Patrick

First of all thanks to everyone sharing their experience or opinion



About two week ago I put my 96 GC for sale. Not that I have problem with it
or that I don't like it

But it's almost paid and it's part of my company expense. The company was
able to afford

A new Jeep in is expense but I got so ridiculous offer for my GC that I have
decided to keep it.



Here are a few mechanical? And also upgrade opinion are needed !?



Recently I have notice my oil gauge sometime giving lower reading and
sometime normal...

it usually idle a bit lower than half , But I saw it going 4-5 Needle size
less recently....

Oil level ok and oil dipstick insert properly



Is this a ghost jeep thing?



This situation makes me wondering if I should invest on a oil pump
replacement

GC is at 281,000 KM



I am shortly going to get some maintenance done.

Fix AC Leak (take all summer to evaporate)

Serpentine belt replacement

Oil change ( I use synthetic ) air filter. Sparkplug, ECT...

Tranny oil 30,000 KM still bloody Red

Greasing around including the FAMOUS Front u Joint

Anything else to include? Water pump and rad are about 1 year old... and
this winter new CPS....



What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?



Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust

My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!! Is
this regular stuff on GC?



I also been looking around for performance chips available on the market one
of them is made by Jet http://www.jetchip.com/

Am I looking for trouble with engine reading 281,000 KM? Does anyone have
personal experience with this company?

Ebay is selling 9,00 $ Chips.... I need a reliable GC not a burn computer...
I would not trust the el cheapo....

I have chips vehicles in the past and had good experience....





This is it for maintenance and mechanical parts....



Now since I'm keeping the jeep and looking to put some expense on it

I'm looking forward lifting the Jeep a Bit (3 " to 4 " MAX) Mainly city, and
sometime local skidoo trails...



I need to replace the front track bar,

I have replace the 4 corner strut in Oct 2004 (nothing fancy) Gas strut



Is their any budget lift with no sacrifice? Something that would avoid shock
replacement

And that I could just replace the track bar with OEM?



I don't like cheap stuff and always unsatisfied after buying cheapo so I
prefer to do the work once.... and pay once...

Sometime spending 100 to 200 $ is the difference between cheap and good.



Their is too many products advertise one the market, with little mention
saying you will need this or that or this is not included.

I'm looking for a complete kit with no surprise....



I'm going to go for 31 " to raise the jeep for ground clearance. I want to
keep my Laredo 15 " wheel

Will I be able to or going to need replacement?



Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

And also I do 4 wheels alignment at every tire change



I'm also thinking about relocating the spare on the roof, I really like the
style!!

Is it really noisy?







Thanks again for reading all this and if you been able to provided answer be
assured that it will be consider





Pat

Steve

Patrick wrote:
> First of all thanks to everyone sharing their experience or opinion

Ask each question in a separate post - you'll get more replies.

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

Change out the oil in the diffs any time the hubs go under water or wet mud.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!! Is
> this regular stuff on GC?

Salt eats self-adjuster cables on any vehicle with drums.

> I'm looking forward lifting the Jeep a Bit (3 " to 4 " MAX) Mainly city, and
> sometime local skidoo trails...
>
> Is their any budget lift with no sacrifice?

ZJ budget boost uses 2" coil spacers and extensions for your bump stops.
Without getting longer control arms, your caster will suffer a bit, but
probably not enough to bother you.

http://www.offroadexchange.com/Teraboost.htm

> I don't like cheap stuff and always unsatisfied after buying cheapo so I
> prefer to do the work once.... and pay once...
>
> Sometime spending 100 to 200 $ is the difference between cheap and good.

All spacer lifts are essentially the same.

You will clear 30" tires no problem, maybe even 31", perhaps with some
very minor trimming beneath your fenders. A spacer lift is likely all
you need for a bit of trail riding. If your really want to do it right,
consider this:

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/dynami...p?folderid=187

> I'm going to go for 31 " to raise the jeep for ground clearance. I want to
> keep my Laredo 15 " wheel
>
> Will I be able to or going to need replacement?

Yes, you can keep your wheels, but your turning radius will increase a
bit because you'll need to adjust your steening stops to prevent the
tires from rubbing the lower control arms:

http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm

Remember too that you will lose power with bigger tires. Increasing your
differntial gears ratio will return it, but that can be expensive.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

BF Goodrich AT/KO is great for snow, pavement, trails:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfgfra...erraintako.jsp

> I'm also thinking about relocating the spare on the roof, I really like the
> style!!
>
> Is it really noisy?

