Post-wreck jeep rebuild.

30. October 2008 by [JP].

The new fan is in today. Its getting installed in a few hours when the temps drop and I can work outside. (more of the underhood temp then the outside temp)

HID bulbs come in tomorrow. I picked up the housings to install them, i’ll do it tomorrow.

Also, tomorrow, I need to take pictures and send the report to the insurance company so they pay for the last of the stuff… Push bar, and healight mounting/header panel.

Grille shell and grille insert were ordered today, shall be here in about a week, need to paint the grille shell white, and the insert charcoal grey to match the bumper and trim.

Ordered mesh inserts for the grill, and they’re getting painted charcoal too.

I got a really nice wiring harness off Amazon, for both the low beam hids, and for the high beams, it was a combo harness with the correct plugs on both sides. Keeps me from having to make two, and wire them both across the grille. On sale for $25 so that was sweet.

The last few things I need to order are new high beams, replacement off-road lights, and a new push bumper. Still trying to decide which push bumper to go with this time around, either the same brand, or another one.

HID headlights are in, and after some issues getting them properly installed, they’re working, although I still need to tweak the alignment a bit.
I’m not as impressed with the 50watt hids as i’d thought id be, I dont see much improvement over what a 35watt kit would have given me.
However, after a discussion with a car customizer, he said to replace the D2R bulbs with D2S bulbs.
R type bulbs are designed for reflector assemblies, and have a shield around part of the bulb, where S type bulbs do not.
He said, on the Nissan Z, which is where the projectors in my retrofit came from, that replacing the R with S bulbs makes a big diff, so i’ll try that later… Not sure why Nissan uses R bulbs in projectors anyway, probably to comply with US DOT spec on output.
I’ll order some S bulbs with the next insurance check, probably also go with a slightly bluer tint, from 4500K to 5000K as well.

Grille arrived today.

When I bought the jeep, i specifically wanted a Laredo trim package, to avoid the problematic computer controlled climate system, and to get standard cloth seats rather then leather.
Laredo trim comes with a chrome grille like this:

I played with some paint variations with it, starting with all black first:

then going with a black and white paint scheme that made it look like the 2004 version

finally settling with the outer shell painted white, and inner grille painted black, with some thicker trim to make the black stand out…

which is what it looked like when it was hit.

The 2001-2003 Limited and Overland trim versions have a body colored grille, with black inserts, and chrome rings, like this:

I’ve decided I like that the best, so I ordered a paint to match 2001-03 grille with the chrome rings.
Im painting the shell white to match the jeep, and the inner grille charcoal to match the front bumper, rear bumper, and the rest of the side cladding.

This weekend, i’m pulling the smashed bull bar off the front, removing the bumper, fixing the dent in the bumper from the previous hit and run crash, painting the bumper charcoal grey to match the rest of the trim, painting the grille and insert, and putting it back together.

Few remaining parts im waiting to arrive are the headlight wiring harness, grille mesh inserts (still contemplating if i want them or not) high beams and fog lights

I still need to order a new push bar… still trying to decide on a brand, plus brackets for the HID off road lights.
Need to buy the replacement HID off road lights locally.
Need to order S style hid bulbs for the headlights.

And I believe thats pretty much it for now.

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