Much Needed Maintenance on my CHEAP Jeep Wrangler - Episode 3 

Current Total For the Build is $2455.00-ish. That’s Purchase Price and Everything I’ve Put into it. What Do you Think my Total Cost will be by the End of the Build?

Just a note, brother. The AC system is a sealed system. If it was low on freon, it's because there's a leak. If you didn't repair the leak, your new freon will soon leak out.

You should never have to replace the oil drain plug. Just the crush washer.

Doesnt matter what year is is or what shape its in. Theres something about a wrangler that just gives you a sense of freedom you wont get while riding anything else on 4 wheels. Its great to see this one coming back to life

Can't wait for the Fram oil filter comments. 😆

You should definitely get those Half doors from the blue jeep paint matched, half doors are the best mod I ever got on my JK.

I've owned a jeep for 7 years and never had to change the oil plug ever even on my other vehicles never had to change the oil plug. Also there's a youtube channel called morfab industries and he has a whole video on these jeeps and the one thing he said not use is synthetic oil cause it will cause oil leaks he explains that in the video. Valvoline brand is a great choice that's all I ever use in my wrangler.

Looking great!!!!

You should also replace the rubber hoses when changing out a caliper. I learned the hard way they deteriorate from the inside out and the pieces that break off act as a check valve and will cause your very issue.

Whoa it looks amazing 😲👍🏾

ADD ZINC!!!!!! these are old school solid lifter engines!

looks great!

Very good work, great attitude to the rebuild. Keep plodding on chap!

not going to lie, I'm already looking forward to whatever badass paint job you put on this

LOVING! this series

Careful on those wheel spacers. Check them often till you can get rid of them.

I loved these series!

Glad to see an upload!

This is awesome, you have so much patience and knowledge. Its looking great! Looking forward to your progress.

I need these episodes sooner!! Great series!!

great to see you smile again. good job. lovely car.

Great job man!

I love how you will get into anything. :)

just found this channel: great - keep us informed about your TJ project!

I was thinking since the last owner was somewhat neglective of maintenance on it. Perhaps you are to check the differentials and transfer case fluids , You definitely got it looking a lot better, God bless

Happy to see you got the brakes replaced asap. Making sure it can go is great, making sure you can stop is better.

Great video

Hey Zach, i noticed during the video that you put the rotor on, the switched it due to the direction of the slots. You actually had it right originally! Its supposed to rotate from outter edge to inner hub (if that makes sense). Aside from that, i love love watching your videos. From one Floridian to another! Keep up the good work

You're a hard working fella. keep up the good work

Keep at it..

You had the rotors right the first time. The slots face in the direction of travel even though it looks like it’d be the other way around

Love your new Jeep series. I want one so baaaadddd! Can't wait when you decide to tell us how your gonna paint/wrap it (after all the bigger issues are addressed ofc). Your vw bug came out great so time to see your next idea(s). Keep up the great work!

Nice work, it's looking way better.! Haters are gonna hate. Keep up the good job. 👍

Nice job. I loved my TJ Wrangler. Just FYI, You will have to paint the fender trim with Trim and bumper paint. It doesn't matter what trim restore you use, it will only last a short time.

Awesome work man! Love the fact that you showed the hicup and correction of the diretion of the rotors. People always leave out the mistakes but that is how we learn!

I've got a 2012 Rubicon so I'm loving the Jeep content. Can't wait to see what you do with the new Jeep project. That is what most old Jeeps look like here in Central New York...Swiss cheese!

Loving the Jeep content. I want to see more so, please, chock the tires when you have that thing in air!

Great job man!!

sweet

It looks great man good job!!

Frame is definitely most important, focus that first otherwise you may end up having to junk it.

We are glad to see your consistent posts, watch them 100%, you are going to mint out that Jeep and enjoy it or make some coin

I can’t wait to see how that jeep at the end is supposed to help with the white jeeps rust 😂

I’ve only changed one drain plug in my life, to put a magnetic one in. crush washer every time, but no the whole plug? I don’t think you need to do that, sounds expensive! Also I recommend not a Fram filter next time. Good work so far!

I’ll take them steps!