Not really noisy, but hard on gas on the highway.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Steve

Patrick wrote:
> First of all thanks to everyone sharing their experience or opinion

Ask each question in a separate post - you'll get more replies.

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

Change out the oil in the diffs any time the hubs go under water or wet mud.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!! Is
> this regular stuff on GC?

Salt eats self-adjuster cables on any vehicle with drums.

> I'm looking forward lifting the Jeep a Bit (3 " to 4 " MAX) Mainly city, and
> sometime local skidoo trails...
>
> Is their any budget lift with no sacrifice?

ZJ budget boost uses 2" coil spacers and extensions for your bump stops.
Without getting longer control arms, your caster will suffer a bit, but
probably not enough to bother you.

http://www.offroadexchange.com/Teraboost.htm

> I don't like cheap stuff and always unsatisfied after buying cheapo so I
> prefer to do the work once.... and pay once...
>
> Sometime spending 100 to 200 $ is the difference between cheap and good.

All spacer lifts are essentially the same.

You will clear 30" tires no problem, maybe even 31", perhaps with some
very minor trimming beneath your fenders. A spacer lift is likely all
you need for a bit of trail riding. If your really want to do it right,
consider this:

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/dynami...p?folderid=187

> I'm going to go for 31 " to raise the jeep for ground clearance. I want to
> keep my Laredo 15 " wheel
>
> Will I be able to or going to need replacement?

Yes, you can keep your wheels, but your turning radius will increase a
bit because you'll need to adjust your steening stops to prevent the
tires from rubbing the lower control arms:

http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm

Remember too that you will lose power with bigger tires. Increasing your
differntial gears ratio will return it, but that can be expensive.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

BF Goodrich AT/KO is great for snow, pavement, trails:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfgfra...erraintako.jsp

> I'm also thinking about relocating the spare on the roof, I really like the
> style!!
>
> Is it really noisy?

Not really noisy, but hard on gas on the highway.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Steve

Patrick wrote:
> First of all thanks to everyone sharing their experience or opinion

Ask each question in a separate post - you'll get more replies.

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

Change out the oil in the diffs any time the hubs go under water or wet mud.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!! Is
> this regular stuff on GC?

Salt eats self-adjuster cables on any vehicle with drums.

> I'm looking forward lifting the Jeep a Bit (3 " to 4 " MAX) Mainly city, and
> sometime local skidoo trails...
>
> Is their any budget lift with no sacrifice?

ZJ budget boost uses 2" coil spacers and extensions for your bump stops.
Without getting longer control arms, your caster will suffer a bit, but
probably not enough to bother you.

http://www.offroadexchange.com/Teraboost.htm

> I don't like cheap stuff and always unsatisfied after buying cheapo so I
> prefer to do the work once.... and pay once...
>
> Sometime spending 100 to 200 $ is the difference between cheap and good.

All spacer lifts are essentially the same.

You will clear 30" tires no problem, maybe even 31", perhaps with some
very minor trimming beneath your fenders. A spacer lift is likely all
you need for a bit of trail riding. If your really want to do it right,
consider this:

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/dynami...p?folderid=187

> I'm going to go for 31 " to raise the jeep for ground clearance. I want to
> keep my Laredo 15 " wheel
>
> Will I be able to or going to need replacement?

Yes, you can keep your wheels, but your turning radius will increase a
bit because you'll need to adjust your steening stops to prevent the
tires from rubbing the lower control arms:

http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm

Remember too that you will lose power with bigger tires. Increasing your
differntial gears ratio will return it, but that can be expensive.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

BF Goodrich AT/KO is great for snow, pavement, trails:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfgfra...erraintako.jsp

> I'm also thinking about relocating the spare on the roof, I really like the
> style!!
>
> Is it really noisy?

Not really noisy, but hard on gas on the highway.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Steve

Patrick wrote:
> First of all thanks to everyone sharing their experience or opinion

Ask each question in a separate post - you'll get more replies.

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

Change out the oil in the diffs any time the hubs go under water or wet mud.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!! Is
> this regular stuff on GC?

Salt eats self-adjuster cables on any vehicle with drums.

> I'm looking forward lifting the Jeep a Bit (3 " to 4 " MAX) Mainly city, and
> sometime local skidoo trails...
>
> Is their any budget lift with no sacrifice?

