Dave's multiple beer break Expy build

[Gruz7]

Hey buddy what does a 4 wheel alignment cost up there in RI.? Never had one done so I don't know what to expect.

Around $80... My most recent one was $85 but I've heard some places will do them as low as $70


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[cheapjeep]

Can I join the lifted expy club? Can I huh can I?



Found some bad idler pulleys after I fired it up. Making all kind of noise all of a sudden. Off to the parts store

 

[Gruz7]

Lol YES you're part of the club [emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]


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[cheapjeep]

Needs a bath.




Jeep on 31's. Expy on 33.5's.

 

[cheapjeep]

Getting her lined up tomorrow and off to New Orleans and then Gulf Breeze Fla. on Sunday morning. Hope she holds together! Changing the oil today. Like that tray thing under the oil filter so oil doesn't run everywhere.

 

[hendricksen11]

I thought the tray thing got in the way last (and only time so far) time I changed my oil. I get it's purpose, but couldn't get at filter well enough with it there.

 

[cheapjeep]

I thought the tray thing got in the way last (and only time so far) time I changed my oil. I get it's purpose, but couldn't get at filter well enough with it there.

Yep after actually dealing with it for the first time it's more of a pain than a help. That and Ford's oddball filter that none of my wrenches fit. There's a Wix on it now that a normal cap wrench fits.

 

[cheapjeep]

Well after all the TLC the Expy has been getting it decides it's going to throw a hiss fit and break. That's gratitude for ya! We're leaving on vacation on the 19th so Monday after work I changed the oil. After starting the thing back up the ac compressor totally locked up and took out the clutch in a cloud of smoke! The compressor was always a little noisy but no more so than most others I've heard so this was a big shock with 6 days left before we head south.Called around from work on Tues and came up with $1000 from a couple local Ford dealers and they were gonna "try" to get it done before we leave. Not very reassuring and was seriously gonna cut into the vacation money.Seeing where the compressor is I wasn't gonna try to fix it myself in the time I had. The place that aligned the beast said If I found a compressor they would install it for $200. Found a compressor off a wrecked '11 for $165 at a salvage yard about 50 mi away and my wife drove down and picked it up. We dropped the expy off tues night and picked it up wed evening with nice cold ac. Thank you Al's Tire! Talk about scrambling! I need a vacation from this vacation.

 

[Gruz7]

Well after all the TLC the Expy has been getting it decides it's going to throw a hiss fit and break. That's gratitude for ya! We're leaving on vacation on the 19th so Monday after work I changed the oil. After starting the thing back up the ac compressor totally locked up and took out the clutch in a cloud of smoke! The compressor was always a little noisy but no more so than most others I've heard so this was a big shock with 6 days left before we head south.Called around from work on Tues and came up with $1000 from a couple local Ford dealers and they were gonna "try" to get it done before we leave. Not very reassuring and was seriously gonna cut into the vacation money.Seeing where the compressor is I wasn't gonna try to fix it myself in the time I had. The place that aligned the beast said If I found a compressor they would install it for $200. Found a compressor off a wrecked '11 for $165 at a salvage yard about 50 mi away and my wife drove down and picked it up. We dropped the expy off tues night and picked it up wed evening with nice cold ac. Thank you Al's Tire! Talk about scrambling! I need a vacation from this vacation.

Haha I'm having ac issues as well unfortunately for they found other issues but have a great vacation bud!


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[cheapjeep]

Got the bling on for rolling down south. Heading out at 4:30 am.

 

[cheapjeep]

Expy in front of saturn rocket at rest stop near Huntsville Al

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[Gruz7]

Looking good


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[cheapjeep]

Expy at Flora-Bama Perdido. Key

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[tsingson]

Just went through the build thread. Looks nice! How off was the alignment after the lift?

 

[Gruz7]

Just went through the build thread. Looks nice! How off was the alignment after the lift?

Not sure about how bad cheapjeep's was but mine was way off after the lift (according to the technician) so had to get the alignment done for $80


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[tsingson]

Thanks. I am looking to do this but need to know is it better to just have 4WheelParts do it and align it or me do it and then drive it to get it aligned.

 

[Gruz7]

Thanks. I am looking to do this but need to know is it better to just have 4WheelParts do it and align it or me do it and then drive it to get it aligned.

I would just get it aligned... I put my kit on and drove home with the steering wheel turned about 30° to the left and I was going straight lol the next day I had truck aligned and it rode perfect again but if you put the bigger tires and different wheels on after the kit and alignment I would get it aligned again just to be safe


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[cheapjeep]

Just went through the build thread. Looks nice! How off was the alignment after the lift?

Surprisingly the rear was still dead on and I put the lowers back on at the same marks on the front and it was only a little out on the toe on 1 side.I drove it to the alignment shop with no issues at all.

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[cheapjeep]

Well...........it didn't sink[emoji3]

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[cheapjeep]

Well after 3000 mi in 2 weeks I can honestly say that the lift didn't have any ill effects on the way the Expy handles at least in my case and no parts fell off either! I can safely call the ReadyLift a win. As for those carbon/ceramic pads that came with my new Powerstop rotors not so much. I think those pads are more suited for a racing application. The hotter they are the better they work but the initial bite isn't as good as the stock pads. They are a very hard compound and made very minimal dust in 3k miles but I think the next time I need pads I'm going to my old standby the Wearever Platinum ceramic. Best all round pad I've used so far. Also I think I've finally bonded with the Expy. I didn't buy it because I wanted it,I bought it because I needed it, And I really really didn't want to part with my Grand Cherokee because I had a lot of blood sweat and tears(and money)in it.

But after a couple weeks on the road with the Expy it turned out to be a way superior travel companion in a lot of categories especially comfortable ride and room.