Kaede the Eliminator

[Tactical Bacon]

The pile of parts I want to install but can't grows!

Got a hitch from @krustyballer16 and it fit great after a few coats of epoxy paint! But that does mean I'm running no bumper right now as the one on there and its brackets were modified by the previous owner to be a rollpan and won't fit. So I bought a new rear bumper from @Pete M, great to meet him on his trip up the country, but brackets didn't make the trip by accident so that sits in the shed, its existence tantalizing to me. I also got a very nice 3 pane slider from him but he made me aware that the 4 pane slider in my truck does not use the factory gasket so I have to find one of those, too. Lastly, today I got my new headliner in from SMS and it looks nice but I'm missing 3 of the 4 hook strips in the cab of my Jeep that would secure it. So I'm thinking tomorrow I may clean and re-paint the slider window so it's ready to swap in once I get a new gasket.

[Pete M]

don't let me forget about those brackets.  I've still got a week and a half of trying to remember.  

[Tactical Bacon]

Installed my headliner from SMS over the weekend before last along with fixing my wiper delay module with a new transistor.

 

I also picked up a 2001 GS300 with a blown head gasket at work today for only $500 and I'm thinking about swapping the 2JZ into the Comanche since it's lowered and meant to be a street weapon.

 

Had the idea on my own when I had an 02 GS300 earlier this year and was considering swapping its engine to my Cherokee before I traded the GS for my Comanche but it has been done before.

 

Thread: https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1033211

[Tactical Bacon]

Used the fabric that came with my SMS Headliner to re-cover a pair of visors that arrived in the mail yesterday. Very easy job with the plastic core visors and came out pretty well for my first time trying it. Just need some screws to install them now.

[Tactical Bacon]

Lightning round on updates. Since September the following has occured:

Cleaned and painted the 3 pane slider, still not installed
Installed rear bumper brackets and rear bumper

Replaced the front shocks with some from a 2wd 1st gen Explorer since the DF was completely blown out

Cruise control has stopped working, probably the cheap flea-bay switch

Wipers are bugged out again, seems to be a problem with the multi-function switch on the intermittent setting this time

Pulled apart and painted the spare header panel that came with it only to realize it's from an 86-88

Got some strong Velcro to strengthen the attachment of the headliner

Hooked up the AC machine at work and got Kaede blowing literal ice out the vents

Replaced the outer window wipes
Fixed the speedometer reading wrong and installed a different speedometer gear

Replaced all the speakers and added front tweeters (not happy with their current location behind the dash)

Replaced the ashtray light bulb (didn't even know it had one)

Tried bleeding the brakes today, didn't seem to make any change with how the rears engage, got good fluid flow, though, no air during the bleeding, bled the emergency circuit, too, and I've got all new hardware and wheel cylinders back there so I'm not sure what the deal is.

Fixed and sold the GS300 to fund my trip to Japan
Continued to ignore the play in the drag link and pitman arm tie rod

 

[Pete M]

yeah, bleeding the brakes can be a challenge.  

[Drahcir495]

On 5/29/2022 at 10:52 AM, Tactical Bacon said:

 

I would love to see a topper on her but nice as is.

[Tactical Bacon]

On 8/6/2023 at 8:11 PM, Pete M said:

yeah, bleeding the brakes can be a challenge.  

 

I'm thinking it isn't a bleeding issue because it was the same before I replaced rear brake parts for being rusty and frozen.

 

8 minutes ago, Drahcir495 said:

On 5/29/2022 at 9:52 AM, Tactical Bacon said:

 

I would love to see a topper on her but nice as is.

 

Topper could definitely be cool but I'm aiming for a tonneau cover at this point in time.

[Drahcir495]

[Tactical Bacon]

I put some new j-hook wiper arms on her tonight, much better wiper-to-windshield contact now. Now I just need to sort the driver washer nozzle not spraying well. She's also getting a new front end this weekend, 4 ball joints, 4 tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, shorter sway bar links, and a track bar all supposed to be delivered Friday but they'll probably sit till Sunday so I can check out the local yard on Saturday.

[Tactical Bacon]

It's been a busy year and a half! I got fired in February 2024 so I went to Florida for 17 months of flight school! I am now certified as a Commercial Pilot for Single and Multi-Engine Airplanes as well as being a Flight Instructor for Single Engine Airplanes!

One of the first things I did after getting home 3 weeks ago was to change the oil from January 2023 (yikes!). Tried to pull the steering wheel off to try and clean the wiper switch, kit didn't have 5/16"-18 bolts in it. Also replaced the upper control arm bushings on a day off week before last. They deserve a picture, the ones in the axle mounts were so worn, the center eyelets were offset by more than half an inch. Lower control arms probably need it, too but I'll probably just buy complete assemblies again when the money is there.

Then Saturday, I took the drums off the back and turned them while I was at work (potentially past discard but I wasn't about to drop $90 on a new pair when the LS430 is still there). Brought them home and put them in with new shoes. The hardware I put in 2 years ago is still in great shape. Rear brakes actually work now but the pedal is still weird. Vacuum assist works, but it's like the pedal stops way too high. Step on the pedal and it moves smoothly until it stops rock hard, but again, just way too high. Won't go any further, either. Anyone experience something like that?

[ThreeComanches]

It sounds like there might be air in the system. 

[Tactical Bacon]

Got sideswiped today in the same place I got sideswiped back in 2018 by another old woman in another gray import when I had my 1998 XJ. 

[Tactical Bacon]

Insurance ruled the other driver 100% at fault so I got a nice check from their insurance, fixed the dent in the fender with a hammer and a 2x4, and spent part of the money on repairing my Trans Am.

 

Another lightning round of updates since March:

Applied rust treatment to the interior of the roof then put some Frost King Foil Duct insulation on it, the B-pillars, in the doors, and on the back of the cab. 

Replaced the interior door wipes at the same time

Replaced the b-pillar light bulbs and footwell bulbs

Took the Jeep to Nashville to buy some WS6 wheels for the Trans Am and the compressor locked up maybe 50 miles into the trip.

Installed a new factory style accumulator and 95 XJ style compressor, condenser, evaporator, and lines (still have the factory quick disconnect line with new HNBR o-rings in it)

Replaced the cigarette lighter bulb while the dash was out

Painted the tailgate and need to redo it