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Jeep Project CJ-7

An ongoing Budgeted Rebuild/Build up of a Rock
Crawling Machine.

Offroaders Guide to Gearing up for Offroad
From Basic Equipment to Well Equipped.  An extensive list guide to help you prepare your vehicle for the offroad.


Trailering Safety and Trailer Hitch Information


Off-Road Truck Driving Techniques and Safety

25 Top To Do Tips Before Going Offroad
 

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Rausch Creek
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Jeep Central
From Jeep History to Tech Specs and Projects.  This section is all about Jeeps.
Jeep Technical Info
Engines
Transmissions
Transfercases
Axles
Engine Swaps

Installing 23,000 Volt Offroad Lights


Onboard Air
Converting a York
AC Compressor
to Pump Air

What are HID Lights?

Onboard Air
Converting a York
AC Compressor
to Pump Air

Warn 9500i Winch Installation

Warn X8000i
Winch Installation

 

HEI Ignition
Installation & Review

Lockers, Limited Slips &
other Differentials Explained

 

 

 

Wheeling in the Valley of the Ferns

1.jpg (70086 bytes)
Tellico North Carolina


Paragon Adventure Park
Rock Krawl

Thousands more photos here..»

 
 

 

 

 

 

Automotive Gauges &
Instrument Functions
Information they display &
their importance.

 


 

Gauges & Instruments found in OEM Applications, and Optional & Aftermarket Applications
Tachometer

A tachometer is an instrument that measures the rotational speed of the motor's crankshaft. The tachometer displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analog dial or digital display.  The tachometer is one of the most important gauges providing important information such as, engine RPM, optimal shifting points, and maximum engine RPM known as the Red Line, not to be exceeded as serious engine damage could occur.

Oil Pressure The Oil Pressure gauge or indicator light is the most important gauge of an engine.  Oil is the blood of an engine. Oil pressure is essential to keeping an engine's moving parts lubricated. If oil pressure is too low, the engine can seize up or sustain serious internal damage. Oil pressure that is too high (higher than normal) could indicate a plugged oil filter or an oil pressure valve stuck in the closed position.  Surprisingly the oil pressure gauge appears on most vehicles as a "dummy light" that displays when oil pressure is too low.  If the oil pressure light or indicator comes on or the gauge enters the high or low danger zones while the engine is running, it is important to safely pull over and stop the engine before serious internal damage occurs. This may indicate the oil pressure is low (or too high) and the lubrication system is not working properly.
Water Temperature The cooling system of an engine is designed as a sealed system with the engine coolant held under pressure.  When under pressure, water and engine coolant boil at a higher temperature.  As your coolant and water increase in temperature and approach the boiling point, the state of the liquid begins to change to a gas, seen as steam.  The water temperature gauge indicates the engine's operating temperature allowing the driver to monitor the cooling system to protect the engine from overheating and ensure maximum performance.
Fuel Level Fuel level meter or fuel gauge is used to monitor the amount of fuel in the tank to prevent the driver from running the fuel tank dry.  In many cases running the tank dry can cause problems.  Fuel gauge indictors are usually mounted within the tank and do not account for fuel in the filler tube that is above the fuel tank ("topping off" the tank).
Voltmeter The voltmeter measures the current voltage across the battery terminals when the engine is not running, and reads the voltage provided by the charging system voltage when the engine is running. Having a gauge that measures the current voltage is important for modified vehicles vehicles and automotive audio enthusiasts because if the voltage used exceeds the voltage supplied by the charging system, the battery is drained. In addition, excessive voltage supplied by the charging system can damage the battery and other electrical components, including the vehicle's ECM computer (Electronic Control Module).  Many vehicles have a light indicator that tells the driver the voltage is outside of the recommended range of operation.
Odometer An odometer (also known as a mileometer or milometer) is a gauge used for indicating distance traveled by the vehicle.  On older vehicles, odometers may possibly only indicate up to a value of 99,999 where this number was adequate based on expected live of the engine. At 100,000, the odometer would restart from zero. This is known as odometer rollover.  Modern vehicles now commonly travel into the hundred thousands of miles/kilometers.  Newer vehicles produced since 1980 have odometers that can measure up to a value of 999,999.  A common form of fraud is to tamper with an odometer, rolling back the currently displayed number; often referred to as clocking. This is done to make a car appear to have been driven fewer miles/kilometers than reality, thus increase its apparent market value. Today many newer cars use digital odometers making it difficult (but not impossible) to manipulate the mileage electronically.
Check Engine The Check Engine warning light / malfunction indicator lamp tells the driver that there is a problem or potential problem somewhere in the emission control system.
Speedometer A speedometer is a device that measures the current speed of a land vehicle.  Most speedometers are The "eddy-current" speedometer, which has been used for over a century and is still in widespread use today. Up until the 1980s and the introduction of  electronic speedometers, the eddy-current speedometer was the only type commonly used.  The eddy-current speedometer uses a rotating flexible cable usually driven by gearing linked to the tail shaft (output) of the vehicle's transmission or transfercase.   Many modern speedometers are electronic.  With modern electronic speedometers, a rotation sensor, usually mounted on the rear of the transmission, delivers a series of electronic pulses whose frequency corresponds to the rotational speed of the driveshaft. The sensor is typically a toothed metal disk located between a coil and a magnetic field sensor. As the disk turns, the teeth pass between the two, each time producing a pulse in the sensor as they affect the strength of the magnetic field it is measuring.  A computer converts the pulses to a speed and displays this speed on an electronically-controlled, analog-style needle or a digital display. Pulse counts may also be used to increment the odometer.  Speedometers are not totally accurate, and most speedometers have tolerances of some 10% plus or minus due to wear on tires as it occurs. Modern speedometers are said to be accurate within 5% but as this is legislated accuracy, this may not be entirely correct.  When vehicles are modified with taller tires or altered gearing somewhere in the drive train the final speedometer reading may be considerably off from factory.  A different speedometer gears can be substituted to bring the speedometer back into a reasonably accurate range.
Ammeter

