Gas tank fell off '02 KJ

[JasonJ]

You know your jeep well, and have had it nearly all of its life. Repairs are less than what it would be for new(er) car payments. Like twoBobsKJ said.. I figure a 10-12k car loan is going to run me $200 a month, so at $2400/year, that leaves a lot of things that can be done to or repaired on my currently paid for 03 KJ with 109k miles before I even match the minimum expense of a newer vehicle.

Just because one big-ish repair is done does not necessarily mean that you'll be promised to have more and more cash repairs after it. I mean... unless you are very superstitious or something. Car-magic.. auto-mojo ... I dunno.

Fix it. Drive it. Be happy.

 

[narntek]

Just heard back from Fred Martin. They're getting a gas tank (used) from NC, and the rest of the parts will be new. They're saying that all of the parts I need for the repair SHOULD be included in the gas tank. Other than that, there will need to be a fuel reservoir, fuel seal, sensor for fuel low (typing as I see on the estimate sheet. Apparently the gas tank damaged the a tie rod in the front where it slid off. Like I said before, it was a unique "wreck" might you say, and I hope that none of you have to experience anything like this. It's been very confusing and exasperating. I luckily have my rental for another week, and they're expected to finish it the first of this next weekend. I've been quoted $975 so far :emotions34: which isn't as bad as the $1250 they originally estimated, but it's still a big repair. Hopefully this means it'll last me another 10 years! I'm in a better mood compared to when this started, and with all of the forum posts and contacts to the Svc Dept, I've learned a bit more about the internals of gas tanks, which is something I figured I'd never learn. I'm good with simple maintenance, and even a brake replacement, but dang, this got me!

Once I get it back, I'll post pictures. I do have a picture of the damage, but it's VERY dark and you can't really see much (cell phone cameras can only do so much). I'm getting the hitch recall done once again, for whatever the reason, they claim it needs to be redone. Not sure if something that was damaged during the wreck caused this, but nevertheless it's still free.

You know your jeep well, and have had it nearly all of its life. Repairs are less than what it would be for new(er) car payments. Like twoBobsKJ said.. I figure a 10-12k car loan is going to run me $200 a month, so at $2400/year, that leaves a lot of things that can be done to or repaired on my currently paid for 03 KJ with 109k miles before I even match the minimum expense of a newer vehicle.

Just because one big-ish repair is done does not necessarily mean that you'll be promised to have more and more cash repairs after it. I mean... unless you are very superstitious or something. Car-magic.. auto-mojo ... I dunno.

Fix it. Drive it. Be happy.

 

[narntek]

Just got the KJ back this morning. Free wash and oil change (due to oil pan having a rust piece and I wanted to be safe) to boot!

Here's a list of everything that got done:
Replaced damaged fuel tank
Strap for fuel tank
Pump Level Unit
Oil Pan replaced
Tire Pressure Checked/Oil and Filter
Tank recall/hitch

Total cost was 1277. Not bad but not good. I hope it lasts awhile longer! I've also attached pictures of the day of the "accident" as well as after pictures and a side shot. I didn't want to get full rear pic because of my license plate showing. It would involve my editing, and ya know, laziness :icon_lol:

 

[kage860]

I'm glad you got it back on the road! It was a good decision to keep it, a new car would be way more expensive.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I know $1200 is a real hit to the budget but I'm actually surprised at the final cost considering all that got done. Glad you've got the Libby back home ready for some adventures arty52:

Bob

 

[LibertyTC]

Also happy to hear that after a serious incident, there was no fire, and all is repaired well.
As far as adventures, take it easy with those shoes.
I noticed you have the Wrangler S--T tires. How old are those?
You can find the date code normally on the back of tire using this link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!67193941328!p!!g!!date%20code%20on%20tires&ef_id=VgH6pAAABH-Rq6gA:20150923010436:s
When I first bought my Jeep I had those with like newer treads, and on the first rain storm, I could not get traction on pavement uphill.
I would highly recommend that you save and get some decent AT tires soon.
Sorry..but the only thing those tires are good for is a...
53636[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

:icon_lol:

 

[M38 Bob]

Also happy to hear that after a serious incident, there was no fire, and all is repaired well.
As far as adventures, take it easy with those shoes.
I noticed you have the Wrangler S--T tires. How old are those?
You can find the date code normally on the back of tire using this link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!67193941328!p!!g!!date%20code%20on%20tires&ef_id=VgH6pAAABH-Rq6gA:20150923010436:s
When I first bought my Jeep I had those with like newer treads, and on the first rain storm, I could not get traction on pavement uphill.
I would highly recommend that you save and get some decent AT tires soon.
Sorry..but the only thing those tires are good for is a...
53640[/ATTACH]"]

You must be registered for see images attach

:icon_lol:

TROOF!!

