As a Chrysler tech for 28 years, he is spot on, on everything except his pick for the best Jeep ever made. He said the TJ, which I don’t disagree with, but I’d also say the YJ right up there too. I bought a 1992 YJ in 1996 and sold it in 2018. I bought it with 64k miles and sold it with 480k miles.
I have to agree with you. I have a red 1991 YJ, 236,000 miles, 2.4l engine and she is still going quite well. I put a 3.5 lift kit on it when I had it repainted, along with tires and wheels, and people love my Jeep. I’ve had several offers from 5k-8k, but she ain’t for sale. I paid $500 for it 14 years ago with 125k miles, from my wife’s co-worker who had just bought a new Wrangler. It’s the best $500 I have ever spent. I’ll enjoy it until she says that she can’t go anymore. The YJ was a unique series of Wrangler, and I consider it the best!
@@markweaver4424 The YJ is my favorite interior and manual shifter jeep. I’m eyeing one for my first ever Jeep Wrangler. TJ is a distant second. I turned down the JL for 2024/5. Cable shifter and clutch issues is a no bueno. Plus all those electronics is just asking for trouble.
Nah YJ still has leaf springs. TJ introduced the coils, game changer in the off-roading world, and stock it’s still super capable when you disconnect the sway bars
@@neil12011 No issues other than replacing my radiator and while I had it empty, I replaced the thermostat and water pump to be safe. Oil change every 5k mi, and recently replaced my PCV valve (causes it to smoke if it goes bad) Also, I replaced my clutch and flywheel since my throw-out bearing was going out. Now I have an all-aluminum oil filter housing, knock sensors, valve cover and intake manifold gaskets in my shed for when it decides to take a dump on me. Better to knock it all out at once while I'm down there.
From personal experience, Jerry is honest, reliable and provides incredible service. Everyone can say what they want about death wobble etc but I encourage you to go visit him and talk to him in person. This is who you want working on your jeep. Looking forward to the next video with him!
It’s not. A Jeep should drive correctly without a steering stabilizer. The stabilizer helps with bump steer, but only hides death wobble. He lost all credibility with me when he said that.
I actually was surprised he didn't say tie rod ends, ball joints or other steering components, but I'm sure having all the training over the years as a tech and having plenty of customers coming in with death wobble complaints, that's the most common issue. I think maybe we should take a deeper dive into this topic in the future.
I specifically bought a 06 LJ for two reasons. I wanted a longer wheelbase with only 2 doors and I insisted on the 4.0 because it’s basically bulletproof.
Love everything he has answered. Only thing i would disagree on is the causes of death wobble. Having fixed it on several JKS & JLS it always came down to the front track bar bolt on the frame side. Jeep puts a 14MM bolt in this hole from the factory & it wallows out over time because it isn't the correct size to begin with. We have put in a 9/16 bolt in over the 14MM bolt & all steering issues pertaining to death wobble went away. We had a buddy who's front track bar bracket on the frame side was so wallowed out from the factory sized bolt we had to weld washers onto the bracket to take up the space to stop the bolt from basically bouncing around in the hole. And the tricky thing with this is the bolt will look & feel tight while sitting on the ground with the front track bar on, so it requires you to remove the bolt & inspect the bolt hole.
Agree with you. When I am looking for the cause of death wobble I end up just removing the stabilizer which is probably worn down already. 1st Find the actual cause and drive it without the stabilizer. Once I'm sure its been resolved I then add a new Stabilizer. Just replacing the Stabilizer is a band aide.
This and Toyotas are not more reliable then jeeps...lol..My bro has had tjs xjs jls (rubicons) and the metals and plastics seem like a power wheels build compared to all land cruisers I have owned (40s 60s 80s 100s). Oh and you don't put purified water in cooling system it's distilled water..
Fantastic video! An "ask Jerry" session as earlier mentioned is a must. I agree with everything said, except engine upgrade. I went with the Mopar intake and AEV vented hood on my JK, and can't imagine driving without these mods. Definitely recomend the Dorman aluminum oil cooler housing, "peace of mind" upgrade as well. Thanks again, Brad.
Thanks for making this video Brad! This was one of my favorites. Very interesting and informative! So cool to hear from someone that has worked on Jeeps at the dealership and knows a lot of the inside details. 😁👍
Still sunning my 14 year old 3.8l 4 door wrangler. 180k miles and still runs great. I have 4:88 gears with 35's and love driving it. Taken it in many fun places off road around the US. I am happy to hear all the love for the JK models. I agree, they went to heavy handed with electronics in the newer jeeps.
Hi Brad, this was a really great vlog. Having an industry expert in and answering, at a high level, common questions is amazing. This in it's self can turn into a great vlog series, with deep dives into specific things, like the death wobble you mentioned. This grabbed my attention again with your channel, thanks for doing this
Superb Q&A! This man sounds really like he knows what he's talking about. It's obvious that he also knows his Jeeps extremely well. And he worked, apparently for Jeep dealers in their service departments, for ten years prior to opening his own independent business. I am greatly impressed by this gentleman and his knowledge of Jeep Wranglers, CJ's, and Gladiators! Thank you very much to both of you.
@@marcusn81901 the inline imo is the best engine. Inline have less stress since the pistons go straight up and down. They make tq than a v6 and you can mod them easily.
Can attest to the 2.0T being a solid engine. Mine's been floored to max rpm absolutely countless times. Installed a cold air intake so every time I drive I'm pumping the gas as I'm rolling just to hear the whistle and hiss 😂 No codes or any signs of problems despite my tampering and abuse. Oh, and I'm running on heavy forged wheels, 35" muds on the stock 3.45 gears no reprogramming
he's right about Toyota reliability. On road, sure tacos and 4Rs go 250k plus easy. As soon as you lift em and wheel em, you can kiss that reliability goodbye. If your wheelin, and u want a reliable rig to handle offroad abuse. the easiest answer is Jeep. And I'm a Yota owner. If it aint a old hilux or landcruiser, your gonna break it and it wont be cheap. I have an 08' 4x4 Tundra, ARB lift on 35s, full tube bumper with winch. Its the biggest money pit offroad platform i have exprienced thus far. I have damn near replaced every drivetrain piece possible in a SINGLE YEAR! 08-22 it was stock and reliable with 220k on the odo. 1 year and 30k miles of offroading, with two major trail failures, I'm done with it and getting a Jeep. Why?! Won't all my Yota buddies crucify me? Absolutely! out of 7 total Yota rigs in my group, only one hasn't had a major failure. My aunt with a stock JL sport on the other hand has follow our "built Yota rigs" all over west virginia on highway terrain tires towing a camper and it the only light its flashed is the tpms light when we air down. So yeah, I'm sick and tired of busting my knuckles at 3am in my driveway swapping out a front wheel bearing for the 3rd time in a year to go wheelin and somehow blow a waterpump the first 2 miles in. And for the skeptics, sayin i dont do maintenance, I run AMSoil exclusively in my Toyota and i do a full inspection after every trail and every 5k. And i mean everything engine oil and seal, tcase oil and seal, diff oil and seals, driveshafts, brakes, hub assembly, tranny fluid, coolant, batteries, winch operation. So yeah, I'm done, I love Toyota but I'm getting a Gladiator Rubicon and never lookin back.
Greetings from Queensland, Australia! I drive a 2014 JK Wrangler, and I've only had one sensor issue at 80k. I've got 200k on the clock now. I change the oil every 5k; oh, I have a 2.5' lift kit with 33's. It's the best vehicle I've ever had.
This is the best video for new Jeep owners! I have both a JK and a JL (392) and had a lot of these questions, myself. Thank you for enlightening us! A pure Diamond in the rough!!!
Great session. I loved my TJ and JK, but my 4Runner TRD Off-road trouble free ownership has me spoiled. Jeep is the undisputed more enjoyable driving experience.
That, is Only your opinion. We enjoy Both the reliable quality of our Toyota 4X4's And the SUPERIOR RIDE. I Cannot even Fit in a Cheap, without getting Stiff and Sore in every part of my body. The interior of Cheaps Suck, and You Guys Know It, but will not admit it. Ha Ha, Good Luck. 😎
@@traviskimbrell1209 Sorry Charly, but you will Not find a sympathetic ear here. And No, I'm not jealous nor could I be. I've owned five jeeps over the years and have had problems Galore starting from soups to nuts. So No, you would be wrong on that. Personally I'm only comparing my FJ's and how they suite me better. So all the rest of your silliness doesn't add up to Jack. It's all good too, because people do what they want, and all too often Brag that Their Way is the only way. Regardless of you being a former T-Tech, I will continue to run my own show. BTW, you are replying to my post of Over four months ago, What's up with that???
Great video! It answered most of my questions! Being the owner of a 2015 bone stock Willy’s wheeler that is my daily driver, and I really keep it stock and all maintenance at the dealer that is needed! It never has failed me, it has almost 100 thousand miles, and still running very strong like the day I purchased it.
