Trying to keep the wiring rat’s nest to a minimum, I created a Fuse and Relay box.

Parts list:
1 Project box a la Radioshack
1 Power distribution block
1 Fuse holder
4 Appropriately sized relays
4 Appropriately sized fuses
Various wires and connectors

I started by bridging the power distribution block followed by mounting it to the side of the box. The 4 fuse block was mounted to the lid.
 Accessory Relay/Fuse Box

I then drilled two holes in the lid for power access to the relays the box will contain.
 Accessory Relay/Fuse Box

Written on August 8th, 2010 & filed under Electrical, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler) Tags:

I busted my turn signal stem today and, apparently, you can't get just the stem from dealerships anymore. They sell the stem and switch as a single unit for $144.

I ordered just the stem from JeepsAreUs. I have never used them before so we'll see how it goes. Roughly $36 including shipping.

JeepsAreUs

I'll comment on the post when I billing hits the card, I get notification of shipment and receive the part.

Written on July 27th, 2010 & filed under Electrical, Model, Sub-System, XJ (Cherokee), YJ (Wrangler)

My armor setup on the YJ is finally complete.
All that needs to be done is sealing and paint touch up.

Thumbnails are of the front armor, more pics of the rear armor as well, after the jump.


 YJ Armor
 YJ Armor
 YJ Armor

Written on July 20th, 2010 & filed under Exterior, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler)

Recently I had a slight battery drain issue which I narrowed down to the stereo install. Apparently there was power applied all the time, regardless of ignition switch position. Even with the unit off, there was a significant draw.

I did some digging and found a wiring diagram for the unit.

Brown, phone mute. (unused)
Yellow, 15A fused, memory backup lead. (needs power all the time)
Yellow, 3A fused, bus power. (needs power all the time)
Red, power. (needs power when ignition is on position)
Blue/White, amp turn on. (not used at this time, but will in future)
Black, ground.
Orange/White, illumination. (connect to light switch?)
Blue, auto antenna. (LOL, on a YJ? unused)

So now I have to figure out where all this is SUPPOSED to go in the wiring harness.

Written on March 8th, 2010 & filed under Electrical, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler)

A laundry list of items to be installed.

XRC8 Winch
~400W Inverter (40A)
2x 100W SRS Lights (20A)
12V Air Compressor, OBA (30A)
12V Power Port (20A)

In theory, I’d like to have a power distribution point under the hood and in the cabin area provided the items connected don’t draw too much amperage. Clean wiring is the name of the game.

Everything that can will have a relay connected to an illuminated switch to indicate power is applied and system is active. All items will be fused as well.

The winch remote plug-in will be mounted in the switch panel.

The first order of business is to estimate what the max draw of each of these items.

Written on December 24th, 2009 & filed under Electrical, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler)

Since it's too cold out to actually do any work, it's time to make plans for the future.

I need to work on multiple systems on my YJ. Recovery, electrical, suspension and a seeping leak etc.

Recovery:
Luke over at Frontier 4x4, is currently designing a front bumper to house the Smittybilt XRC8 I will be buying soon.
Move hi-lift to rollbars or hood.

Electrical:
I will be putting LED replacement dash lights in. Half the bulbs I have are burnt out.
Get gauges working or replaced.
Alternator upgrade for winch use.
Install dash speakers.
Install 12Vdc air compressor.
Wire in XRC8 winch.

Leak:
I have a small leak at the transmission cooler that needs corrected.

Suspension:
Finally trim u-bolts.
Install bump stops.

Brakes:
Adjust E-brake

I'll add more as I think of it.

Written on December 12th, 2009 & filed under Electrical, Exterior, Model, Sub-System, Suspension, YJ (Wrangler)

Update on the Trailcutter MTs.

I just drove about 25 miles on their first snowy roads. I must say they behaving admirably for a mud terrain tire. I can only assume that it is because of the factory siping. We had about 3 inches of snow and my commute is about the same time the plows get started so most of the roads were still covered.

Written on December 7th, 2009 & filed under Model, Sub-System, Tires, YJ (Wrangler)

Anyone who wheels Jeeps has mostly likely done it. It was done to my YJ just before I bought it.

What I'm talking about is chopping the exhaust. Whether it be a rock or your own axle, your exhaust system will get crushed at some point.

The trail fix for this is usually cutting the exhaust pipe off just behind the muffler.

