Wildman's TJ is getting a face lift

[TJosh02]

Thanks Jeff for all the help & support. We're getting close now can't ya feel it? Damn I might actually have a running working Jeep before the end of the year.... Knock on wood... I'd better not jinx myself here.

Yes the Lowrance software was always a PITA. I spent days loading the Moab trails into mine and then when I got there none of them worked like they were supposed to. Now the software that mine uses will only run on a computer that has Windows XP on it. So that is why I'm looking to upgrade to something hew.
Yes I have Garmin Zumo on my current bike and I had it on previous bikes too. I even had one of their GPS units in my old truck. The Kenwood in my motorhome has Garmin on it too.
The Insane Audio stereo I have allows me to run apps like OnX and AllTrails.
I've looked at the Garmin Tread before so I will go take another look at it.


Just got an email from UPS saying my heads are going to arrive on Monday instead of Tuesday like originally stated so I might be pulling a marathon work party once they get here. Then I'll hate to have to leave to go work on the nieces truck but I promised. And she needs her rig running.

I might be over my skis as I didn't read closely enough, but here we tend (and defo me) use GAIA, cause it is a bit more friendly with gpx files we get elsewhere and other 3rd party plugins like Back Country Map Book's layers. [here in Ontario if you pay $25/year you get gpx files of all the sanctioned trails in Central Ontario (where they all are), and they almost never change year to year; I've done 70% of the medium and up trails] I pay for the annual service to get all the features, but even the free version is pretty nice.

I am taking a pointer from someone in my Jeep club. I am retiring a Samsung S8+ after over a decade (still does better photos than my S23 FE, I "upgraded to") and using it as a dedicated apps screen in my Jeep. He had ran his as an OBD2 reader, but I have a device for that, so it is likely going to be a dedicated maps screen, provided the GPS works well enough without SIM card.

I am not yet sold on OnX. It covers basically nothing in my area. They started a trial in my area as "trail guides" to get free service for submitting trails. So far the trails submitted are horribly wrong. I lead a bunch here for our club. I've done the ones in question numerous times. The ones I submitted are still pending and the corrections I submitted for erroneous off trail portions and highway portions of trails have been ignored. Hopefully it is just a yet to catch up thing, but we are on weeks so far.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I might be over my skis as I didn't read closely enough, but here we tend (and defo me) use GAIA, cause it is a bit more friendly with gpx files we get elsewhere and other 3rd party plugins like Back Country Map Book's layers. [here in Ontario if you pay $25/year you get gpx files of all the sanctioned trails in Central Ontario (where they all are), and they almost never change year to year; I've done 70% of the medium and up trails] I pay for the annual service to get all the features, but even the free version is pretty nice.

I am taking a pointer from someone in my Jeep club. I am retiring a Samsung S8+ after over a decade (still does better photos than my S23 FE, I "upgraded to") and using it as a dedicated apps screen in my Jeep. He had ran his as an OBD2 reader, but I have a device for that, so it is likely going to be a dedicated maps screen, provided the GPS works well enough without SIM card.

I am not yet sold on OnX. It covers basically nothing in my area. They started a trial in my area as "trail guides" to get free service for submitting trails. So far the trails submitted are horribly wrong. I lead a bunch here for our club. I've done the ones in question numerous times. The ones I submitted are still pending and the corrections I submitted for erroneous off trail portions and highway portions of trails have been ignored. Hopefully it is just a yet to catch up thing, but we are on weeks so far.

I've heard good things about GIAA as well. I believe @Apparition runs it.

 

[Wildman]

I might be over my skis as I didn't read closely enough, but here we tend (and defo me) use GAIA, cause it is a bit more friendly with gpx files we get elsewhere and other 3rd party plugins like Back Country Map Book's layers. [here in Ontario if you pay $25/year you get gpx files of all the sanctioned trails in Central Ontario (where they all are), and they almost never change year to year; I've done 70% of the medium and up trails] I pay for the annual service to get all the features, but even the free version is pretty nice.

