What did you do to/with your Commander today?
I did quite a bit of searching and couldn't find a thread like this, which was surprising.
But anyway, this is to share the quick updates about the little things you did to your XK on any given day. If you don't want to start a new thread... Let us know here!
But anyway, this is to share the quick updates about the little things you did to your XK on any given day. If you don't want to start a new thread... Let us know here!
801 - 820 of 855 Posts
Big difference.It's been a few months and I really wasnt happy with the results from my last attempt at this. So I looked online a bit for an actual kit to polish up these headlights. I ended up getting the CERAKOTE Ceramic Headlight Restoration Kit It had alot of great reviews and also a Lifetime Warranty!!
It was a really simple 3 Step process. 1. Clean the lights, 2. Wet sand the lights, 3. Apply their clear ceramic coating.
Everything was included in the kit and it required no tools. I did watch a few YouTube videos for some additional info / suggestions. They only thing I did that the instructions didnt list was to tape off the headlights so I didnt have any issues with the paint around the lights either from sanding or getting the coating on the paint. The instructions also state that one kit does 1 car (2 headlights). But I also did some work on my fog lights. I figured I was there, cleaning sanding, etc I might as well try to get them. They turned out great as well!!
I'm 100% happy with how it turned out. The passenger side light (the ones in all the pics) is like brand new. The drivers side probably could have been sanded a bit more, but it's 95% better and I'm not gonna complain.
Before Pics
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First Step of Cleaning the Lights
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Second Step After Wet Sanding
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Third Step After Applying Ceramic Coating
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Where are the pics @Arapahoe ??Got new shoes for the Commander today... 5 Bridgestone Dueler AT 255 75 17s that were taken off a new Bronco. 500$ mounted balanced... out the door.
Keeping your XK out of the elements, will go a LONG way toward it's longevity.Finally was able to tuck it into it's new garage. (Actually, the old concession stand)
At last, out of the weather, just in time for winter.
Still more work to do, but a major step forward.
Being out in the weather will deteriorate your Commander - outside & inside more-so, then almost anything else.
So, nice work on that @jklightner .
Took my Commander in for some "regular" maintenance items this past week. Figured I'd get an oil change, new spark plugs and a new belt before winter hits too hard here.
The shop called me back early in the day with, "You've got a few things going on here"!! Not exactly what I wanted to hear ... Besides the items I took it in for they found, there were 2 coolant leaks, it needs new brakes, there's an exhaust leak and it needs new drivers side upper and lower ball joints. I had them do the oil change, spark plugs, replace the water pump (1st coolant leak) and replace a fitting on a coolant hose (2nd leak) and replace the belt. A cool $800 out the door!!
I'll do the brakes (rotors and pads) myself in the next couple of weeks. I looked on RockAuto and can get new rotors and a few misc brake parts that I'd need for right at $200. And I have lifetime pads from Auto Zone, so for $200 I'll have all new brakes. I'll wait until early spring to replace both upper control arms, both lower ball joints and then get an alignment. After quickly looking at prices I think I can get the control arms and ball joints for right around $200 as well. Just need to work on getting some free time to have my brother help with those upgrades.
The shop called me back early in the day with, "You've got a few things going on here"!! Not exactly what I wanted to hear ... Besides the items I took it in for they found, there were 2 coolant leaks, it needs new brakes, there's an exhaust leak and it needs new drivers side upper and lower ball joints. I had them do the oil change, spark plugs, replace the water pump (1st coolant leak) and replace a fitting on a coolant hose (2nd leak) and replace the belt. A cool $800 out the door!!
I'll do the brakes (rotors and pads) myself in the next couple of weeks. I looked on RockAuto and can get new rotors and a few misc brake parts that I'd need for right at $200. And I have lifetime pads from Auto Zone, so for $200 I'll have all new brakes. I'll wait until early spring to replace both upper control arms, both lower ball joints and then get an alignment. After quickly looking at prices I think I can get the control arms and ball joints for right around $200 as well. Just need to work on getting some free time to have my brother help with those upgrades.
Is the exhaust leak busted bolts at the exhaust manifold?Took my Commander in for some "regular" maintenance items this past week. Figured I'd get an oil change, new spark plugs and a new belt before winter hits too hard here.
The shop called me back early in the day with, "You've got a few things going on here"!! Not exactly what I wanted to hear ... Besides the items I took it in for they found, there were 2 coolant leaks, it needs new brakes, there's an exhaust leak and it needs new drivers side upper and lower ball joints. I had them do the oil change, spark plugs, replace the water pump (1st coolant leak) and replace a fitting on a coolant hose (2nd leak) and replace the belt. A cool $800 out the door!!
