What did you do to your Jeep today?

[Fen]

Got the front back on the floor with a lift in - at last.

Not massively happy however. I have ended up with the OME one after being led to believe another was in stock in NZ only to find it was going to be ordered from the US for me (which, let's face it, I can do for myself). I then thought I had a Rubicon Express 3.5" coming from the States only to have some confusion about shipping that resulted in my cancelling ($1,000 US seemed a bit steep for shipping!). Next I looked at Wooders prices for RE from Aussie, but they must only sell diamond encrusted versions looking at their prices.

In desperation as the XJ had been in the garage on stands with no suspension for a week and I still had no replacement parts organised I picked up the OME kit yesterday and had the front done and the rear shocks on before I got an email saying the shipping quote for the RE kit from the US was wrong and actually would have been within $50 or so of what I had expected. Grrrrr.

Anyway, my plan is now to add one of the leaves from my original rears into the OME packs, see where that puts the rear and then get a suitable spacer to level the front

[yeti]

well after putting new ac pump in, new tappet cover gasket , new rubber,fresh oil in diffs and the wee incident with the window..the transfer case in making some horrible noise, like something really tight in there, squeaking... bearing and i still waiting for parts to arrive......i tell ya this thing is gonna get me divorced

[RJ]

Definitely getting there, but do we ever reach "there"

Well isn't that the question! I am really starting to think not, but hey its a jeep thing, so its ok! I guess like any motor sport you just keep replacing stuff or making it better, its just what you do. I was saying to Mark only yesterday " winch and 33's, thats it" then we started talking lockers and well the list continues to grow.

Which adjustable rear trac bar did you get

It was from Wooders, diamond tipped with the gold edging. No not really, funny enough its a non branded item. No logos no marks, nothing. Happy with it, the back end looks a bit straighter, so that can only be good. Makes a hell of a difference when driving now, she doesn't rear up in the front left when you take off. So all good.

I told Mark about TyreKing asking $1100 for a set of four 15x8 Cragar Soft 8s - highway robbery I say (unless they are gold plated rather than painted black).

So I heard. I have just missed out on bringing a set in from Canada without freight costs. Gutted. A cousin has packed up and heading home. Just didn't get it together fast enough. I have managed to acquire, through Mark, 1 15x8 steel rim. Now just need to find another 4. I was talking to a guy who said if we can find enough people we should be able to bring some in from Aus. I priced a set of 5 out of Aus and not much cheaper than here once you add freight etc. You might try Drury tyres they were getting pretty sharp with the price when I last spoke to them. I did tell them I would do tyres and rims, guess that helps.

Didn't know there was a clearcoat on the rims, I just give them a touch up every now and then with the spray can. Just keeps them looking pretty till I sort these rims! Let me know if you track down some rims. Maybe we can do a double set to help reduce costs!

[Fen]

What's the right price for steelies? I got a set on the XJ last week for $90 each which I figured might not be cheap as chips but they were on the shelf and not outrageous. Mine are 15x7 and they only had silver, but I think the pricing was the same for 15x8 also and they'll easily paint black. There's also a guy on TM knocking them out in Upper Hutt for the same money but he only has 8" and with the offset they'd have been right outside the XJ's flares; might be OK for a TJ though.

[xj]

What's the right price for steelies? I got a set on the XJ last week for $90 each which I figured might not be cheap as chips but they were on the shelf and not outrageous. Mine are 15x7 and they only had silver, but I think the pricing was the same for 15x8 also and they'll easily paint black. There's also a guy on TM knocking them out in Upper Hutt for the same money but he only has 8" and with the offset they'd have been right outside the XJ's flares; might be OK for a TJ though.

Fen, who did you get your 15x7's off? if he's got 8's id been keen to have a chat, bacause in past experience 15x7 in our PCD are easy to find, 15x8's in 114.3 are nigh on impossible. The bloke/s on TM arent doing them in 114.3. (unless something has come up recently, im still without a computer) Last one i got was a replacement spare after mine was stolen, at $110.00, and was the last one Drury tyres had. They can be obtained for $160.00 to $180.00 each through various places (4wd accessories, Drury tyres etc)
I spoke to BG world wheels in Auck & Speedy in Well 12 months ago and they werent in a position to help then, and only a few weeks ago spoke to Speedys again and the status quo remained.

On a side note, fitted the emended cage on Saturday and it managed to fit. Will post pics when i get my Hard Drive back.

[RJ]

What's the right price for steelies? I got a set on the XJ last week for $90 each which I figured might not be cheap as chips but they were on the shelf and not outrageous. Mine are 15x7 and they only had silver, but I think the pricing was the same for 15x8 also and they'll easily paint black. There's also a guy on TM knocking them out in Upper Hutt for the same money but he only has 8" and with the offset they'd have been right outside the XJ's flares; might be OK for a TJ though.