Jeep Techs generally are not about performance. I have two friends that have a super chargers on a 3.6 for years. Zero issues and still runs today with extra power. Inline engines imo is going to be the best we will see. Less stress. Supra is an inline, BUSA, inline and now the 2.0 which is also an inline. Time will tell!! Great video Brad
There's a lot of V engines that live just as long. Chevy's 4.3, LS1, all of their big blocks. Chrysler's HEMI big blocks, 392, 427 (new), 3.8. Ford's old big blocks, 5.0 (to an extent), 7.3. Toyota's 4.7, 5.7, 4.0, and even their 3.5 The inline engine is simpler and easier to make them to be reliable, but a good V engine done and maintained correctly will run forever.
Very helpful. I asked my mechanic which vehicle to buy for a 4 year adventure trip I was planning. Without hesitation he replied, "2006 Jeep TJ Rubicon". Even at 400,000 clicks, it just won't die and never a problem. On the trail, it is like cheating when taking on obstacles and challenges, but sadly, it doesn't have much cargo space. Time to get a 4dr to take the grandchildren out so this video is much appreciated. After owning, driving, & testing a Rubicon's to its full ability in several time zones and regions (from far North to the tropics) I can't imagine owning any other 4x4 vehicle.
Thanks Brad and Jerry. This was one of the best coffee takes! As someone who owns a 1992 Jeep Cherokee and Comanche for the past 29 years, and a big fan of the 4.0L, it would be great to have some questions regarding older jeeps if you do this again.
I have been daily driving a '96 jeep cherokee for over a year (first car) and it's pretty nice. It's the country edition, stock, and engine and transmission are strong. It has the auto transmission, but I'm happy with it. The 4.0 doesn't lack power, and it would be cool to hear more professional answers/opinions about the older jeeps, when they were made to last.
Pretty cool when he started talking about sitting on the engine bay as a kid helping his dad. Was real subtle, but he got a little choked up and held it back. I know that feeling.
Hey Brad. Great video and your friend was very honest with his responses. I just purchased a 2011 Wrangler that I am trying to track down an electric short. The headlights are always on and the windshield wipers are always on. Keep you posted as we troubleshoot this electrical problem. Keep posting
NEVER in a million years would i have expected him to say the 3.8 engine !!!! Exactly what I'd expect !!!!! Another ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY FANTASTIC VIDEO my friend !!! THANK YOU
Loved to hear the best years of the Wrangler: I still have my factory ordered 2004 (received fall of 2003) Rubi sans the back gate plastic and the "Trail Rated" badge in Solar Yellow. Jeep would not call it 2003 because "it would have been a collector model, being the only 2003 Solar Yellow in the first year of the Rubicon." Still my best Jeep.
I'm a Toyota loyalist (4 Tacomas, 2 Tundras... 1.4 million combined miles over 25 years), but I have owned a 2009 JK, which I had so much fun wheeling in. I loved this interview and learned that if I was in the market for a Jeep, to get a 4.0 TJ. I may look for one. Again, great informative interview.
Very informative. A recurring "Ask Jerry" session would be good; maybe quarterly. Nice to hear his opinion of the TJ because that's what I have and it is a great vehicle. Thanks to you & Jerry for all this info -
Well another problem that I personally see on death wobbles, ball joints. Most of the Jeeps I been working on, all the same problem. Ball joints.. yes every single bushing and control arms but check every single part is important. Thank you for the info was very interesting. 👍👍
Loved this video. I would be curious to know if Jerry’s thoughts as well as the Jeep communities’ questions regarding the 3.0 Ecodiesel (ie. Overall Reliability, most common issues/repairs, etc.) Perhaps a brief follow-up video or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I have an 88 YJ Wrangler, 5-speed man trans) . It has 410,000 miles. It had some issues, mostly with the choke. From what I know, each year Jeep had its own specific issues. I did a "Nutter Bypass", then eventually, I removed all computers, all excess wiring (about 6 lbs worth), removed the Carter carb and replaced with a Weber progressive carb with manual choke. I removed the coil and distributor, and replaced with an HEI (High Energy Ign.) and installed 10.5 mm spark plug wires for the straight-6 4.2 Liter (258 cu.) engine. Runs perfect. Better than new.
Really loved this session. I value your info Brad but having it come from a Jeep Technician expert is like gold. Hope you do another video like that again in the future. I also hope that Jeep was listening to all the great questions.
I've got a 2011 JK Sport 2 door, fortunately with the 3.8 . Other that swapping out my PCM 3 times and a few other electrical issues, it's been solid. 234,000 miles on it.
I feel blessed owning a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon with an Auto Trans, after hearing the Mechanic state the best reliable years for Wranglers is 2003 through 2006 TJs with the 4.0 engine. Mine I was told is the most sought after as Jeep only made the LJ Rubicon for 2 years 2005&6 Mine has not been lifted with stock rims and tires. I was thinking about lifting it, but after the Mechanics comments, I will not lift my jeep. Also my LJ has lived its life in Arizona with no rust. Brad I think this was a most valuable video, thanks!
@@ingelri2 Your correct, the LJ or Unlimited option was made 3 years, 2004 ,5 & 6. But it was not offered in the Unlimited Model in 2004 as an option with the Rubicon package. But the 2005&6 Wrangler Unlimited with the Rubicon Option is known as the Unicorn of Jeeps, with limited numbers made.
Yes, Jeeps are very highly reliable. My son and I have had 2008, 2017 and 2021 Wranglers. As well as 1947, 1949, 1951, 1976 and 1981 Jeeps. Love ‘em all!
only reliable if you maintain and fix things.. Any Jeeep thats 20+ years old is gonna need tons of repairs... rubber seals, u joints, ball joints, cv shafts... lol i have 3 Jeeps if i didnt know how to work on cars, i couldnt drive them as they constantly need work
Super informative video and great confidence builder for those questions Jeep owners have but need expertise to answer. I wish I had Jerry in Texas, we could use a Shift Auto in North Dallas! For me this was a truly unique segment…thank you TrailRecon!
I just bought an 06 TJ. Several of his answers pleased me, especially considering my Jeep is in as good condition as it is for a 16 year old vehicle, and almost still stock. And "The customer is always right" should always include "...in matters of taste." :)
Please make another video with him just on the 4.0L!! Specifically what to look out for on high mileage ones. I have a 1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ and a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee both with the 4.0L. The one with the highest mileage being 200,000 miles. Amazing video, it was extremely insightful!
Brad, as you know those 4.0's are pretty bullet proof. Obviously pull the dip stick to make sure you don't see grey oil or bubbles ( bad news) look for any leak in the rear main seal (common) and just let her run and listen. Is it smooth or does she tick tick tick (lifters, purge solenoid, low oil) Hope that helps a little Aaron
@@vigilantemotors Thanks, Aaron! You know of any good oil additives to help at least prolong the life of the engine and help quiet down the lifter tick? And how do you know when something is wrong with the purge solenoid?
@@brad9884 As far as the tick goes and to prolong life I would use a high mileage oil. There are additives in there to help prolong life and reduce ticking. Just use a quality high mileage oil from here on out. Usually, a bad purge solenoid will display any of the following 5 symptoms that can alert you of a potential problem in need of servicing. Rough Idle. ... Poor Engine Performance. ... Difficulty Starting. ... Check Engine Light Comes On. ... Low Fuel Economy. Does that help any?
Great episode -like hearing from a jeep gearhead especially comment on not modifying a stock engine with all the garage or accessories that are "supposed" to improve performance
As a former auto tech, not at Jeep but at another manufacture but still a Jeep owner and enthusiast I'm here to tell you he speaks TRUTH. EVERYTHING! I agree with everything he says including his opinions on best Jeep engine and model and reasoning. The engine modification thing is a hard swallow for many people. But he's right. People also need to understand a balance between use and abuse. Unfortunately many users abuse their Jeeps and when they become unreliable from said abuse and they sell them. If you use it and not abuse it, and I'm not saying never take it off the street but not hit holes as hard as possible while keeping lifts and tires within design specs, Jeeps last forever as long as you use them responsibly!
Love this video! Thank you for having a Jeep technician who is certified before us all and him giving his honest feedback and personal experiences! This is by far been so informative to me and to others. I am a first time jeep wrangler owner. I had my first one about a year ago and only got to drive it for two days before my cylinder head failure happened to me with a sever misfire and thankfully they bought the Jeep back from me and I now have another JL 2019 now and have had it for a year now and so far so good! I love my Jeep JL and thank you again for everything you do!!!
So, some of us have the 2.0 4 cyl turbo. 1. What’s are some common issues you’ve worked on for these engines? 2.Should you regear these any differently than 3.6? 3. Any major issues yet in the etorque?
