Oldskool's Mojave Science Project

[oldskool]

Well after swearing up and down I would never own another American, well here I am again. I could not resist the call (fly to light) draw as a wrench head and an odd-rod fan to the Big G. Well 3 Weeks ago today, I bought a 2021 Mohave in Sting-Gray. Had my typical less than stellar dealership experience from Chapman Jeep in Las Vegas and am still dealing with an issue caused on their end with uConnect. Still have not corrected and their survey about to get an F. Any who....

First order of business before I left the lot was to head over to Parts. Picked up the 3-Piece tonneau (wife said mandatory to drive back to NorCal), the cargo kit and the black sill protectors. Well got those on that afternoon with the assistance of the daughters BF..he's okay. The next day was the daughters graduation from UNLV Masters Program; advancement to Doctorate program fro my oldest so no Jeep time. However, I did learn an important lesson this day.

Jeep stands for Just Empty Every Pocket. Truth.

Sponsored

 

[oldskool]

Well 3 days into ownership, what does every capable wrench head do? Goes and figures out what did I just purchase. Took this this out to Lake Mead trails and ran it through its paces. First take....impressed.

If this rock was not meant to be a Jeep, too bad, it is.

 

[oldskool]

Well 3 weeks into ownership and about the same amount of time it would take to watch all Marvel Movies at once to investigate "things"; I find myself contemplating...how much have I spent just getting gizmo's and gadget's for the G. So I started to add it up..ouch; I haven't even begun. I'll get this filled out properly and reposted later but this gives you an idea of where I'm going with this already.

I'm contemplating changing lifts (preserve Mohave ride) and am working on my wheels and tires now.

 

[awraynor]

Man, living the good life. Enjoy.

 

[oldskool]

Mopar 82215184 Jeep Wrangler Locking Gas Cap
https://store.mopar.com/oem-parts/mopar-locking-fuel-cap-82215184?c=az0x

And today, I present oldskool's oldskool re-key and locksmithing skool lol. During my research, I noticed that 1) my Gladiator did not have a locking gas cap and 2) a locking gas cap was available from MOPAR and 3) gas prices are SOARING!

I says to myself upon discovery #2, "self, that has got to be small fortune to rekey" but then realized it was pretty much just as simple as my oldskool VW's and BMW's. So no issue. I Dr. Googled and confirmed, it's pretty much as simple as doing the old cars (circa <1975). Oldskool vs. newskool meets the together #1.

Here's a video on how to install:

And here we go, the goods you want:

The process.
Gas cap only has 4 pins so pretty easy. Most cars and houses have 5 to 8.

Kit comes with 24 pins; you'll only need 4. But there is a right and a left. It's based on how you hold the barrel. The pictures show my separation of the pins - A/B/C/D Left and Right. This just makes it easier. Pin 1 will be closest to the chrome key entry and is a left pin. Pins 1 & 3 are Left. Pins 2 & 4 are right. This matters for the spring and locking plate functions.

In the video it shows utilizing the spring for all the "test fits". Don't use. Not needed until towards the end; just helps you lose them. Just test fit each pin until it is flush against the surface of the barrel on both sides as the key is 100% inserted. I normally test fit first pin until it fits. Remove, then test for second pin until found and then try pin 1 & 2 together. And then continue this through the entire rekey coding.

Once done, it should look like this:

Once you're confident that you have selected all the right pins, remove the key, remove the pins. Now is time to insert the springs. Insert the springs into the larger portion of the keyway. As such there will be 2 springs needed for the left side keys and 2 springs for the right, for a total of 4 springs all together. There are extra springs in the kit so don't freak out if you lose one or if you have spare parts. I normally insert a spring, insert a pin, hold together with fingers and do the rest until complete. Insert all 4 pins you identified earlier in the correct order.

Once all 4 pins are in insert the key. Verify again, that all pins are flush and that the barrel is smooth. No elevations, catches or snags in the pins.