I'll do the brakes (rotors and pads) myself in the next couple of weeks. I looked on RockAuto and can get new rotors and a few misc brake parts that I'd need for right at $200. And I have lifetime pads from Auto Zone, so for $200 I'll have all new brakes. I'll wait until early spring to replace both upper control arms, both lower ball joints and then get an alignment. After quickly looking at prices I think I can get the control arms and ball joints for right around $200 as well. Just need to work on getting some free time to have my brother help with those upgrades.
Not exactly sure?? The shop said they were understaffed and wouldnt even attempt to repiar the leak because it could turn into a big job that they couldnt guarantee they could complete. It's on the passenger side (sounds like ticking / clicking coming from the glove box, until the engine warms up). They said it could be a broken manifold bold, bad gasket or a cracked exhaust manifold. I'm going to just put up with it for now, until I get the brakes and front suspension taken care of, then will look into it a bit more.Is the exhaust leak busted bolts at the exhaust manifold?
Yep, probably one or more of the exhaust manifold bolts broke.Not exactly sure?? The shop said they were understaffed and wouldnt even attempt to repiar the leak because it could turn into a big job that they couldnt guarantee they could complete. It's on the passenger side (sounds like ticking / clicking coming from the glove box, until the engine warms up). They said it could be a broken manifold bold, bad gasket or a cracked exhaust manifold. I'm going to just put up with it for now, until I get the brakes and front suspension taken care of, then will look into it a bit more.
It's a thing the 4.7 does.
It's a pain to fix, involves removing the inner wheel well.
I read the procedure, and let the dealer do it.
I didn't want to mess with something that could screw up the head.
I'm not all that worried about removing the inner wheel well, I'm going to need to remove it when I replace the upper control arms in a couple months. I found a plastic rivet puller and plastic rivet gun from Harbor Freight that look like it will make quick work of removing / reinstalling the wheel well. Maybe with that all open in there I'll be able to get a better idea of the exact issue. I'd tend to agree that it's a broken manifold bolt though. It'd be nice if I could just access and remove the broken bolt and replace it. But ... you know, it's never that simple!!Yep, probably one or more of the exhaust manifold bolts broke.
It's a thing the 4.7 does.
It's a pain to fix, involves removing the inner wheel well.
I read the procedure, and let the dealer do it.
I didn't want to mess with something that could screw up the head.
How much did the dealer charge for that repair??
$300 for right, later, $400 for the left side.I'm not all that worried about removing the inner wheel well, I'm going to need to remove it when I replace the upper control arms in a couple months. I found a plastic rivet puller and plastic rivet gun from Harbor Freight that look like it will make quick work of removing / reinstalling the wheel well. Maybe with that all open in there I'll be able to get a better idea of the exact issue. I'd tend to agree that it's a broken manifold bolt though. It'd be nice if I could just access and remove the broken bolt and replace it. But ... you know, it's never that simple!!
How much did the dealer charge for that repair??
Both times, it happened right before vehicle inspection was due.
Figures, right?
Yea, seems about how the timing would work out. Actually $300 - $400 dosent sound terrible.$300 for right, later, $400 for the left side.
Both times, it happened right before vehicle inspection was due.
Figures, right?
On the left, they had to weld a nut onto the top of the broken one to get it out.Yea, seems about how the timing would work out. Actually $300 - $400 dosent sound terrible.
Not something I'd want to try
Very nice, they look sharp.Here they are (wrapped around the black Plastidipped wheels):
Next up are new rear shocks... How did you like the 4600 Bilsteins when you had them?Very nice, they look sharp.
The 4600's seemed comparable to the factory rear shocks.Next up are new rear shocks... How did you like the 4600 Bilsteins when you had them?
Put new lift gate struts on. This cold weather really zapped the life out of the old ones.
BTW, even one new strut by itself will not hold up the lift gate.
THUNK! OUCH!
BTW, even one new strut by itself will not hold up the lift gate.
THUNK! OUCH!
Used 4 low to get from the garage to the highway
Those commercials where they show a Jeep plowing through the snow with the disclaimer "do not try this"?
Yeah, I did it.
Wonder if I can find a snowblower for the Commander?
Those commercials where they show a Jeep plowing through the snow with the disclaimer "do not try this"?
Yeah, I did it.
Wonder if I can find a snowblower for the Commander?
Sadly, the owners manual says do not attach a snow plow.
So, looking for one to go on the Craftsman 42" mower.
801 - 820 of 855 Posts
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