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Stock Jeep

The Jeep thing is an addiction: there's always something else that you'll need. JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket. I couldn't resist!

Phase I: the small stuff

The best el-cheapo mods I made:

• Tow hooks, front and rear. (Canadian Tire: $25) I bought the front ones from another Ottawa-area Jeeper ($10), Aaron Molson, and the rear ones from Canadian Tire ($15). Invaluable.
• 20,000lb tow strap. (Canadian Tire: $40) Don't buy one with metal hooks - they can become missiles if the cable snaps. Invaluable.
• Fire extinguisher. (Canadian Tire: $25) Ever see a truck catch on fire in the bush? There's nothing you can do. I mounted the extinguisher to the side of the sport (roll) bar, right behind the driver's seat.
• First-aid kit. (Mountain Equipment Co-op: $25) I combined the new kit with an older one I had lying around.
• CB radio & antenna. (Radio Shack: $150) I mounted the CB under the dash and attached the antenna to the back rear bumper (on the left). It's important to ground the antenna at the mounting point, make sure the coax cable isn't twisted too much, and to tune the antenna SWR for best reception.

This was enough for me to be comfortable offroad. Larose Forest, where I went offroading a lot, is mostly mud - so the towhooks are a requirement. Having the CB was good for the "go-arounds", so I could talk to the built trucks working on the main obstacles.

Phase II: the annoying stuff

Peace of mind:

• Grabber club. (Canadian Tire: $40) This club has four arms that grab the steering wheel, requiring a larger number of cuts to remove the device. Super annoying to use, hopefully as annoying to remove.
• Hood lock. (Performance Accessories: $30) Locks the hood down. Extra annoying for checking oil levels or whatever; since removed.
• Two-way alarm. (12Volt Shop: $600) Starter kill, two-way paging, dual shock and dual microwave alarm sensors, trunk and hood switches, power door locks, loud siren and a hidden cabin noisemaker that HURTS! Eventually the remote broke. Damn.
• Locking gas cap. (Southbank Dodge-Jeep: $25) Replaces the non-locking cap in two seconds. It's just another key on the chain.

The first time it rained after I had the alarm was funny: I ran out into the lot in my PJs. The rain was setting off the damn motion alarm! My friends soon realized they could summon me by kicking the tires; I'd come running and they loved it.

Phase III: the lift

I wanted to play with the big boys, I wanted more clearance, badder tires, and for girls to look foolish every time they got in and out.

• BDS 3" suspension lift. (YJ Enterprises: $900)
• 5x 33x9.50R15 BFG MTs. ($1100)
• 48" farm jack. (Princess Auto: $48)
• 100W Grote offroad lights. (Ottawa Truck Store: $45)
• New dash bezel. (Southbank Dodge-Jeep: $30)
• 3x Cole Hersee switches. (Bourke's Ignition: $50)

My good friend Mike N and my dad John both volunteered to help with the lift kit install. Really they did most of the work and I went around asking "are you sure this won't hurt anything?"

Installing the lift kit:

John removing rear links (600x450:90Kb)	Mike removing rear shocks (600x450:84Kb)
Rear wheels done (600x450:93Kb)	Mike and John: finished! (600x450:73Kb)
Lifted side view (600x450:100Kb)	Lifted front view (600x450:107Kb)

But the Jeep really looks dumb with a 3" lift and no tires, so I spooned on some 33x9.5 BF Goodrich Mud Terrains. Nice tires! It snowed a couple of days later for dramatic effect.

Lifted with tires (600x450:128Kb)

Oh, baby yeah (600x450:108Kb)

Phase IV: performance

The 2.5L 4cyl TJ SE motor is bulletproof. Based on Jeep's original Iron Four, this motor will last forever with only fresh oil and clean filters. Unfortunately it's a bit weak, especially after adding 50lb tires!

I felt the need for a little more power, not much, just enough to use fifth gear on the freeway. I did a lot of research, and figured I could get some pretty significant gains from just a throttle body swap. Check it out: +24HP, 39% more airflow. Yes, those numbers are from a real dyno and a real flowbench.

I removed the stock throttle body and installed an overbored (62mm) TB with a 'cold air intake spacer'. My highly calibrated butt-dyno says "yeehaw!". Fifth gear is now useful again, the Jeep pulls pretty damn hard through first and second, and I'm sure I could get MUCH more performance if I wanted it.

The Rancho shocks were a little beaten up in the last 50,000kms, they'd been exposed to cold Canadian winters, hot Californian summers, and were starting to suck. Luckily, Ranchos are warranteed for life, even against regular wear! A new steering damper at the same time really makes things nice and plush again. It feels better than it ever did.