Automan2164

There was a video out I discovered on youtube awhile back where Jimmy Page, Jack White, and The Edge got together and just had a jam session... Turn up the speakers to 11 and close your eyes as Jimmy Page explains the riff for Kashmir. Hypnotic watching his hands move. Such a huge riff in rock history. Jack White also shows Seven Nation Army. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8R8puk3kImA Rob

I picked up the good today. I think I might add some old '80's plates and some weathered bumper sticker under the seat by your legs to break up the clean wood. They need to sit outside and get some weathering on them. Maybe some emblems on there as well. Class them up a bit. He just did these as a trade so I imagine they are pretty basic. I like them raw like this anyway, I can now make them my own. He has his own etsy shop, is at some of the local swap meets out here (Rockford, IL area), and is soon coming to facebook. https://www.etsy.com/shop/LangleyFabrication?ref=l2-shopheader-name Rob

All this talk of rock... And no one posts up Zeppelin? Shame on you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQH3LtNePgI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN3ABDzdLls Jack White (Think White Stripes) has some current rock... Although he pulls from a lot of classic stuff, making him not as 'Main stream' Also, The Strokes have some good jams. Deep purple anyone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41qfIecwXFg As far as the '80's go, it's slim pickings... I cannot stand hair metal or any of that flashy crap. Rob

Anyway, the system has been working quite well, save a hiccup from the accident affecting the audio output. I've been so busy that even though I have the remote eq, it's been sitting coiled up right next to the amp in a ball of wires. I finally got caught up with some things, and took the time to run the wire and install it like I have wanted to. I still have to loom the wires for the amp, but they are all zip tied. They look messy in this pic, but it's really not as bad as it looks. Once I get the loom on it, I am going to get it tighter to the woofer box. Also took the time to mount the extinguisher that has been knocking around, and hard mount the Jeep storage box. Pup just wanted to see what I was doing and be up in the XJ with me, so I set him up in the back so he could watch.

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http://www.bazooka.com/pdf/current/EL_amplified_manual.pdf Rob

There is a brand new set on ebay for $45. Rob

Well got it installed... Driving it is a much more pleasurable experience. It's like someone turned the rear axle on. The feedback that I get out of the rear axle makes me realize it's there. I didn't think it would be so noticeable, but it's really nice. Flat through a curve, stable, and sure footed. Verrrry nice. Rob 8)

I bring thee back from the dead! Well curiosity killed the cat. I've been watching this thing move around the yard and get picked over, but it is still there. The other day I noticed that it no longer had any drums on it, so I could give the axles a spin (still on the ground in the mud, but now it was resting on the plates). I bent down and gave the axle a spin, and to my surprise, the driveshaft started banging around... Hmm... That's a good sign. Went back up and asked if they could raise it and let me pull the cover to check. He told me they only really do that when they are selling the part. I went back out there to see if I could drag up an axle tag or something. When I went back I noticed how much lower the back was, and then realized that the leafs were gone. Now this is easy picking... Only thing left holding it in were the parking cables, shocks, and the brake line. I scrounged around for a jack out of another car, found an HD scissor jack out of a truck. Got it up a foot, pulled the shocks, and cut the brake hose. I didn't have anything to cut the cables. It was enough to slide it partially out and pull the cover... Jackpot! A short trip back down the road to work for some cable cutters and it was mine. $133 and it was in the back of my XJ. I already bought all new brakes, drums, shoes, and hardware for the current 8.25 but after installing the sway bar I noticed both axle seals were leaking, and the pinion seal was shot. I think the game plan switched, and this axle will be getting the new brakes and some seals for an upgrade instead of a plain repair. Rob :rock on:

Your current MJ have an external slave AX15? I need an external slave setup, and have a driveway to lend. :brows: Rob

I imagine that more and more, we will be seeing changes to software than hardware issues. One of the GM Delco guys told us a few years ago that everything was moving towards software reprogramming that actual hard fixes. He gave us some sort of crazy number they were projecting for, but I forget what it was. I'm under the impression that with either the battery failure or maybe the extended time disconnected the software became corrupted in the HU... Maybe just doing a reset would have brought it back, but I had already downloaded the update before hand, so I can't say for sure. Rob

Finally got an update from Quadratec's website saying "Shipped complete". It also said it shipped on 6/20, so I was assuming that it had just left Addco. No tracking number yet, nothing. Figured when I got home it may or not be there. Got home, no dice. Empty stoop. 30 minutes later I heard the doorbell. Neighbor came over and thanked me for the large package. Was addressed correct, and my name was right, but got delivered across the street. Thank god it went to the only neighbor I trust. If the weather holds out tomorrow, it's on like Donkey Kong. Rob

No worries Don. It was $186 or so after taxes with free shipping. I got an email back from Addco today responding to my status inquiry of the bar, telling me to call direct. Quick phone call told me that I ordered it 6/2, they sent it to powder coat 6/4, and it is or should be done and on it's way out this week. I can fully understand a made to order for the XJ... I can't imagine they have people beating down the doors for them and probably don't want a bunch of stock sitting around. Rob

