Jeep Parts & Accessories Review

Used Parts Buyer Guide & New Jeep Parts Accessories Review

Auto Meter Gauges: Replacement Gauges

When I decided to rebuild the dash in my ‘91 Wrangler the choice of replacement gauges was an easy one: Auto Meter Phantom Gauges.  Auto Meter is the number one choice for after market gauges.  Their product and customer support is second to none.

After swapping in the AMC 360 the stock 4cyl gauges from the YJ didn’t work anymore and needed to be replaced.  Since I was pulling all the old dash and building a custom flat dash I had a clean slate to work with.  After browsing through online catalogues, I settled on the Phantom line of Auto Meter gauges.  I liked their simple and classic look and they looked sweet on the flat black flat dash.  Although I went with a custom dash, you can make these fit in the current Jeep gauge cluster without much issue.

After double checking what part numbers I needed for my configuration, I was off to eBay to buy them.  Since I was buying a full set of gauges: voltmeter, oil temp, water temp, tranny temp, tachometer and speedometer, I had to buy from 3 different sellers to get what I needed.  This was not a big deal cause I saved about 65 bucks.

Here is a pick of my dash while it was fitted.  pic kinda sucks but I’ll be completing a full writup with large pictures in the Mods section of the site. 

This is a picture from the net that gives a visual of how the AutoMeter gauges look in the stock Jeep Wrangler/YJ gauge cluster.

My overall review on the Auto Meter gauges is two thumbs up.  Packaging is great and includes everything you will need to wire the gauges up.  Instructions are simple and easy to follow.  I must stress that you research what gauges match the engine you have or you will be disappointed.  Quick call to Summit Racing or Auto Meter and they will confirm the correct part numbers, fuel gauge being one of the most important to get right so you get the correct ohms and gauge reading ;o)

Jeep Bushwacker Pocket Flares

After installing a lift, rims and tires your Jeep has a nice wider stance.  One important item to consider is fender flare coverage.  Not only is proper fender flare tire coverage the law in most states and provinces, you also have to take tire coverage for consideration for those offroad and mudding runs.  I can tell you from experience that eating mud due to improper tire coverage is not enjoyable.

With all that said I decided to go with Bushwacker Pocket Flares on my Jeep.  I was looking for an easy replacement to my stock flares and needed and extended flare to cover my 37″ Boggers on Waggy axles.  The Bushwacker 6″ Extended Cut Out Flares did the job 100%.  These fender flares are easy to install, look great and are very well priced… it’s a win win win situation. 

Bushwacker Cut-Out Fender Flares add an aggressive appearance as well as provide tire coverage and clearance.  They’re made of ultra durable Dura-Flex 2000, provide 100% UV protection and you can’t beat their limited lifetime warranty against chalking, cracking and warping.  All stainless steel mounting hardware is included.  The external mounting pockets make the install of these flares an easy task.  As a matter of fact you will spend double the time removing your old flares then installing the new ones.  I left mine black but you can paint them to match your Jeep color.

The first thing I hear about the Bushwacker flares is they feel stiff.  Well I can say I felt the same way when I first got them and thought I’d break them on the first trip out.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  I mean if you hit or pin a tree any flare will break, but I don’t baby my Jeep and have rubbed up against trees and rocks plenty and the flares flexed and came back without cracking.  They have weathered well with tree and rock rash to match the rest of the Jeep. 

Overall I like the Bushwacker flares and would suggest them to anyone who likes the look they add to your Jeep as well as their function.  The price has come down a lot since they first came out and now you can get them for all Jeep makes and models: CJ, YJ, Wrangler, TJ, JK, etc… highly recommended… go get a set!

Keep it Jeep!

Bilstein 5150 Shocks Review

If you are looking for the best shocks for your Jeep, Bilstein is the only name you need to remember. The Bilstein 5150 is availabe from 6.5″ to a long travel 14″ shock. The Bilstein 5150 series first production monotube, high gas pressure, fixed, CrossFlow reservoir shock absorber with excellent cost and performance ratio. I’ve personally been running the 5150’s in the front of my Waggy leaf SOA Jeep for 3 years now and love their stability and valving. The valving of the shock displays better control charactaristics in for quick droop and compression scenarios. It feels like the shocks work together and control body roll and sudden suspension unloads.