Hi fen,

As per xj's comments the cheap steel wheel in a 15x8 for a TJ with the right offset is not easy to find. I bought a set of 15x8's for my mitsi, don't laugh, just on a year ago and paid about $85 a rim, new. Seems for a TJ with right PCD and offset they now suddenly want $160, or there abouts, per rim. You can't tell me this is all related to the dollar, surely. It appears that the suppliers here are not importing the cheap rims, which for a TJ owner forces you into Cragar soft 8's, or what ever they are called. The cheap ones are still being bought into Aussie, so why not here?. I have been pricing buying and freighting a set in from Aussie, but alas still works out at about $180, or there abouts per rim. I guess at the end of the day I bite the bullet and buy some Cragars, or just wait for something to turn up second hand. I have looked at spacers and changing PCD to open up my options but the cost is rather high. Let me know if you track some down or come up with any ideas.

[Fen]

I got mine at Dave Hadley Tyres in Lower Hutt. I got the impression they had 15x8 on the shelf the same as they had my 15x7 in the right fitment.

Also about 2-3 weeks ago the guy selling the ones in the link below had some with the right PCD and -24 offset that I nearly bought, then thought better of it as they would have been outside my flare by a fair bit. I realise the link is to 6 stud wheels, so it's only a link to the same trader.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 723683.htm

[RJ]

Hi Fen

I got mine at Dave Hadley Tyres in Lower Hutt. I got the impression they had 15x8 on the shelf the same as they had my 15x7 in the right fitment.

Have emailed these guys to see if they can help.

Also about 2-3 weeks ago the guy selling the ones in the link below had some with the right PCD and -24 offset that I nearly bought, then thought better of it as they would have been outside my flare by a fair bit. I realise the link is to 6 stud wheels, so it's only a link to the same trader.

Pretty sure I asked the question of these guys on TM in the past, but will check again.
Cheers.

[TJ]

This looks like a good deal on trademe:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 421277.htm

I have no connection with the guy selling it, but thought some fellow Jeeper might be interested.

I am already running a JB Conversion Super Shorty and Tom Wood rear driveshaft, so this is of no interest to me (don't worry, I won't bid).

[TJ]

The check engine light had come back on after a couple of days, but this time a different code (P0138). This implied the O2 sensor was bad. Yep, new out of the box sensor was bad. Had it replaced again on Saturday and now all seems fine.

[Fen]

I hate faulty new parts.

I got my lift fitted. The front was done last week and the rear shocks were on, but this weekend I got the rear springs off, made up the new packs to be a bit higher using the second leaf from the originals and refitted. Most difficult part of the job: refitting the sodding tow bar which had to come off to get the bolts out of the shackles.

Now it sits about right at the back and close to 1" too low at the front so I'll space the coils a bit.

After Wooders failed to get me a shipping quote for a whole week, I'm trying the US again for disconnects. What is it about shipping quotes for Jeep bits to NZ that's so difficult?

[yeti]

what years your xj fen?? mines 95 and am having trouble getting the right parts...ie order brake shoes for 95 , wrong ones sent...new rear window, smiths glass to fit ,talked to them told them the year and numbers so they could match tint ,no problem have in stock will fit Monday... get a call this morning and they say window wont fit..took pics and had a measure up and see if they can find on to fit mine..last week went and got a gasket ,and again i asked for a 95 xj and again i got wrong part. i stood there why they looked up on the computer for part and was asked a couple of times what year and again no go...strange , now some says 95 may be a cross over year for parts to change. any thoughts any one.. and again i wait for parts o and it is defintery a 95 ..... time to paint it yellow.....cheers wayne

[Flash2004]

I don't want to tempt fate, but after featuring in almost every monthly club mag in a new photo working under the TJ on the trail I have now managed four hard runs, including two rounds of club champs (class win in both), and Pureora, without putting a spanner on the beast! If I had put everything I've had to repair in this thread over the past two years it would be double the length. What a relief! Everyone seen Greg's new website? www.offroadspecialties.co.nz

[xj]

I don't want to tempt fate, but after featuring in almost every monthly club mag in a new photo working under the TJ on the trail I have now managed four hard runs, including two rounds of club champs (class win in both), and Pureora, without putting a spanner on the beast! If I had put everything I've had to repair in this thread over the past two years it would be double the length. What a relief! Everyone seen Greg's new website? http://www.offroadspecialties.co.nz

I have flicked his website address to all the NZ JEEP CLUB crew. Seriously, i have had (i thought it was 2, but its getting on to nearing 4) years of nothing but outstanding service from Greg, at very reasonable prices. I dont know why more people dont give him a go.

Gordon, stop skiting, your bringing out my inferiority complex again!!!

Mark

[Fen]

I wanted to use Greg over the weekend, but ORE was down and he doesn't have anything on TM just now so I couldn't get in touch...

Mine's a '96, Wayne, but the parts I've been struggling with have all been modification ones.

[xj]

Fen, PM sent. I have a parts list here if you cant get in touch with him at any time. He was getting sick of me bugging him about parts so circumvented the process, gave in, and sent me a stock list. Mind you that is a few weeks old now.

[TJ]

Good website. I do contact Greg first. Second port of call is Dave (Wooders). If no joy from either, then I go to US websites for ordering directly. Unfortunately, Greg doesn't carry many items for WGs. I had asked him about brake pads and rotors. I normally end up sending him a text.

