What's up Jeep brothers

[TannerC32]

What's up everyone, new to the site. I have an 05 KJ Sport. I'm from Illinois but don't know any good trails around me. Out in Arizona I found a good trail near Phoenix and there's some cool off-roading in Sedona, for all difficulty levels. I'm definitely a rookie, my KJ is stock I've done a few appearance things like tail light guards and a little plasti dip on the wheels. Dont have the money for a lift or many performance upgrades but if you guys have any suggestions for some inexpensive upgrades or accessories I'm all ears. I'm also not a mechanic and won't do much to it myself, but I do plan on getting an inexpensive roof rack, putting some anti rust paint on the underbody (10 years of Illinois winters have really brought on some rust so I really don't know when somethings gonna rust out), I might even throw up some roof lights. My KJ kinda scares me in what has gone wrong so far- windshield liquid doesn't spit out anymore so I guess the motor in that mechanism is out, rear window does not elevate by itself anymore, front drive side door plastic piece is loose (I'm gonna just call it a step panel because I don't know what it is), and my speedometer just went out so plus the odometer stopped counting, and it is rusted on the bottom. Really not concerned with most of that but the rust may be eventually be the death of my KJ. I'm hoping I can treat the underside with some rust paint and hopefully it will last a long time. Besides the underside the truck looks excellent inside and out. It shows its age about as much as Sandra Bullock.
Anyways, look forward to talking with some of you guys to pick up tips from some more experienced people.

 

[teeje]

What's up everyone, new to the site. I have an 05 KJ Sport. I'm from Illinois but don't know any good trails around me. Out in Arizona I found a good trail near Phoenix and there's some cool off-roading in Sedona, for all difficulty levels. I'm definitely a rookie, my KJ is stock I've done a few appearance things like tail light guards and a little plasti dip on the wheels. Dont have the money for a lift or many performance upgrades but if you guys have any suggestions for some inexpensive upgrades or accessories I'm all ears. I'm also not a mechanic and won't do much to it myself, but I do plan on getting an inexpensive roof rack, putting some anti rust paint on the underbody (10 years of Illinois winters have really brought on some rust so I really don't know when somethings gonna rust out), I might even throw up some roof lights. My KJ kinda scares me in what has gone wrong so far- windshield liquid doesn't spit out anymore so I guess the motor in that mechanism is out, rear window does not elevate by itself anymore, front drive side door plastic piece is loose (I'm gonna just call it a step panel because I don't know what it is), and my speedometer just went out so plus the odometer stopped counting, and it is rusted on the bottom. Really not concerned with most of that but the rust may be eventually be the death of my KJ. I'm hoping I can treat the underside with some rust paint and hopefully it will last a long time. Besides the underside the truck looks excellent inside and out. It shows its age about as much as Sandra Bullock.

Anyways, look forward to talking with some of you guys to pick up tips from some more experienced people.

Illinois eh? I'll be stationed in Great Lakes in the coming months. Post a pic, maybe I'll see you around

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Jbergun]

Welcome. Use some rust dissolver or naval jelly then spray paint everything pretty much. I got to mine before it got rusty. Now i am always cleaning it because it looks great under there. Inexpensive things are few and far between. I built the cargo shelf speced in the forum really nice way to cover up the cargo area and gives me a spot to stack stuff. Just keep up on the general maintenance. When you need new stuff spend the extra and get the goods. Need tires get all terrain suspension sagging lift it wanna sun roof chop the top and get a convertible. Lol.

 

[Jbergun]

You must be registered for see images attach

Changed the diff cover out since then.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[TannerC32]

here's a pic

this is a recent pic

 

[TannerC32]

another pic

this one might be brighter. basically only things I've done are plasti dipped the wheels, put on some tail light guards, and plasti dipped some of the trim like the side piece that says LIBERTY and the piece at the very bottom. I don't think that light grey trim looks great and really I don't like the grey plastic panels with my silver body, so i tried to dip those too but it didn't look high quality. I might put bed liner on those panels? I'm really not sure if that would look cheap or if it might look nice, never seen anyone paint just those panels on a Libby.

 

[TannerC32]

Okay I'll definitely get some rust dissolver and go at it. Also forgot to mention my 4 wheel drive fluid has a slow leak, so i may eventually fix that too. I just moved back from Arizona a few months ago and haven't found a job yet but once I get a job I'll probably try to do one thing per month. Tomorrow during the day I'll take a pic of the rust for you guys. Just don't laugh..

 

[TannerC32]

Is it preferable to replace all the rusted bolts on the underside? Or once this happens is it too late to even get them off.

 

[renegade 04]

Your jeeps rust does not look bad at all, but your transmission pan looks very rusty so next time you change your transmission fluid you will want to replace the transmission pan.

 

[Dave]

Welcome Tanner.


Dave

 

[Jbergun]

Dont worry about the bolts. Like a previous poster said doesnt look too bad the trans pan is pretty beat. Anything that has flaky rust you want to sand it off anything else with just surface rust do as i said brush on the dissolver let it sit whatever the product says then spray over it. Paint everything except the exhaust hit that with high heat. Those brake lines dont look happy definatly hit them.

 

[Jbergun]

As for the trim and the fender flares i have seen them painted and rhinoed both look good. I think the freedom edition came with painted flares different from the body color. It should look good with the whole two tone look you got going now.

 

[TannerC32]

Cool. Thanks for the tips, much appreciated. I'll get to work on the rust and then maybe paint the fender flares. I'll update with pics. Thanks guys.

 

[Jbergun]

Yea i get under there atleast once a summer and touch up. Its almost relaxing.

 

[TannerC32]

Yeah i bet it's a good feeling to keep it clean underneath. Peace of mind or something

 

[Jbergun]

Anytime i am working of it with a buddy or anyone and they see it they are in aww. I see so many rust buckets that didnt have to be rust buckets. In the winter when i take it to get the oil changed all the guys have to go down there and look. They ask me like 3 times this is a 2002? The first time i did it mostly with a brush to get everything how i wanted now i just rattle can it.

 

[yellocoyote]

Not sure where in IL you are (if you said, I'm too lazy to go back and look for it). We're in Elgin, and have had a handful of wrenching days here at the house... so drop a line if you need a hand mechanically with anything - there's not a lot that hasn't happened here in the driveway.

(Cheers)

Welcome aboard!

 

[TannerC32]

Awesome. I'm down in Bloomington, but I'll keep it in mind if I'm ever up that way!

 

[TannerC32]

That's cool- I'll be sure to ask you along the way if I run into any obstacles while treating the underside with the rust dissolver. Is there any possibility that I would accidentally seal something by painting right over everything? In other words can I just slop all the paint on there or do I need to be somewhat careful and mindful of where I'm putting the rust dissolver and paint?

 

[Jbergun]

Na i mean a painted bolt isnt going to be any harder to remove than a rusted one. In my opinion. I didnt paint my oil pan because it was rust free. I hit everything else. Be careful with the exhaust it will burn off regular paint. Little sensors and sht dont need paint.