Well, I ignored that mine was cut off too long. Coming home from a wheeling trip (I race on Sunday what I hope to drive on Monday) my ignition coil failed. During the failure, it loaded the exhaust with fuel and expunged everything out the muffler. This is when I suspect my problem really began. It began with a fireball exiting the muffler which was pointed directly at the fuel tank skid plate with the fuel tank inside.

Nothing went wrong immediately. I borrowed an ignition coil off a club mate's jeep and drove home.

Subsequently, a couple months later, I'm filling up at the station when I notice gas running everywhere. After scrambling for some oil-dry, I was able to see that the fuel was exiting near the tank straps, but that's all I could diagnose sitting at the pump. The one and only time my Jeep has left me dead on the road, and this was it. I had to call a flatbed truck to take it from Newton (Iowa Speedway) to home.



After ordering a new tank and getting everything torn apart, I noticed the passenger's side of the tank was severely deformed. It had melted to the skid plate, thinned out, and finally cracked under the pressure of the strap.

This could have been ugly, real ugly. I got lucky.

Moral of the story is, carry a turn-down. You won't regret it should you have to cut your exhaust.

Best case, a 20 US gallon, fuel tank for a 1994 YJ will run you about $400 delivered.

Worst case, your tank ignites costing whatever your junk is worth, if not your life.

A turn-down will cost about 6 bucks.
Written on October 29th, 2009 & filed under Exhaust, Fuel, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler)

The axle swap was completed at the beginning of June, but it wasn't until now that I had a chance to to get it out wheeling.

Along with the axles, I installed a new set of shoes. Trailcutter MT's. Everything perform as was expected. Nothing broke on the trail, though I did burn up the ignition coil on the way home. I was able to scavenge one off a trailered rig to get home (Thanks Jim!).

Since then, I installed a new coil, cap and rotor. Everything seems to be running fine.

Written on June 27th, 2009 & filed under Drivetrain, Model, Sub-System, YJ (Wrangler)

Thank you for contacting the Chrysler Customer Assistance Center
regarding your 1994 Jeep Wrangler.

In response to your email regarding the build sheet information you are
seeking about your vehicle, we would like to inform you that we are
pleased to provide vehicle build information per your request.

According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory
with the following:

Cloth High-Back Bucket Seats
Monotone Paint
Sahara Decor Group
90 Amp Alternator
500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
High Back Bucket Seats
Reclining Front Seats
Rear Folding Seat
Floor Carpet
Cargo Compartment Carpet
Front Floor Mats
Spare Tire Cover
Full Length Floor Console
All 3-Speed Automatic Transmissions
3-Spd. Automatic 32RH Transmission
Lock-Up Torque Converter
Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
3.07 Axle Ratio
175MM Rear Axle
4.0L Power Tech I-6 Engine
Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
Tinted Windshield Glass
Front Door Tinted Glass
Full Metal Doors w/Roll-up Windows
Rear Window Defroster
Left Manual Mirror
Right Manual Mirror
Swing-Away Mirrors
All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors
Heater w/Instrument Pnl Ventilation
200 KPH Primary Speedometer
Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Cigar Lighter
Single High Note Horn
Locking Glove Box
Add-A-Trunk Lockable Storage
Courtesy Lamps
Map/Dome Reading Lamps
Underhood Lamp
Halogen Headlamps
Daytime Running Headlamps
Fog Lamps
CHMSL Lamp
Painted Front Bumper
Black Rear Bumper
Bumper Extensions
Body Color Headlamp Bezels
Black Front Frame Overlay
Body Color Grille
Bodyside Side Steps
Sport Bar w/Side Padding
Federal Emissions
EVAP Control System
20 Gallon Fuel Tank
Engine Block Heater
Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
All Radio Equipped Vehicles
AM/FM Cassette Radio
4 Speakers
Fixed Long Mast Antenna
Power Rack and Pinion Steering
Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks
Front Stabilizer Bar
Tilt Steering Column
Full Size Spare Tire
Outside Tire Carrier
P215/75R15 RBL Wrangler AT Tires
Goodyear Brand Tires
Black Hard Top
15″ Aluminum Wheels
All Aluminum Wheels
Tow Hooks
Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
Without Billable Fuel
Rear Spring Group Iii
GVW/Payload Rating
Left Front Spring Group Vi
Right Front Spring Group VI
Customer Preferred Package 2TV
Customer Preferred Package 24V

Written on April 4th, 2009 & filed under Model, YJ (Wrangler)