I still use my factory drain plug. No leaks. Works great

Love seeing old girl come back to life...did the same thing with my 04 TJ Rubicon...fun to tinker with and upgrade....cheers!!!

First I’ve ever heard anyone say change the drain plug. I’ve never changed a drain plug in my life.

That small filter was a crankcase breather. I had one on my CJ5.

I can’t tell you how many times, I have detailed my Jeep got every nook and cranny cleaned looked at it the next day….. immediately took it to the trails because it was to clean 😂

Nice rig! '98 TJ here. You might want to reconsider the slotted/drilled rotors if you ever mud.

10' away it looks great now

I'm not a "Jeep guy" but this thing is cleaning up nicely and you're getting after it! Good work so far, Zach! I think you might have your hands full with that other one though, that might be a lost cause, or just a parts vehicle.

You can take a torch to the fender flares brings them back to life also

I think my TJ is the same year. I just ticked over 96K miles. LOOOVE her. There's nothing like a Jeep.

Very good work Sien not sat video

Grt video series! Can’t wait to see how u tackle the frame… also I think a wire wheel and some rust converter and black spray paint will transform the underbelly

i wouldnt just bleed the brakes, I would get rid of the old fluid and change with new fluid. the old stuff would have boiled when the fronts stuck on

I love these videos bro when’s the next one!!! What a cliff hanger

Reminds me my dad gave me a old car and I fix my first car. Fun

Hey Zach, just ignore all of the Fram oil filter haters in the comments. I have used the orange can for decades without any problems! The silver one you used is even better with finer filtration. I think the hate comes from the fiber pleat spacers that are glued to the filter media during Fram's manufacturing process, but it is a non-issue as it is not a pressure containing component (my Toyota cartridge style filter does not even use pleat spacers, it is just a bare pleated filter sandwiched into the OEM housing). I have watched all of the YT oil-filter-cutter vids and they all start complaining about the fiber pleat spacers when they have no idea of their actual function! Fram oil filters seem to be feature comparable in each of the price ranges on the market (from box reading and vid watching); same springs, same valves, same soft goods, similar filter media etc. Also wouldn't Walmart would quit carrying Fram filters if there were known problems with them and engines constantly being destroyed? Love your vids! I have been watching for a long time now.

I’m probably not the only one who noticed but the cold air shroud should have a gasket around the inlet hole to fill the space between the shroud and the intake pipe. Not sure if the rough country kits are supposed to have them or not but that’s odd to me

Your next jeep requires a lot of work

maybe you should clean the rust behind the new brake disk to get clean contact surface , actuele in episode 2 you could hear the break problem already

I've had two Jeep's in my life...A '90 Wrangler, and an '05 Wrangler X. As I never really used them to off-road, they are great in traffic. The rear of the vehicle is literally right there. So, cutting in and out of traffic was phenomenal! And, not sure if they rectified the issue, but my '90 had what is known as a 'nylon timing gears'.. It was supposedly there to cut down on the timing gear noise. However, the timing chain was prone to 'jumping' off the cam and crank gears because the 'nylon' would wear quicker. After mine jumped, I remedied that by rebuilding my top half with porting and polishing of the heads, a double roller timing set, Isky mild cam, pushrods, springs, valves, roller rockers, a Weber 32/36 carburetor and Flowmaster Super 10 exhaust. I did a 4" drop, front and rear, shoed it up with 245/60's all around...and raced my import friends. It had pretty good handling with its already stiff suspension. I could rip the corners with the best of the imports. It was fun while it lasted, then I broke the yolk in the rear end, as I was performing a burnout for the audience that line the roadway of a popular hangout beach on O'ahu, Ala Moana Beach Park. Good luck and have fun with accomplishing your goals with your Jeep!

If you want a similar style rocker guard / steps, check out Hyline Offroad. They make an awesome set that look similar to the ones you removed. I've had them on my 04 TJ for probably about 5 years now and the paint has held up fantastic and they look like they will bolt up to the holes you that the previous owner drilled into your tub for the ones you removed.

Nice series, I’m enjoying this. We live in Hawaii and my TJ’s did not come with AC. So I fitted a compressor to the space in the engine bay for on board air. You might consider no AC since it’s not your daily driver

This makes me want a wrangler back so bad. I got a old grand Cherokee to build up but I stopped because I think I’m gonna find a TJ to build instead because of these videos!

