Dave,

If you can get them in America, IPF FAT BOY BULBS and upgrade your wiring loom.

We source them from ARB dealerships in Australia usually.

Light output is unbelievable. They are a bit dear though.

Cheers, Chris

Ok, new problem... Now that I think I have the cooling thing under control, I am starting to get some serious stumbling, loss of power, a little backfiring and general rough running. To be honest, it seems just like when pep boys auto shop installed the sohc water pump on my 95 dohc Sportage. It might explain some of the cooling issues too, but not sure since the water pump seems to be working fine. I have had a check engine light since I bought it in January and it has only had some shakes when it was running pretty warm. So, now with the new radiator installed, new spark plugs, new battery, new thermostat, etc, I can think of a few things that could be causing it. Maybe the fuel filter. Maybe a clogged cat, maybe coil packs, I don't really know too much about what all the electronics attached to the intake do, but I know if you have a crack or hole in a vacuum hose or a dirty ground it can also cause stumbling and similar issues, at least on my 95, it did. Any other ideas before I take it in for a diagnostic?

Ok so I bought a $50 HF scan tool. This thing is so simple even a Neanderthal like me can use it. I got p0171, p0103 and p0303. Lean fuel, something wrong with the MAF sensor and cylinder 3 misfire. The cylinder 3 misfire? Pretty sure I already know what the problem is - when I changed the spark plugs, I pulled the wire apart and had to mash it all back together. It worked for a while, but it's giving out now. Sine all the wires and coil packs are relatively cheap, I will just replace all of it. Then the fuel filter and the MAF sensor. Then I'll erase the codes, drive it a bit and test it again. Does this sound about right?

Lean fuel will be a side effect of faulty MAF
Probably not a silly idea to replace fuel filter regardless though.
Coming from a diesel background it is a good idea to replace fuel filter every 2nd service as they are cheap insurance and easy enough to do on the Sportage

Thanks, that's pretty much exactly what I thought, so I went ahead and ordered the MAF, plug wires and fuel filter. Installing all tomorrow morning. One thing about the fuel filter... My 2002 had some weird clip connectors. I haven't checked what kind are on this 2000 model, but if they're the same, any ideas on how to remove and replace without breaking them? I broke them on my 2002 and had to buy fuel lines and connectors and replace all kinds of stuff.

Ok, so, my brother is a mechanic and told me about the tools to remove the clip connectors on the fuel filter, BUT, AutoZone sold me a USED FILTER! So I got everything else changed, the take off is sluggish. Cleared the codes and drove it for about 70 miles. Got the check engine light again, pulled the codes and still getting the p0171: System too lean bank 1. I don't know what bank 1 means, but I'm hoping it will be fixed with changing the fuel filter and NOT injectors. May also run a fuel injector cleaner through if I keep getting that code after I put the new filter in. Any other ideas?

I am a frequent user of fuel injector additives. I am partial to the Lucus fuel injector cleaner.

Thx for the tip, I'll check it out.

Question - aren't the a/c controls supposed to be lit? Mine aren't. Also, isn't there supposed to be a headlight symbol in the gauge cluster? I only have the one for hi beams.

And then back to the sound and speaker questions - my stereo has a subwoofer output with RCA/component cable jacks for right and left. It has a separate control for subwoofer volume and sound. Does this mean I don't need an external amp to plug a subwoofer in? I'm not looking for ridiculous bass, just to be able to really hear the low end more clearly. I was thinking about replacing the vinyl upholstered panel across the rear hatch with a plate of tread bright or stainless steel and mounting the speaker in that. Does that sound like a good idea?

Subwoofers are intended for low range amplification. Within a car, I do not believe you will realize the desired effect due to the smaller space and basic design of a vehicle interior. In a home stereo system, you have room for speaker separation that you don't in a vehicle. Lack of separation reduces overall quality. Also, with the construction material basically metal, I think you would get more echo and vibration.

As for the speaker and panel you intend to replace, the upholstered panel is probably a paper board material. That material provides an sound absorbing effect much like a speaker enclosure. Use of metal would tend to produce echo and vibration.

I think a basic car stereo amp would be sufficient.