I’m a Ford guy, and a service manager at a dealer. Jeeps are average, but they don’t hold a candle to a Toyota. I mean the average Jeep owner is lucky to make it to 100k without spending a few thousand in repairs.
I am a retired mechanic and own 3 solid axle jeeps , a 2001 XJ Cherokee , a 2015 Tank green Jeep Wrangler 2-door , which I have outfitted for overland travel-exploration , and a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon unlimited that I am currently building up for overland adventures this summer I will be going to Northwest Territories and Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean , then travel and explore Northern BC , Canada. I change all fluids , Engine oil and filter, Transmission oil and filter , and diff oil , and transfer case oil on all vehicles religiously and with the best I can find. I had to replace the oil cooler-filter housing on the 015 , and I went aluminium with a U.S. made Dorman part , a good solid piece and what Chrysler should have used from the factory. I agree with your mechanic friend on all counts , preventative maintanence , and leaving the engine alone as far as modifications for performance will stand you in good stead in the long run . My 015 has had some tough off road miles , but runs like brand new. All my Jeeps are great performers , and run fantastic...again....maintenance sooner than later makes the difference . On my 019 JL , I bypassed the start stop secondary battery by removing it and bringing the positive wire from the secondary battery to the positive main battery terminal and taping off the ground terminal from the secondary battery . I shut off the stop start function when I start the jeep , I hate that feature , it is useless , except for draining and killing the main battery without warning...so yup I bypassed it . I don't want to be stranded out in the bush with a dead battery , and yes I carry a booster battery jump starter pack , but why drag along something that can start killing your main battery without warning...best to eliminate the problem , and make the Jeep as bush proof as possible. Do the aluminium oil filter housings from the JK 3.6 work on the JL generation of the 3.6 I would think that they would., I would like to know 'cause Ill probably have to change the JL's filter housing at some point. Cheers Wild Bill . Overlanding the Arctic watershed Boreal forest and Taiga of Northern Ontario and Northern Quebec, Canada . Never stop exploring!!
I have a 2020 gladiator sport S, I have done nothing but put all terrain tires on it. Never lifted it, never drove it in high water, or anything like that. I go camping a lot and hike, so it sees its intended use. It also sees a lot of snow and nasty winter weather because I’m in the mountains kind of, I live near the Adirondack mountains in upstate NY where the weather can be very bad. Takes it like a champ, obviously. I do the oil on time and baby it, currently have 64k miles on her with no issues. Love this vehicle.
This was great! I’m surprised he didn’t mention the locker sensor bypass though since he mentioned the sensor failing twice and that it was the most common electrical failure.
I have a 2021 manual Gladiator Rubicon with 36k miles. I had Jeep replace the serpentine belt after it started squeaking around 20k miles, and just recently the coolant sensor died in the radiator, both done under warranty. This is my first new American car so I’m hoping Jeep doesn’t disappoint me. I take it every 5000 miles for oil changes, for sure.
My family and I have really enjoyed our 2007 JKU with the 3.8 V6. It now has about 175,000 mostly highway and good trailing miles on it. I lost the transmission at 140,000 miles, but besides that mostly just routine maintenance items and it runs fine...the family and I are planning a road trip to Chaco Canyon now from Texas and I'm not worried about it's reliability one bit. We're currently running a 2" lift with BFG Ko2 315/75 16.✌🏾
@@Strikerage 😁My exhaust system has seen better days at this point. I'm looking to replace the entire exhaust system from headers on back to the muffler and maybe the shocks and coil springs too.
I would like to know the answers to the same questions, but specifically to the 392! I appreciate the knowledge this young guy has! Jerry's a great guy/resource. I'm thinking about adding a 392 in addition to my built 2002 TJ. This was a GREAT video! Keep it up! I'd love to see a (for example) monthly special with Jerry as your guest expert.
I’m hoping my stock 21 eco diesel rubicon would prove to be most dependable since I dont drive it much but when I do take it out it’s been bringing me smiles. I would take one tip from this and get myself a fine stabilizer from fox with the external reservoir. My locker light has also went off at only 14k and I’ve been back once already to get it checked out. Over all looking forward to many years with this one.
This is one of the best videos. Please make video together more often. You are the lucky men in the California to have a expert mechanic to work on you jeep.
Thank you so much fellas! So informative and Jerry is a complete stud. I wish I lived closer to his shop. He is obviously knowledgeable and trustworthy. And he is Trail Recon approved!
Awesome video. As an XJ guy..I’m a little triggered that the XJ didn’t get an honorable mention with best Jeep model question!😢😂😜 I was surprised by the 3.8 ranking second as well. Good stuff!!
I drove 163K on my corolla 2016 only doing basic maintenance and never had to take it for repair of anything other than a recall on front passenger airbag deployment. I bought a 2024 2-door Wrangler 3.6L Sport S this Sept 8th and on Sept 13th I was at Jeep service with some smoke coming out of the engine. They found a broken valve cover gasket causing oil to leak on top of hot part (cant remember name at this moment). I was so dissapointed. Luckily I caught it soon enough that engine didnt suffer damage. I took the case to Jeep and after some push I got offered 8 additional yrs or 96K extended powertrain warranty, something similar on electrical warranty, or other maintenance/components warranty. I took the powertrain one because of the issue that happened. Now hearing Jerry makes me wonder if I should've gotten the extended warranty on the electrical or a mix of both for less years. Thanks for such an informative video! I will definitely keep in mind the oil cooler concern, the electrical issues, and the differential locker issue. After all that, at this moment I have to say (believe it or not) I'm loving my Wrangler!!!
Love this thanks Brad! I regeared to 5.13 after adding 38s. So I felt good about that. I always wondered if the Dana 44 would be ok with 38s. Sounds like it's a safe upgrade. Just started to get minor death wobble when hitting a small pot hole. I will be upgrading my stabilizer when I install my Clayton premium lift and hopefully that will keep it from getting bad. There was a lot of info there that I didn't even know I needed until I heard it. Hope to have you do this again with more questions in the future. Your videos were my introduction into wheeling when I got my gladiator in 2019. Thanks for all you do.
@@GoodVibes-yc6hm thank you. No guss or truss installed. That's a great thought though. Especially the gussets as this would be a weak point especially no that I have the 38s. I will look into this ASAP. Thanks again Good vibes!
On my 3rd oil cooler housing. Lessons learned, take the time and take the Jeep to a Jeep familiar mechanic. Crappy 15 minute oil changers over torqued my filter. Thank god for the powertrain warranty!
This was great! Also somewhat comforting to know I've had the 2 most common issues with my JK - the filter housing crack and the engine "tik" ($3500 repair, ouch). But now that those are behind me, I should be good!
I've got a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport with the 3.6 v6. 202824 miles. Runs as strong as the day I bought it. Minor wear-n-tear but nothing major. Best vehicle I've ever owned. As soon as I bought it I added a cold air intake and cat back dual exhaust. Everything else is stock.
I own a 2018 Sahara with a Mopar lift, which I LOVE. After the dealer installed the Mopar lift, it then refused to do the steering box TSB on the grounds that the Jeep “has been modified.” I had to go to a different dealer to get it done. So it all depends on the dealer, and buying Mopar parts does NOT guarantee that they will honor the factory warranty, either.
Brad, this was excellent content and would encourage you to do something similar more frequently. Here is a question for a future episode, how many miles can I expect out of my clutch 3.8 w/6 speed manual, off roaded but not extreme. and aftermarket or OEM when replacement necessary? Thanks man this was fun.
Leaving things stock when it comes to engines is extremely good advice. Even on other vehicles, such as pick up trucks with gas or diesel engines. The standard paper filter is more restrictive but if you want to get 300,000 or more miles out of an engine, it’s best not to sandblast it with dust particles just for a perceived couple of horsepower. The more often you change the oil, the better. Oil is cheap and engines are expensive. I wouldn’t go even 5000 miles between oil changes. I always change my oil at 3000 miles even using the best oil and filters.
What do you guys think about Oil Catch Cans? I have one on my 3.6 JT, and it feels like I have to empty it every 1k miles, which seems frequent. Could it be hiding an underlying problem?
Lots of good advice. I started with V8 CJ-5 in the mid 1970s, best Jeep I ever owned. Drove the wheels off it. Literally - the axles were pressed in and V8+oversized tires+teenager = my rear tire, wheel, and hub outrunning my Jeep 😂. Rolled it twice too. I’m in a JL now and it’s pretty good, but I miss the CJ.
100% on the first gen JK 3.6. I have had every single one of the issues he mentioned. Oil coolant housing i replaced twice. rocker arms on the passenger side and shortly after a cam phaser busted
Great q and a with someone who really seems to know his stuff. I'd definitely be interested in a video on death wobble, especially any tests to narrow down the problem before just replacing everything. Mines more of a minor injury wobble but still annoying on a stock jku
I would like to hear more of Jerry's opinions on eTorque. eTorque adds additional complexity under the hood, will it be reliable or a future maintenance nightmare?
