My $1800 Jeep Wrangler Came With Major Issues.. Can I Fix it? Episode 2 

Btw you should really buy a go Pro head/chest mount for pov shots and keep your both hands free for using tools or other stuff.

Make sure your differentials and transfer case have fluid!

In case noone has mentioned it, you need to be slowly rolling (1-2mph) and in neutral to switch to 4L. Switching it the way you did will cause the grinding you heard. There is most likely nothing wrong with it.

That rust, my god, everything is looking like it's being held together with hopes and dreams.

When you switch into and out of 4-low it’s much easier if the vehicle is moving at about a slow walking pace. 4-hi is synchronized whereas 4-low is not. Having the Jeep moving slowly will help the components engage and disengage smoother.

Bought my 2012 brand new in 2011 and it's about to hit just 90K miles. Welcome to the Jeep community!

Some things to expect if you've never owned a Jeep 4.0 before: 1) check the exhaust manifold. Factory manifolds all crack. Depending on replacement, replacement may or may not have cracked. Check cooling system carefully, not uncommon to need a water pump and/or radiator. The cast iron block adds rust sludge very easily. Mustang 4 port injectors are a great upgrade!

Low key love the cliffhangers at the end. I know like all your builds this things gonna be sweet!!

A Jeep is the perfect forever project car. It never ends.

LOVING this content! You do awesome work on all your projects and I can't wait to see more of this little TJ! Keep up the great work!

Likely the brake hoses that run to the calipers. They break down internally over time and will restrict the brake fluid and cause the calipers to not fully retract. Other than that check the calipers slide pins(where the bolt to the mounts) and make sure they slide easily. If not they can be heated with a propane torch to get remove them and then clean them up with emery cloth or fine sand paper and lube them with anti seize

Been playing with my bargain Jeep for the past few years. It's not such a bargain anymore. Every simple job becomes a project due to rust and being unable to remove fasteners. Penetrating fluid and a torch are your friends. Wait till you get to the body mount mount bolts. I love my Jeep but it takes a lot to bring them back.

U joints toast for sure ball joint’s probably Don’t worry about the 4wd light. That’s for XJs.

you gotts relocate those mirrors so you can take the doors off. Having the top off is cool, but doors off is the best way to drive a jeep

I’m a 2000 TJ owner and love it. It’s really cool seeing you just tackle this project head-on. Great videos! Others have stated this, but the frame looks very suspect. Can’t say I’ve ever witnessed a 4wd test like that fully jacked up with recording outside of the Jeep or setting a tire on fire. You do you!

Great job getting it running and fixing the 4x4. Very impressive! Love this new series!

4port neon injectors is a great upgrade, full synthetic oil is a must for a good long quite life, check the manifold for cracks they tend to crack, trans mount tend to fail also. Other then that there the best Jeeps on the market.

When you were getting stuck in 2wd, the front wheels looked like they were locking up in the sand way too easily, the front brake calipers could be seizing up…great content!! As a jeep guy, you’re giving me more ambition to get a new project!! Hahaha Keep it up!

All the joys of Jeep ownership coming out in this series so far. There are joys and there are fixes in between the joys lol I kind of thought the brakes were not letting go in front when you had it on the jack stands. The tires in front and back were not always synced up. Love the series so far and cant wait for the next video to see what happened up front. Maybe my thought of the brakes locking up is true. Time will tell.

You have to drive it with the doors off. Get the brackets that let you move the side view mirrors up and take the doors off

I bought a 97 se 2.5L 5-speed, with a plow, a couple years ago for $1800. Drove it around as my daily driver for 2 years. There are still bargains out there. Timing is key. Good luck with the repairs. I highly suggest a mechanics stethoscope.

We have a 94 with 200000 miles. Named it Rusty Red and has zero rust. Can't wait to see more of your Jeep.

It's probably already in the comments somewhere, but the 4x4 indicator switch should be on the drivers side of the transfer case. My indicator didn't come on as well until I pulled the connection at the switch and clean a ton of crap out of it. Hopefully a cheap easy fix for you as well. Keep it up!

Loving your videos Zac, WOW you reside in paradise! Want some of that, had enough of the UK, we're getting invaded by the third world, 200k now living in hotels. £7m per day to keep them there.

I applaud your ability to do all this work on your own. Great job!

Great job on the video. I had the same problem with my linkage. I installed the Novak transfer case shifter cable kit and never had a problem again.

Get the advance adapter and mate a Dana 300 to the np231 and have a 4:1 crawl with a twin stick. That’s what I had 20 years ago in my earlier Tj.