ZJ budget boost uses 2" coil spacers and extensions for your bump stops.
Without getting longer control arms, your caster will suffer a bit, but
probably not enough to bother you.

http://www.offroadexchange.com/Teraboost.htm

> I don't like cheap stuff and always unsatisfied after buying cheapo so I
> prefer to do the work once.... and pay once...
>
> Sometime spending 100 to 200 $ is the difference between cheap and good.

All spacer lifts are essentially the same.

You will clear 30" tires no problem, maybe even 31", perhaps with some
very minor trimming beneath your fenders. A spacer lift is likely all
you need for a bit of trail riding. If your really want to do it right,
consider this:

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/dynami...p?folderid=187

> I'm going to go for 31 " to raise the jeep for ground clearance. I want to
> keep my Laredo 15 " wheel
>
> Will I be able to or going to need replacement?

Yes, you can keep your wheels, but your turning radius will increase a
bit because you'll need to adjust your steening stops to prevent the
tires from rubbing the lower control arms:

http://www.imajeep.com/Steering_Stop...ering_stop.htm

Remember too that you will lose power with bigger tires. Increasing your
differntial gears ratio will return it, but that can be expensive.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

BF Goodrich AT/KO is great for snow, pavement, trails:

http://www.bfgoodrichtires.ca/bfgfra...erraintako.jsp

> I'm also thinking about relocating the spare on the roof, I really like the
> style!!
>
> Is it really noisy?

Not really noisy, but hard on gas on the highway.

Steve
http://xjeep.dyndns.org

Snow

> A new Jeep in is expense but I got so ridiculous offer for my GC that I
> have
> decided to keep it.

I just bought a 93 ZJ , when the wifey gives me another chance to drive it
I'm sure I'll love it. lol

> Recently I have notice my oil gauge sometime giving lower reading and
> sometime normal...

This could be the pressure sending unit acting up or could be a dirty
connection, I had this happen on my XJ for almost a year, then one day it
decided to work properly again. I still haven't changed it.

> This situation makes me wondering if I should invest on a oil pump
> replacement

I wouldn't bother yet, If the oil pressure is really dropping you'll see you
engine temp increase.

> GC is at 281,000 KM

THATS ALL???? my 4.0 in the XJ is ready to roll past 400,000 KM's other
then a water pump, CPS, valve cover gasket and the O2 sensor no other non
routine items have been replaced (routine items - air filter, plugs, wires
and belts etc...)

> Greasing around including the FAMOUS Front u Joint

Those are a bastard... the u joints on the XJ need replacing again....

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

As Steve said, anytime you do water crossings, I change mine out at least
once per year.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!!
> Is this regular stuff on GC?

Well you live in the salt use capitol of Canada, I replace my adjusters
every time I change the brakes

> I also been looking around for performance chips available on the market
> one of them is made by Jet http://www.jetchip.com/

I wouldn't bother nor would I waste the money.

> I have chips vehicles in the past and had good experience....

I know a number of people with chipped stangs and such, maybe a performance
vehicle they make a difference.

> I need to replace the front track bar,

You can buy aftermarket or factory, IIRC the factory bar is about $60- $80.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

No you want a basic summer tires and snow tires for your jeep, not SUVEE
tires :)

> And also I do 4 wheels alignment at every tire change

Nope, I have been swapping summer for snows the past 8 years with ni issues.

Snow...

Snow

> A new Jeep in is expense but I got so ridiculous offer for my GC that I
> have
> decided to keep it.

I just bought a 93 ZJ , when the wifey gives me another chance to drive it
I'm sure I'll love it. lol

> Recently I have notice my oil gauge sometime giving lower reading and
> sometime normal...

This could be the pressure sending unit acting up or could be a dirty
connection, I had this happen on my XJ for almost a year, then one day it
decided to work properly again. I still haven't changed it.

> This situation makes me wondering if I should invest on a oil pump
> replacement

I wouldn't bother yet, If the oil pressure is really dropping you'll see you
engine temp increase.

> GC is at 281,000 KM

THATS ALL???? my 4.0 in the XJ is ready to roll past 400,000 KM's other
then a water pump, CPS, valve cover gasket and the O2 sensor no other non
routine items have been replaced (routine items - air filter, plugs, wires
and belts etc...)

> Greasing around including the FAMOUS Front u Joint

Those are a bastard... the u joints on the XJ need replacing again....

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

As Steve said, anytime you do water crossings, I change mine out at least
once per year.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!!
> Is this regular stuff on GC?

Well you live in the salt use capitol of Canada, I replace my adjusters
every time I change the brakes

> I also been looking around for performance chips available on the market
> one of them is made by Jet http://www.jetchip.com/

I wouldn't bother nor would I waste the money.