@@TrailRecon Thank you Brad, I heard the "No", just curious about the details and his experience in his shop with eTorque configurations. Thank you for another great video. Happy Sunday to you and your family.
@@TrailRecon he had a hard no on the 4xe. In my 2022 JLUR the small auto start battery was replace with the e-torque system. If you order the 3.6l with the auto trans then you are forced to get the e-torque. It has been used in the Rams for a bit before it was installed in the wranglers. Is there a typical failure he has seen with this system?
If you want a ZERO problem free Jeep, then you have to get the Toyota 4runner edition 😂 JK as a Toyota fan, I own a 4runner, but want to own a Jeep too (which is why I'm here). So I mean these problems aren't too bad, so maybe one day I'll buy a Jeep.
I've had a V8 4runner, a V6 Montero, a Jeep JKU Rubicon, and now I've kind of settled down in an 80 series Landcruiser. My Jeep experience was great. Definitely had a few issues but I've spent much more fixing the Landcruiser. Main reason I stick with the FJ80 is fiberglass roofs suck lol
@@Shakshuka69 No, there's an ongoing recall and still no fix from 2018 where they are bursting into flames, the recall replaced my clutch 4 times in my JL, the start is where the assembly squeaks, which turns into a groaning, then the assembly fuses to the flywheel, and then the heat from that causes a fire.. They didn't give me any problems replacing it, but, it was inconvenient having to go in every 1-2 years for a clutch.. Especially since my original tacoma clutch lasted almost 300k miles.. lol
Hi all. I am in Australia. Have had my 07 Wrangler since new (bought in 2007) JKU Rubicon 3.8L Gas/petrol. It has done 255000km which as about 160000 miles. Pretty much 200000 kms have been outback driving (remote tracks, rocks, sand dunes etc etc etc. and deserts etc ) requiring long distances to access. I do not do really extreme situations since I travel alone and always have to get home. The JKU Rubi is pretty much stock standard except for a 2" lift, driving lights, 265/70/17inch tyres and a roof rack. And an aux fuel tank (65 litres). I get about 5.5 km per litre when fully loaded which includes food, fuel water, 2nd battery etc. Most of the desert trekking has been towing a small home made camper trailer. So far I have replaced 3 clutches - about 4 sets of shocks (I go cheaper since cheap or expensive they all die sooner or later) and 3 sets of springs. I found the OE shocks were really good. Good name brand shocks frequently failed prematurely, and the OE springs were really bad. These have been changed 3 times also (but only because the second set proved to me anyway to contribute to DW cos of too severe a change to steering geometry. Oh, and I had replaced steering dampener to good off market one that also failed prematurely and am now with an OE one and it is, well, the best so far. I do preventative maintenance myself every 10000km (6000miles) which includes oil changes, filter changes, front sway bar links (when they break). And also spark plugs and leads. Other preventative maintenance items includes PCV & EGR changed at 100000km. Oxygen sensors changed at 16000km. OE radiator changed at 220000km after springing an unfixable leak. The water pump was changed under warranty at 80000km. Has had 2 clutch slave cylinders changed as well as the clutch master cylinder (250000km). Of course things like brakes. I fitted aftermarket front sway bar links after several OE failures (easy disconnect variety) and these have not failed me. Changed front end components at 165000km as well as the ball joints at 146000km). Replaced well worn suspension bushes (all of them) at 197000km. So, anyway. I love my JKU Rubi... I have had so much fun with it and seen so much of this country.It just keeps going and going. When I first bought it, the dealer mechanic told me that it had " a can't kill" engine. I hope that's true. I think with more love and care, it will make well over 300000kms (186000miles) And this fella said he has seen one with 385000miles. Well...I will give it my best try. Stay happy and healthy.
This was one of the best videos I have seen in a while. Great job guys. I was surprised with the 3.8 over the 3.6 pick but great to hear why. I do wonder what the thoughts would be on the turbo 4 cylinder? The plastic oil cooler issue doesn't surprise me. VW did the same with the water pump on some models and same issue. Premature leaks. Hopefully there will be more videos like this. Maybe some more in-depth ones too.
Howdy! My 2016 JKU Rubicon is just under 200k miles. Oil changed every 5k. Broke so far: thermostat housing, oil filter housing, wheel bearings. The 6 speed manual still on original clutch. All engine, transmission & driveline fluids changed on schedule. On 3rd set of tires. 2nd rear rotors. Preventative maintenance is key! When the engine finally blows - I want to put a TOYOTA or HONDA engine in it!
Great segment very informative as usual. Hope he corrects flying the flag in retreat on his right shoulder. I know there is a clause regarding the flag in retreat but I can’t help notice. Semper Fi
It's truly sad we cannot go back to simpler design cars with less electronics. I'd say the 90s to early 2000 were some of the most reliable cars ever made.
Couple other things we want in a Jeep from the factory is painted ceiling in black with insulation and beautiful fabric finish, also an aircompressor, and a winch from the factory at least as an option. HEMI v8 6.4 or 6.7 in a Rubicon and Mojave please.
Just did the rockers on my 2012 3.6 at 125K miles. $2K job at the local Jeep expert. It's the first repair I couldn't do myself in five years. Hopefully good for a while now, but seems like Jeep didn't improve the part. Despite Jerry's fears about "you always want gas to back up the electric so you don't run out of battery" I'm hanging onto this reliable JK until a fully-electric option is out there. The 4xe is just too complex and I don't trust Jeep electronics. There's just double the number of failure points. A pure electric Jeep is what I really want - simple, torque-y, clean, and quiet. Can't wait.
It would be nice to have a regular “ask Jerry” session. Great video!
Yeah,that would be awesome
Agreed!
Awesome idea!!
I’ve already thought of a few questions
Agree with this 100%
As someone who has zero mechanical ability, but is passionate about Jeeps, this was wonderful. I hung on every word.
Thank you so much.
As a Chrysler tech for 28 years, he is spot on, on everything except his pick for the best Jeep ever made. He said the TJ, which I don’t disagree with, but I’d also say the YJ right up there too. I bought a 1992 YJ in 1996 and sold it in 2018. I bought it with 64k miles and sold it with 480k miles.
I have to agree with you. I have a red 1991 YJ, 236,000 miles, 2.4l engine and she is still going quite well. I put a 3.5 lift kit on it when I had it repainted, along with tires and wheels, and people love my Jeep. I’ve had several offers from 5k-8k, but she ain’t for sale. I paid $500 for it 14 years ago with 125k miles, from my wife’s co-worker who had just bought a new Wrangler. It’s the best $500 I have ever spent. I’ll enjoy it until she says that she can’t go anymore. The YJ was a unique series of Wrangler, and I consider it the best!
@@markweaver4424 The YJ is my favorite interior and manual shifter jeep. I’m eyeing one for my first ever Jeep Wrangler. TJ is a distant second. I turned down the JL for 2024/5. Cable shifter and clutch issues is a no bueno. Plus all those electronics is just asking for trouble.
Nah YJ still has leaf springs. TJ introduced the coils, game changer in the off-roading world, and stock it’s still super capable when you disconnect the sway bars
I'm over 215k miles on my 2014 JKU Rubi and still going. I'm glad you asked about the longevity of the 3.6!
What issues so far? I have 100k on my 2015 JKUR.
@@neil12011 No issues other than replacing my radiator and while I had it empty, I replaced the thermostat and water pump to be safe. Oil change every 5k mi, and recently replaced my PCV valve (causes it to smoke if it goes bad) Also, I replaced my clutch and flywheel since my throw-out bearing was going out. Now I have an all-aluminum oil filter housing, knock sensors, valve cover and intake manifold gaskets in my shed for when it decides to take a dump on me. Better to knock it all out at once while I'm down there.
@@christophergreathouse501 what brand oil filter housing did you get?
@@ethangonzales3000, Ransoto. I haven't installed it yet; I'm still waiting on my original to fail.
Thanks to Jerry and Brad! Jerry was very generous and an incredibly good sport for taking time to answer those questions! 👍🏼
From personal experience, Jerry is honest, reliable and provides incredible service.
Everyone can say what they want about death wobble etc but I encourage you to go visit him and talk to him in person. This is who you want working on your jeep.
Looking forward to the next video with him!
I’m shocked on the death wobble, most people say the steering stabilizer is never the cause. Great video.
It’s not. A Jeep should drive correctly without a steering stabilizer. The stabilizer helps with bump steer, but only hides death wobble. He lost all credibility with me when he said that.
I actually was surprised he didn't say tie rod ends, ball joints or other steering components, but I'm sure having all the training over the years as a tech and having plenty of customers coming in with death wobble complaints, that's the most common issue. I think maybe we should take a deeper dive into this topic in the future.
