Juicin' Up the JK

I have mentioned that I will be reviewing certain products that I have bought, used, and experienced on my own jeep and others'. One of the biggest topics I have seen throughout different forums, and have been asked about personally, is getting more power out of the decent V6. If you are like me, you probably don't have 35" mud terrains with a 4" lift, and probably don't need a new set of gears or a supercharger. However, if you are curious about getting a few more mpgs, or simply want to get from point A to point B faster, then take a look at the performance upgrades I have used:

1. Breathe in! One of the most frequent questions I get is about the Airaid intake I have installed and how much of a difference it makes. Firstly, the power is noticeable (you won't be spinning tires but you will notice a faster response when accelerating at all speeds). I personally like that fact that I have to downshift less when going up inclines on the freeway. For mileage, I noticed a solid all-around 1 mpg boost. In fact, I previously had the K&N drop-in filter (which provided about .5 mpg gains), and  still felt a major increase after installing the Airaid. If you have been interested in investing in a new intake, I highly recommend looking around Jeep performance shops that specialize in V8 conversions. Why you ask, because most people that are on a quest for power usually tinker with upgrading the V6 before forking over the cash for a conversion. I got mine for about $100 simply because the previous owner had left it there after getting a conversion. The only downsides I have experienced is that it gets very dirty after a day at the desert. Cleaning is pretty simple, and maintenance costs less than replacing the stock filter. Here's what it looks like:
   
2. Breathe out! The next performance upgrade I did was an exhaust mod. At first, probably as most newbies do, I wanted to buy the entire cat-back exhaust because it looked cool and had some promising advertising. Not until I talked to a muffler specialist did I realize the entire cat-back isn't worth the big chunk of change. What I found is that if you aren't increasing the diameter of the system (to an extent), you won't be seeing an increase in performance. Most aftermarket systems don't increase the diameter, and would only provide the same increase as a simple muffler upgrade. So what I did was chop off the gigantic stock muffler and threw on a high-flow MagnaFlow muffler. I highly recommend getting rid of the stock muffler, and keeping the rest of the exhaust system in place. The performance upgrades amplify the benefits from the upgraded intake, and have a great sound. The tone is quiet at idle, and isn't "Honda Civic with no muffler" when accelerating. The total cost came out to be about $80 with install. However, today I am no longer rocking the MagnaFlow. Since acquiring a friend who could (well kind of) weld, I had spent sometime looking to modify my exhaust even more. Currently, I am running with a tiny Cherry Bomb glasspack, installed right under the driver door. I also cut the exhaust shorter so that it exited right in front of the rear tire. I do not recommend doing this mod as much as a simple muffler replacement. The glasspack is loud, but it is borderline "fart can". Also, it gets pretty tiring after a long drive. So in general, if you want some exhaust upgrades, simply go with a high-flow muffler. Here is a video of what it sounds like:
3. Zap! One of the most recent upgrades I have installed is the screamin' demon distributor and the livewire set that is sold as a kit. For some reason my plug wires got worn out pretty quickly (probably from long periods of time in the heat). I decided I might as well give the Livewires a shot, and also bought the distributor for kicks. Now be warned, the two pieces together were about $150 (I think). The install was fairly easy except for the plug in the top left corner. After a few test runs I could tell there was a difference, something wasn't right. After talking to Superchips, it seemed my programmer was not too happy with the new ignition system, especially after gapping the plugs to .065. There was a slight pinging noise and definite hesitation by the engine. After trying the various programming settings, I knew the programmer and the ignition system were simply not going to work together. I set the engine back to stock settings, and kept the new distributor and wires. Why? Because I am an American, and in America efficiency just isn't our thing. The performance increase was actually noticeable, and the pinging didn't exist when running on the stock programming. Especially at higher RPM's, the JK was much more willing to get to highway speeds. If you do decide to get the Screamin' Demon and Livewires, make sure you aren't running an aftermarket programming (mainly because you may be confusing the computer and damaging the engine). Also, with a bigger spark, I like to run with 89 octane as I seem to get the best mileage. Currently, I am getting 20 mpg hwy, and that is with 33" inch tires, 2 inch lift, and heavy bumpers, skid bars, hi lift, etc. Here is a pic:
   

Well that is all for this post, I have many more coming talking about a few other upgrades such as the SuperChips programmer, Sprint Booster, and throttle body spacers. Stay tuned, and please subscribe!

Bed Liner...Where it Doesn't Belong

I know it has only been a few hours since I started this blog, but I have been so thrilled with my new project I had to show it to the world. I discovered that Rustoleum makes a great spray can bedliner. I bought mine at Home Depot and one could probably find it at most auto parts stores. The best thing about this product is that it is very durable and has a great texture, so great in fact that I have lined my front grill, tail gate, side mirrors, and cowls. With all honesty, it is better liner than the Duplicolor product I used on my interior. Here's a pic:

As you may notice, the Jeep letters were moved to sit in the middle of the grill. This isn't necessary but adds a unique look. Here's the run down:

Benefits: Very scratch and ding resistant (the stock grills just takes a beating from road shrapnel)

Cons: I did not use a clear coat before reinstalling the grill. It hasn't happened yet, but I feel it may fade over

          an extended period of time. I highly recommended a spray can of Duplicolor enamel clear coat after

          the lined grill has dried. If you choose not to, you may just have to reapply a year or two later.