Still waiting on this. I ordered it on 6/2/14... Still "At Drop Shipper". I have emailed Quadratec to find out what was up, only to be notified that it ships direct, and those orders will take 1-3 weeks before even being sent out. I wish I had known that before ordering, but I am too far along in the time frame to turn around and cancel now. Rob

Time to update. Among the list of things I was going to try, updating the Firmware on the radio was one of them. I checked Kenwood's site, and they had updated the software 3 times since I last did it. One was for the problem that no matter what you did or how you did it, it would always hang up on a call when you turned the Jeep off - Even if I turned off the Bluetooth and was talking on the phone. Apparently, it wasn't just me not doing something right. I downloaded all the updates onto my jump drive, and then uploaded everything as per the routine... First time it fired back up I could tell a huge difference. I am back to the previous volume levels as before the accident. Post accident I was up at 35, which was max, and it still didn't do it for me. Now I am back to the 20-25 I was at before. Thanks for the advice guys! Rob

My sentiments exactly. I occasionally make exceptions for garter snakes and black snakes around the perimeter of the property but ... stray onto the lot and they're toast if I see them. I ... don't ... like ... snakes. I still get the jeebies when I run across them out and about... Don't care what they are. Rob

Very nice. Rob

I would just replace the seals. You should probably put a seal in to mirror the drivers side on the passenger side. If you just rely on the seal that was in the disconnect, it's not going to work. The TJ shafts don't have the seal surface mid shaft because they never needed it. Rob

Well, just checked my accounts, and it was all too convenient that I had $187 worth of credit from returning the Omix-ADA radiator and shipping refunds... Which nicely covered the $179 for the rear bar. I'm excited to install it and see how it does. The shocks are pretty new on the XJ, but steering stabilizer is of unknown age... Shocks aren't on the list for now, but is the stabilizer that noticeable to warrant an upgrade? Rob

Just to verify some of the questions abut if the speakers are wired in phase or anything like that - The only thing that has changed is the Jeep was in an accident. No wires were touched or tampered with. As for my hearing... I imagine I have lost some over time and because of my job, but I don't think such a drastic change would occur over the month I have had the Cherokee off the road and fixing it... Wild thought, but the only thing I have noticed that is quiet is the stereo in the Cherokee. The battery did get crushed in the accident. One of the cells leaked out and killed it. It hadn't occurred to me that it may have shorted out and caused some damage to the radio. Good possibility, although I still want to wager on a ground issue. I took the Jeep on a long weekend trip and didn't have much chance to play with it. I have tomorrow off to mess with it if I feel motivated enough, or Thursday if I don't play with it until then. I'll report back with whatever I find. Rob :cheers:

I did go through all the sound settings. I put everything back to what it was pre-accident, and nothing seemed to help. I've got a multimeter, and am versed in it's use, so that's no problem. Like you said though, I would imagine that the radio would either work or not work. Rob

All functions. Any radio volume function... AM/FM, CD, Bluetooth w/Pandora, Bluetooth on phone... HU is a Kenwood BT755HD. Rob

Since getting the XJ back on the road I have noticed a somewhat plaguing and annoying problem. The volume on the stereo just doesn't seem to be as loud as it should. I have some ideas, like a poor ground on the inner fender, but want to ask if there is another go to I can try all in one session. Before the accident I couldn't comfortably turn up the volume to the max level. I really didn't even know what that top number was. Now I am all over the max volume and could go more to be at a level comparable to what I had it at before. Could the accident (not all too hard) have damaged an internal part? I want to believe that it could be a poor ground, but part of me wonders if that could be it, being that there are no other adverse effects... No other part of the radio or Jeep is acting like it is under electrical strain that I would associate with it. Rob

Anyone have any experience with an Addco bar on the back of an XJ or other aftermarket upgrade to the rear sway bar? Now that I have the XJ back on the road, I've been wanting to put a little money into it. I would love a small 2" OME lift, but the tires are near-new Michelin LTX's that I can't bring myself to just toss aside. I would like to improve the ride instead. I upgraded the front sway bar with a 1 1/8 or 28MM bar out of an XJ Limited and was impressed with how much more "Sure footed" it felt when just driving around town. The ride was more firm and confident, luxurious even. (For a Cherokee, let's not get carried away...) http://www.quadratec.com/products/76059_801.htm I've been poking around looking for something to do in the rear. The rear bar is substantially smaller than the front, and rather spaghetti looking. While I haven't stumbled across any junk yard upgrades similar to the front for swapping, I have been eying up the Addco. The Addco rear bar setup is 7/8", the stock bar is 1/2" from what I read. The kit runs about $180 with free shipping, and I have one sitting in a couple carts waiting. Any input is appreciated. I'm standing on the edge, just need a push. Rob :cheers:

I would replace the fuel. You are dealing with something that will probably be finnicky and weird, best to take out any variables while getting it back on its feet. Cheap insurance. Rob