I am taking a pointer from someone in my Jeep club. I am retiring a Samsung S8+ after over a decade (still does better photos than my S23 FE, I "upgraded to") and using it as a dedicated apps screen in my Jeep. He had ran his as an OBD2 reader, but I have a device for that, so it is likely going to be a dedicated maps screen, provided the GPS works well enough without SIM card.

I am not yet sold on OnX. It covers basically nothing in my area. They started a trial in my area as "trail guides" to get free service for submitting trails. So far the trails submitted are horribly wrong. I lead a bunch here for our club. I've done the ones in question numerous times. The ones I submitted are still pending and the corrections I submitted for erroneous off trail portions and highway portions of trails have been ignored. Hopefully it is just a yet to catch up thing, but we are on weeks so far.

I've thought about just using a old tablet & getting a nice rugged case for it but I'm just not sure about them as a dedicated GPS device. I've got to look at this as a possibility also. I know some folks who use them without any issues but then I also know others who have had issues.

I'm not in a hurry to purchase anything just yet so I've got time to investigate my options. I do know with my eye sight not being what it used to be I was a 8" or larger screen.

I've heard good things about GIAA as well. I believe @Apparition runs it.

I think you're correct.

 

[Wildman]

Motor mounts are painted and a second coat of paint is applied to them.

 

[TJosh02]

when it comes to apps, I am more of a fan of open source. It means you aren't stuck with outdated wares. I code a lot in python for my job. I am not a developer per se, but I don't like doing mundane tasks over and again, so I learned to code. Python is open source (most languages have moved that way) and it means continual updates, etc. I use the same attitude for recreation.

 

[TJosh02]

I've thought about just using a old tablet & getting a nice rugged case for it but I'm just not sure about them as a dedicated GPS device. I've got to look at this as a possibility also. I know some folks who use them without any issues but then I also know others who have had issues.

I'm not in a hurry to purchase anything just yet so I've got time to investigate my options. I do know with my eye sight not being what it used to be I was a 8" or larger screen.



I think you're correct.

Try an old phone first. Which is what I am doing. If that doesn't work, a tablet isn't going to work. However in the PNW, you have pretty good SAT coverage. Way up north in Ontario where our trails are (relatively speaking) there isn't any cell service, or data, only some SAT.

 

[Apparition]

I've heard good things about GIAA as well. I believe @Apparition runs it.

I have. It works well.

Recently I’ve switched to OnX though as it’s simple and has the trails on it I run. I keep both loaded to use but I stopped paying for Gaia. I’ve got really good deals on my OnX subscriptions.

 

[TJosh02]

I have. It works well.

Recently I’ve switched to OnX though as it’s simple and has the trails on it I run. I keep both loaded to use but I stopped paying for Gaia. I’ve got really good deals on my OnX subscriptions.

Here, OnX hasn't caught up yet. I'd probably switch if they had. GIAA or GAIA, it still better and far cheaper. But use what you have for sure! That is why I suggested using an old Android phone to test it out. I thought about buying a dedicated android tablet, but I haven't found the long term app yet, so no point paying for legacy wares.

 

[Wildman]

Decided I'd test fit the York mount bracket from JeepSpeed Shop.
I'm glad I did because I either need a different head or a different York. The suction side of the York needs to be on the top and currently it's on the bottom.

So I've got a call into ORO asking Steve what my options are.

 

[Wildman]

After I'd put the engine back on the engine stand I was looking at the rusty flex plate and decided it wasn't going to cut it. So I pulled it off and spent some in the bead blast cabinet.

Then some Flat Aluminum paint and it's looking better.

Yes I've got a few runs in the paint. I'll fix them before I reinstall the flex plate.

 

[Wildman]

Got some of the A/C parts today. New condenser and A/C pump. Plus a new tensioner and idler pulley.

My A/C tools will be here early next week. Once the Jeep is running I'll worry about getting the rest of the parts for A/C. But I needed the condenser and A/C pump now. No sense in having to pull the radiator again to install the condenser. And needed the pump as I assembled the engine.

 

[lowell66dart]

Got some of the A/C parts today. New condenser and A/C pump. Plus a new tensioner and idler pulley.

