Jeep JK Write-Ups

IPF 920H4 Jeep JK Wrangler Headlights
Installation Write-Up & Testing

December 2, 2009 Cindy 17
As much as I absolutely love my Jeep JK Wrangler, I have to say that there’s one thing that has always bugged me and for whatever it’s worth, it’s something that bugs pretty much everyone else I know who owns a JK too. In a word, the factory headlights are simply TERRIBLE. While they appear to be very shiney, the actual beam they put out is very yellow and narrow and more times than not, I feel as though they aren’t even on. In fact, most people I know insist that they have to run their fog lights at night in order for them to see where they’re going.

Jeep JK Wrangler 42RLE
Automatic Transmission Service

September 21, 2009 Cindy 36
Changing out your Jeep JK Wrangler’s 42RLE Automatic Transmission fluid and filter is something you should do as a good part of regular maintenance. And, while doing this isn’t something as easy as a normal engine oil change where you basically pull a drain plug, swap out an external filter and refill with oil when done, it certainly isn’t a difficult job and doing it yourself can save you a lot of money. Of course, having the right tools will make all the difference and as is the case with all my write-ups, I have included a complete list of everything you will need to make this job go without a hitch.

Mastercraft Baja RS Suspension Seats
Jeep JK Wrangler Installation Write-up

September 8, 2009 Cindy 9
When you’re finally fed up with your factory seats and are ready to upgrade to something designed for champion off-road racers, a set of Mastercraft Baja RS Suspension Seats is what you’re gonna want!!

Heavy duty and quality built, Mastercraft Baja RS Suspension Seats are super comfortable, recline to 9 different positions from tilt forward to full recline and fits up to a 40" wasteline comfortably and safely. In addition to being able to accomodate a 5-point safety restraint system, it can also be used with the factory 3-point system as well. Maybe the best part of all is that they can be customized to your taste and are available in 6 popular color combinations: All Black, All Grey, Red and Black, Blue and Black, Grey and Black, Desert Tan and Haze.

Old Man Emu Jeep JK Wrangler
3″ Long Travel Lift Kit Installation Write-Up

July 9, 2009 Cindy 23
If you’re looking for a basic lift to get your Jeep JK Wrangler up on a set of 35" tires, few lift kits today offer the components you really should have to keep your ride and handling performing well both on and off the pavement. Of course, you can buy a complete kit that comes with all the bells and whistles but then, they also cost considerably more. Needless to say, it is for this reason that Northridge4x4 has put together their own Old Man Emu Long Travel Lift Kit which includes the bare essentials that you really should have on a JK with 3" of lift.

Rancho Rock Gear Jeep JK Wrangler
Oil Pan Skid Plate Installation Write-Up

July 7, 2009 Cindy 13
While the all new Jeep JK Wrangler does come complete with skid plates for the transmission, transfer case and gas tank and all of which are more than adequate for hard trail use, for some reason, Chrysler decided to leave the oil pan completely exposed. Of course, left unprotected, a significant hit to your oil pan can immobilize your Jeep and leave you walking.

Rock Krawler Jeep JK Wrangler
Heavy Duty Tie Rod Installation Write-Up

June 7, 2009 Cindy 7
If you’ve just gone wheeling and your steering wheel is now off center, odds are you have a bent tie rod. Unfortunately, the factory tie rod is very weak and from what I have seen, can bend up and back from just a light hit to a rock or, in my case, can bend out and forward just from the torque and stresses of your front wheels when climbing up an obstacle. And, being that your tie rod is a part of your steering system, a slight bend in it will cause the position of your steering wheel to change. Of course, if the bend is slight, a simple adjustment to your toe and drag link can re-center your steering wheel without any problem. However, if the bend is significant, it can cause your toe to be significantly off and enough so that it cannot be corrected enough for safe driving. Likewise, a significant bend will cause your steering stabilizer to make contact with other components and interfere with your steering.

Jeep JK Wrangler Torque Settings

March 2, 2009 Cindy 24
As a part of routine maintenance or anytime that you work on your Jeep JK Wrangler, it is important that you tighten any bolt and/or nut that gets removed back to the appropriate torque settings as is outlined by the Factory Service Manual. Obviously, failure to get a bolt and/or nut tightened enough can result in them eventually coming loose and while that can be a real problem, tightening them too much can also be a problem as you can run the risk of breaking them. Needless to say, knowing the proper torque setting for each bolt and nut on your JK is important to know and the list below should help you to know just how much you should be tightening them to.

Jeep JK Wrangler Factory Fender Chop

February 11, 2009 Cindy 59
Even after installing a tall suspension lift, fender rub is a common problem that many Jeep owners suffer from especially if you’re running wide tires and/or have wheels with very little backspacing. Now, the easy answer to fixing this problem would be to install taller bump stop extensions, add more suspension lift or maybe install a body lift. However, by going higher, you also raise your Jeep’s center of gravity and that isn’t going to do a whole lot to help you out on the trail. So, what is one to do? I say, chop your fenders!

Jeep JK Wrangler Maintenance
Emergency/Parking Hand Brake Adjustment

February 6, 2009 Cindy 43
Are you finding that you are having to pull up on your Jeep JK Wrangler’s emergency/parking hand brake higher and higher in order to get it to work? Or, are you finding that even after pulling it up as high as you can, your JK still tends to roll on an incline? Unfortuantely, it is not uncommon for your JK’s e-brake to lose its effectiveness over time but fortunately, there is a way to make adjustments to it with simple tools and with relative ease.

TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler
4″ Flex Arm Lift Installation Write-Up

February 2, 2009 Cindy 33
Contrary to what many seem to think, if you want to get your Jeep JK Wrangler up on a set of 37" tires, you DO NOT need to install a long arm suspension lift kit. Unlike the TJ Wrangler before, the factory length JK control arms are more than long enough to handle the lift you will need to clear 37’s and do it without compromising the quality of your ride. And, if you’re looking for a good short arm lift kit that’ll get you to where you need to be and without the need for anything else, you’re going to want to get a TeraFlex JK 4" Flex Arm Lift.

Rough Country Jeep JK Wrangler
Dual Steering Stabilizer Installation Write-Up

November 13, 2008 Cindy 17
After lifting your Jeep JK Wrangler and installing much bigger tires, you may experience a noticeable increase in the amount of bump steer you have when playing out on the trail. This is of course completely normal as the size of your tires will exaggerate bump steer and a good way to help dampen it is to install a heavy duty steering stabilizer. Or, if you really want maximum dampening, I would recommend picking up a heavy duty dual Steering Stabilizer setup like the kind that Rough Country makes.

TeraFlex Jeep JK Wrangler Heavy Duty
Steering Stabilizer Installation Write-Up

November 1, 2008 Cindy 10
Due to it’s location and proximity to the ground, smashing a factory steering stabilizer on the trail isn’t something that’s uncommon to JK’s. In fact, most of the people I know have trashed theirs at least once including me. Fortunately for us, a steering stabilizer is easy to replace and not too costly. And, rather than just replacing your factory steering stabilizer with another, I decided to upgrade mine to a heavy duty one made by TeraFlex.