the front if I could afford it. The Aussie (or Spartan in my case) is very affordable and capable, but it does tend to make noise and causes some harsh turning conditions on the street.

 

[SeansXJ]

but it does tend to make noise and causes some harsh turning conditions on the street.

x2

 

[Letterman]

After wheeling this Jeep for six months with the front locker, I do not regret my decision to put the locker up front. The kid has a rear locker and I think I do better than him, considering I already have a LS rear.

I agree 100% and I bet your front locker will out climb the rear locker only rig in a lot of spots, not all but way more then you would think.

I still say the best upgrade you can do to a stock jeep for less then $250 is put a Aussie locker in the front. I have put one in the front end of three of my jeeps, yes there is some funky street clicking, but I kind of liked the sound and for the off road porformance it is more then worth it.

The front end no longer will just push into the wall or even down on a undercut with the dead tire, but both of the tires climb up. Then once up it helps pull the lighter rear end of the rig.

With a open rear diff you will not have any of the stearing push that people hate. The buggie drivers talk about running a spool in front and a slectable in the back, I know this sounds backwards but I have seen it work really well. Unlock the back to turn and drive, lock to get all 4 tires to climb.

Only issue is if you get a front tire bound up and have a back tire loose or in the air, all the force will go to the bound up tire. Then with no force to the rear drive shaft, all the power goes to the front end and you will end up breaking something.

Off my front axle locker soap box, back to the fb.

 

[FlexdXJ]

I have not done a coolant flush on this heep.

Had my buddy do a flush on my Jeep over the weekend at the local Chrysler dealership. Man that machine is awesome! Next up is the trans flush.

I agree 100% and I bet your front locker will out climb the rear locker only rig in a lot of spots, not all but way more then you would think.

I still say the best upgrade you can do to a stock jeep for less then $250 is put a Aussie locker in the front. I have put one in the front end of three of my jeeps, yes there is some funky street clicking, but I kind of liked the sound and for the off road porformance it is more then worth it.

The front end no longer will just push into the wall or even down on a undercut with the dead tire, but both of the tires climb up. Then once up it helps pull the lighter rear end of the rig.

With a open rear diff you will not have any of the stearing push that people hate. The buggie drivers talk about running a spool in front and a slectable in the back, I know this sounds backwards but I have seen it work really well. Unlock the back to turn and drive, lock to get all 4 tires to climb.

Only issue is if you get a front tire bound up and have a back tire loose or in the air, all the force will go to the bound up tire. Then with no force to the rear drive shaft, all the power goes to the front end and you will end up breaking something.

Off my front axle locker soap box, back to the fb.

Glad to hear. I am picking up my new front axle with 4.10's and a lockright next weekend. I am also going to stay with an LS rear end. For what I do i just don't think I will need a locker front and rear. Especially with my Jeep being my daily driver.

 

[connor0770]

Thanks guys. And i fixed my coolant problem. I made a stupid mistake and turned my heater on then turned on the Jeep, so no coolant got into the engine before the t-stat could warm up and open.

And thanks for the info on the front locker! Im glad i bought one! I have been doing a lot of research about it and it seems like its 70% choose front first and 30% choose rear. The main thing that got me was i dont want a locker ALWAYS ENGAGED! Also after seeing your locker/awesome FROG perform flawlessly at PC, it kinda persuaded me to put one in the front. now back to the FB!! (its time for me to start my own blog here soon)

 

[srmitchell]

The front locker vs. rear makes a lot of sense, however I've always been very happy with my choice of an aussie in the back.

But like Letterman is saying, the front locker would help emmensly. This spot on Slickrock kicked my ass because I couldnt get the front to pull itself over. (Look at the tire!)

Sorry for the hijack Kelly!

 

[FlexdXJ]

Got to test out my front bumper today while I was sitting on the couch. My brother backed square into it with his honda! :roflmao: I got a little scratch and his trunk lid is fairly torn up! I will get pics tomorrow since it will be dark when I get home tonight.

 

[rocknxj]

Got to test out my front bumper today while I was sitting on the couch. My brother backed square into it with his honda! :roflmao: I got a little scratch and his trunk lid is fairly torn up! I will get pics tomorrow since it will be dark when I get home tonight.

That's funny right there.

 

[rocknxj]

Ahhhhh.....

I just returned from a biz trip to Ohio and I've got the house to myself until Tuesday. I have a full weekend to prepare the Frog for Sierra Fest (starting on Wednesday) and play with Gadget, the new Grand Cherokee. Hmmm...what to do first.....

 

[FlexdXJ]

That's funny right there.

Here's the damage. I have to admit i chuckled quite a bit! Don't mind the taillight it was already like that.

 

[rocknxj]

Here's the damage. I have to admit i chuckled quite a bit! Don't mind the taillight it was already like that.

I don't mean to make light of your brother's plight, but seriously, that's just amusing. Stay away from the XJ!