The Tri-Cities Clubhouse

[JL Lou]

I thought about getting a hold of you yesterday to see if you wanted to go check it out but I ended up spending the day scrapping popcorn from a ceiling and tearing out carpet. If we weren't so busy planting potatoes and onions this week I would skip out on work and follow you up there.

I worked sunday, monday and tuesday this week. You didnt miss anything, although scraping a popcorn ceiling does not sound fun.

 

[JL Lou]

The blue marker is the waterfall from the Conquest Overland video

47.03332, -119.95601

Frenchman Coulee Waterfall

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Almost Back together! I might actually have it together and running some time soon, progress came to a grinding stop last night because at some point in it's torn apart state I seem to have lost one of the radiator bushings. Temporary hold up, but outside of that I have everything else I need to finish putting it together.... unless I decide to do more stuff while the front is off.

Work Completed So Far: Timing set, Pretty much every sensor replaced, New harmonic balancer, water pump, power steering pump w/ hoses, heater lines, A/C lines (one started to leak when i tried to just move them out of the way for this project), Upgraded fan clutch and went from a 5 to a 11 blade fan, new electric fan, Idler pulley, oil change, all seals and gaskets for things I had apart and an Upgraded 2 core all aluminum radiator
Work Still to Complete: Finish installing Rad. when i get a bushing, get A/C condenser in, vacuum system and recharge, install trans cooler with new temp sensor and gauge, Service trans and put the grill/bumper back together. I'll probably half ass the grill and bump just so it's good enough to make it out to the farm since I have to pull it back apart to install the new front bumper that is on it's way.
Possible work: While it's apart I should probably do a ZJ washer bottle swap, it would be the easiest time to do it while i have the front off and extra room to work on things. On the WJ the washer bottle is in the driver side wheel well and right in harms way when you start running bigger tires. The bottle for a ZJ will fit in the driver side corner up by the hood, only problem for me is mine is a 2000 and for that year that is right where my evap cannister sits so I will have to relocate that somewhere.

 

[JL Lou]

wow that sounds awesome

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Anyone have have thoughts on a meet up for this month? @JL Lou and @garrett.goodwin4320 sounds like you guys have things going on the weekends, when would you guys be free this month? Would people be interested in an over night trip? With snow still in the mountains there isn't a lot of places or trails open yet so it wouldn't be much of a trail run with camping in the middle. We could go up to the Vantage area and see what's around there and make it an overnighter. There is the Columbia wildlife area up around the Potholes, not much for trails in that area mainly just gravel roads but there is spots to camp, hiking trails, a "canoe/kayak park" and some things to check out around there also the Moses Lake Dunes aren't far away. I don't really know of much for lower elevation places so i'm just throwing out ideas if anyone knows of places to go feel free to make suggestions. We could even do a Bombing Range Meet up again or Road trip/ Find some back roads over to Bale Breaker in Yakima and see if we can get some people from that area together. We got a good 3 month run of meet ups going, can't let it fall apart now before we can actually get out to the woods on real trips...

 

[JL Lou]

I am working the next 2 weekends, and have family coming into town the third weekend, unless the COVID-19 scares them away

 

[JL Lou]

Dustin, I found the next mod for your WJ ( 2nd gen Grand Cherokee for our non Jeep friends).

Jeep Ute | smythcars

DIY Jeep WJ truck kit Jeep Grand Cherokee truck conversion

www.smythkitcars.com

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Dustin, I found the next mod for your WJ ( 2nd gen Grand Cherokee for our non Jeep friends).

Jeep Ute | smythcars

DIY Jeep WJ truck kit Jeep Grand Cherokee truck conversion

www.smythkitcars.com

View attachment 144254

That could be pretty sweet, build it out with a bed rack and rtt. 3k for the kit isn't too depending on how complete it is.

 

[JL Lou]

I hope everyone is doing good.

 

[M Rose]

Rose Fam checking in... we are all fine... even the dog who honks at other dogs.

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Can't stop, Won't stop! It's tough to put the brakes on farming, not much of it we can do from home (if anyone is short on potatoes and onions I got you covered). At the moment we're still doing good and business as usual just trying to stay away from people, my wives work is partially shut down but she is still working for the time being. @JL Lou do they have you working from home yet or is your position something you have to be onsite for? I'm thinking with the current craziness going on and no places open maybe we'll hold off on a meet up this month. We're just getting into planting season right now but if I have time one of these weekends I might take a drive up to the Vantage area to see what's there. I'll post up here before I do if anyone is free and wants to tag along. Stay safe and Corona free...unless it's the one with limes!

 

[JL Lou]

Well, I did buy some Corona beer this morning.

I am back on shift work, working in the control room. They haven't locked us down yet, they are sending people home to telework that can. My job is hands on. We are making plans to stay there for weeks at a time if necessary. We cant just turn the lights off and go home. Glad y'all are good.

I hope PNW Explorer (Mike) can make it home. Trump has said that he wont limit travel a few times, but I think he is trying to soften the blow.

Skipping the meet-up for March is probably a good idea. I cant make it anyway.

 

[PNW EXPLR]

I hope everyone is doing good.

It's just as weird back here. We are waiting word on whether the outage will get pushed. We are currently T-36h. Have had a few cases on site, but so far I have dodged it. My liver is starting to hurt from all the hand sanitizer!

 

[PNW EXPLR]

I hope PNW Explorer (Mike) can make it home. Trump has said that he wont limit travel a few times, but I think he is trying to soften the blow.

I have given that some thought. I did fill up my tanks with diesel yesterday. Guess I'll just wait and see. just have to stay off the interstates.

 

[JL Lou]

Are you about done with the outage yet?

 

[PNW EXPLR]

Are you about done with the outage yet?

Scheduled to come down Saturday. No word if they will push. Fuel is in burn off now at 97.5% power. Maybe 30 days of fuel left....

 

[JL Lou]

wow, you havent even started yet?

 

[PNW EXPLR]

wow, you havent even started yet?

No not yet. The start date and duration info I was given was incorrect. Outage is scheduled for 50 days. My scope is about 35 days.

 

[MrWilsonWJ]

Did my best to social distance today!

Took a drive up to the feathers/ancient lakes to check it out, been by there a bunch going to concerts at the Gorge and didn't even know what was over there. The couple of camping areas along the road going down to the river were actually pretty crowded which surprised me. Nice area but all the old trails are gated and lots of trash (Mike your boat is still there). I wanted to go check out some of the green dot roads on the other side of the river, but got a late start heading out today. Also the roads nearest to Vantage look to be closed for the winter so I would have had to go into Kittitas then back east towards the river to check out what I wanted.

 

[JL Lou]

That is awesome, I was up there last thursday. LOL

Looks like we were in the exact same spot for the first picture.