OK, when you here a noise like that, the test drive is postponed until you have thoroughly check out the drivetrain. Check if you can access the position switches for Park and 4WD settings (you may be able to access them through center console)

When my 2003 didn’t get low range used for a few years it did the same grind. I don’t think it’s anything wrong my maintenance, and the fact that hasn’t been used in a while.

As mentioned by others. Calipers seized. No bigs. Easy to replace. Enjoying the vids so far.

With all that rust, you should really check the frame. Especially near the rear control arms. You'll most likely need safety caps. Don't focus on all the "fun stuff", that rust is gonna haunt you. Replace the ball joints, u joints, tie rods, brake lines... etc

My 2 cents . Cut that welded plate off. Its better to put in the work now and know its right vs someones else fix that fails far from home I’ll be waiting for part 3 👍🏽

Some great tips in the comments from the Jeep community! Can't wait to see what's next! When it comes to sand and mud, the right kind of tires makes a huge difference.

for youtube content i would do a semi restoration , take the body off do proper rot repairs and clean up the chassis , 4 or 5 thousand you could end up with a real cool jeep

The light in my jeep only comes on 1/4 of the time for the 4x4 but has always engaged. I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm a simple man. I see a new Ult Rebuilds video, I click on that video

Those front wheels were definitely binding up down in the sand. Maybe it was just the camera, but looked like they were binding up when you turned and went forward.

Not seen your Channel before, but this came into my feed as I am a TJ owner and watch a lot of relevant videos. Great start to the project, subscribed so I don't miss any of them. May already have been said, but that skid that has been welded on is not just a cover it actually supports the transfer case. Make sure you get a jack under the back of the transmission before you cut it free. You will have no problem with finding parts, there are lots of niche small suppliers in the US. Sadly as I am in the UK I have fewer options as international shipping is often not an option and even when it is it costs a fortune.

Most of the TJ models have a transfer where 4H has the same gear ratio as 2H. You really would not "feel" a difference until you were off road. Also, remember that you have open differentials on that Wrangler. You will get traction to one tire front and rear only. I would like into getting either lockers or posi-trac for the axles. But as you have said, this s to be flipped and that would be an expensive upgrade.

Neutral safety switch is easily changed or adjusted. Also, sounds like a quick adjustment to your T-case shift linkage would do the trick. Easy stuff. I haven’t finished the video yet, maybe you already found these things out but figured I’d share.

Re:power steering- It's not uncommon for the high pressure hose to develop pinholes. The easier repair is to replace the pump/reservoir as a unit, and do new hoses. It's almost impossible to get the old hoses off the plastic nipples without breaking them.

Great video on your Jeep project. I too picked up a 2004 TJ and am wrenching on it having a blast. Keep the videos coming and hope the burning brakes aren’t a hard fix.

If you air down the tires that TJ will easily go through that sand in 2nd. To be honest, even in 4wd it would struggle in that deep sand unless the tires are aired down to 10-20psi. The beaches around here all require people air down before heading out!

to go into 4L you need to be rolling a 2-5 MPH so the teeth match up you can do it from a dead stop that's why you get the grinding noise, so put it in gear roll forward then pull, 2H and 4H you can do from a stand still but you need to be rolling forward to get 4L

Im watching you struggle with that linkage and I’m hollering at the screen “Drop the skid plate!!” *edit 5 min later* Oh its welded on. Nevermind 😂

You need to be moving 1mph when going into 4lo Its in the owners manual

“I think we’re good to go”. Sounds like every Jeep owner right before the inevitable. Jeep is gonna Jeep.

Hope you check oil,, and there a fuel filter up under the rear part of the frame , change it .

For the second video running. I don’t like the ending but I do respect it.

Is it worth working on all the small mechanicals with so much under carriage rust. Take the body off and see what’s happening there with the frame etc.

Transfer case linkage needs adjusted. Your reaction was priceless 🤣 😂 😆

Let’s go!! Great videos man!

Those new style wheels look freaking awesome on that jeep. I like this jeep a lot.

Sweeeet, car builds rule!

Rule number 1 in 4wds. Never replace, always upgrade. If it fails, then it needs upgrading. (With the exception of tyres. Find a good brand of tyre, in a LT construction, then stick with them.)

