Getting stuck without a good tow point in the front. Im not happy with how I had to mount the hook.
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I was pretty worried about getting stuck out on the beach having never driven out there before. The XK never even knew it was on the beach. That thing never thought about getting stuck, never even lost traction. I probably drove a hundred miles on the beach over the course of a week, in the deep stuff, down next to the water, thru the water holes on the back roads, not one problem. After the first day I stopped even thinking about it.
I got stuck when I was in OBX within 100 yards of entering the beach off the road. I was by myself and it was a weekday.. $200 later I was back on the road. Lesson learned never go someplace you aren't sure of solo..
The beach conditions change everyday. Weather traffic and maintenance or lack of will dictate the conditions. At carolina beach you can get stuck real fast. Haxci5 never pay for beach towing bro, air down your tires and if that don't work you can dig your self out.
I had already aired down and I had my little ones with me with tide coming in.. I tried digging but not a lot as I had to catch a ferry since I was headed south along the whole coast line. The tow guy told me I came in in the worst spot, not sure if it was true or if he was just trying to make me feel better, but it did take him about 3-4 tugs to get me free even with his big truck..
Hey Sal, do you have any pictures of your inner wheel well after the cut? I am considering doin this mod soon, but I'm not sure how it will look since my rig isn't lifted and doesn't have the 4xguard front skid.
Thanks, Ross
Ross, I created a thread and put all my pics in it Front Bumper Mod
I'm one step closer to finishing my intake mod. I've been searching for a pipe to use that could handle the heat as well and no one had one in my size. I looked at all the auto part stores and I just needed a pipe 5" long 3 1/2" wide. So was piecing things together and I picked up the stock cover that the tube plugs into and bang what dumb A** I am. I had the pipe the entire time I just needed to chop the one off the intake I pulled out so I did. I picked up a 1/2 male to a 1/2 serrated hose connection made out of brass. I drilled a 3/4" hole in the newly chopped off pipe and threaded the brass fitting in. The hole size was perfect and I actually had to use a wrench to thread it all the way in. Then I chopped the crank case hose the rubber one down to fit. So my crank case is back under vacuum. Now the thing is sitting on my second battery, so I'll address that issue at a later time.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4417JPG-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4418JPG-1.jpg
Before
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4006JPG-1.jpg
After
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4416JPG-1.jpg
Sal, is there a metal mesh around the air filter? Will it short on top of the battery?
No metal mesh it's pretty much all plastic. This is not the final resting spot either I'm still working on completing the mod
I would recommend insulating that positive terminal.
Metal isn't the "only" electrical conductor there is. That's a potential fire risk.
it would be an intersting show!
That's probably angood idea. The filter isn't touching any terminals and has some room before it touches the batterry it's self as well. But not done yet I still have parts to put on.
Are you making or installing some type of heat shield? Seams like you're just sucking hot engine air in..........?
What happened to the top secret Hmmwv snorkel idea ?
Ok first things first, I did this or started this out of necessity. My stock intake was taking in water and mud every chance it got so something needed to be done. I also wanted a second battery so all store bought CAI were out off the table. Cold air hot air what ever I will take either one over water and mud. So for emergency purposes I did this one.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4006JPG-1.jpg
Now the hot air I was sucking in didn't bother me or my XK's temperature or fuel economy. What needed to be done first was get my crank case back under vacuum instead of just venting normally. So thats were the latest mod came in I posted above. The hole thing was done early before I could gather all the parts I needed and design the stove top (hummer) snorkel I was planning. This is not the final product but I consider this more of a patch to get me buy until I come up with something else. Also before you say get a snorkel I can't. The snorkel uses the stock intake box and location which would kill my second battery. So for now I will make a few more changes to what I got and make it work to get me by. The sad part is how much water and mud I sucked up considering how little water and mud I went threw.
I joked with the wife that I would just cut a hole in the back corner of my hood and shove that cone filter threw it. Then though about Mmmmm......
Well, if you dont see any drop in fuel economy or performance, then I dont see a problem with it the way it sits.
Are you having any issues with your alternator charging both batteries?
Nice mod, btw.
Actually from stock to just plugging in that filter I saw slight gains in MPG's and throttle response. After I moved it forward I felt a larger gain in throttle response like I picked up some HP. I think because I'm missing most of my wheel well most of my bumper I get a lot of fresh air at that location so I think that has something to do with it. On the battery I haven't purchased the battery isolator yet. With the amount I've spent last couple of months plus the pre-run to Uwharrie and then the actual event plus the light bar battery parts and so on I think I will wait a bit for that. Right now I just keep it charged from the wall and will jumper cables if I every run down the primary battery to connect the two to get me going.
Ok I got the filter as far from the battery as it's going get right now. It's tight in the bracket I don't think it will move now and shouldn't touch the positive terminal and it can't reach the negative one at all. Thanks for all the replies if anyone has an idea besides purchasing a snorkel let me know.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...photoJPG-2.jpg
Looking good man. I wish another enthusiast like you lived near me!
Thanks bro, the bracket is on the other side of the filter that holds it up you can't see in the pic. The bracket you can see is just kinda like a bump stop to make sure it cant swing back towards the positive terminal.
I hear ya about the $$$$$ thing, im almost capped out till the road trip.
How much are isolators? I used to run two yellow tops with iso on my sports car with (4)12s and 3 amps back in the day. I dont recall that the isolators were that much flo.?.
I have my buddy in New York checking on a price for me, he thinks he can get it for less than $75. I will let you know as soon as I hear something.
Are you sure you need a 160A unit?
yup 160 AMP stock out put.
O.K., waiting game now. I'll text him later to see if I can get him to look it up. He's a mobile electronics installer and can get just about anything related to car stereos. Him and I used to bang out boomin' systems back in the day, lol.."How many twelves would you like us to fit in the back?" Oh, memories....................
Run over to the motor pool and snatch a Hmmwv stove pipe. That will give some more motivation !!
You know I asked several people who work the motor pool to grab me one. They said ya no problem one guy asked if I wanted a pioneer kit ( several tools in one) as well, nothing nodda what the heck no one has come up with anything for me. Getting ready to take the one of my CO's HMMWV
Thank you captain obvious LOL you all full of good advice today :)
I got my fuel tank skid in today!!!!!! So now I have factory mopar skids all three and the 4xguard front skid and belly guard. Thats five pieces of armor I think my next mod will be HD springs and shocks to take all this weight. LOL
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...28229JPG-1.jpg
do a write up for the install sal
I will, I made the wife take the XK to the store to help burn off fuel it has a full tank of gas. She said I'm a pain in the arse. I'm also making her take to work tomorrow and she's a real-estate agent LOL I told her it would be a conversation piece with her clients, I crack myself up :)
I can see it now her clients are going to ask "how do we get in?"
I got in one of my moods again LOL. The lights I put up front been bugging me again this is the second set I installed up front and its the second set I took off the front :) I put some washers and a bolt together and mounted them in the roof rail.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4641JPG-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4640JPG-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4642JPG-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i..._4643JPG-1.jpg
I like it, they look better in that spot rather than up front.