Yeah that was the one thing he said that I really just flat out don’t agree with.
@@TrailRecon 26:00
Brad, do you still have the power wagon?
Never had the death wobble interestingly enough.
I specifically bought a 06 LJ for two reasons. I wanted a longer wheelbase with only 2 doors and I insisted on the 4.0 because it’s basically bulletproof.
Fellas. This episode was amazing. Glued to it like a great movie. Please keep doing this. Thank you.
4.0 straight six is a wow engine but the fuel consumption is madness. Great mechanic you have there and I’ve been one for more than 40 years.
Love everything he has answered. Only thing i would disagree on is the causes of death wobble. Having fixed it on several JKS & JLS it always came down to the front track bar bolt on the frame side. Jeep puts a 14MM bolt in this hole from the factory & it wallows out over time because it isn't the correct size to begin with. We have put in a 9/16 bolt in over the 14MM bolt & all steering issues pertaining to death wobble went away. We had a buddy who's front track bar bracket on the frame side was so wallowed out from the factory sized bolt we had to weld washers onto the bracket to take up the space to stop the bolt from basically bouncing around in the hole. And the tricky thing with this is the bolt will look & feel tight while sitting on the ground with the front track bar on, so it requires you to remove the bolt & inspect the bolt hole.
Agreed, I've gone through 2 track bars on my gen 2 dodge, fixed it both times. No wallow just worn out. Pushing 275K miles too so...
Agree with you. When I am looking for the cause of death wobble I end up just removing the stabilizer which is probably worn down already. 1st Find the actual cause and drive it without the stabilizer. Once I'm sure its been resolved I then add a new Stabilizer. Just replacing the Stabilizer is a band aide.
This and Toyotas are not more reliable then jeeps...lol..My bro has had tjs xjs jls (rubicons) and the metals and plastics seem like a power wheels build compared to all land cruisers I have owned (40s 60s 80s 100s). Oh and you don't put purified water in cooling system it's distilled water..
Fantastic video! An "ask Jerry" session as earlier mentioned is a must. I agree with everything said, except engine upgrade. I went with the Mopar intake and AEV vented hood on my JK, and can't imagine driving without these mods. Definitely recomend the Dorman aluminum oil cooler housing, "peace of mind" upgrade as well. Thanks again, Brad.
Thanks for making this video Brad! This was one of my favorites. Very interesting and informative! So cool to hear from someone that has worked on Jeeps at the dealership and knows a lot of the inside details. 😁👍
Still sunning my 14 year old 3.8l 4 door wrangler. 180k miles and still runs great. I have 4:88 gears with 35's and love driving it. Taken it in many fun places off road around the US. I am happy to hear all the love for the JK models. I agree, they went to heavy handed with electronics in the newer jeeps.
Hi Brad, this was a really great vlog. Having an industry expert in and answering, at a high level, common questions is amazing. This in it's self can turn into a great vlog series, with deep dives into specific things, like the death wobble you mentioned. This grabbed my attention again with your channel, thanks for doing this
You took the words right out of my mouth!! 👍
Superb Q&A! This man sounds really like he knows what he's talking about. It's obvious that he also knows his Jeeps extremely well. And he worked, apparently for Jeep dealers in their service departments, for ten years prior to opening his own independent business. I am greatly impressed by this gentleman and his knowledge of Jeep Wranglers, CJ's, and Gladiators! Thank you very much to both of you.
Would of loved to hear his thoughts on the 2.0l turbo, never even came up. I know alot of people with it and they seem to love it.
I have 2.0. Love it. Wanted to hear Jerry’s opinion as well. He did hesitate when asked about etorque. Wish Brad would have pressed him in that a bit.
@@marcusn81901 the inline imo is the best engine. Inline have less stress since the pistons go straight up and down.
They make tq than a v6 and you can mod them easily.
I have a 2018 Rubicon with 2.0. 62,000 miles. So far its great.
Can attest to the 2.0T being a solid engine. Mine's been floored to max rpm absolutely countless times. Installed a cold air intake so every time I drive I'm pumping the gas as I'm rolling just to hear the whistle and hiss 😂 No codes or any signs of problems despite my tampering and abuse.
Oh, and I'm running on heavy forged wheels, 35" muds on the stock 3.45 gears no reprogramming
he's right about Toyota reliability. On road, sure tacos and 4Rs go 250k plus easy. As soon as you lift em and wheel em, you can kiss that reliability goodbye. If your wheelin, and u want a reliable rig to handle offroad abuse. the easiest answer is Jeep. And I'm a Yota owner. If it aint a old hilux or landcruiser, your gonna break it and it wont be cheap. I have an 08' 4x4 Tundra, ARB lift on 35s, full tube bumper with winch. Its the biggest money pit offroad platform i have exprienced thus far. I have damn near replaced every drivetrain piece possible in a SINGLE YEAR! 08-22 it was stock and reliable with 220k on the odo. 1 year and 30k miles of offroading, with two major trail failures, I'm done with it and getting a Jeep. Why?! Won't all my Yota buddies crucify me? Absolutely! out of 7 total Yota rigs in my group, only one hasn't had a major failure. My aunt with a stock JL sport on the other hand has follow our "built Yota rigs" all over west virginia on highway terrain tires towing a camper and it the only light its flashed is the tpms light when we air down. So yeah, I'm sick and tired of busting my knuckles at 3am in my driveway swapping out a front wheel bearing for the 3rd time in a year to go wheelin and somehow blow a waterpump the first 2 miles in. And for the skeptics, sayin i dont do maintenance, I run AMSoil exclusively in my Toyota and i do a full inspection after every trail and every 5k. And i mean everything engine oil and seal, tcase oil and seal, diff oil and seals, driveshafts, brakes, hub assembly, tranny fluid, coolant, batteries, winch operation. So yeah, I'm done, I love Toyota but I'm getting a Gladiator Rubicon and never lookin back.
Greetings from Queensland, Australia! I drive a 2014 JK Wrangler, and I've only had one sensor issue at 80k. I've got 200k on the clock now. I change the oil every 5k; oh, I have a 2.5' lift kit with 33's. It's the best vehicle I've ever had.
This is the best video for new Jeep owners! I have both a JK and a JL (392) and had a lot of these questions, myself. Thank you for enlightening us! A pure Diamond in the rough!!!
Great session. I loved my TJ and JK, but my 4Runner TRD Off-road trouble free ownership has me spoiled. Jeep is the undisputed more enjoyable driving experience.
That, is Only your opinion. We enjoy Both the reliable quality of our Toyota 4X4's And the SUPERIOR RIDE. I Cannot even Fit in a Cheap, without getting Stiff and Sore in every part of my body. The interior of Cheaps Suck, and You Guys Know It, but will not admit it. Ha Ha, Good Luck. 😎
@@traviskimbrell1209 Sorry Charly, but you will Not find a sympathetic ear here. And No, I'm not jealous nor could I be. I've owned five jeeps over the years and have had problems Galore starting from soups to nuts. So No, you would be wrong on that. Personally I'm only comparing my FJ's and how they suite me better. So all the rest of your silliness doesn't add up to Jack. It's all good too, because people do what they want, and all too often Brag that Their Way is the only way. Regardless of you being a former T-Tech, I will continue to run my own show. BTW, you are replying to my post of Over four months ago, What's up with that???
Great video! It answered most of my questions! Being the owner of a 2015 bone stock Willy’s wheeler that is my daily driver, and I really keep it stock and all maintenance at the dealer that is needed! It never has failed me, it has almost 100 thousand miles, and still running very strong like the day I purchased it.
Jeep Techs generally are not about performance. I have two friends that have a super chargers on a 3.6 for years. Zero issues and still runs today with extra power.
Inline engines imo is going to be the best we will see. Less stress.
Supra is an inline, BUSA, inline and now the 2.0 which is also an inline. Time will tell!!
Great video Brad
There's a lot of V engines that live just as long. Chevy's 4.3, LS1, all of their big blocks. Chrysler's HEMI big blocks, 392, 427 (new), 3.8. Ford's old big blocks, 5.0 (to an extent), 7.3. Toyota's 4.7, 5.7, 4.0, and even their 3.5
The inline engine is simpler and easier to make them to be reliable, but a good V engine done and maintained correctly will run forever.
Very helpful. I asked my mechanic which vehicle to buy for a 4 year adventure trip I was planning. Without hesitation he replied, "2006 Jeep TJ Rubicon". Even at 400,000 clicks, it just won't die and never a problem. On the trail, it is like cheating when taking on obstacles and challenges, but sadly, it doesn't have much cargo space. Time to get a 4dr to take the grandchildren out so this video is much appreciated. After owning, driving, & testing a Rubicon's to its full ability in several time zones and regions (from far North to the tropics) I can't imagine owning any other 4x4 vehicle.