View attachment 540516

My A/C tools will be here early next week. Once the Jeep is running I'll worry about getting the rest of the parts for A/C. But I needed the condenser and A/C pump now. No sense in having to pull the radiator again to install the condenser. And needed the pump as I assembled the engine.

Are you going to make your own lines?

 

[Wildman]

Are you going to make your own lines?

Yes, I bought a crimping tool and vacuum pump & a gauge kit. My A/C was removed when I had the Magnum swap done. The shop that did it was supposed to hook the A/C back up but never did. I'd always planned to reinstall it but never did. I figure this was a good excuse to finally get it hooked back up. And with these V-8 swaps obviously most of the stock stuff will not fit/work. The accumulator on my 4 cyl was right next to the firewall but wouldn't fit there now.
Red Rock wants about $800 for a kit to install A/C on your rig after a Hemi swap so I figured with buying all the tools and parts I'll come in a little less than that. Plus I'll now have the tools to repair or service my A/C systems. My truck has A/C but it doesn't work & my daughters TJ has A/C but the compressor is bad. So I'll be money ahead once I'm done repairing all of these rigs.

 

[reddvltj]

Decided I'd test fit the York mount bracket from JeepSpeed Shop.
I'm glad I did because I either need a different head or a different York. The suction side of the York needs to be on the top and currently it's on the bottom.

View attachment 540481

View attachment 540482

So I've got a call into ORO asking Steve what my options are.

Is the York I got from you identical, or do I need to go look to see if the head is reversed?

 

[Wildman]

Is the York I got from you identical, or do I need to go look to see if the head is reversed?

It wouldn't matter since the one I have is the new design from ORO that is supposed to be better. The head from what I found is what makes it a right or left suction pump so it shouldn't be that hard to swap out.

Edit: If my memory is correct it's a left side suction just like the one I have now.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Yes, I bought a crimping tool and vacuum pump & a gauge kit. My A/C was removed when I had the Magnum swap done. The shop that did it was supposed to hook the A/C back up but never did. I'd always planned to reinstall it but never did. I figure this was a good excuse to finally get it hooked back up. And with these V-8 swaps obviously most of the stock stuff will not fit/work. The accumulator on my 4 cyl was right next to the firewall but wouldn't fit there now.
Red Rock wants about $800 for a kit to install A/C on your rig after a Hemi swap so I figured with buying all the tools and parts I'll come in a little less than that. Plus I'll now have the tools to repair or service my A/C systems. My truck has A/C but it doesn't work & my daughters TJ has A/C but the compressor is bad. So I'll be money ahead once I'm done repairing all of these rigs.

Good call, Richardo. I use my A/C stuff way more often than I ever expected I would. Never once regretted buying all the stuff. And crimping A/C lines is pretty cool.

 

[Wildman]

Good call, Richardo. I use my A/C stuff way more often than I ever expected I would. Never once regretted buying all the stuff. And crimping A/C lines is pretty cool.

It's been YEARS since I've done any A/C work so I've been trying to bone up on what I'm doing. I'm sure after I screw up a few times it'll start to come back to me. I need to get some A/C flush and start flushing my evaporator a few times. I've had the bulkhead lines taped off since I did the Magnum swap but I'm sure stuff still got in there. Fingers crossed that I don't have to change it out.


Working on some of the RV A/C systems I used to work on could really be a challenge and there were times I couldn't ever get them working to 100%. These were the chassis A/C not the roof units. On the Freightliner & Spartan chassis you never knew what you were going to get since it came into the RV factory as just a frame.

 

[Wildman]

Not that anyone will see it but this is a lot better.

 

[Wildman]

Waiting on parts to arrive, and like always SHIT happens. Looks like UPS had mechanical issues with ONE of the trucks that was transporting my heads.....
So one will arrive tomorrow and the other one won't arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday. Funny thing is that both were scanned into the Spokane regional center early Friday morning.

So I've been researching and watching A/C videos plus being bored found this....

 

[AirborneTexasRanger]

This guy is pretty funny