(Soon to be) New EcoDiesel owner planning a full road trip into the wilderness after picking up my JT. Help, questions, suggestions.

[ChimeraJT]

Hey guys, looking like my JTRD should arrive sometime in mid/late August, just ahead of a 3 week trip into the Rockies that I will be taking with some friends to their cabin at high altitude (10k+ ft).

So I'm getting ready to order some diesel related stuff in preparation for the maiden voyage. Honestly after checking into this section of the forum religiously for the past few months, I'm kind of paranoid about heading into the wilderness with this emissions system as soon as I pick it up... So I wanted to run my ideas by the more knowledgable and experienced minds here.

In the Amazon cart right now:

OBDLink MX+ for DPF monitoring and checking and clearing codes:
https://www.amazon.com/OBDLink-Bluetooth-Professional-Grade-Diagnostic-Performance/dp/B07JFRFJG6

Hot Shots Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment:
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shots-Se...keywords=hotshot+secret&qid=1627777012&sr=8-6

- Maybe about a quart of oil just in case.

Does anyone have experience with the native OBD app or suggest another app like AlfaOBD for such things?

From what I've read, the EDT is great for fuel stability, reducing the amount of regens (very important to me as I likely won't see the highway much when I get up there), and keeping the fuel pump lubricated and injectors clean.

Other than that I was thinking maybe a cheap Tonneau cover that is at least water proof for cargo during the road trio. Long term I am planning to get something like a RSI or ARE bed cap, so I don't want to spend much for what will essentially be a jerry rig situation for one long road trip.

Hell, maybe I could figure out some kind of tarp solution. (If anyone has done that before, let me in on your tips and tricks ) Bed security isn't important to me for this trip since I will have eyes on the vehicle at all times when the bed is loaded, valuable cargo will be in the cab, and bed cargo will be unloaded and kept in the cabin most of the time.

Once I get back home, the real build will begin, but for now am I missing anything? I will likely only have a week or less between when it arrives at the dealership and when I leave on the trip. (I will be travelling with another vehicle so absolute worst case I won't be stranded if there's any kind of catastrophic failure, but getting it towed from there would be a huge pain).

Thanks in advance ya'll.

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[HourlessLife]

Hey guys, looking like my JTRD should arrive sometime in mid/late August, just ahead of a 3 week trip into the Rockies that I will be taking with some friends to their cabin at high altitude (10k+ ft).

So I'm getting ready to order some diesel related stuff in preparation for the maiden voyage. Honestly after checking into this section of the forum religiously for the past few months, I'm kind of paranoid about heading into the wilderness with this emissions system as soon as I pick it up... So I wanted to run my ideas by the more knowledgable and experienced minds here.

In the Amazon cart right now:

OBDLink MX+ for DPF monitoring and checking and clearing codes:
https://www.amazon.com/OBDLink-Bluetooth-Professional-Grade-Diagnostic-Performance/dp/B07JFRFJG6

Hot Shots Secret Everyday Diesel Treatment:
https://www.amazon.com/Hot-Shots-Se...keywords=hotshot+secret&qid=1627777012&sr=8-6

- Maybe about a quart of oil just in case.

Does anyone have experience with the native OBD app or suggest another app like AlfaOBD for such things?

From what I've read, the EDT is great for fuel stability, reducing the amount of regens (very important to me as I likely won't see the highway much when I get up there), and keeping the fuel pump lubricated and injectors clean.

Other than that I was thinking maybe a cheap Tonneau cover that is at least water proof for cargo during the road trio. Long term I am planning to get something like a RSI or ARE bed cap, so I don't want to spend much for what will essentially be a jerry rig situation for one long road trip.

Hell, maybe I could figure out some kind of tarp solution. (If anyone has done that before, let me in on your tips and tricks ) Bed security isn't important to me for this trip since I will have eyes on the vehicle at all times when the bed is loaded, valuable cargo will be in the cab, and bed cargo will be unloaded and kept in the cabin most of the time.

Once I get back home, the real build will begin, but for now am I missing anything? I will likely only have a week or less between when it arrives at the dealership and when I leave on the trip. (I will be travelling with another vehicle so absolute worst case I won't be stranded if there's any kind of catastrophic failure, but getting it towed from there would be a huge pain).

Thanks in advance ya'll.

I can't be of much help to you ChimeraJT as I don't have the diesel and your questions are all related to that. What caught my attention was your title about your wilderness trip. I'm a full-time overlander so in that area I can be a resource if you'd like any thoughts on that side of the house.

Ultimately I'm just excited for you. Seems like an awesome trip. And if you are going to be in Colorado at the end of August anyway, you might consider getting a day pass for Overland Expo Mountain West at the end of August in Loveland, CO. They will have a ton of things for you to look at and consider for your new rig and these types of trips.

Congrats on your new rig, and I hope you have an awesome adventure with your friends.

 

[Overland-2021]

I use the MX+ and its pretty good.
Gives me something like 150 data points.
I think the AlfaODB gives you more functionality though.

 

[WXman]

I've put a combined total of about 22,000 miles on two separate Gen 3 EcoDiesel engines so far and both have been really good. BUT, if I were going to take delivery of a new one and immediately go into the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains, my suggestion would be to try and drive the Jeep for a while before you head off on your trip. Put some mileage on it and make sure you don't have any issues first. It seems like the guys having problems with these engines find out pretty quickly. It's usually due to manufacturing issues. Do a good shake down run with the new Jeep, THEN go off and explore. Just my $0.02.

 

[jeepin48]

I agree with the above and put 1K on it or so. I also have concern the dealer is actually going to come through with your order. They typically only give estimates on delivery.

The didn't see any emissions issues until after 6k miles so I think you will be good for your trip. You have also done your research on the EDT additives and if you can figure out how to find the right PID's for the OBD scanner you should be able to tell when you are approaching a regen so you are not caught off guard. I see lots of guys on here using Fusion OBD so you might pay the $10 and give that a go.

I got a cheap roll up tonneau cover TCC169012 for a 5' chevy colorado and I love it. gives full use of the bed and keeps everything dry.

The trip sounds like a blast. Worst comes you can alway use the $1000 jeep vacation interruption insurance.

 

[CerOf]

Enjoy your trip and don’t worry.

If it throws a code, 99% chance you’ll be able to drive just fine. Though there are remote areas in the Rockies, you’re typically never more than ~15 miles to cell service and 30 miles to a town.

As for regen, in 9,000 miles I’ve only had one.

 

[ChimeraJT]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I agree about putting some miles on before the trip if I can. I talked to Jeep chat yesterday and was given a ETA at the dealership of 8/9-8/17. Of course that's not set in stone, but if it gets here by the 17th at latest I will have about 10 days to put some miles in it, test it out and prep it for the long trip.

 

[AXISJT]

I'm driving from California to Tennessee next weekend I'm going a long the I70 I will be camping in Utah, Colorado and prob Missouri, My diesel already has 3k on it so I'm not too worried but I would maybe like to top up the oil and bring some extra before I go so any suggestions would be great. As far as your bed situation. If you don't want to worry about a cover I highly suggest these

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-2...ainer-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-246842/311485319

I will have my bed loaded with them since I am moving and in no way could fit all my stuff under a cover. They are decently rugged and totally waterproof from rain or anything like that and make organization much easier. you can fit 5 in the bed easily and more if you want to stack and strap down. I will always be taking them on my camping trips now. they also have different sizes

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