Hi,
I have a JK X 2007 running fine on 285/70R17 but I would like to improve some points. I have the following questions:
1. The car has 100 kMiles and a new shock will be good. This is the opportunity to put a lift kit. What brand and model of kit can I use in a reasonable budget (max 1200 $ for all and max 2.5" ?
2. I have an default code with engine light on dashboard P0430. How I can fix it ?
3. What kind of paint can I use to rebuild some element of chassis ?
4. Could you list all fluids needed for engine (v6 3.8L), coolant, brakes, Diff front and rear, auto gearbox and transfer case ?
5. I would like to put a film tint on 3 hardtop windows but I don't know what is the level of shade needed.
6. I would like to update the headlight by LED model. Do you think of a low cost model from AliExpress should be good ?
7. I have to replace the muffler. What's the best model to have a nice sound but not too loud ?

Thanks a lot for your help.
Ludo

 

1. The car has 100 kMiles and a new shock will be good. This is the opportunity to put a lift kit. What brand and model of kit can I use in a reasonable budget (max 1200 $ for all and max 2.5" ?

I started with a 2.5" Teraflex coil left with TF front lower control arms (allows resetting caster to return steering feel back to normal) and front and rear trackbars (allow aligning tire tracking). I've had to modify it since because my Jeep is way heavier than yours is likely to ever be. But that lift did me fine for many years and miles (I have 280,000 miles on my JK). Others will chime in with different brands that were, by my timeline, latecomers to the party. Since I have no comment on those brands, I won't attempt to say anything except that TF did me well.

2. I have an default code with engine light on dashboard P0430. How I can fix it ?

My experience with this code was replacing the O2 sensors did not fix it. Replacing the cats did. Cats have gotten crazy expensive since I had to replace mine.

3. What kind of paint can I use to rebuild some element of chassis ?

I'll let a paint expert chime in on that one.

4. Could you list all fluids needed for engine (v6 3.8L), coolant, brakes, Diff front and rear, auto gearbox and transfer case ?

I could, But I'd rather you just use the owners' manual. You can download it for free starting here. Pay attention to the specs called out there. I would add that I avoid universal coolants like the plague because mixed coolants cause internal coolant system damage. I just stick with the (pricey) Mopar stuff. I know they say universal, but the manufacturers do not seem to agree: They all keep making their own.

5. I would like to put a film tint on 3 hardtop windows but I don't know what is the level of shade needed.

With a motorcycle riding background a half century ago, I like catching eye contact with the other driver at an intersections I hate aftermarket tint and wish laws regarding it were enforced.

6. I would like to update the headlight by LED model. Do you think of a low cost model from AliExpress should be good ?

I have no experience. However, do be aware that there are a lot of cheap Jeep aftermarket products that justify the "You get what you pay for" axiom. I'm sure someone else will chime in with a good recommendation.

7. I have to replace the muffler. What's the best model to have a nice sound but not too loud?

If you're wiling to also move the evaporative canister and pay a lot of money for the full kit, then I recommend Dominion Offroad's package. Brett Wood's business owner, did a lot of testing of various mufflers way back when and they were all too loud for him (and me). So, he designed his own. You can listen to mine on this video. There's some highway driving and some rock crawling. I drive the green one with the limb riser cables. There is also a silver one that looks similar except it's silver. And a two door, but you wouldn't know that ...


https://dominionoffroad.com/jeep_jk_...kit/index.html

One last thing to help you be straight with the Jeep community: We never call them "cars". They are always Jeeps. It is rumored that God kills a kitten every time someone says "car" in reference to a Jeep. But I can't confirm that. ;-)

Good luck with your build. It's a great way to spend lots of time (and money!).

 

Item #6 LED Lights - I got some off Amazon for a gift about 2 years ago. They work fine and way brighter than stockers. No opposing traffic flashing me except those odd truckers that get tired from long hours. They were plug and play and make sure you get the oneswith anti-flicker adapter harness built in. I am currently about 2000 miles from the Jeep so cannot provide a picture. One other thing to consider is a heating element if you live in a snow belt. I do not have them but they do build a bit of snow. I am rigging up headlight washers to overcome this issue.

 

Not sure what you mean by this......

For tint, you should check your local restrictions. There is likely a shade at which it stops being legal but that differs from state to state. What you do is all subjective to your tastes.

I've had a cheap Thrush Welded muffler from Advance Auto for years and really like it. It was $35 and I paid $40 cash for a mom and pop shop to bend some pipe and weld it in for me in the factory location. I really like the sound and it's less than half the size of the factory monstrousity. That said, your 3.8L is more "throaty" than my 3.6L so I'd imagine it would sound a good bit different for you.

Headlights are a safety item that you use every single time you drive in the dark. I stick with a quality DOT approved light. Keep in mind it's not just you and your passengers, but all the drivers on the road whose lives could be impacted by something as simple as a headlight.

 

Thanks for your answers.
I ordered several parts to start the maintenance and improvement.
- Oil for Engine, Front/Rear diff, Transfer, Auto
- Ignition coil, sparks, spark plug wire
- PCV valve
- Belt drive + water pump + Thermostat
- 4x O2 sensors
- Lift kit AEV 2.5" + geometry correction from AEV also

Don't hesitate if I forget something.

 

if you are not planning on running bigger tires then don't lift, you don't gain anything and it looks dumb.

 

I'm running actually with 33" and maybe in the future in 35" not not more.

 

Hi guys,
I installed the new suspension and check everything. Sounds good but I'm surprised to feel the suspension very hard and I suspect the tire pressure.
I felt the same thing with the stock suspension and now this is AEV 2.5". The tires used are Falken wildpeak 33" and the current pressure is 32psi cold (michigan cold ). Do you think if the pressure is good ?

Thanks

 

32psi doesn't seem unreasonable for a 33" tire. What tire/size are those specifically? Curious about the load rating if it's C or E. If it is E rated that would explain a lot of it.

 

If it is an E rated tire then go down to 26psi. My tire shop friend runs 24 in his E tires. You won't hurt them and they wear more evenly. Right now I have 18 in mine and they are fine for winter. Next set will be C rated but they are getting hard to find.