Recent content by Rick deCastro

  1. Rick deCastro

    Aftermarket equivalent to Rubicon flares

    mrblaine, Not sure if you would be interested but there's a used set on e-bay that look to be in decent shape - not perfect for $225.00.
  2. Rick deCastro

    Reminder: Fall is here, clean out your cowl

    Glad I saw this thread. Thanks for posting. The cowl on my Arizona '04 Rubicon (third owner) no doubt had never been off. Removed it and cleaned out a 16 year collection of general ephus - leaves, twigs, bird feathers and other stuff I can't and don't want to identify. It rains about once a year...
  3. Rick deCastro

    Anybody know what this thing is on my grill?

    It's a magnet, you can buy them at Harbor Freight and otyer sources. Maybe put there to conceal a previously drilled hole?
  4. Rick deCastro

    Wheel Lock Lost

    Dumb question but does your jeep have the insta-trunk behind the back seat? There are two small lug socket storage receptacles, one on either side for the wheel lug lock nut and the spare tire lug lock nut.
  5. Rick deCastro

    Can you believe this? Mopar Rubicon / Sahara fender flares listed on Amazon over $1000

    They seem to be unobtanium. I wonder, as a percentage of total TJ production, just how many were Rubicons and Saharas? Apparently not enough still around to entice someone like Dorman or Crown to make the wider flares? You can find standard width aftermarket TJ flares all day long but no Rubi...
  6. Rick deCastro

    Door rattle - issue identified but I need suggestions for a long term fix

    You may want to check your door hinge bushings for wear that will allow vertical movement of the door in its opening when the door is closed allowing the door latch components to "knock" together when encountering uneven road surfaces.
  7. Rick deCastro

    Rear main seal leak

    I'm not sure if the Jeep 4.0 is a candidate but certain crank shaft rear main seal surfaces can be sleeved to provide a clean smooth seal surface.
  8. Rick deCastro

    04 Rubicon Random Stalling

    Will do, thanks. Fairly new to jeeps and was not sure if electrical or fuel was the more likely culprit. The jeep has spent its whole life in mid to southern Arizona and is rust/corrosion free so probably something loose rather than corroded.
  9. Rick deCastro

    04 Rubicon Random Stalling

    I have a stock 2004 TJ Rubicon with 113,000 miles that occasionally stalls when I go over a speed bump such as in a parking lot at idle or when backing out of my driveway which presents a slight dip at the curb. The engine restarts immediately when I place the transmission in park or neutral...
  10. Rick deCastro

    If we remastered the TJ and LJ? 🤔

    It would be nice to have a gasketed access cover in the cargo area to get to the top of the gas tank to replace the fuel pump/filter/sender unit without having to drop the gas tank. Current design makes it stupidly labor intensive.
  11. Rick deCastro

    Plastic adhesion promoter for painting fender flares?

    Thanks, may very well try that. There is an automotive paint and supplies store called Space Age Paints near me that has an amazing array of products available for repairing and painting anything automotive. And may have something to fill in the gouges. They also have a mind boggling supply of...
  12. Rick deCastro

    Plastic adhesion promoter for painting fender flares?

    Thanks for the information. I acquired a used set of Rubicon flares that have some deep scratches that I thought I would put on my '04 Rubicon instead of the standard width aftermarket flares currently on it. I know that new Mopar Rubicon flares can be had but $420 to me is a bunch of money...
  13. Rick deCastro

    Plastic adhesion promoter for painting fender flares?

    Slightly off topic but has anyone used rattle can spray bedliner on badly scuffed/scratched flares? If so were you happy with the result?
  14. Rick deCastro

    In search of door panel fasteners

    Since I see you're in Phoenix if you don't mind a bit of a drive to Mesa Space Age Paints at 707 S. Country Club will have the exact fasteners you need. They carry literally thousands of different types. I usually buy a box of 10 to 20 or so of whatever since I seem to invariably remove...
  15. Rick deCastro

    SOLD TJ Factory Radio w/CD Free

    I think physically it should fit and operate. I would suggest you message Chris for particulars as there were I think 3 different radios used from 97 to 06 with different features such as CD player only, cassette player only, and one with both CD and cassette. Chris is really knowledgeable on...