How to do it: 

1. Pop that hood, locate the six plastic knobs that are located on top of the grill, and use a flat head screw driver to simply pry them out. Unclip the blinkers, by simply pressing in the tab that connects to the light.
2. Pull the top of the grill forward (away from the Jeep) and tug the bottom of the grill lightly until the clips release. Once removed, the blinkers will basically pop right out.
3. If you want to remove the Jeep letters, you can use a putty knife to slowly lift them from the grill. You can also leave them on to be lined. If you remove them, make sure to keep the foamy tape on the backside of the letters.
4. Sand that puppy with 220 Grit (you can use a lower grit but it may leave little scratch marks that the liner won't fill). Also, I did not sand my down to the bare plastic, I simply roughed up the surfaces until  I could tell I had removed the stock clear coat.
5. Get some acetone, and lightly rub it around to remove any grease, wax, or other junk. I then recommend using a high pressure hose to blast away any dust or dirt.
6. Once dry, find a place where you can prop the grill upright. If you attempt to spray it laying down, you might get little "drips" from the spray can (which will definitely show up when it has dried)
7. Apply a light coat approximately 10 inches away, you can change the texture of the final product by spraying closer or farther away, but when you have started make sure to maintain the same distance throughout. Do not spray it completely with the first coat.
8. Wait 30 minutes for that base coat to dry. Apply a second coat that covers the entirety of the grill, wait 10 minutes and apply one more final coat. At this point you can simply place the removed Jeep letters wherever you like, the wet bed liner makes a great adhesive with the foamy stickers. 
9. After a night of drying in a dry location, you may want to apply a clear coat as mentioned. Be warned, you will not achieve the sheer matte black look with a clear coat applied, but if you want to ensure it can handle the sun then go ahead.
10. Reinstall by inserting the bottom grill clips first. Pop them into place as the top of the grill slides over the holes. Reinsert the 6 plastic clips and you are done.

Notes: This is a great mod that almost anyone can do. I used 2 cans of Rustoleum, costing about $15 from Home Depot. It is located in the paint aisle. Also, my head lights and blinkers are not bed lined, they are plasti-dipped, I do NOT recommend lining these parts.

Well fellow creepers, here is my first hands-on review and I highly recommend it. The total time takes about a day with drying. If you want a unique look, and are getting tired of that dinged up grill, then invest the $15 and do it! Here are some more pics of other bed lined parts:

This is the Synergy Louver Kit with bed liner and the clear coat.

Here is the lined cowls, side mirrors, and"windshield holder things"

The Jeep Creep 

If you are anything like me, you probably love Jeeps. Since high school I have learned to appreciate the genius and beauty of these simple monsters. Starting with a 93' YJ (4 cylinder of course), I have been obsessed with tweaking and customizing Jeeps with everything from 4wd.com to backyard projects involving supplies from Home Depot. Now, with a more modern 2009 JK, I have the funds and balls to literally chop my Jeep into the dream Wrangler from my childhood.

Firstly, I would like to start this blog off by explaining who I am. I was born and raised in Northern California, Sonoma County.I grew up like any normal kid, playing soccer, watching cartoons, and not paying attention in school. There was one thing, however, that made my childhood that much better, my dad had a Jeep. Yes sir, that old 1993 YJ gutless wonder, the car I had enjoyed being picked up in with my rottweiler occupying the entirety of the backseat. When I was lucky enough to drive that YJ to high school I honestly felt like it was part of my personal identity. We had it painted grey like an old navy ship, put on some decent all-terrains, and destroyed the suspension with a horrible body lift. The ride was awful, the engine could hardly move that brick past 60mph, and the carpet was covered in dog hair. Who cares, all my friends loved that Jeep, and I loved driving it. But at that time I never realized I was bouncing around on an empty canvas, that my Jeep had the potential to be as monstrous, bare-boned, and as unique as I pleased.

Not until I was in college was I lucky enough to acquire a new red 2-door JK. At first I treated it like a car, never off-roading except for the occasional curb climb. One day I reached enlightenment as my friend took me rock crawling in a beautiful yet hideous Toyota 4Runner.  Never had I experienced what it was like to teeter on 2 wheels while attempting to crawl over rocks I couldn't crawl over myself, and never had I wanted my Jeep to do the same. At that point the insanity ensued, I made about $300 painting a friends house, and I knew none of it would reach the bank and all of it would be invested into the Jeep. Cheap taillight covers, a K&N drop-in filter, a hilift jack, and other goodies were all mine. Once I had installed my new goodies, I knew I needed more. Thus, my fellow Jeep Creeps, I write to you today, three years into my addiction.

I wanted to create this blog to express my love for this American masterpiece, and to give you, the reader, a personal review of the products I have bought and a few cheap modifications that I have done personally. So, if you love Jeeps, are new to Jeeps, or already have your childhood dream sitting in your garage, please subscribe and feel free to comment at "The Jeep Creep". Next, I hope to get some pics of "Clifford", my big red Jeep, up on here with a list of everything I have done... stay tuned.