Okay, so my car has been though hell and back, I won't go through details. BUT, i need to know a few things, the lower valance, the splitter, whatever you like to call it, I would like to get a mesh black one, how hard is it to install? how do i install it, is it a long process? The spoiler looks like a good add on too, how is that installed?
That leaves the mechanical bit, the transfer case, I want to flush and change the fluid, how do I go about this with out have to sell a kidney. and my cars approaching it 91 500 service appointment, what should I have checked and what else should I take a look at.
Disco, as for the lower mesh, it is an easy job. So, don't worry about it. I don't know how the new mesh piece gets installed, but accessing that area is really easy. As for time, plan on about an hour. As for the spoiler, I think the amount of work for that is dependent on the style. Some are a complete new bumper cover, others just double sided tape into place.
Now, for the transfer case, there's a lot of threads on this here in the forums. In short, you need to find some sort of valve to replace the drain plug for the transfer case with. One guy had a kit he was selling that had a check valve in it that you overrode when you attached the fill rig. The process I used was using a 1/2" NPT to 1/4" NPT fitting and then using a radiator drain valve (requires a special one though, so, let me know). I simply open the valve to drain the fluid and then I use some small tygon to refill with.
Another process I have heard people using is to remove the drain plug and get all the fluid out. Then they jack up the driver's side fairly high and then they can put in the recommended amount of fluid without it coming out the drain valve.
As for other things to check/do, I would say to consider the following:
-spark plugs (every 70K-100K miles)
-cooling system flush
-rear differential fluid change out (uses same fluid as transfer case)
-suspension check
The rest of the things that come to mind should be things you do every 10K miles or so.
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Chris "Thermo" Coleman and K'Re Ann, the 03 X
okay, so the body work can wait for now. The transfer case, is it a very difficult job, and how long would the car be out of action, with flushing the case too, i don't want to just drain and replace the fluid, i want it to be clear of the garbage or little metal fragments. Spark plugs, how hard is it to do that.
Disco, as for the air filter, normally you will end up ordering it because it is a low turn around item and a lot of shops will not stock it. But, at the same time, to get one normally only takes about 24 hours. Normally runs about $20 USD.
As for the transfer case, plan on spending about an hour doing the job if you have the valve installed. Not that hard of a job.
As for the spark plugs, not a tough job, but plan on spending about 2-3 hours doing it as you have to pull the top half of the intake off of the motor so you can access the plugs on the rear of the engine. Of note, there are two 10mm bolts between the intake and the firewall that are not readily visible and can make you scratch your head wondering what else needs to be removed prior to lifting the intake. Also, disconnect the 4 bolts holding the throttle body to the intake vice disconnecting the coolant hoses to the throttle body. It will make for a quicker job unless you are planning on changing the coolant on the same day.
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Chris "Thermo" Coleman and K'Re Ann, the 03 X
Ok, for what it's worth. Minor stuff atg every 5000 or so (oil, Grease? and washer fluid, etc. Major every 25000, like differential. I have a 1977 Grand Cherokee...still running around Vermont with over 600,000 miles...just doing that schedule. Cabin air filter..get the Bosch, it has chaircoal as part of the element....aroiund $18...and an easy install. lots of luck
Disco, when I ordered mine, I looked it up in the book they have there next to all the filters. It seems to me that it was 25600 or 26500 for the filter number. But, this is going off of memory. Look it up. Took a day for me to get it and I live in the middle of BFE.
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Chris "Thermo" Coleman and K'Re Ann, the 03 X
Maintenance time