My 97 TJ 4x4 light didn't come on until it rolled a bit. Also put trans in neutral, while stopped, with foot on brake, to go into 4x4 low.

the ticking is either the purge solenoid or valves but if it's the 4.0 it's pretty normal I have the same motor and it ticks a little but majority of it is from either the injectors or the purge solenoid. Also don't panic if the temp is 210 degrees that's perfectly normal for these 4.0s to have that temp. If it's a 4 cylinder I'm not sure. I have a 2000 with the 4.0 and I have put close to 3 and 4 thousand in repairs since I bought it in 2016 I had to have the frame repaired twice, water pump and radiator and a bunch of other repairs done including the valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket replaced and ball joints. You can shift these into 4hi either stopped or moving but 4low you have to be moving about 2 or 3mph. I also have to tell you that the 4wheel drive system works fantastic my brothers driveway at his cabin is a pretty steep grade probably 15 to 20 percent grade and there was about 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground and I had it in 4hi and I got up it with now problem the one thing I would recommend is to get rid of those bridgestone tires they suck I run a set of bfg all terrains ko2s and they are fantastic. I've learned a lot from owning my jeep for the last 7 years and I don't think I would put any other tire on there except bfg all terrains and there's also a great forum called wrangler forum that I go to and they give great advice and the best person on there is Jerry bradford he is awesome.

Love the build!

Lookin good! Now spray it! Every car on the road is black, white or silver.

Nice project 😂... Might need to get a hold of dennis Collins for parts...

Man I'm glad my TJ's never seen the snow I can't believe how bad they rust I have a 2004 I've replaced the whole motor radiator clutch AC I can go on I love the little Jeep though I love the body style the best

That linkage is an atrocity, mine grinder bad in 4hi. I put an azzys on my xj and been smooth since!

Your brake calipers are froze up. Had the same issue with my grand Cherokee WJ. Brakes smoked from calipers locking up.

Put it in 4-hi and then try and do a 90-degree turn on dry pavement. If you feel binding, resistance, kick-back in the steering wheel then you know it is in 4WD. Ask me how I know. Just don't make it an every-day occurrence--LOL, but I'm sure trying this a few times for test purposes won't hurt

Keep going. I've got a 21 jl right now. Use to have 2001 tj my favorite of the jeeps.

Sounds great just needs some brake hoses and calipers and it will be good to go. Great content!!!

Even with the holes in the floor, it's a nice vehicle. I'm in the rust belt. I'm seeing Jeeps with double your miles and severe rust on or through every panel going for $3500-5000. Funny sales statements like "it will run great after you fix it."

Thanks for explaining why you didn't take the skid plate off so I could stop yelling at you.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍keep i t up new calipers need it

Stuck calipers. To be expected with all of that other rust. Go ahead and replace pads and rotors with the calipers, because you fried them bad. Good thing all of that can be had from RockAuto super cheap. I’ve run the $12-ish pads on my 97 TJ, they stop fine with 35-inch tires.

Yeah when you did the 4WD test and the driver side wasn’t spinning or struggling to spin I was like I think he’s gonna need some new calipers. Lol

“Just Empty Every Pocket”

Keep it up this is fun to watch!

Time for a win with this build.👍

Loving this new series !!!!

Make sure the linkage to that handle underneath isnt popped out

Time to replace the brake hoses and calipers!

The 4wd sensor goes out on these as well. It is a cheap and an easy fix.

Easier fix for the calipers than the shift linkage for sure.

Just let the air out of your tires next time to about 5 psi you would climb right out

Dodge power steering is nitrous for failures.. might be the rack leaking.. But a 1800 for a running and driving jeep is a steel.

As a JL owner the TJ is my favorite body style.

hey , I really enjoy your videos ,be prepared to go at least up to 15k's in repair costs with your TJ which is actually worth it to get it on/off road or overlander crawler, best wishes✌️

I’d feel a whole lot better on this end if, when you crawl under that Jeep and start to play with transmission, you block the wheels first.

love it!

Man sell this one and make some money then look for one that's not so rusty. That thing came from the northeast. The rusted channels where the body mounts are called torque boxes btw.

Drive in a tight circle in the street and you will know if the 4wd is engaged.

Damn. Cooked pads n rotors

With the front calibers sticking that would make it easy to get stuck in the sand.

Finally a new video.

The plastic ring/bushing on the linkage probably broke or previous owner put it in low at a higher speed than recommended for low range

use reverse when dropping into 4WD ,,,start in neutral

$1,800 that's a good deal, Them full door cost more 1k plus. I have 00 TJ, they are easy to work on, it's like a Mr. Potato head.

You want to air down the tires for sand, down to 15 or 20 pounds, maybe even a little less.

So many jeeps t case shifter sounds good awful bc the bushings are bad and it’s not been used in forever lol

Love the Jeep enthusiasm, but…. That is a salt water rusted Jeep. If you’re patient, and know you’re about to spend some money you’ll love it. If you don’t want to drop some cash, flip it now. BTW, not a Jeep hater, I own 3. Good luck buddy..

Just subscribed looking forward to future updates

Cool second video thanks

Let some air out your tires for sand especially

Never seen the oil cap breather on a jeep before?