EgulAye's mild hunting build (is it an overland build?)

[EgulAye]

10/9/24 | 77,935
I installed a trailer brake controller. I got the Mopar ( Part #82215652AD ) controller from Quadratec. Getting the cigarette lighter out of the dash may have been the most challenging part of this swap. The directions with the kit contain no words.

Part of the directions suggest disconnecting battery power while you're working. I removed the first two wires at the fuse box under the hood. These are labeled V1 and V2 and they are for the Aux Battery and Main battery connections. After re-connecting them I started the truck to ensure everything still worked fine. Turns out it isn't good...

My UConnect screens are all different. I've got a different color scheme now with all blue highlights. My Off Road Pages are gone, and lots of other apps are missing from the menu. Based on a quick search of the forum it sounds like these may come back after the Jeep checks in with the mother ship? I sure hope so. I went out for an errand a few hours later and everything was back to normal. It's a bit concerning that the mother ship can change those types of things on the fly.

I'll try to add a couple photos of the installed controller later on. All I have is a photo of the parts laid out on the tailgate.

Newly purchased 7'x18' 7,000 LB GVWR trailer with electric brakes.

Sponsored

 

[EgulAye]

3/8/25 | 83,921

Time for another oil change (7,969 miles since the last one, this is definitely more than I would prefer).

Oil price is $33.28 w/ state tax, filter was $12.65 w/ tax.

The old oil filter looks like it was crushed in the housing.

Reminder, the drain plug is a 13mm hex.

Not much else has happened with the Jeep since October.

 

[EgulAye]

8/18/25 | 89,920

Oil and filter change and replacing transmission fluid in the pan (~5 qts). SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil from NAPA (5 qt jug), NAPA gold filter 100010, & 6 qts of Valvoline full synthetic Maxlife ATF (note the "ZF Lifeguardfluid" compatibility on the jug). Total cost was $112.00.

Tools: hook pick to make o-ring removal easier, 13mm socket, 15/16" socket w/ 6" extension, 3/8" ratchet, T-40 torx bit, 8mm allen key (hex key) w/ an 8mm deep socket and 6" extension for additional leverage, oil suction gun (NAPA #BK 715245).

The process of dumping the transmission fluid and filling it through the fill hole in the side of the case is extra messy. I'm wishing that someone offered an aftermarket pan with a drain plug and fill tube assembly to get rid of this nonsense.

Notes for next time: observe the oil seepage on the passenger side valve cover, it's more pronounced than the driver's side. Both valve cover gaskets should be replaced, as well as closely inspecting / fixing all the other penetrations into the valve covers - there are a lot.

Should I want to actually remove the transmission oil pan, removal of the "skid plate" crossbar support would be necessary. It uses an 18mm socket for the hex head bolts.

The heat shield around the drive shaft was hanging down and rubbing on the drive shaft. The photo could have been better, probably has transmission fluid on the camera lens at this point

Lots of rust showing everywhere that steel has been welded:

 

[Stan H]

2025/08/18 : 89,920

Oil and filter change and replacing all the transmission fluid in the pan.

Cannot believe you use Napa oil but at 89+ you got a good one.

 

[Stan H]

7/8/20 | 263

I picked up my Gladiator Rubicon on July 8th, 2020. At this moment is still has less than 1,000 miles on the odometer (263 when I pulled out of the dealership). I'll be taking the Jeep on a hunting trip in northern Maine this fall. I'll start this build thread detailing what I'm doing to prepare for that trip.

2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Gator green
Trailer Tow Package
Cold Weather Group
LED Lighting Group
8.4 Inch Radio / Uconnect
Hardtop Headliner
All Weather Slush Mats
8 Speed Automatic
Black Freedom Top
Winch Capable Steel Front Bumper
Spray In Bedliner

You picked that up on my 48th birthday lol
I see you have 89,000 on it now .
I bought mine in 12/17/20 But its a 2021 model I have 133k on mine . Run Amsoil Signature series 0W-20
Replaced my Automatic transmission 3k ago .

 

[nbennettksu]

Heck yea, man! I use mine for hunting as well. I take the trails deep into the Everglades.

 

[EgulAye]

2025/11/05, 93,080
Rotated the tires one more time. The two that were on the front are spent. Feathered, chipped, low tread, and loud on the road. One of the tires on the truck has a plug in it, one has a repaired valve stem.

I've got four new Nitto's in the garage. Those will go on some time this summer.