Thanks Brad and Jerry. This was one of the best coffee takes! As someone who owns a 1992 Jeep Cherokee and Comanche for the past 29 years, and a big fan of the 4.0L, it would be great to have some questions regarding older jeeps if you do this again.
I have been daily driving a '96 jeep cherokee for over a year (first car) and it's pretty nice. It's the country edition, stock, and engine and transmission are strong. It has the auto transmission, but I'm happy with it. The 4.0 doesn't lack power, and it would be cool to hear more professional answers/opinions about the older jeeps, when they were made to last.
@@WhynotMinot Agreed.
WOW, how many miles on them?
@@taemac10 I have about 450,000 miles on my Cherokee, and 330,000 miles on the Comanche.
I'm on my 3rd 3.8 lol
Pretty cool when he started talking about sitting on the engine bay as a kid helping his dad. Was real subtle, but he got a little choked up and held it back. I know that feeling.
Hey Brad. Great video and your friend was very honest with his responses. I just purchased a 2011 Wrangler that I am trying to track down an electric short. The headlights are always on and the windshield wipers are always on. Keep you posted as we troubleshoot this electrical problem. Keep posting
NEVER in a million years would i have expected him to say the 3.8 engine !!!! Exactly what I'd expect !!!!! Another ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY FANTASTIC VIDEO my friend !!! THANK YOU
Loved to hear the best years of the Wrangler: I still have my factory ordered 2004 (received fall of 2003) Rubi sans the back gate plastic and the "Trail Rated" badge in Solar Yellow. Jeep would not call it 2003 because "it would have been a collector model, being the only 2003 Solar Yellow in the first year of the Rubicon." Still my best Jeep.
I'm a Toyota loyalist (4 Tacomas, 2 Tundras... 1.4 million combined miles over 25 years), but I have owned a 2009 JK, which I had so much fun wheeling in. I loved this interview and learned that if I was in the market for a Jeep, to get a 4.0 TJ. I may look for one. Again, great informative interview.
Very informative. A recurring "Ask Jerry" session would be good; maybe quarterly. Nice to hear his opinion of the TJ because that's what I have and it is a great vehicle. Thanks to you & Jerry for all this info -
That would be great
The TJ is Last real and reliable jeep.... Magnum opus of the brand besides the XJ, I suggest you cherish it as long as possible.....
Well another problem that I personally see on death wobbles, ball joints. Most of the Jeeps I been working on, all the same problem. Ball joints.. yes every single bushing and control arms but check every single part is important. Thank you for the info was very interesting. 👍👍
Loved this video. I would be curious to know if Jerry’s thoughts as well as the Jeep communities’ questions regarding the 3.0 Ecodiesel (ie. Overall Reliability, most common issues/repairs, etc.) Perhaps a brief follow-up video or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Ecodiesel is junk.
I have an 88 YJ Wrangler, 5-speed man trans) . It has 410,000 miles. It had some issues, mostly with the choke. From what I know, each year Jeep had its own specific issues.
I did a "Nutter Bypass", then eventually, I removed all computers, all excess wiring (about 6 lbs worth), removed the Carter carb and replaced with a Weber progressive carb with manual choke.
I removed the coil and distributor, and replaced with an HEI (High Energy Ign.) and installed 10.5 mm spark plug wires for the straight-6 4.2 Liter (258 cu.) engine.
Runs perfect. Better than new.
Really loved this session. I value your info Brad but having it come from a Jeep Technician expert is like gold. Hope you do another video like that again in the future. I also hope that Jeep was listening to all the great questions.
I've got a 2011 JK Sport 2 door, fortunately with the 3.8 . Other that swapping out my PCM 3 times and a few other electrical issues, it's been solid. 234,000 miles on it.
I feel blessed owning a 2006 Unlimited Rubicon with an Auto Trans, after hearing the Mechanic state the best reliable years for Wranglers is 2003 through 2006 TJs with the 4.0 engine. Mine I was told is the most sought after as Jeep only made the LJ Rubicon for 2 years 2005&6 Mine has not been lifted with stock rims and tires. I was thinking about lifting it, but after the Mechanics comments, I will not lift my jeep. Also my LJ has lived its life in Arizona with no rust. Brad I think this was a most valuable video, thanks!
I think it was made in 2004 as well, maybe without the Rubicon package.
@@ingelri2 Your correct, the LJ or Unlimited option was made 3 years, 2004 ,5 & 6. But it was not offered in the Unlimited Model in 2004 as an option with the Rubicon package. But the 2005&6 Wrangler Unlimited with the Rubicon Option is known as the Unicorn of Jeeps, with limited numbers made.
Yes, Jeeps are very highly reliable. My son and I have had 2008, 2017 and 2021 Wranglers. As well as 1947, 1949, 1951, 1976 and 1981 Jeeps. Love ‘em all!
only reliable if you maintain and fix things.. Any Jeeep thats 20+ years old is gonna need tons of repairs... rubber seals, u joints, ball joints, cv shafts... lol i have 3 Jeeps if i didnt know how to work on cars, i couldnt drive them as they constantly need work
Super informative video and great confidence builder for those questions Jeep owners have but need expertise to answer. I wish I had Jerry in Texas, we could use a Shift Auto in North Dallas! For me this was a truly unique segment…thank you TrailRecon!
I just bought an 06 TJ. Several of his answers pleased me, especially considering my Jeep is in as good condition as it is for a 16 year old vehicle, and almost still stock. And "The customer is always right" should always include "...in matters of taste." :)
Please make another video with him just on the 4.0L!! Specifically what to look out for on high mileage ones. I have a 1994 Jeep Wrangler YJ and a 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee both with the 4.0L. The one with the highest mileage being 200,000 miles. Amazing video, it was extremely insightful!
The 4.0 is great
Brad, as you know those 4.0's are pretty bullet proof. Obviously pull the dip stick to make sure you don't see grey oil or bubbles ( bad news) look for any leak in the rear main seal (common) and just let her run and listen. Is it smooth or does she tick tick tick (lifters, purge solenoid, low oil)
Hope that helps a little
Aaron
@@vigilantemotors Thanks, Aaron! You know of any good oil additives to help at least prolong the life of the engine and help quiet down the lifter tick? And how do you know when something is wrong with the purge solenoid?
@@brad9884 As far as the tick goes and to prolong life I would use a high mileage oil. There are additives in there to help prolong life and reduce ticking. Just use a quality high mileage oil from here on out.
Usually, a bad purge solenoid will display any of the following 5 symptoms that can alert you of a potential problem in need of servicing.
Rough Idle. ...
Poor Engine Performance. ...
Difficulty Starting. ...
Check Engine Light Comes On. ...
Low Fuel Economy.
Does that help any?
That hit at 100,000 miles you already fixed all the problems hit me right in the feels.
Great episode -like hearing from a jeep gearhead especially comment on not modifying a stock engine with all the garage or accessories that are "supposed" to improve performance
As a former auto tech, not at Jeep but at another manufacture but still a Jeep owner and enthusiast I'm here to tell you he speaks TRUTH. EVERYTHING! I agree with everything he says including his opinions on best Jeep engine and model and reasoning. The engine modification thing is a hard swallow for many people. But he's right. People also need to understand a balance between use and abuse. Unfortunately many users abuse their Jeeps and when they become unreliable from said abuse and they sell them. If you use it and not abuse it, and I'm not saying never take it off the street but not hit holes as hard as possible while keeping lifts and tires within design specs, Jeeps last forever as long as you use them responsibly!
Love this video! Thank you for having a Jeep technician who is certified before us all and him giving his honest feedback and personal experiences! This is by far been so informative to me and to others. I am a first time jeep wrangler owner. I had my first one about a year ago and only got to drive it for two days before my cylinder head failure happened to me with a sever misfire and thankfully they bought the Jeep back from me and I now have another JL 2019 now and have had it for a year now and so far so good! I love my Jeep JL and thank you again for everything you do!!!
So, some of us have the 2.0 4 cyl turbo. 1.
What’s are some common issues you’ve worked on for these engines? 2.Should you regear these any differently than 3.6? 3. Any major issues yet in the etorque?
I’m a Ford guy, and a service manager at a dealer.
Jeeps are average, but they don’t hold a candle to a Toyota. I mean the average Jeep owner is lucky to make it to 100k without spending a few thousand in repairs.
I am a retired mechanic and own 3 solid axle jeeps , a 2001 XJ Cherokee , a 2015 Tank green Jeep Wrangler 2-door , which I have outfitted for overland travel-exploration , and a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon unlimited that I am currently building up for overland adventures this summer I will be going to Northwest Territories and Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean , then travel and explore Northern BC , Canada.
I change all fluids , Engine oil and filter, Transmission oil and filter , and diff oil , and transfer case oil on all vehicles religiously and with the best I can find.
I had to replace the oil cooler-filter housing on the 015 , and I went aluminium with a U.S. made Dorman part , a good solid piece and what Chrysler should have used from the factory.
