2005 LJR Flame Red

[Brannon D]

That's the stuff I got. So... you also had that chugging sound going on? I've had zero temperature issues aside from that one climb. The needle sits a little north of center all the time. The only time I run the AC is to exercise it.

I do not envy you dealing with that traffic daily. I'll have a week of it later this month, and that'll do me for the rest of the year.

I'm not recalling a "chugging" sound so I would have to hear what your talking about to be sure. To be fair, my jeeps makes alot of sounds, they can't all be good lol. My temp needle now sits right below center during light driving, or on center when its warm out. Rarely goes over unless its the most stressful conditions. Before I Flushed it, it used to do what you said. The needle sat above center all the time and would creep up in heat, traffic, etc. It definitely can happen again and may start happening more frequently as times goes on. Mine did it once and didn't do it for a while, but then it started happening often in traffic so i had to flush. Enjoy your traffic free year

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Yeah, I'll have a look at the fan and try to find time for the flush. My summer is chock full between work, a couple of family trips, and home projects. I have to finish the stairs for the deck I built last year... around 26-30 linear width of stairway going around a corner. Need to pour slabs, build boxes, blah blah blah...

You've got BDR stickers!! I was supposed to do the NEBDR last year with a small group of guys, but I picked up a bad bug and got knocked down for a couple of days. Sunday was a nice day too, did a few hundred road miles on the GS to get lunch with my brother.

I've done a bunch of BDR's. Climbed Mt. Washington while doing the NEBDR. That was during covid and the Canadian Border was closed, but we did get pictures at the border crossing. The Adirondacks are beautiful. That's me in the front:


View: %5BURL%5Dhttps://youtu.be/zDtX2WW2iUs?is=PwKiDdHBFwbkw2jV[/URL]

 

[DeltaNu1142]

6/20/2026
152,912 miles

Oil change, Valvoline 10W-30 and Boss Purolator filter. Nothing noteworthy.

I started gathering all the gear to flat tow: tow bar, hitch riser, bumper adapters, brake, breakaway tether, magnetic lights. Planning to test it out behind my F-150 during a trip over the 4th. Going to run the aux power from the 7-pin harness through a 15A fuse and into the cigarette lighter socket in parallel with the power to the BrakeBuddy to keep the Jeep battery topped up.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

6/29/2026
153,019 miles

I'm under the gun for a flat-tow setup... if the weather holds, I'll be towing north the day after tomorrow. The hitch is set up, the brake is tested, and all that's left is the electrical stuff. Today I ran the Curt Custom Towed-Vehicle Wiring Harness that @Rut Row suggested from the Jeep's tail lights, over the gas tank, along the driver side with the rest of the wiring and then up into the front bumper, with at least three feet to spare. That gives me a 4-pin connector up front.

I've abandoned the plan to run aux power into the cab. So tomorrow I'm going to fab up a mount for a round 6-pin plug up near the winch and wire the 4-pin into that, then run the power and ground up into the engine bay. I'll connect it to the fused SAE plug I use for trickle charging, and that'll mean 1) my battery will stay topped up while driving, 2) I don't have to punch any new holes, and 3) I'll have a fused power port on the front bumper! I'll have to start making up 6-pin plugs for stuff. Gonna have to see where I can pick up a 12V blender for trail margaritas...

I also punched a new hole in the firewall grommet for my breakaway cable hookup. I guess that'll just hang loose in the cab when I'm not towing... I'll probably tuck it under the carpet or stuff it under the center console.

 

[Rut Row]

I also punched a new hole in the firewall grommet for my breakaway cable hookup. I guess that'll just hang loose in the cab when I'm not towing... I'll probably tuck it under the carpet or stuff it under the center console.

I'm going to install one of these in the lower part of the dash for the breakaway

 

[DeltaNu1142]

I'm going to install one of these in the lower part of the dash for the breakaway

That's a great idea. I'll likely steal that. But I'd want something that's the same on both ends (5.5mm x 2.5mm)... so, something like this.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

I put the TrekTop sides and back on in preparation for flat towing later today or tomorrow. They used to say, 'take a picture, it'll last longer...' It's never been more true. I will never put this thing on again after it comes off after my return tow if I can avoid it. What a PITA.

I put more details about the flat-tow setup here.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

July 13, 2026
153,129 miles

My 700-mile round-trip flat tow went just fine. Mixed highway & secondary roads. No issues.

I'm nearly done with my rear deck. I started lining the bottom side with joist tape, because I wanted some way to keep the carpet from fraying and I had some on hand... a few feet too short, unfortunately. I'll snag some from a friend.

All that's left to do is add some L-track to the top for tie-downs.

 

[lBasket]

July 13, 2026
153,129 miles

My 700-mile round-trip flat tow went just fine. Mixed highway & secondary roads. No issues.

I'm nearly done with my rear deck. I started lining the bottom side with joist tape, because I wanted some way to keep the carpet from fraying and I had some on hand... a few feet too short, unfortunately. I'll snag some from a friend.

View attachment 699512

All that's left to do is add some L-track to the top for tie-downs.

View attachment 699513

View attachment 699514

That looks great

 

[DeltaNu1142]

7/17/2026

I removed my knee bolster and moved my mods over to one I pulled from a scrap yard. This one's in better shape; the retention clips are intact and it didn't have any extra holes in it. Mainly, I wanted to move my relay board because the other one got in the way of the panel fitting up. I also added a port for my flat-tow breakaway cable. I just need to solder up the Jeep-side harness for the breakaway wiring and plug it all back in.