Bob

 

[LibertyTC]

I think Bob is stating "True" Those cheap Wrangler ST should have never been supplied for the heavier Jeep! Totally unsafe tire.
Also, aged tires can be dangerous as treads can separate without warning after 6 years.
So it is important to know how old your tires are and when buying new, confirm the date of manufacturing before buying them!
Story: Dangerous Tires: Aged Tires Linked to Auto Accidents Video - ABC News

 

[narntek]

I commented at throwing money at the jeep and guess what something like that happened to me, again. Today while going to work on i-76 THE POWER STEERING BROKE, just after someone on one of the other KJ forums said that would be my next repair jokingly. Kinda wonder how he predicted that one lol.

Anyway, the tires were replaced at 151k, as it's sitting now it has 161k. They really have worn well and have honestly not caused me any problems. This type of tire has been on the "rig" since new, and I've had minimal to no complaints (sure it's not as silent of a ride as you could have had), but it's not as bad as Michelin!

We have a KK running with Cooper Discoverer, which I think is a pretty good tire. As I was on the cheap side when I needed tires the last time (had just graduated college and had some student loans, you know how that whole thing goes) I got what was available to me. I don't really do ******** mudding, just for the snow around here, even then they've never had a problem. Are there better tires out there, sure, but I still have sufficient tread, so unless I really need them, I don't think I'll put anything else on it at the moment. Hopefully the dealer takes pity on me (unlikely) and I get a cheap repair.

 

[TwoBobsKJ]

I commented at throwing money at the jeep and guess what something like that happened to me, again. Today while going to work on i-76 THE POWER STEERING BROKE, just after someone on one of the other KJ forums said that would be my next repair jokingly. Kinda wonder how he predicted that one lol...

What went bad - the pump, one of the hoses, the rack itself?

If it's one of the hoses there are a few different ways to skin that cat. If the pump then it is a pretty easy swap. If the rack - the dealer will charge a BUTTLOAD of hours because the service manual has some goofy process that doesn't make sense. I replaced mine in about an hour and I think the shop book calls for 6 hours or something like that.

Get a couple of opinions/quotes before you commit to the repair.

Bob

 

[narntek]

Pump itself, he quoted me within the ballpark of $150 so far.

 

[narntek]

I am going to definitely get a once over to see if anything else needs to be replaced. I am taking the advice of a couple other posters and getting this done so I don't have any surprises in the near future.

 

[narntek]

FINALLY got the KJ back after a long awaited last week. The "skinny" is basically that the power steering was out. It was originally thought to be a pump, and I was quoted accordingly. I received a call the next day saying that while the pump was *initially* the problem, there is a small gasket which holds the P/S fluid in, inside of the steering unit (based on the rep's explanation), there is a plug over the gasket, which holds the P/S fluid in. The plug was non-existent, so whenever they added fluid, it would just gush right back out of the car.

I had to have the whole steering assembly/rack/pinion/pump, alignment. I was LUCKILY able to get lightly used parts from a salvage yard off of a very low mileage KJ, and they agreed to do the swap as long as the parts were all there. The job was completed after the initial confusion and exasperation, within a week. It was just short of $700 for the repairs. For what was done, I'm happy! I'll continue to visit and help as much as I can if any of the members of this forum have any questions. Although I do enjoy mudding (which really is more done with my "offroad toys" besides the jeep, I have limited knowledge on how the mechanics of things work. I just know, if it works it's all I need to know. More well versed with electronics, so ya know, if you need help with computers, I'm your guy, lol.

I thank you all for your advice and communication.

 

[JasonJ]

Glad to hear it worked out! And for a lot less than what might have been anticipated. Well worth it to keep the truck on the road.

 

[narntek]

To tell you the truth, I'm glad it's back. It was a long road and kinda $$$, but it's been my "truck" for so long, that it makes sense. I basically know the KJ inside and out, know it's small quirks etc. I'm sure that if I purchased another vehicle (used or new) it would have it's own quirks that I would have had to have had gotten used to. In this case, I already know how the Jeep runs, what's "funky" with it (which honestly there isn't a ton of things). It's a lot more dependable than the Neon I owned previously. My parents purchased it new in 05 as a gas saver, and that thing was always in the shop. I purchased my Jeep 2 months after they got the Neon, and have loved it ever since. My starter car was a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis. Died at 197k (I drove a lot at the time) and that was only because I was rear-ended. The 4.0 was legendary in those things, which I'm sure you're all well aware of

Glad to hear it worked out! And for a lot less than what might have been anticipated. Well worth it to keep the truck on the road.

 

[twowings]

Happy to hear you're back on the road!

It's a LOT like marriage...after a time, you start to think you can't live with the faults and idiosyncracies and you notice a lot of flashier, faster, sleeker, younger things out there that SEEM like a good idea, but mature judgement wins out and you realize the hard work and money you've expended on the old girl mean little compared to the strong bonds you've formed over the years and no matter what else changes or breaks down, that certain look in her eyes says you made the right choice all along....