Introduction

[recoil44]

Guess I've lurked long enough. (long post, read when bored)

Recently bought an '06 Renegade with 127000mi from my Dad. Only issues he had that I know of is the electric fan asploded last year (well, not really... but the fan blades did manage to disappear) and 2 days before I was going to get it from him the battery died.

He kept it all stock except for window visors. It got regular (3K-4K) oil changes and was never off road.

2 days after I got it the radiator developed a small leak that turned into a gusher. Replacement was mostly painless since I managed the swap without removing the HD cooling fan. Really odd, the bottom of the rad looked like it had been hit from behind. The only thing I could think of is maybe when the shop replaced the electric fan they damaged the rad... but if so, it worked for about a year like that.

So far I've changed the engine oil/filter (it was due), transmission filter (fluid looked good), transfer case fluid (looked almost black), both differentials (lots of goop on the rear's magnet, don't know about the front since I just used the drain plug) and replaced some of the power steering fluid.

The transfer case was the worst due to the fill plug being partially stripped by some idiot using the wrong sized hex key and the fact that it had formed some kind of super bond with the case.
After failing with normal tools and stripping the plug more completely I ended up using a stubby easyout (Hanson 53211 if you were wondering) and an electric impact wrench to finally remove it. The drain plug was removed with a regular hex key and a small cheater bar.

The tires are almost bald and it needs an alignment. The suspension feels OK to me and it's sitting about 18.5" front and 18.625" rear.

Since it needs new tires I'm going to take this opportunity to make an upgrade and have decided on 245/75/16 GoodYear DuraTracs. To help them fit in the wheel wells I'm going to install an OME lift (OME926/NS131 front and OME948/N132 rear).

I was going to wait and post pics after the lift/tires but I'm still waiting on the lift from JeepinbyAL. The only tracking info is from the 7th (I ordered on the 1st) and it supposedly left Washington at 9:26 PM on it's way to Illinois...
I'm trying to be patient here but the tires I ordered on the same day arrived on the 5th so it's been a week that I've been looking at these nice, new, happy tires that can't go on till after the lift <sigh>.

OK, enough whining here's a couple pics.

Taken today:

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It's got big shoes to fill:

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Thanks for taking the time to read (or at least skim through) my first post.

 

[badkittystt]

Welcome! What's his (or her) name? Sounds like you're on your way to a really fun jeep.


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[JeepinJarhead03]

sounds like you got a good plan going

but if i may..

go with the 927's rather than the 926's. I ran the 927's with 3 conduits in the clevis on mine with JBA25 rear (very close to 948s) with 3 total upper iso's and it was perfect.. then I hung steel bumper on the front and it sunk HARD lol..

The 927's are perfect for the front, it'll take about 3k for them to settle in good and even during that time, man them things ride GOOOOD

i'd honestly ask marl to exchange the 926's for ya for 927's if you've already ordered

if not.. they'll be fine I'm sure - probably a little soft in the front compared to the rear

can't wait to see it post-install!!

 

[recoil44]

Welcome! What's his (or her) name? Sounds like you're on your way to a really fun jeep.

I've never named a vehicle. It will be referred to as "The Jeep" unless I'm trying to work on something and it's not cooperating... then it will be called many, many names.

go with the 927's rather than the 926's.
i'd honestly ask marl to exchange the 926's for ya for 927's if you've already ordered. can't wait to see it post-install!!

Already in route. I honestly was very, very close to getting the "light" springs which are recommended by the manufacturer (I have no plans for bumper or winch). I only went with med. as a compromise with the forum recommended heavy duty. It's a bit confusing to me that they would stress not to use med or hd for light applications and then say med is rated for 0-150lbs. Uhh... stock is 0 right?

The build theme is "Daily driver, off road ready". I think the hd springs would be more practical if it was going to be a wheeled on the weekend vehicle.
Of course it will be abused at some point, I need to know it's limitations, but it will be 99.5% street driven.

Well... that's the plan anyway.

 

[JeepinJarhead03]

the stock coils were honestly probably 150lbs if not more UNDER rated for the vehicle

that's why the stock coils sag to nil within 30k miles 9 times out of 10

the 926s probably should have been what the KJ's came with rate wise to begin with, and the 927's for those who like a firmer ride

927s wont hold up a bumper and a winch without lower expectations of ride height and additional lift assistance be it clevis or top plate - they're fine for use without steel - either way man.. you're gonna love it!

 

[Conorren]

Hi friends I’m Conorren from New York and am new in here. I am sure I’m going to enjoy my stay here and make many friends. If you need anything, or be friends with me just PM me.

 

[osufans]

I've never named a vehicle. It will be referred to as "The Jeep" unless I'm trying to work on something and it's not cooperating... then it will be called many, many names.

Same here...I can understand some folks doing it, but to me, it's just weird....lol

Already in route. I honestly was very, very close to getting the "light" springs which are recommended by the manufacturer (I have no plans for bumper or winch). I only went with med. as a compromise with the forum recommended heavy duty. It's a bit confusing to me that they would stress not to use med or hd for light applications and then say med is rated for 0-150lbs. Uhh... stock is 0 right?

The build theme is "Daily driver, off road ready". I think the hd springs would be more practical if it was going to be a wheeled on the weekend vehicle.
Of course it will be abused at some point, I need to know it's limitations, but it will be 99.5% street driven.

Well... that's the plan anyway.

I have 926's and no issues. I don't plan on doing an ARB or other type of heavy duty front bumper. You'll like the 926's just fine. Really firms up the ride, but not so rough you feel like you're driving an empty 3/4 ton pickup truck down the railroad tracks.

FWIW, you're probably lucky to have the radiator replaced anyway. They are a common point of failure. Mine developed a leak at ~75K miles, and there's a HOW TO on this site for replacing it since it's been done so many times.

Welcome and have fun!