dfreeman616

is that a skagen next to the black fossil?

i work at midas, which is a chain i know many people would throw in the same category as pep boys or firestone. i consider myself to be good honest mechanic. i use to work at a smaller local chain (3 store in town, looking to add a few more). i left that shop because while they charged the customer less, they also underpay every single employee they have. i've also worked at dealerships in the service department, but not as a tech. having seen each situation, it all depends on the people in the individual stores. by the way, my first auto job was tire changer/lube monkey at a pep boys. didn't really care for the place.

most of the time the airbag module needs to be replaced but not programed. you're problem is likely a bad clockspring behind the steering wheel.

for the gladiator, but :huh???: and :fs1: :dunno: about the ford body on it. but at least that's better than letting it rot in a field, i guess... :doh:

it's either too bad it's on the other side of the country, or a good thing that my wallet isn't getting lighter real soon... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/63-KAISER-JEEP-J200-GLADIATOR-CUSTOM-CAB-4X4-EZ-PROJECT-SOLID-STRAIGHT-NR-/290725686997?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43b099eed5#ht_13211wt_1167

they did...sorta. the liberty kept the cherokee nameplate in other markets.

no other techs with something to say?

So i'm looking at buying a good scanner and I'm looking for recommendations. I've used an OTC Evo a little, Snap On Modis a lot, Snap On Solus a lot, and Snap On Verus a little. I'd like to have lab scope capabilities, possibly flashing/programming too. I'm kinda leaning toward a lap-top based setup. I'm even considering something like this, but that's probably more a dream than reality: http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/how-to-build-the-perfect-garage-pc?click=main_sr Back to what I've used, I liked the Modis for its bi-directional controls, but found the Evo a little lacking in Bi-directional functions. Not much experience with the flashing/programing yet, so I don't have much input there. The biggest thing for me really is bi-directional functions to test EGR's, actuators, etc. The other big thing for me is to be able to scope out the sensors and what not without going through the PCM/BCM/etc. To that end, a laptop/shop computer with a good pico scope could be an option too. So anyways, recommendations and experience? Thanks!

i like my obdii 99xj, but then, i'm a tech, so i'm use to worse vehicles and like diagnosing. by the way, if anyone has an obd ii xj that keeps having tps problems, unplug the clock spring and see if it fixes it.

for those who might be in that area sometime, where is it?

my opinion, for what it's worth, is i don't like the inca or the bright green. in other order, patriot blue, forest green, black as a clear coat not metallic. but hey, your truck, do what you like.

did the passenger side long arms get damaged, or did it just mess up the axle and mounts?

on the way to work, i was listening to mumford & sons.

well deserved, for sure!

perhaps an fc won't be able to hit the safety standards, but there are still fc-style cab forwards on the market that do, and there's also the smartcar that doesn't look like it would, but does meet impact standards. i still doubt it will happen though. or at the least, i'm skeptical.

That story may be false, but someone once tried to mug a Marine friend of mine at knife point. The would-be mugger ended up unconscious on the ground, moaning, when police arrived. By the way, my friend didn't have any "weapon" aside from his hands at the time. I guess that's what happens when you choose not only a Marine to attack, but one who happened to teach hand to hand combat in the Marines :D The cops later told him the mugger was wanted for various other local crimes and muggings.

I bet, honestly I don't know how you flatlanders can live there, I'm surprised you don't just jump off a cliff to.......oh wait thats right, nevermind. Especially for a flatlander who lived in Northern California for a good chunk of growing up...but now it's family ties that makes it worthwhile.

pics could use better lighting, but nice rig...

the 4.7 is known to drop valve seats from the heads, which results in total engine destruction. when they fail, engine pieces usually end up in the plastic intake and are next to impossible to remove. some after market remans have a better design for the valve seats, for example jasper revised the design so they don't have the same problem. a few months back at work, i put a jasper 4.7 in an 02 grand, the motor itself was over 3k, and then install was i want to say around 14-15 hours. at the same time, we had an 02 ram 1500 with the same 4.7 in it, and it went to the scrapper because of the cost to replace the motor. same problem, dropped valve seats. both trucks had about 120k miles on them.

timing on the income change couldn't be better, too. my wire is looking to go back to school to get certified to be a teacher, so we're going to need every penny!

So halfway through my first week, and I've almost made as much as a typical week at my old job. I'm on track to almost double my income. Think this was a good idea? Of course, I know my hours will go up and down, but as long as there's the work, I can push it out.

So today I went down and took 3 ASE tests and passed them all (Engine Repair, Engine Performance, and Auto Electrical). I've already been master certified through the state of Michigan for over 2 years, so now I'm plugging away at the ASE's. What's more, in a week and a half I'm starting a job at a different shop. I'll be working 5 days instead of 6, have benefits, and make roughly 25-30% more. Altogether, I'd say there's some good changes coming for my family and me. The 5 day thing is big, since we have 2 boys, one who's 3 and one who's 7 months. Not only that, but I might actually get some time to work on my Jeeps again :wrench:

hold off a sec! if you don't drive it much/for long distances, especially in cold weather, the motor won't fully heat up and condensation will form in the dipstick and in the top of the valve cover. so you may or may not have a problem. got any pics? it also may be worth getting access to a pressure tester for the cooling system, or doing cylinder block leak test like this kit: Part# 700-1006 at NAPA for about $50 or less, also can be had at autozone,

i had a cherokee and my wife was driving a nissan altima, until she got in an accident that thankfully didn't hurt her too badly, but totaled the car. i had to find something quick and cheap. did some searching on another 4x4 forum, found a link to a MJ for sale on here, and got a buddy to go tow it with his f350 and trailer from IL back to MI. $200, some diesel fuel, and dinner later, i had a truck i had to piece a few things back together on and drove for quite awhile.

i actually drove mine today, but that's only because someone pulled out in front of me to make a left turn while i was driving the cherokee. he didn't move fast enough :( his car went under the cherokee and took out my left front tire and rim, all the steering linkage, and twisted up my bumper/left fender/header panel. on a positive note, now the insurance is paying for my v8 ZJ steering upgrade :wrench: :D