I agree with your mechanic friend on all counts , preventative maintanence , and leaving the engine alone as far as modifications for performance will stand you in good stead in the long run . My 015 has had some tough off road miles , but runs like brand new.
All my Jeeps are great performers , and run fantastic...again....maintenance sooner than later makes the difference .
On my 019 JL , I bypassed the start stop secondary battery by removing it and bringing the positive wire from the secondary battery to the positive main battery terminal and taping off the ground terminal from the secondary battery . I shut off the stop start function when I start the jeep , I hate that feature , it is useless , except for draining and killing the main battery without warning...so yup I bypassed it . I don't want to be stranded out in the bush with a dead battery , and yes I carry a booster battery jump starter pack , but why drag along something that can start killing your main battery without warning...best to eliminate the problem , and make the Jeep as bush proof as possible.
Do the aluminium oil filter housings from the JK 3.6 work on the JL generation of the 3.6 I would think that they would., I would like to know 'cause Ill probably have to change the JL's filter housing at some point.
Cheers Wild Bill . Overlanding the Arctic watershed Boreal forest and Taiga of Northern Ontario and Northern Quebec, Canada . Never stop exploring!!
This was an excellent exchange and having both 2013 JK and a 2023 392 in the family was great information! Thanks guys 👍🏼
I have a 2020 gladiator sport S, I have done nothing but put all terrain tires on it. Never lifted it, never drove it in high water, or anything like that. I go camping a lot and hike, so it sees its intended use. It also sees a lot of snow and nasty winter weather because I’m in the mountains kind of, I live near the Adirondack mountains in upstate NY where the weather can be very bad. Takes it like a champ, obviously. I do the oil on time and baby it, currently have 64k miles on her with no issues. Love this vehicle.
This was great! I’m surprised he didn’t mention the locker sensor bypass though since he mentioned the sensor failing twice and that it was the most common electrical failure.
I have a 2021 manual Gladiator Rubicon with 36k miles. I had Jeep replace the serpentine belt after it started squeaking around 20k miles, and just recently the coolant sensor died in the radiator, both done under warranty. This is my first new American car so I’m hoping Jeep doesn’t disappoint me. I take it every 5000 miles for oil changes, for sure.
My family and I have really enjoyed our 2007 JKU with the 3.8 V6. It now has about 175,000 mostly highway and good trailing miles on it. I lost the transmission at 140,000 miles, but besides that mostly just routine maintenance items and it runs fine...the family and I are planning a road trip to Chaco Canyon now from Texas and I'm not worried about it's reliability one bit. We're currently running a 2" lift with BFG Ko2 315/75 16.✌🏾
You got lucky. 😉
@@Strikerage 😁My exhaust system has seen better days at this point. I'm looking to replace the entire exhaust system from headers on back to the muffler and maybe the shocks and coil springs too.
319km on my 09 3.8 JKU. Original clutch but the exhaust is dying. Bushings and body mounts are not so hot.
Being a Jeep dealer mechanic myself, This guy knows his stuff. Good interview.
I would like to know the answers to the same questions, but specifically to the 392! I appreciate the knowledge this young guy has! Jerry's a great guy/resource. I'm thinking about adding a 392 in addition to my built 2002 TJ. This was a GREAT video! Keep it up! I'd love to see a (for example) monthly special with Jerry as your guest expert.
Great Video! Please bring Jerry back on a regular basis and do some deep dives into specific topics that you discussed here.
I miss my yellow TJ 4.0. Best jeep ever.
Jerry was a cool guest. ALWAYS good to hear from the people that work on the vehicles.
I’m hoping my stock 21 eco diesel rubicon would prove to be most dependable since I dont drive it much but when I do take it out it’s been bringing me smiles. I would take one tip from this and get myself a fine stabilizer from fox with the external reservoir. My locker light has also went off at only 14k and I’ve been back once already to get it checked out. Over all looking forward to many years with this one.
Sorry to burst your bubble. But the eco- diesel is chryslers worst engine to date.
@@froglegzz8633 works fine for me and has 100,000 mile warranty which is good for me until 2028 then I’ll sell
This is one of the best videos. Please make video together more often. You are the lucky men in the California to have a expert mechanic to work on you jeep.
This was great! More interviews would be awesome
Thank you!
Thank you so much fellas! So informative and Jerry is a complete stud. I wish I lived closer to his shop. He is obviously knowledgeable and trustworthy. And he is Trail Recon approved!
Awesome video. As an XJ guy..I’m a little triggered that the XJ didn’t get an honorable mention with best Jeep model question!😢😂😜 I was surprised by the 3.8 ranking second as well. Good stuff!!
I drove 163K on my corolla 2016 only doing basic maintenance and never had to take it for repair of anything other than a recall on front passenger airbag deployment. I bought a 2024 2-door Wrangler 3.6L Sport S this Sept 8th and on Sept 13th I was at Jeep service with some smoke coming out of the engine. They found a broken valve cover gasket causing oil to leak on top of hot part (cant remember name at this moment). I was so dissapointed. Luckily I caught it soon enough that engine didnt suffer damage. I took the case to Jeep and after some push I got offered 8 additional yrs or 96K extended powertrain warranty, something similar on electrical warranty, or other maintenance/components warranty. I took the powertrain one because of the issue that happened. Now hearing Jerry makes me wonder if I should've gotten the extended warranty on the electrical or a mix of both for less years. Thanks for such an informative video! I will definitely keep in mind the oil cooler concern, the electrical issues, and the differential locker issue. After all that, at this moment I have to say (believe it or not) I'm loving my Wrangler!!!
Love this thanks Brad!
I regeared to 5.13 after adding 38s. So I felt good about that. I always wondered if the Dana 44 would be ok with 38s. Sounds like it's a safe upgrade. Just started to get minor death wobble when hitting a small pot hole. I will be upgrading my stabilizer when I install my Clayton premium lift and hopefully that will keep it from getting bad.
There was a lot of info there that I didn't even know I needed until I heard it.
Hope to have you do this again with more questions in the future.
Your videos were my introduction into wheeling when I got my gladiator in 2019. Thanks for all you do.
Not necessary to upgrade. The oem stabilizer is fine. As far as your axles, has the front axle had c-gussets and/or a truss installed?
@@GoodVibes-yc6hm thank you. No guss or truss installed. That's a great thought though. Especially the gussets as this would be a weak point especially no that I have the 38s. I will look into this ASAP. Thanks again Good vibes!
Before you start buying/replacing parts re-torque your suspension bolts, especially the front track bar.
@@0ricle will do. Thanks!
Great video Brad! You should do a walk around of Jerry’s JT and have him explain what a Jeep Technician does for lifts and off road performance.
Great interview - thank you! Definite repeat guest, and I’ve never seen this format on any other UA-cam channel
Thank you!
Awesome
On my 3rd oil cooler housing. Lessons learned, take the time and take the Jeep to a Jeep familiar mechanic. Crappy 15 minute oil changers over torqued my filter. Thank god for the powertrain warranty!
This was great! Also somewhat comforting to know I've had the 2 most common issues with my JK - the filter housing crack and the engine "tik" ($3500 repair, ouch). But now that those are behind me, I should be good!
“Should be” that’s not very comforting… if it failed once and you’re replacing it with the same parts, what stop it from future failures?
@@AktireachBecause fixing the major issues leaves less to go wrong.
I've got a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Sport with the 3.6 v6. 202824 miles. Runs as strong as the day I bought it. Minor wear-n-tear but nothing major. Best vehicle I've ever owned. As soon as I bought it I added a cold air intake and cat back dual exhaust. Everything else is stock.
Another great video Brad. Thanks for this, a lot of good questions answered from an expert and his opinion.
I own a 2018 Sahara with a Mopar lift, which I LOVE. After the dealer installed the Mopar lift, it then refused to do the steering box TSB on the grounds that the Jeep “has been modified.” I had to go to a different dealer to get it done.
So it all depends on the dealer, and buying Mopar parts does NOT guarantee that they will honor the factory warranty, either.
Oh man, that's not good to hear about your dealer experience. Great that you are enjoying your lift. Thanks for sharing your story!
Brad, this was excellent content and would encourage you to do something similar more frequently. Here is a question for a future episode, how many miles can I expect out of my clutch 3.8 w/6 speed manual, off roaded but not extreme. and aftermarket or OEM when replacement necessary? Thanks man this was fun.
I have the 6 speed. Love it
Take special care of it. If you're gonna have problems, it'll be right around 60k miles.
The dreaded knock....
Leaving things stock when it comes to engines is extremely good advice. Even on other vehicles, such as pick up trucks with gas or diesel engines. The standard paper filter is more restrictive but if you want to get 300,000 or more miles out of an engine, it’s best not to sandblast it with dust particles just for a perceived couple of horsepower. The more often you change the oil, the better. Oil is cheap and engines are expensive. I wouldn’t go even 5000 miles between oil changes. I always change my oil at 3000 miles even using the best oil and filters.