[Fen]

Cheers XJ. I did look at the website after I posted last and it looks fine. Small inventory listed however especially from an XJ owner's viewpoint. I'll save his contact details this time!

I'm afraid I gave up on Wooders after placing an order that they confirmed and then didn't get back to me on shipping for (or at least haven't yet and it's now 10 days since I placed it). I know I could have chased them but I consider that if a company is piss poor at pre-sales then what are they going to be like at after-sales if I need them?

I'm now sitting on a stupid shipping quote (US$124) for JKS disconnects and an extended rear brake line from Quadratec which isn't appealing, but then having the kit in less than a week and therefore actually being able to drive my Jeep again is. I'll see how quickly I can get that stuff via Greg before I commit. Wooders I'm afraid I don't think I'll be bothering with again, especially as their pricing didn't look all that keen to me in comparison to Quadratec + trans Pacific shipping for some other stuff.

[Flash2004]

Cheers XJ. I did look at the website after I posted last and it looks fine. Small inventory listed however especially from an XJ owner's viewpoint. I'll save his contact details this time!

I'm afraid I gave up on Wooders after placing an order that they confirmed and then didn't get back to me on shipping for (or at least haven't yet and it's now 10 days since I placed it). I know I could have chased them but I consider that if a company is piss poor at pre-sales then what are they going to be like at after-sales if I need them?

I'm now sitting on a stupid shipping quote (US$124) for JKS disconnects and an extended rear brake line from Quadratec which isn't appealing, but then having the kit in less than a week and therefore actually being able to drive my Jeep again is. I'll see how quickly I can get that stuff via Greg before I commit. Wooders I'm afraid I don't think I'll be bothering with again, especially as their pricing didn't look all that keen to me in comparison to Quadratec + trans Pacific shipping for some other stuff.

Greg is getting his listings up as quickly as he can so I guess we'll see how comprehensive it is when he's finished, but I guess its a huge job. He's thinking about putting a trading post section on there too where we can list our own surplus Jeep stuff.

[Fen]

Cool. I've contatced him to see if he has (or can get quickly) what I need in the hope that he has more than is listed on there.

[RJ]

Cool. I've contatced him to see if he has (or can get quickly) what I need in the hope that he has more than is listed on there.

Hi Fen, I have been using Greg, via xj, for a while now. Great service and fast. Most stuff I have ordered has been delivered in a couple of days. I have checked out his new web site and he has got a far greater range than shown on the site. I assume he is still building the site and getting the different stock loaded on there.

As per TJ's comments I do much the same: Start with Greg, if no joy, then head for Wooders and after: well you know the rest.

Cheers
Rod

[TJ]

The problem with Wooders, you have to call him up to get the freight. I have dealt with him a number of times and he has been most helpful and quick with shipping (usually the same day). As for Greg, he is good as well but the choices are limited for me.

I have also used www.buyusa.co.nz to get things across from US where the original vendor was not able to ship overseas. Works very well. Quadratec is usually a little high on shipping because they don't do USPS. Try summitracing.com, they do USPS but don't know whether they stock what you are after.

For JKS stuff, try www.rokmen.com. They are probably the best people I have dealt with, but they can't ship overseas directly (hence buyusa).

[Fen]

Thanks guys. Greg has got back to me but unfortunately he hasn't got stock of either of the items I was after.

I could call Wooders, but to be honest if you offer an on-line ordering service then it should work and it doesn't say anywhere that you need to ring for international. I also much prefer to to have things in writing to make up for my crappy memory.

[TJ]

Thanks guys. Greg has got back to me but unfortunately he hasn't got stock of either of the items I was after.

I could call Wooders, but to be honest if you offer an on-line ordering service then it should work and it doesn't say anywhere that you need to ring for international. I also much prefer to to have things in writing to make up for my crappy memory.

One more thing, prices listed on Wooders website are retail. When you talk to him and what he actually charges is a bit less (or at least in my experience it was). However, often I end up going to a US supplier and consolidate my orders.

[Fen]

Took it for a WoF, which it failed on rear brake imbalance. It failed again after I adjusted up the drums so it will be tomorrow's job to see if a wheel cylinder is sticking.

[xj]

Took the wagon for a little stretch test......

Example of swaybar connected (limiting factor for the exercise was stopping once the LF tyre left the ground)


And with swaybar disconnected (again stopping once LF tyre left the ground)


Could have easily carried on up as the rears still had a ways to go before either hitting the inner or leaving the ground

[Flash2004]

Skite!

[xj]

Skite!

Hardly. With your long arms youd get at least half that again wouldnt you? Bryan cheated, he went right up to the sides of the deck, but had his RF 6 inches off the ground yet still claimed victory. He'll keep.

[yeti]

new rear window put in today, plus new steering damper....and still waiting for parts ,this week some time i hope..and as usual on my shitter fix something and something else shits itself...drivers side window wont work now, no biggie just a pain ....

[RJ]

new rear window put in today, plus new steering damper....and still waiting for parts ,this week some time i hope..and as usual on my shitter fix something and something else shits itself...drivers side window wont work now, no biggie just a pain ....

All you can say is "its a jeep thing".