Installation of the Bilstein shocks is straight forward however head this warning. Put the shock in place before cutting the shipping retaining strap. The pressure in these shocks will make it difficult to mount if you cut the strap on the bench and then try to mount them.

Here are a few key points from Bilstein:

• Race Inspired Fixed CrossFlow Reservoir

• Adjustable Shock Mount Allows Unlimited Reservoir Positioning

• Patented Digressive Split Valving

• Huge 46mm Working Piston

• Maintenance Free Design

• Valving for Single or Multiple Shock Applications

• Platinum Powdercoat Finish

• Available in 6.5″ - 14″ Travel

In the shock absorber world I am a true believer that you get what you paid for and also Bilstein shocks are a bit more expensive then some shocks out there, they are also above in quality. I would have no problem suggesting these shocks as an upgrade to any Jeep or Offroad Vehicle.

New Offroad Menu Added!

JeepingCentral.com is proud to announce the Jeep Offroad Parts menu in our storefront.  We recognize the need for quality offroad parts and have indexed only the best deals on new and used offroad Jeep parts. We currently have Ring & Pinion Gears and Differential Lockers indexed and will be adding more categories in the coming week.

How-To Properly Fit 31″ Tires: Jeep Wrangler

The first item people usually want to change on their Jeep is tires and wheels.   Jeeps come stock with small stock tires and people usually tend to look at a 31 to 33 inch tire as a replacement to start. You can put 31 inch tires on a stock Jeep but don’t hit too many potholes or you will tear up the tires quickly.  Here is a list of components to fit 31″ tires and improve handling.  I will cover 33” tire coverage in the next article on “How-To Build A Mild Offroading Jeep”.

 

Urethane Body Mounts with 1″ Lift

Many manufactures sell the 1″ body mount kit to replace the old rubber worn out Jeep body mounts.  Depending on the status of the Jeep body, this can be an involved process but well worth the effort.  This 1″ lift will help you clear the bigger tires and help clean up between the frame and tub.  The Urethane will also last longer than the rubber mounts and will not crack. Although they do sell them, do not install a 3″ body lift.  These cause too much stress on the mounts and are not safe.

 

Boomerang Shackles

Since Jeep Wranglers have leaf springs rather than coils such as their newer TJ siblings, you can use Boomerang shackles to give yourself a smoother ride, increase articulation and gain small lift.  Boomerang shackles come with greaseable urethane bushings which will smoothen out the ride and allow the leaf pack to articulate or “flex” more freely.  These shackles will also give you a small lift of about half to three quarter inch.  Do not buy extended 2” plus lift shackles.  These will worsen your ride and change the caster on your front end which will result is steering wandering all over the road.  If you have no idea what I just said I will cover the safe steering setup for lifted Jeeps in another article, just take from it that lifted shackles = dangerous so don’t get them.

 

Tires and Rims

Stock Jeep Wranglers come with 15×7 rims and small 225 tires.  If you are going to keep the stock rims you can run a 31” tire on the 15×7 rims.  If you are looking at buying rims I would suggest either 15×8 or 16×8 rims as these will give you the best after market tire selection.  If you are in the new rim buying market I would buy the 16×8 rims as it will give you more tire selection in the larger tire market in the future after you’ve outgrown your 31” tires.

 

These items will give you ample clearance to run 31 inch tires comfortably and be able to take your Jeep off pavement without the fear of tearing up the tires or the Jeep.  Plus you will have a nicer ride and easier time to clean up after.  The 1” body lift incorporated in the new Jeep body mounts will make cleaning between the frame and body nice and easy.

 

Next article I will cover how-to build a mild off-road Jeep with 33” tires, items such as suspension lifts and parts upgrades, steering, lockers, axle gears and brakes.  Until then, Keep it Jeep!