An ammeter is a measuring gauge or instrument used to measure the electric current in a circuit.  Electric currents are measured in amperes, hence the name ammeter, which is commonly misspelled or mispronounced as "ampmeter" or "ameter".  The ammeter measures the electrical current (the amperage) charging or discharging the battery. The ammeter monitors the output coming from the alternator back to the battery and is used to indicate any problems in the system.  Excessive charging current can damage the battery and other electrical components while inadequate amperage coming from the  the alternator will not charge the battery leading to battery failure. This meter would be recommended for vehicles where many accessories have been added such as offroad lights, a winch, amplifiers and audio / visual equipment, all of which will increase strain on the battery and alternator.

Fuel Pressure The fuel pressure meter displays the pressure that is built up in the fuel lines between the fuel pump and the carburetor (typically 0-15 psi) or between the fuel pump and the fuel injectors in fuel injected engines (typically 0-100 psi) . Insufficient fuel pressure in both carbureted and fuel injected systems would starve the engine of fuel, causing a no-start or stall condition. If the engine is starved of fuel while running, it will run lean, which can cause excessive combustion temperatures and lead to engine damage or destruction. Excessive fuel pressure in a carbureted fuel system could flood the carburetor with fuel; and in a fuel injected system, it could damage the fuel injectors, causing them to leak.
Boost A boost meter is used on vehicles with a turbo system.   It is used to allow the driver to monitor the increase in intake pressure, known as boost, which is provided by the turbocharger. Excessive boost pressure can cause detonation, which will damage or destroy an engine.
Vacuum A vacuum meter is used to monitor the amount of negative pressure or suction in the intake manifold. Reading a vacuum meter is a common diagnostics procedure to diagnose a variety of engine problems, from a blown head gasket to worn valve guides as well as monitoring fuel economy.  When monitoring fuel economy a high vacuum readings indicating good fuel economy and low vacuum readings indicating poor fuel economy.
Oil Temperature Oil temperature is essential to the life and performance of any modified engine. If the engine oil is too hot, viscosity breakdown and oil oxidation will occur and the engine oil will not be able to protect the engine.
Transmission Temperature Similar to oil temperature, transmission fluid temperature is important to the life and performance of the transmission.  If the transmission fluid is too hot, the transmission fluid will oxidize causing gum and varnish to form, which will cause the transmission valves to stick. The oxidation can also cause the transmission bands and clutches to slip, which could lead to major transmission damage.
Brake Pressure

When you step down on the brake pedal and force is applied to the brake system's master cylinder piston, pressure in the hydraulic system increases, forcing fluid through the lines to the slave cylinders located at the wheels.  The Brake Pressure Gauge is used to monitor pressure in the hydraulic brake system.

 
 

Fan Clutch Diagnosis
How to tell if the Fan Clutch in your Cooling System is failing or has failed.

Why black paint works best at
dissipating engine heat

Engine Overheating Basics

 

 

Jeep Project CJ-7

An ongoing Budgeted Rebuild/Build up of a Rock Crawling Machine.

All Terrain 
Mud Terrain
Tire Reviews & Info

All Terrain
AT Tire Reviews


Mud Terrain
MT Tire Reviews

 

 

Ramp Travel Index
RTI / Ramp Travel Index What it is and how to calculate it, with and without the ramp.