Nice work. I had the same Brake issue when I first got my TJ. I know you said oil is oil but I would recommend using a conventional oil on the 4.0 instead of synthetic. This motor definitely prefers a thicker oil and the synthetic can lead to leaks due. Nothing wrong with the Fram tough guard filter tho, I use the same. Always have for years.

Great Job, you should look to flush the brake fluid.

get a led light replacement kit for interior lights and possibly put led headlight too. Literally a night and day difference. I installed a key locking kit for the hood

You had the brake rotors correct the first time, the slats point in the direction the rotor travels. And don’t forget to bed the brakes, a couple of hard slow downs from 50-60 is all it takes, just don’t stop rolling after you do the hard stops and let everything cool down… there will be a dramatic difference in stopping power.

Long term fix for fender flares if you intend to keep them: I used black Solution Finish. I used this stuff and didn't have to reapply it for another 10 years. It's just as dark as the quick fix stuff. Beware: you need to use gloves because it's more of a plastic dye. Also, I know people who put on rear quarter armor over their rusty parts. They did remove them and convert the rust, first, but you get a cool look and don't have to replace the full panel.

Great series man ! Love all your videos tho anyway :)

Drilled and slotted rotors are designed to dissipate more head during prolonged breaking, because they have less surface area they technically are worse at quick stops. But i dont notice a difference in stopping power, i just installed them because i tow my boat up and down the sierra mountains

Awesome videos sorry I’m sooo late

We had bought some hi mileage synthetic oil to do our 97 TJ this spring but ran across and watched some vids by longtime TJ mechanics and they said to NEVER use Synthetic oil 10:45 in the TJs, just regular oil and some zinc because of the piston skirts in them that always seem to break off and end up in the oil pan… If you’re LUCKY 🍀..!!

MOST Over - looked items to consider here. Grease Fittings, Bushings, Grommets, seals, Fluid change for Differential, transfer cases, Hubs, and also Cables, Wires and the runs or Looms too. WHY ??? Be it YOUR first Jeep, Last time using it, Or Only time ever needing to do such checks before. I Have Owned many on / off road type Four wheel / all - wheel drive systems through the years. Dirt, Sand, Water , Rust, create Blind Spots of Issues soon to be revealed once it becomes a Daily driver in ( N E E D ). Exhaust , Oxygen sensors, couplers, hangers, extension tips, deflectors, etc. Start at the front. SLOWLY go through each system. RADIATORS are famous for getting clogged up with deposits and sediments from water and LACK of proper coolant mixtures. HOSES, Clamps, Thermostats. Almost like a riddle or tune. LOOK at the latches for hood, doors, Roof, tailgate and more. MURHY's Law is the Most common mistake. Hesitate and YOU too Will be lost STRANDED on the Side of the Road with NO ( Protections in TOW ). Standard carry items First aid, Tow strap, Extra long reach JACK. Portable Power Battery Jump Pack that stays with the vehicle. Carry a Jug of water, One of Antifreeze / coolant, a spare container of Oil, Power steering fluid, Window washer solution. Zip Ties, Hose clamps of various sizes. Small tool set with some NEEDED sockets VEHICLE Specific. An Adjustable wrench, Hammer, A few screw drivers too. Work Gloves, A small tarp, Umbrella, Rian coat and Safety reflective Triangles. THINK Before (YOU) Discount any of this. Spare bulbs, Fuses, A Handful of useful screws. Electrical tape splice connectors. IF done Right . Most stuff will simply fit in a duffle bag or Soft side tool carrier. Heard ( YOU ) say about taking recommendations from viewers suggestions. Forgetting to REMEMBER the BASICS today ? Could mean YOU get caught and Stranded when LEAST expected. The Boy Scout Motto : Be Prepared ( ALWAYS ) should be heeded throughout (OUR) Entire Lives. Many times have HELPED others who have left home on a five minute errand . Only to be Scratching there heads on a holiday or weekend when most stores are already closed. A Granola bar, A few asprin too. Maybe a small container of Icy Hot to soothe that aching muscles when the Good Deed is done. Peanuts or candy brighten most every bodies spirits. THINK K. I. S. S. or ( Keep It Simple - Stupid ) Five or ten dollars here and there. A hundred bucks in Well placed investment. Piece of Mind on a budget through time. PEOPLE Forget Way more then they Ever Remember. Be SMART Before the NEED Arises. Some lady in Destress could be YOUR Safety NET. HEED these suggestions and Why they were made. A penny a day saved is worth a dollar or more when emergencies are in STORE... CHEAP is NOT Better. Quality proves its worth when everything else has Broken down. Worse Yet ( Un-Able to get ) when the clouds of Rainy days decide to STAY for another weekend or longer these days...