Now comes time to lubricate. You want to lubricate the pins, the outer barrel of the core and the female area of barrel of the cap. Don't overdue it. Just enough to keep in running smooth. Now comes the point of no return.

Gently insert into cap. The little "retractable brass clip" on the end is the retaining clip. Just wiggle that until it retracts, enters and slips into the barrel; it should slip in and lock once you align the two fingers on the core and inside the barrel.

Now DOUBLE CHECK your work before you get over confident and make a major mistake. Make sure the key rotates freely in the cap and the lock does not come out. Ensure that it rotates, locks the key in place and rotates back releasing the key. Once you're confident that your key master skills are not going to leave you stranded at a gas station looking for a drill, remove the old cap and retaining strap and replace with your new to you locking cap. Place old cap in box for when you get tired of using your key or you trust your neighbors.

Stand aside, you "I don't need a MOPAR or Locksmith guy to work on my Gladiator as we near Summer because I have a beer to buy" guy or woman and gleam at your work knowing you have protected your interests, your pocket book and defeated the socialist monster we can gasoline theft.

 

[oldskool]

Now plans. This one post will be my repository on how many times I change my mind and it will. I use this as a journal of parts to be ordered, ordered or received and what the hell was I thinking or am thinking.

WHEELS & TIRES
Fuel D716 17x9 ET1 Wheels - BACKORDERED UNTIL END OF TIME - BACKUP PLAN
Fuel D794 17x9 ET1 Wheels - ordered 6/2 $290 Each
BFG KO2 37x12.5x17 Tires - ordered 6/2 $365 Each
Will use stock TPMS in new wheels, rubber stem in OEM. Black locking Gorilla Lugs.
Sourced: WDGarage, Fremont, CA (friend connection)

SUSPENSION
2" Fabtech Sport II Lift Mohave Specific - ordered / Contemplating changing to AEV or custom Teraflex
AEC Correction Brackets - received
Lower Control Arms: TeraFlex or SteerSmart
Drag Link: TeraFlex or SteerSmart
Track Bar: TeraFlex or SteerSmart
Sway Bar Disconnects: autoLYNX
Synergy front track bar and sector shaft brace - Mohave issue?

BODY EXTERIOR
Front Bumper - Leaning MOPAR Steel but we'll see.
Rear Bumper - Leaning MOPAR Steel but we'll see.
Winch - 12K: Undecided (Mean Mother?)
Track Bar Sector Shaft Brace - Synergy
COMPLETE - MOPAR 3-Piece Tonneau Cover (Yay - V1 for my V2 truck)
COMPLETE - MOPAR Cargo Tie-Down Kit
COMPLETE - SEVEN SPARTA Pod Light Mounting Brackets
PPF Self-healing on pinstripe areas and ceramic balance

BODY INTERIOR
COMPLETE - MOPAR Interior Grab Handles (FRONT)
MOPAR Interior Grab Handles (REAR) - received
COMPLETE - MOPAR Sill Protectors Black
COMPLETE - Hot Headliners (Gray)

COMMUNICATIONS
COMPLETE - BulletPoint Driver and Passenger Dual Phone Mounts
CB Radio / Mount
Ham Radio / Mount
Safety GPS / Mount
iPad Mount (X-offraod)
COMPLETE - Short Stubby Rubber Antennae (KSa AUto)

ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTING
COMPLETE - TAZER Programmer
COMPLETE - CaliLED 50" Light Bar with L/R Ditch Pods on Go Rhino A-Pillar Mounts
COMPLETE - MOPAR Auxiliary Switch Installation
COMPLETE - MOPAR Trailer Brake Package
COMPLETE - 3WLiners Window Control Module
Gatekeeper knuckle mount turnable LED's

PERFORMANCE
MOPAR OEM Rubicon Front Locker and stock parts.
Supercharger?
Re-gearing: 4.88 or 5.13
Pedal Commander (Black Friday Sale = $100 off)

OTHER
Fire extinguisher with QD mount

 

[oldskool]

Contemplating lifts. I couldn't have picked a Rubicon and made it easy....no, I pick the Mohave because of all it's badass, restricting qualities like the lift. DO NOT want to compromise the 2.5" Fox shock system and engineering that went into this design. Bust must go MOAR high, not much, just a whittle.