> I have chips vehicles in the past and had good experience....

I know a number of people with chipped stangs and such, maybe a performance
vehicle they make a difference.

> I need to replace the front track bar,

You can buy aftermarket or factory, IIRC the factory bar is about $60- $80.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

No you want a basic summer tires and snow tires for your jeep, not SUVEE
tires :)

> And also I do 4 wheels alignment at every tire change

Nope, I have been swapping summer for snows the past 8 years with ni issues.

Snow...

Snow

> A new Jeep in is expense but I got so ridiculous offer for my GC that I
> have
> decided to keep it.

I just bought a 93 ZJ , when the wifey gives me another chance to drive it
I'm sure I'll love it. lol

> Recently I have notice my oil gauge sometime giving lower reading and
> sometime normal...

This could be the pressure sending unit acting up or could be a dirty
connection, I had this happen on my XJ for almost a year, then one day it
decided to work properly again. I still haven't changed it.

> This situation makes me wondering if I should invest on a oil pump
> replacement

I wouldn't bother yet, If the oil pressure is really dropping you'll see you
engine temp increase.

> GC is at 281,000 KM

THATS ALL???? my 4.0 in the XJ is ready to roll past 400,000 KM's other
then a water pump, CPS, valve cover gasket and the O2 sensor no other non
routine items have been replaced (routine items - air filter, plugs, wires
and belts etc...)

> Greasing around including the FAMOUS Front u Joint

Those are a bastard... the u joints on the XJ need replacing again....

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

As Steve said, anytime you do water crossings, I change mine out at least
once per year.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!!
> Is this regular stuff on GC?

Well you live in the salt use capitol of Canada, I replace my adjusters
every time I change the brakes

> I also been looking around for performance chips available on the market
> one of them is made by Jet http://www.jetchip.com/

I wouldn't bother nor would I waste the money.

> I have chips vehicles in the past and had good experience....

I know a number of people with chipped stangs and such, maybe a performance
vehicle they make a difference.

> I need to replace the front track bar,

You can buy aftermarket or factory, IIRC the factory bar is about $60- $80.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

No you want a basic summer tires and snow tires for your jeep, not SUVEE
tires :)

> And also I do 4 wheels alignment at every tire change

Nope, I have been swapping summer for snows the past 8 years with ni issues.

Snow...

Snow

> A new Jeep in is expense but I got so ridiculous offer for my GC that I
> have
> decided to keep it.

I just bought a 93 ZJ , when the wifey gives me another chance to drive it
I'm sure I'll love it. lol

> Recently I have notice my oil gauge sometime giving lower reading and
> sometime normal...

This could be the pressure sending unit acting up or could be a dirty
connection, I had this happen on my XJ for almost a year, then one day it
decided to work properly again. I still haven't changed it.

> This situation makes me wondering if I should invest on a oil pump
> replacement

I wouldn't bother yet, If the oil pressure is really dropping you'll see you
engine temp increase.

> GC is at 281,000 KM

THATS ALL???? my 4.0 in the XJ is ready to roll past 400,000 KM's other
then a water pump, CPS, valve cover gasket and the O2 sensor no other non
routine items have been replaced (routine items - air filter, plugs, wires
and belts etc...)

> Greasing around including the FAMOUS Front u Joint

Those are a bastard... the u joints on the XJ need replacing again....

> What is the maintenance for diff and transfer case?

As Steve said, anytime you do water crossings, I change mine out at least
once per year.

> Also 2 years ago I had the brake self-adjustment kit replace in the back
> because the hand brake cable always had to be readjust
>
> My mechanics re-adjust them recently but told me I need a new kit again!!
> Is this regular stuff on GC?

Well you live in the salt use capitol of Canada, I replace my adjusters
every time I change the brakes

> I also been looking around for performance chips available on the market
> one of them is made by Jet http://www.jetchip.com/

I wouldn't bother nor would I waste the money.

> I have chips vehicles in the past and had good experience....

I know a number of people with chipped stangs and such, maybe a performance
vehicle they make a difference.

> I need to replace the front track bar,

You can buy aftermarket or factory, IIRC the factory bar is about $60- $80.

> Tire are not an issue for me, I need basic SUV tire for summer and use
> Winter tire for the cold Quebec Winter seasons.

No you want a basic summer tires and snow tires for your jeep, not SUVEE
tires :)

> And also I do 4 wheels alignment at every tire change

Nope, I have been swapping summer for snows the past 8 years with ni issues.

Snow...