Offroad Tire Info
P-Metric Tire Sizes Conversion to Inches
Tire Terminology
Wheel Terminology
How to Pick the Right
Tires for your Truck
Truck Tire Info
Tires - What Hits What Fits
  
All Terrain  Mud Terrain
Tire Reviews & Info
Mud Terrain MT Tire Reviews
All Terrain AT Tire Reviews
Super Swamper Bogger
Super Swamper SSR
Super Swamper SX
Super Swamper Vortrac
Interco IROK TSL
Super Swamper LTB
Super Swamper TSL
Super Swamper TSL Radial
Super Swamper Narrow
Interco SS-M16 Swamper
Thornbird TSl Radial
Thornbird TSl Bias
Thornbird TSL
Parnelli Jone Dirt Grip
BFGoodrich Krawler
BFGoodrich MT T/A KM
BFGoodrich MT T/A KM2
BFGoodrich AT TA KO
BFGoodrich Mud King XT
Bridgestone Dueler MT
Cooper Discoverer ST
Cooper Discoverer STT
Cooper Discoverer ST/C
Federal Couragia MT
Firestone Destination AT
Firestone Destination MT
General Grabber MT
General Grabber AT2
Green Diamond Icelander
Ground Hawg Mud Tire
Hankook Dynapro MT
Hankook Dynamic MT RT01
Hercules Terra Trac MT
Hercules Trail Digger MT
Kelly-Springfield Safari DTR
Kelly-Springfield Safari MSR
Kumho Road Venture MT
Kumho Road Venture KL71
Kumho Road Venture AT
Dick Cepek Mud Country
Dick Cepek F-C II
Dick Cepek Fun Country II
Dick Cepek Fun Country Nylon
Dick Cepek Fun Country Kevlar
Mastercraft Courser MT
Mastercraft Courser HTR
Mastercraft Courser HTR Plus
Maxxis BigHorn Radial
Maxxis Creepy Crawler
Maxxis Trepador
Maxxis Buckshot Mudder
Maxxis MA-SW
Maxxis M-8080 Mudzilla
Maxxis MT-754 Buckshot
Maxxis MT-753 Bravo
Maxxis MA-751 Bravo
Maxxis MA-S2 Marauder II
Maxxis MA-S1 Marauder
Maxxis MT-762 BigHorn
Nitto Mud Grappler
Nitto Terra Grappler
Nitto Dura Grappler
Nitto Dune Grappler
Nokian Vatiiva MT
Pit Bull Rocker Extreme
Pit Bull Maddog
Pit Bull Growler
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R
Pro Comp Xterrain
Pro Comp All Terrain
Pro Comp Mud Terrain
Pro Comp Xtreme AT
Pro Comp Xtreme MT
Toyo Open Country MT
TrXus Mud Terrain
TrXus STS All Terrain
Michelin LTX A/T²
Michelin LTX AT2 Press
Michelin LTX AT2
Mickey Thompson MTZ
Mickey Thompson MTX
Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Radial
Mickey Thompson Baja Claw Bias
Mickey Thompson Baja Crusher
Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Radial SLT
Competition Claw
Dunlop Mud Rover
Federal Couragia M/T
Nitto Dura Grappler
Yokohama Geolandar
  
Dick Cepek's 2008 F-250 Super Duty Project Vehicle – Project CRUSHER
 
Mud Tire Reviews
Product Reviews
Tire Reviews
 
  
 
ATV Tire Index
Carlisle 489 Titan
Dunlop Quadmax
Dunlop Quadmax Sport
Quadmax Sport Development
Highlifter Outlaw
ITP Holeshot
ITP Holeshot MX
ITP Holeshot ATR
ITP Holeshot XC
ITP Holeshot XCR
ITP Holeshot MXR
ITP Holeshot XCT
ITP Mud Lite
ITP Mud Lite XTR
ITP Sandstar
Kenda K538 Executioner
Tubeless Bearclaw K299
Kenda Klaw K532
Kenda Klaw K533
Kenda K534 Sand Gecko
Maxxis M961/M962 Mud Bug
Maxxis Rooster Paddle Tire
Maxxis M917/M918 Bighorn
Maxxis M966 Mudzilla
Super Swamper TSL ATV
Super Swamper TSL Vampire
Super Swamper Vampire EDL
Swamp Lite ATV Tires
 
ATV Tire FAQs
ATV Tire Mounting
ATV / Quad Links
 
Quad Tire Reviews Index

 


Off-Road Lights
by LightForce Product Review / Installation.
from Off-Road Lights

 


Jeep Dana 300 TeraLow - 4:1 Gearset for the Dana 300 Transfer Case

Jeep Trans Swap
T-18A Transmission Rebuild & Short Shaft Conversion
  


Black Diamond Suspension Lift install for CJ-7

 

From the
Department of Cheap   Tricks and Useful Tips

  
Ultra-Cool Hand Throttle for Free!

Jeep V8 Swap Tips

The Exploding Clutch

Radiator Protection using 6 bucks worth of material

Cracked Under Pressure - Fixing a smashed fingernail

A Cheap, effective alternative to undercoating

Home-built Saginaw Gearbox Brace for the cost of lunch!

Ammo Box Storage - Mounting Them for Quick Disconnect

Home-built Serious Skid-Plate protection for the Oil Pan for under 20 bucks!