 

[EgulAye]

2026-02-28 | 96,885

Oil change today with the usual suspects. NAPA oil and filter, 13mm and 15/16" sockets with a 6" extension for the filter.

2026/03/01
In the past week there have been some concerning events. Coming home from the airport last week on the 11th, the check engine light came on along with the auto start stop unavailable icon. The truck drove fine however and I made it home. Yesterday morning, the 28th, on a trip to Portland am hour away the CEL came in again. Again the truck seemed to continue driving fine. I tried using my code reader but it wouldn't connect. I wonder if the Taser prevents connection to the computer... Today on a short trip across town it came on a third time. Arriving at our destination a few minutes away the truck was running roughly as if it may stall.

 

[Stan H]

2026-02-28, 96,885

Oil change today with the usual suspects. NAPA oil and filter, 13mm and 15/16" sockets with a 6" extension for the filter.

2026/03/01
I'm the past week there have been some concerning events. Coming home from the airport last week on the 11th, the check engine light came on along with the auto start stop unavailable icon. The truck drove fine however and I made it home. Yesterday morning, the 28th, on a trip to Portland am hour away the CEL came in again. Again the truck seemed to continue driving fine. I tried using my code reader but it wouldn't connect. I wonder if the Taser prevents connection to the computer... Today on a short trip across town it came on a third time. Arriving at our destination a few minutes away the truck was running roughly as if it may stall.

Cam position sensor or crank sensor ??

 

[EgulAye]

Cam position sensor or crank sensor ??

I'm still working through diagnosing it. But we'll see...

 

[EgulAye]

2026-03-00 | 96,909

My first worry was the more extreme possibility that the engine was toast, with the valve train gone, etc. Since the valve covers have been weeping oil for quite a while I decided to start by removing them and installing with new gaskets. This would give me a chance to see what the valve train looks like. While I'm in there I can test the various sensors and also replace the spark plugs. At over 97,000 miles it's probably time for some maintenance.

Two codes:

I took apart Bank 2 first, just because it was easier to get stuff off and out of the way. At first look, the camshafts look great. No excessive or obvious wear.

I'll check the VVT & VVL Solenoids, camshaft position sensors, etc. I'm not sure how to test the VVT's off the truck, but the VVL's have two pins and are easy to test. Resistance is about 11 ohms (inside the acceptable range of 7-14), and 12V applied causes them to actuate. The screens were clean.


Driver's side (Bank 2):

Next is the passenger side (Bank 1):

Whelp, there it is. I got the Bank 1 valve cover off today (3/17). Cylinder 3 intake cams are gone. Everything else looks pretty good.

,

FWIW:
Champion Iridium plugs, 9417, $10.53 ea
ECH Coils, IC914, $45.71 ea

 

[EgulAye]

04/15/26 | 96,910
I ordered a replacement Mopar camshaft on April 10th and it arrived today. I found it at Prestige Chrysler Dodge Jeep Parts (kit 68661147ab ).

I also ordered a Baxter oil filter adapter kit from Extreme Terrain. I'm hoping that having oil in the system at every startup will help. The ability to choose from the selection of spin on filters is nice also.

I opted for a PPE oil filter via Summit Racing, though I started second guessing that choice and decided to pick up a few different options. So I also got a Purolator BOSS PBL22500, a WIX 57502XP, and a Mobil 1 M1-212 - all available on Amazon. I actually have a couple of the PPE and Purolator filters. My plan is to cut open one of each filter and find out what the insides are like. I'll do an oil change and run the PPE filter on first startup w/ the new camshaft, then I'll do another oil change and put the Purolator on. Depending on what I find when opening the filters I'll choose a brand to move forward with from now on.

I also ordered a camshaft phaser timing kit to aid in the camshaft replacement process.

For oil I've got NAPA full synthetic 5W-30 and Royal Purple 5W-30. I'm not sure what the best choice will be moving forward from here, but I plan to stick with 5W-30 instead of the factory 0w-20 spec.

Oh, I also picked up a new serpentine belt and some idler pulleys (the ones NAPA could get), just in case I have time to change that out while lots of stuff is out of the way.
Belt: 25060854
Idler pulley (smooth): 36816
Idler pulley (grooved): 38082

If everything goes amazingly well, I`ve also got a new steering tie rod, rod ends, and steering stabilizer to install.

The weekend can`t come soon enough. Now that I`ve got all the parts I want to get started...

Sponsored