What do you guys think about Oil Catch Cans? I have one on my 3.6 JT, and it feels like I have to empty it every 1k miles, which seems frequent. Could it be hiding an underlying problem?
Lots of good advice. I started with V8 CJ-5 in the mid 1970s, best Jeep I ever owned. Drove the wheels off it. Literally - the axles were pressed in and V8+oversized tires+teenager = my rear tire, wheel, and hub outrunning my Jeep 😂. Rolled it twice too. I’m in a JL now and it’s pretty good, but I miss the CJ.
This video was amazing! Very informative and I really enjoyed it. Great job both of you.
100% on the first gen JK 3.6. I have had every single one of the issues he mentioned. Oil coolant housing i replaced twice. rocker arms on the passenger side and shortly after a cam phaser busted
Great q and a with someone who really seems to know his stuff. I'd definitely be interested in a video on death wobble, especially any tests to narrow down the problem before just replacing everything. Mines more of a minor injury wobble but still annoying on a stock jku
GREAT video, no individual answer was earth shattering, but the combination of all of them together was. I'd like to see this type video again
I would like to hear more of Jerry's opinions on eTorque. eTorque adds additional complexity under the hood, will it be reliable or a future maintenance nightmare?
I think he kind of eluded to it on the Fast Yes, No or Pass section at the end.
@@TrailRecon Thank you Brad, I heard the "No", just curious about the details and his experience in his shop with eTorque configurations. Thank you for another great video. Happy Sunday to you and your family.
@@TrailRecon he had a hard no on the 4xe. In my 2022 JLUR the small auto start battery was replace with the e-torque system. If you order the 3.6l with the auto trans then you are forced to get the e-torque. It has been used in the Rams for a bit before it was installed in the wranglers. Is there a typical failure he has seen with this system?
Totally true about gen1 Pentastar. My 22 JK has had many problems including oil cooler, oil filter housing. Death wobble
Correct to above post 2012 JK
If you want a ZERO problem free Jeep, then you have to get the Toyota 4runner edition 😂 JK as a Toyota fan, I own a 4runner, but want to own a Jeep too (which is why I'm here). So I mean these problems aren't too bad, so maybe one day I'll buy a Jeep.
Hahaha facts
I've had a V8 4runner, a V6 Montero, a Jeep JKU Rubicon, and now I've kind of settled down in an 80 series Landcruiser. My Jeep experience was great. Definitely had a few issues but I've spent much more fixing the Landcruiser. Main reason I stick with the FJ80 is fiberglass roofs suck lol
I had a beautiful JLUR, just don't get a manual transmission and you should be fine, also oil changes at 3k miles, even with full synthetic..
@@rustbeltrobclassic2512 you had problems with the 6 speed? I thought it was an improvement from the box truck manual in the JK
@@Shakshuka69 No, there's an ongoing recall and still no fix from 2018 where they are bursting into flames, the recall replaced my clutch 4 times in my JL, the start is where the assembly squeaks, which turns into a groaning, then the assembly fuses to the flywheel, and then the heat from that causes a fire.. They didn't give me any problems replacing it, but, it was inconvenient having to go in every 1-2 years for a clutch.. Especially since my original tacoma clutch lasted almost 300k miles.. lol
Way to put Escondido and Jerry on the map, born and raised here and close to so many great off road adventures!
Man that was a great video!!! Very informative and detailed. I appreciate it. I wonder what his thought is on the diesel gladiator.
Hi all. I am in Australia. Have had my 07 Wrangler since new (bought in 2007) JKU Rubicon 3.8L Gas/petrol. It has done 255000km which as about 160000 miles. Pretty much 200000 kms have been outback driving (remote tracks, rocks, sand dunes etc etc etc. and deserts etc ) requiring long distances to access. I do not do really extreme situations since I travel alone and always have to get home.
The JKU Rubi is pretty much stock standard except for a 2" lift, driving lights, 265/70/17inch tyres and a roof rack. And an aux fuel tank (65 litres). I get about 5.5 km per litre when fully loaded which includes food, fuel water, 2nd battery etc. Most of the desert trekking has been towing a small home made camper trailer.
So far I have replaced 3 clutches - about 4 sets of shocks (I go cheaper since cheap or expensive they all die sooner or later) and 3 sets of springs. I found the OE shocks were really good. Good name brand shocks frequently failed prematurely, and the OE springs were really bad. These have been changed 3 times also (but only because the second set proved to me anyway to contribute to DW cos of too severe a change to steering geometry. Oh, and I had replaced steering dampener to good off market one that also failed prematurely and am now with an OE one and it is, well, the best so far.
I do preventative maintenance myself every 10000km (6000miles) which includes oil changes, filter changes, front sway bar links (when they break). And also spark plugs and leads. Other preventative maintenance items includes PCV & EGR changed at 100000km. Oxygen sensors changed at 16000km. OE radiator changed at 220000km after springing an unfixable leak. The water pump was changed under warranty at 80000km. Has had 2 clutch slave cylinders changed as well as the clutch master cylinder (250000km). Of course things like brakes. I fitted aftermarket front sway bar links after several OE failures (easy disconnect variety) and these have not failed me. Changed front end components at 165000km as well as the ball joints at 146000km). Replaced well worn suspension bushes (all of them) at 197000km.
So, anyway. I love my JKU Rubi... I have had so much fun with it and seen so much of this country.It just keeps going and going. When I first bought it, the dealer mechanic told me that it had " a can't kill" engine. I hope that's true. I think with more love and care, it will make well over 300000kms (186000miles) And this fella said he has seen one with 385000miles. Well...I will give it my best try.
Stay happy and healthy.
This was one of the best videos I have seen in a while. Great job guys.
I was surprised with the 3.8 over the 3.6 pick but great to hear why.
I do wonder what the thoughts would be on the turbo 4 cylinder?
The plastic oil cooler issue doesn't surprise me. VW did the same with the water pump on some models and same issue. Premature leaks.
Hopefully there will be more videos like this. Maybe some more in-depth ones too.
I am also really interested in how the 2 liter compares to the 3.6. What are the common issues and has any of those been fixed over the years?
I drive a 1990 Cherokee and it’s 4.0 in-line six is the best motor I’ve ever managed. It’s got the torque.
I love screaming up hills.
My 4.0 Wrangler has never stranded me ever
Howdy! My 2016 JKU Rubicon is just under 200k miles. Oil changed every 5k. Broke so far: thermostat housing, oil filter housing, wheel bearings. The 6 speed manual still on original clutch. All engine, transmission & driveline fluids changed on schedule. On 3rd set of tires. 2nd rear rotors. Preventative maintenance is key! When the engine finally blows - I want to put a TOYOTA or HONDA engine in it!
I sold my 2014 wrangler with 140k miles and the engine showed no signs of wear
I'm keeping my Cherokee XJ Laredo.. the motor has a lot of power in it. Very simple to fix. Easy to maintain. Can't go wrong with a 4litre
Great segment very informative as usual. Hope he corrects flying the flag in retreat on his right shoulder. I know there is a clause regarding the flag in retreat but I can’t help notice. Semper Fi
It’s on correctly.
@@ironvalorapparelcompany you’ve never served it’s your opinion
@@tompaoletti690 yeah i have, 20 years. its not on a uniform, so therefore its worn correctly.
@@ironvalorapparelcompany congratulations thank you for your service.
This was one of the best and most honest Jeep videos I have even seen. Great job!
Thank You guys!!! Makes me feel good about still having my 2006 TJ Rubicon with 4.0 and only 25k (95% trail only) miles.
I have an '02 4.0 and have 208,000 miles....still runs like new....no internal issues....known to make it to 300K and up....
It's truly sad we cannot go back to simpler design cars with less electronics. I'd say the 90s to early 2000 were some of the most reliable cars ever made.
First thing i did when i bought my used JK was replace the oil housing with the aluminum one
Me watching this video after my engine died 😢
😂
What one
Couple other things we want in a Jeep from the factory is painted ceiling in black with insulation and beautiful fabric finish, also an aircompressor, and a winch from the factory at least as an option. HEMI v8 6.4 or 6.7 in a Rubicon and Mojave please.
Just did the rockers on my 2012 3.6 at 125K miles. $2K job at the local Jeep expert. It's the first repair I couldn't do myself in five years. Hopefully good for a while now, but seems like Jeep didn't improve the part. Despite Jerry's fears about "you always want gas to back up the electric so you don't run out of battery" I'm hanging onto this reliable JK until a fully-electric option is out there. The 4xe is just too complex and I don't trust Jeep electronics. There's just double the number of failure points. A pure electric Jeep is what I really want - simple, torque-y, clean, and quiet. Can't wait.