Love the Jeep and the work you're doing.. Pretty sure that Jeep has been in Salt water.. Suspension and axels are pretty rusty for a Florida Jeep. By the way Those rims are off a 2015 Saraha and I loved them, I rocked those rims until I got my MC Game Changer 3.5 inch lift and needed to get the correct offset for the lift

Just a old trick of the trade if you get a piece of rubber line a bottle you can do it by yourself way easier

Need to order some White Lighting to get off all the rust

Next up, take the frame out and brush out the rust and in the undercarriage and spray that black stuff

Few things to look at.... this list will most likely get longer Weld on some safe-t-caps for the frame. Replace ball joints, u joints, tie rods. Remove the carpet (you'll thank me later). Bed liner in the future. Check wiring to the ac sector switch, they tend to melt from high voltage. Usually on speed 3 and 4. The hood can be propped up to the windshield for better access. Change all the fluids including transmission, transfer and diffs. Check body mounts and lift bushings.

in my opinion, i think jeep wranglers are just amazing. ya, they do have issues. 4wd not shifting, frame rusting out, ect. but, if you have the time you can almost always repair it, and most of the time quite cheaply too. on top of that, they are just such simple veichles, makes them nice to work on. no electronics screw with how the car runs.

Loving the build, if your AC was Low on 134, I’d check your lines and make sure none of them don’t have any small pin holes, or your condenser so you’re not constantly adding 134, just a thought and idea for a future episode!

I think you're doing a good job with the Jeep...with that being said, if you were low on Freon...you have a leak, checked the Schrader Valves and/or use dye and a black light..... and you shouldn't need to replace your drain plug every time you do an oil change...or even every 2...3...4...times...just replace the crush washer.....And your hot air intake...is still a hot air intake....especially with that big gap between the intake pipe and the air box. We had the same Jeep (one year newer) and we put a magnetic thermometer under the hood right where the air filter and intake box sat with the new RC kit...and the air temp was the same as it was prior to relocating it. Even on my buddy's Dyno we gained nothing. Anyway.... It looks nice..i hope it serves you well in the future. Keep Jeepin'

Valvaline is the only oil i have ever used great oil . Its what i run in my cherokee Trailhawk

How long til the next vid? I need to know how to deal with rust! LOL great content, welcome to the Jeep life!

That's the first time I've heard Rough Country and good quality in the same sentence. But you're new to Jeeps, so you'll soon find out why that is, haha

I hope you got that other jeep for close to free. Not much usable frame on that one either. Excited to see what you do with it though.

Omg, what is that on the trailor ? And why? Glad the episode went well. You are due for some wins. Its looking good. Cool air, and it stops. ✔️

Noooooo..... another cliffhanger!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

When brakes lock up like that it's usually the softlines going to the brake. It's pretty common. I'm surprised that wasn't your problem.

You know what jeep stands for? Just Empty Every Pocket. All jokes aside as long as you stay on top of the maintenance jeeps will last forever. They are decent vehicles that also hold their valve really well. Also the 4.0L engine are very very strong just dont over heat it cause they will crack a head or block easily.

Probably should have replaced the ball joints, bushings, and brake hoses while you were in there.

Pls try Penetrol on the faded black plastic exterior bits

lol. Yes, there are lots of common issues with Jeeps (former 2000 Cherokee owner). They are great though - they just need the constant application of money

brand NEW ish

best oil for those i6 is rotella heat gun stay back from the plastic wear respirator it will come back fully not a snakeoil

Service your cooling system. Every 30k flush and fill and new thermostat. If you’re in that far in the brakes, flush the system. To check your ac, jump the pins on the compressor while it’s running.