I bought more pushrods.

"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
04/19/2016 at 23:58 • Filed to: None

I now have 40 pushrods in the fleet. Pictured is 24 of them, along with most of the driven wheels and all of the Chrysler-ness. I bought a 2000 Jeep Grand Minivan to drive while my beloved 91 XJ (and it’s rusty roof shovel) goes under the knife for engine transplant surgery.

I’ve never driven a WJ before this one, but even this beat-to-death example rides shockingly well compared with the XJ lumber cart. I like it more than I expected. We’re going to find out how well it bounces off trees and swims in a couple weeks because Cheap Jeep!

DISCUSSION (19)

HammerheadFistpunch > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 00:38

Always liked the WJ

M54B30 > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 01:29

Had a 2001 with the V8. Loved every minute of it.

Even was running fine when my wife drove it 3 weeks with about 1 qt of oil in the crank case. Had some bearing noise which she confused with the usual valve clatter on cold days until one day I heard it from inside the house. Shit happens but i still keep my eye out for another one, especially since the next generation WKs were/are absolute shit

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 07:41

PUSHROD MASTER RACE

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > HammerheadFistpunch
04/20/2016 at 08:35

So much better looking than the abortion of the WK, and somehow had better interior materials

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 08:42

What motor’s going into the XJ? Important people want to know.

Also if you want another XJ, if the wreckers don't show today, $100. Ran when parked.

Kinja'd!!!

Dru > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 09:06

WJ’s are awesome. But they can be problematic if you get one that wasn’t cared for. I’ve had mine for 60,000 relatively trouble free miles (begins knocking furiously on wood). It left me stranded twice. Both times over a battery I should have known was failing by the sluggish action of the starter. Also had a tiny EVAP hose get a crack in it that wouldn’t let me pass inspection. But I don't live in that state anymore so meh. PRO TIP: If you have a check engine light, turn the key three times from off to on (don't start it) and the third time you hit ON it will show you what codes it is throwing.

Rock Bottom > Dru
04/20/2016 at 10:30

Thanks! Out of curiosity, what voltage are you generally showing on the gauge? Mine is showing about 13. My XJ is always over 14. Wondering if I have an alternator that’s planning to shit the bed as soon as I get out in the woods!

Rock Bottom > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
04/20/2016 at 10:31

I’m putting an OM617 Mercedes diesel in it! It’s going to be rad!

Rock Bottom > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/20/2016 at 10:32

I say we relieve ourselves of all “impure” overhead cam engines...

Dru > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 10:37

I can't recall exactly, but I think it's always just below the 14 line. Mine has dummy gauges, which don't actually gauge anything, the needle just goes to a "good" level and only changes when something is wrong. OP sending units like to fail. I've replaced one of those.

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 11:05

Nice! You’ll have to post some build pics.

Rock Bottom > M54B30
04/20/2016 at 11:58

Yeah, the WK is fugly. That and I’m a solid axle fanboi, so I guess the WJ is the newest machine I can accept as one of my own!

Rock Bottom > Dru
04/20/2016 at 12:00

Maybe the smart thing for me to do it put a real gauge on it then. My XJ gauge is definitely real, I assumed this one was too but maybe I’m wrong...

Rock Bottom > gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee
04/20/2016 at 12:00

Will do!

Dru > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 12:07

You might have the older mechanical gauges if its a 2000. The rumor was a lot of people complained about the oil pressure gauge moving so much, you know, like it's supposed to when you apply throttle, so they just made it go to one level unless there's a problem.

Rock Bottom > Dru
04/20/2016 at 12:35

Ah, yeah my oil pressure and coolant temp gauges sure act like they’re reading real values. Thanks for the info!

gogmorgo - rowing gears in a Grand Cherokee > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 12:44

I look forward to it. Also the above XJ dissapeared between now and when I left for work. So I guess that’s off the table. Don’t know who took it or where it went... but it’s out of my yard and not my problem.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Rock Bottom
04/20/2016 at 15:19

Relieve ourselves all over “impure” OHC engines...

Rock Bottom > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
04/21/2016 at 09:07

Kinja'd!!!