Took her Camping! YES!

[Tercules]

Well just wanted to tell the first camping trip story. Have a couple questions as well.
I have owned my 87 for about 2 years now but just recently got her fixed with all the new emmisions junk so it would pass emmissions here in Arizona (new tank neck and hoses on top of gas tank). She had been pretty much sitting for a year.
So we decided it was time to take her Camping and try everything out.
We packed her to the rim and drove to a secluded peninsula like place right on the lake. It had a few nice hills to climb to get there.
Never on the way to the camp site did I feel like we had to put it in four wheel drive (I thought I had to put it in 4x4, now I think I have all time 4x4)?? Well when it was time to head back home after a great camping trip (2 of us slept in the back of the Jeep; Remind me to get a thick pad to lay on next time, My back!!!)
I decided to put the switch in 4wd high to get back up the steep hill. The green light lit up and the Jeep just crawled straight up with no slip or any problems at all. It was sooo exciting. We were all so happy with the performance.
We got back to normal dirt roads and I wanted to slide the lever back to 2wd and when I did the green light went off but the little yellow one next to it has stayed on it said 4x4 lock (I think). Its not a bright light but I dont remember it being on before I put the lever in 4x4.
And when I punch it (to go faster up hills) it seems to be more granny geared.
Thats my first question. Does anybody know if this light is supposed to be on all the time? and if not how do I get it to go off? Maybe I did something wrong.
Secondly we stopped on the way home to get some food and soft drinks. When we were leaving it was hard to start again. I had to pump the pedal alot to get it started.
When we got home and I parked her in the garage I smelled gas alot. I mean it was pretty strong. I looked underneath but didnt see anything dripping (except for the dang Steering box and hose).
Other than that our first long drive/outing in her was so great and well worth the wait. My cruise control even worked. Oh and the rear window started working again too. LOL I love this JEEP. She's constantly full of surprises for us.
Thanks for all of your posts on here. I have never been a part of something so rewarding.:drivin:

[Chevelleguy]

Mine doesn't have any lights on the dash like the '86-'91. But I do have the same transfer case, NP229. You don't have full time 4WD unless you have the dash switch in 4WD and then only in HI range. You can only move the floor mounted range lever if the transfer case is in 4WD. You must have the range lever in HI in order to shift from 4WD back to 2WD.

[Serious Johnson]

Yeah, these goofy old rig'll surprise ya' with their stock capability! Best darn thing about 'em, in my opinion, is sleeping space in back with the seat removed.

If it had actually been in 4x4 Lock (low range) you certainly would have noticed it on the drive home -- wouldn't have been able to go over, I don't know, maybe 25-30 MPH? I don't know just how an '87 is set-up either, but Chevelleguy has the order of operations right. Sometimes the vacuum motor on the transfer case gets a bit balky, and won't do what you want it to right away.

The hard starting & gas smell sounds like a ruptured power valve on the carburetor -- almost uncommon for that not to happen now and then. It's fixable without a full carb rebuild.

S.J.

[cajunKen]

I've got an '87 also and from what I've heard the "4LOCK" light was used with the 228 T/C in '86. I've never had it light up in either 4 low or high.

Glad y'all had a fun trip, these rigs work great for camping. My rear window is also tempermental, sometimes a little rough pavement will make it work/not work. If it won't work when I stop I can usually get it operational with a quick hit with the bottom of my fist just below the keyhole. Makes me feel like "The Fonz":thumbsup:

[AnnieL]

Personally I love reading stuff like this!! First time I took my Beast camping with my youngest son, I was one happy girl!

They make an air mattress that is a direct fit for the rear area with the seat removed-BJ's has it-you might want to check it out if you go camping often!

My total highlight of my first camping trip was puling a STUCK Hummer out of a wash-that dood was SO embarrassed!!:D

[will e]

Great story! Can't wait till we can all get together for another AZFSJC run.
My first wheel'n trip was with some fellow FSJ's to Box canyon. Somehow we got a stock jeep through there without any dents. The trail has since been smoothed out a bit.

That trip got me hooked on wheel'n.

There are a couple of air matresses that will work. Mine fits perfect between the wheel wells. Make sure you get an electric pump for it...

[Tercules]

Yes It was a wonderfull surprise when my nephew's best friend suddenly tried the rear window just for giggles and IT WOrKED! he said "hey! you fixed the window".
I have been actually reading the manual I bought from BJ's (thought it was for looks) and there is nothing in there about the yellow lock light.
As far as the carb is concerned I'd love to read about what easy adjustments/fixes I can do to it. It idles perfectly and when it's cold it starts fine. Just when I have been driving it for a while does it become hard to start. I was thinking of an edelbrock carb/intake purchase for it. But havent read any posts on if anybody has done this set up yet. Im pretty sure theres lots of carb reading.
The back of the Jeep was a perfect place to sleep except we must not have had enough padding under us. We have 2 nice camping pads and a thick sleeping bag but still kinda hard. I was thinking of buying a thick foam pad to use as well but started thinking of how much room that rolled up monster would take up to pack with all of the camping/fishing gear. I will have to take the back seat out to use an air mattress? I think it would be worth trying out. Anybody know where I get this? or is it just a regular double air mattress?
My oil gauge started flipping out on this tripp as well. It just started bounching from 0 to top (80?) so I am in the market for maybe some stuart warner gauges (after pulling over and checking the oil a couple times) Any suggestions?
Were already planning another tripp this next weekend. Somewhere a bit cooler as I have to have my AC charged soon.
P.S. These stock fsj's have some great clearence too. There were a couple rocks and bumps we all held our breath (and clinched a bit) on, but never scraped on a one. Before this tripp I was thinking I needed to get at least a 4" lift and some 31"s ASAP. Now I think I will wait a while and spend the Jeep piggy bank money one some edelbrock or holley goodies.

[jaber]

Welcome from another 'Zonner....:thumbsup:

I am putting together a run up the hill here from Chino to Jerome.

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=101484

Are you part of the AZFSJC yet?

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=101241

Check us out and hope to see you on the trails....:drivin:

[710 Burner]

The 87 only uses the green light. If you can see the yellow light, it is getting residual light from somewhere else. I don't think there is even anything in the hole for it.

[Tercules]

Really? That's too funny