The Old Man Jeep (a '06 LJ build)

[ChadH]

Got the lights installed this evening. It's way past bedtime but I wanted to do it at night to be able to make adjustments if necessary. I will say, the KC Gravity LED's are a significant improvement over stock. And they offer WAY more light and better disbursement than the truck-lites on my TJ. Camera settings were set to try and mimic natural eye vision as best as possible without increasing exposure to make nighttime scenes easier and brighter to see. Take that for what it's worth.

Here are a few pictures of the stock lights. Picture 1 is fog lights only (which are aimed incorrectly), picture 2 is headlights only, picture 3 is headlights and fog lights, picture 4 is brights. Notice you can just barely make out the door to a pit toilet in the distance - approximately 175' away.

Now check out the new lights. Picture 1 is again fog lights only, picture 2 is headlights only, picture 3 is headlights and fog lights, and picture 4 is brights. Notice everything is much easier to see and light disbursement is much more even without any real dark spots.

I did check temps when I got home and yes, these lights will likely ice up as they put out no heat and are not a heated light. I might be able to add some standard glass heating elements though to combat this, we will see. But I am very happy with the light output, and will say the money spent is absolutely worth it to reduce chances of hitting a deer or road debris.

 

[AirborneTexasRanger]

After looking closer at these, I'm not sure I fully trust them. It looks like the steel was just bent and a few cracks were formed compromising its integrity. I'll give them a ring tomorrow about it.
View attachment 577347

WOW! Those are definitely compromised

 

[ChadH]

WOW! Those are definitely compromised

Yeah I fully agree, was totally shocked when I saw them. I'm really not sure what other options exist though - was trying to not have to use the OEM hooks

 

[ChadH]

Took the LJ out for some exploring yesterday, although it didnt go to plan since some roads were SUPER icy. The tires are balanced and good finally, the local shop just didnt know what to do or their machine is out of balance itself. These tires are fantastic. Quiet, smooth, and have a TON of grip. That said I had to backtrack and stay at lower elevations which unfortunately meant driving on roads with salt/mag chloride, so today is a cleaning day since temps will be above freezing in a few hours. The winch was put on last minute knowing some roads had bad ice, but I need to find a solution for the recovery points - I really dislike the hooks. So either a custom recovery point is needed, or I will be having to go with a different bumper after all. But it was a great day exploring and nice weather as well!!

 

[ChadH]

All cleaned and shined up and stored for winter.

 

[ChadH]

Just had a nice conversation with Mickey Thompson - sharing in case it benefits anyone else. The tires I put on the LJ are the STANDARD 265/75R16 tires (not LT). Strangely MT suggests they be inflated to only 22 psi. Currently they are at 28. The LT version should be set to 35 psi. Seems backwards to me but thats their suggestion if anyone wanted to know. Of course this is for stock weight of a TJ/LJ. If you are towing or over GVW then of course that would change. This summer the tires on the LJ will go on the TJ and a new set of LT versions will go on the LJ

 

[lBasket]

Just had a nice conversation with Mickey Thompson - sharing in case it benefits anyone else. The tires I put on the LJ are the STANDARD 265/75R16 tires (not LT). Strangely MT suggests they be inflated to only 22 psi. Currently they are at 28. The LT version should be set to 35 psi. Seems backwards to me but thats their suggestion if anyone wanted to know. Of course this is for stock weight of a TJ/LJ. If you are towing or over GVW then of course that would change. This summer the tires on the LJ will go on the TJ and a new set of LT versions will go on the LJ

What is the difference between the LT and non LT version? Is it just a difference in load rating, or something else? Guessing they'd have to have different side wall plys for the version for heavier vehicles

 

[ChadH]

What is the difference between the LT and non LT version? Is it just a difference in load rating, or something else? Guessing they'd have to have different side wall plys for the version for heavier vehicles

You got it. the STD version is more designed for 'road vehicles' or SUV's - like my TJ which is my DD. They only have a 2 ply sidewall. The LT version has a 3 ply sidewall. But the rep I did talk with contradicted themselves a little bit it seems by suggesting the 2 ply was significantly more prone to punctures, but at the same time when asked if anyone really is having a problem with it there hasn't been an overly irritating amount of negative reviews on that. The LT versions also have a slightly deeper tread and decently larger side biting lugs.

I find it interesting though that the LT's require over 13 psi more that the STD tires to maintain proper tread contact. It seems backwards to me but thats what they said. They also did say the LT's were quite a lot more harsh riding. So it will be good to get the current tires on the LJ swapped over to the TJ after breakup.

 

[ChadH]

This weekend, milk jugs removed. It looks quite a bit better, but I do need to come up with something for the rear corner for protection. I would rather crunch a bumper than the body.... Maybe I can get the shop in town to bend some tubing for a simple corner guard.

 

[rickgram]

View attachment 571781


Love the look of this wheel and tire setup. What's the size of the wheel / tire combo?

 

[ChadH]

@rickgram

Q-tech

Item no: 92615-3212
Baja Extreme II in Gunmetal Gray 16x8 4.5 backspacing
https://www.quadratec.com/node/1002400

Quadratec Part #: 92606-2246
Mickey Thompson Part #: 340008003
265/75R16 (32x10.5R16) STD load range
https://www.quadratec.com/p/mickey-thompson/baja-boss-at-radial-tire/265/75r16

If you do any off highway action I would suggest the LT tires. The standards have a weaker sidewall but these will go on the TJ in the spring since it is my daily.

 

[ChadH]

Gr8Tops Safari Top ordered today!

 

[ChadH]

The Gr8Tops safari top arrived over the weekend. Matt really did me a solid and we had several conversations about a custom glass option. In the end we decided that a raw unpainted top with uncut sides (so basically the Alaskan) was the best option since I could not fully verify the sizes of window options I am considering. So hopefully glass arrives within the month so I can start getting cutting and get it on and functional before summer

 

[ChadH]

It sure has been a pretty busy summer and a lot of hopeful plans haven't even started yet. But now that I have some shelter from the sun, and snow, I can start working on modifying the Gr8Top Safari Top!

 

[ChadH]

The UFC skid plate arrived yesterday. I opted for the no body lift option since I dont do hard core off road and do not want to deal with the headaches that a body lift brings, and it will provide better protection than the existing. Although I'm surprised they left the hole open for the engine oil drain plug instead of covering it like how the Mountain Offroad skid is - I sure hope I dont get a stick to poke in the wrong spot - lots of brush, sticks, and rocks in my area that like to jump up and hit things.

Anyway, I'm disappointed it shipped without any protection. I read plenty of reviews on this aspect, but didn't want to deal with the hassle that I read about so many experiencing with Savvy - otherwise I would have preferred to go that route. So because it shipped raw, it has a whole bunch of gouges. UPS clearly tossed it around - hard, and on sharp things. Theres a couple spots where the aluminum straight up looks like somebody bashed it with a chisel and hammer. So I'm definitely not happy about that for a product that was $1,000. Excited to get it put on though, which will be after tearing down the transfer case to install the teraflex 2-lo kit. Probably won't be until after December. Hopefully all the holes and things line up well - the Mountain Offroad skid installed extremely easily in the TJ without any fuss at all, so at a 'higher' quality I would expect the same here. It will be nice having reassurance that the oil pan and trans are well protected!