Episode 475 – Do You Rebuild It? Or Swap It?

This Week In Jeep: 

Jeep Recalls 43K Wranglers and Gladiators with Manual Transmissions

Jeep has issued a recall for just under 43 thousand 2018–2021 Wrangler and 2020–2021 Gladiator vehicles with manual transmissions due to a pressure plate problem in the clutch assembly. The clutch pressure plate, which transfers power from the engine to the clutch, can overheat as a result of friction and then fracture, ultimately leading to the possibility of the transmission case cracking and expelling heated debris. Think flying molten shrapnel. This could cause fires, and injury, not to mention a loss of power to the vehicle. Jeep said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that this isn’t the result of a faulty part. Rather, it’s a design issue and will be remedied with updated software to reduce engine torque when the clutch assembly’s temperature rises too high. If the problem develops in one of the affected trucks, drivers may smell a burnt odor before it fails. So when you’re really putting that clutch to work when say, gee, i don’t know, like when being used off road as it was allegedly to do if not intended to do, one could imagine the clutch getting hot. I for one have smelt many a clutch in front of me as the person in the Jeep ahead is on and off the pedal feathering power to hold a line. Seems like that would be the most inopportune time for the computer to suddenly start bleeding off torque for you to keep that pressure plate from smoking! Ooops, smell it already? Well that means it’s about to fail. Good job designers! The automaker also said that it is aware of one accident and no injuries as a result of the faulty parts. Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners from those model years can check the NHTSA recalls website to see if their vehicle is included. We will of course have that link for you in the show notes of this episode at JeepTalkShow.com           https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 MPG Ratings Worse Than Lamborghini

I’m going to go WAY out on a limb here and take a wild ass guess and say that I’m sure nobody (if they are able to afford it) is buying a Wrangler 392 for the MPG’s.

For that matter, I seriously doubt anyone considering the pricey V8-powered Wrangler is even remotely interested in such things. Still, its official fuel economy ratings from the EPA came out this week, and remind me of the numbers I see out of my XJ. 

For the 75 thousand dollar V8 Wrangler, you can expect to get a whopping 13 mpg city and 17 mpg highway, resulting in a combined rating of only 14 mpg. Well it’s definitely no prius. Naturally, I just couldn’t help myself from doing a few comparisons starting with other Wranglers. If you trade gasoline for diesel, the 3.0-liter turbocharged EcoDiesel does far better – 23 combined mpg with 26 mpg on the highway. Horsepower is certainly down compared to the Hemi, but the diesel’s torque is comparable at 442 pound-feet versus 470.  Stepping back to gas, the turbocharged 2.0-liter Wrangler is nearly as efficient at 22 combined mpg, as is the V6 at 21 combined. These stats are all for four-door models with automatic transmissions. Official ratings for the plug-in hybrid 4xe aren’t available yet. None of those Wranglers will rip to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, but the Dodge Challenger SRT 392 will. It packs the same 6.4-liter engine making 485 hp, but its mileage is considerably better at 18 combined mpg and an impressive 24 mpg on the highway. But let’s not get all conspiracy theory on it now, I’m sure that aerodynamics and gearing certainly work against the Wrangler. When it comes to supercars, both the Lamborghini Huracan and the insane McLaren 720S are slightly better at the pump. You need to step up to bonkers hypercars like the Lamborghini Aventador or Bugatti Chiron to do worse, but they won’t take you rock crawling at Moab. (na-nana-na-na) Comparisons are all fine and dandy, but who really cares, right? It doesn’t matter. If you can afford a V8 Jeep and drive it like one, then you can afford the gas card payment that comes with it. But I got five on it to do some burnouts in the drive thru if we go.

Newbie Nuggets:

Looking forward to wheeling this year

After being cooped up all last year are you wondering what your wheeling options are this year? While you’re deciding what you can and can’t do, why not take some time to inventory your collection of tools and accessories inside your jeep. I’ve covered topics like this in the past, but this is a new year. Now’s a great time to make sure you have all your tools, and items you may need for a trail fix BEFORE you get out there. As you inventory at all these tools and accessories, I put together a list to help out and to make sure they haven’t walked away, or were used on your buddy’s vehicle and didn’t get replaced or returned to your tool box, like that 10mm socket? Double check your recovery gear bag. Do you have your soft shackles or d-rings, tow straps, snatch block & gloves? How-a- bout a wrench or pliers to get the d-ring apart and off your bumper? Is your tool kit complete? Did you replace those nuts or bolts you used on your buddy’s jeep? Or maybe you need to refill on zip ties, or wire or again, that 10mm socket –are you sure you have it on board? LOL Make sure your first aid kit (or trauma kit) is fully stocked. Need to add wipes, sanitizers and masks now. You never know when that COVID-carrying buddy is going to show up and start coughing all over the place! Duct tape a mask to his face I say!  

Do you check your fire extinguisher once a year to make sure it’s fully charged? And how about checking the batteries in that flashlight? If your jeep has been sitting while winter blows through, it may be time to double check things like attachments for the high lift jack, or spare tire, or water/gas cans and your antenna if you’re running a CB or Ham. These items are held on with brackets and screws that jiggle lose from time to time and may need to be tightened up. Our CB antenna is always coming loose, no matter what we do. Double check the maps you have on board. Did the kids get bored while you made a repair and used the maps for a fun crayon fest or did you run out of mountain money and…the maps were handy? (For you city folk, that’s toilet paper) Before you go out, make sure you have the maps and gps tools you need should you find yourself-wandering aimlessly and need a little guidance. 