FABTECH: https://fabtechmotorsports.com/product/2-sport-ii-lift-kit-w-shock-extensions-k4184/
- ORDERED but on the fence of actually using now. Buyers remorse? Want to keep Mohave ride quality as best as possible but with Fabtech switching springs, concerned this may not be the case.

AEV: https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/mojave-spacer-lift/
-Thinking I should have gone this route but this has been sold out forever. Looked at non-Mohave units and just missing the shock extension brackets...but sold out as well!

TERAFLEX: No kit available but thinking about using the youtube Mohave OMG 2.O build. My question is can you just order the coil spacers? They look to be out of the 2.5" kit.

Overall, cost is not the issue here; it's the best quality, capability and ride quality for reliability and comfort. Any input?

 

[oldskool]

SUPPORTING THREADS:

SYNERGY TRACK BAR AND SECTOR SHAFT BRACE: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...ohave-synergy-confirmation.44762/#post-725283

 

[oldskool]

Overland Bed Equipment

 

[oldskool]

General Equipment and Recovery Gear

 

[oldskool]

Lift Program:

Ordered Fabtech Sport II kit. Do I run (changes springs) or do I look for spacer lift?

Custom 2.5":
https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-25-triple-rate-rear-coil-springs-2020-jt

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-25-front-coil-springs-2007-2020-jk-jl

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-adjustable-front-track-bar-2018-jl-jt

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-gladiator-adjustable-rear-track-bar-2020-jt-0

https://www.claytonoffroad.com/product/jeep-front-bump-stops-2007-2020-jk-jl-jt

https://www.aev-conversions.com/product/jk-geometry-correction-brackets-frt/#cambolt-kit (Already have)

https://teraflex.com/shop_items/jl-jlu-2-5-lift-2-shock-extension-bracket-kit-front-rear

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...manufacturing-rear-2-5in-shocks-extension-kit

https://www.morris4x4center.com/evo-manufacturing-evo-manufacturing-bump-stops-4.html

 

[oldskool]

Tuesday will make weeks 4 of ownership. Tuesday will make week 4 of no uConnect.

Update: After 25 days of ownership, uConnect / SiriusXM were finally able to get all services working. The main issue stemmed from the fact that someone else tried to buy my Jeep and I guess, it fell through. It was assigned to that person and not me and had to have it all transferred. So after more than 8 phone calls and more than 8 hours of my time, it is finally fixed. I called them immediately and told them it was working properly but I wanted credit for the lost month of service. They honored it! So far, no more issues.

 

[oldskool]

Welp, $mall updates. Will post pics later.

Wheels and tires on. BFG KO2 17x12.5x17 are actually 35.5's. Be careful. I'll be switching tires shortly...

Fabtech 2" sport lift shipped.

Ordered AEV 2" spacer lift because I'm indecisive and impatient.

Ordered Best Top Sunrider.

Ordered Barricade Adventure HD Front Bumper - hopefully fits with Mohave skid.

 

[Hank_]

Watching this thread to see which way you go on your lift. I like the ride of mine so much I hate to think about messing it up. I keep watching the AEV lift threads. I think that with the correction brackets is the way I would go. Looking forward to seeing how yours works out.

Hank

 

[Jaxmax]

Oldskool, ya gotta bee spellin MOJAVE write, eye m gettin konfused!
It is bad enough that the H is to the left of the J, and I have big fingers and routinely spell it Mohave , but I have been going to meetings and I am now 180 days Mojave, my sponser says you are a bad influence! Hi my name is Jack, and I have no idea why Mohave is spelled wrong most places!........Jack

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