Check your tire pressure. Altitude, weather and sitting around can change the pressures. You may need to air up a bit before hitting the road. No matter where your jeep wheeling takes you this year, make sure you do some “checking” to verify your equipment you had last year is still there this year OR take some time to add things you may have needed before and didn’t have UH-HUH!. And as always, wheel with a buddy or two, between all of you; I’m sure someone has the tool you need. (Hopefully!)

Tech Talk With Jeep Talk: 

Fixing Oil Leaks on TJ’s (multi-part series)

On Episode 473 we began a multi part series in how to fix the most common oil leaks typically found on one of America’s most iconic Jeeps, the 1997 – 2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Once again I want to give credit where credit is due and thank Brent P, from Birmingham, Alabama for the inspiration behind this multipart series. Ok just to recap real quick, the most common oil gasket failures on the TJ are going to be the valve cover gasket, rear main seal, oil filter adapter o-ring set, and lastly the oil pan gasket.

In the last episode, we loosely went over some things you’ll want to consider when swapping out a leaky valve cover gasket. Now this isn’t going to be a step by step guide. You’ll notice I didn’t WALK you thru the procedure, just gave you a heads up of what to expect and a couple tips along the way to make things easier on you, letting YOU decide if this is something that you can actually do or not. Following suit and diving down to the opposite side of the engine, we’re going to address the oil pan gasket. This is a big one in the sense that it is a big ass gasket. Arguably one of the largest in the inline six, 4.0L. But doing this job can also be a big pain in the butt. Stock Jeeps may not have enough clearance to fully remove the oil pan from the vehicle, and you need a good amount of axle droop to get the pan down far enough to comfortably work or remove it altogether. “But why do i need to worry about taking the pan all the way off?” ..one might ask. And I’m glad you did, because this is where the “while you’re in there” really comes into play. Technically no, you don’t have to pull the pan all the way off to replace the gasket. You’d simply pull the old gasket off the lip of the pan, and snake it around the oil pump pick-up and off into the trash. Here is where gasket surface prep may become difficult. I gave you some tips in the first part of this series on how to properly prep a gasket surface. The same applies here. And of course having plenty of room to work makes this part that much easier. It also gives you a chance to wipe things down, and the engine a chance to drain out all those little drips and drops of oil that makes working under an open engine oh so fun. Ever have engine oil drop perfectly right into your ear hole? Because once you have the oil pan off you will have access to the entire bottom end of the motor. But that’s not what we’re in there for. At least let’s hope not. Of course a visual inspection of everything would be in order as always. You’ll be looking for any cracks, any shiny metal or loose hardware, pay close attention to the bottom of the pistons too looking for stress fractures on the piston skirts. And “while you’re in there”… You might as well replace the oil pump, and of course, the rear main seal. I know i’ve said it before, if it ain’t broke, dont fix it. But if that oil pump has 100 thousand miles on it, it may be operating on borrowed time. Sure you’ll hear stories of them going for a quarter million miles. But do you want to be the one to take that chance? The last thing you want to do is pull all this back apart 500 miles down the road because you didn’t want to spend another 100 bucks. Trust me, I know that feeling and it sucks more than… more than some great big sucking thing. It’s literally just two bolts, less than $100 for a real good one, and …alot of peace of mind. Tony and I each (I believe) are running the Melling brand oil pump, and have not had any issues that I’m aware of. I think they even have a performance option for those doing stroker builds. The oil pump uses a small, asymmetrical, thin gasket that you need to make sure is completely removed from the mating surface before installing the replacement. It’s basically just cardboard, so it’s going to be easy to miss some left behind, and it will be even easier to bend or fold the new one so be careful. Now the rear main seal is another story. This is a critical part of the engine. As its name suggests, this is the main seal keeping all that oil pressure from leaking out between the back of the motor and the front of the transmission. Shops will charge in excess of $600 to swap out this two piece, bracelet sized, $20 gasket in the back of the motor. And for good reason, they’re a pain in the butt to get to, hence the oil pan removal, and all the work to get that done.

Which as you have heard in recent episodes, may involve undoing the shocks, sway bars, and possibly the drag link and even the springs, all to get the axle to droop far enough away from the engine to give you the clearance you need. A shop will charge accordingly.  Then there’s the task of actually removing the upper half of the seal… that is pressed… into a half circular channel that you can’t touch. Sound like fun? Well you’re going to have to wait until the next episode to find out just how much fun doing the rear main seal can be on a 4.0L TJ. As always, mind your safety, and if anything seems outside of your capabilities or beyond the tools you have, let a certified professional do the work.

Interview with:

Randy Brown – Notarubicon Productions – GMRS radio

I like to make videos of off-roading and other outdoor-fun and adventures, as well as products used while off-roading or outdoor adventuring. I also like to share information about GMRS, FRS, MURS and other forms of communication. Enjoy!

Must Have Stuff:

Noble Outfitters – “Outrider” Gloves About $20 (depending)

https://www.nobleoutfitters.com/collections/gloves/products/outrider-glove

Need a glove that can do it all? The Outrider Glove was specifically designed to handle any tough job that comes your way. This glove’s double stitched, double layer reinforced construction and padded knuckles is ready for anything you throw at it. Don’t worry if you work up a sweat on the job, the breathable textured knit on the back of the hand and terry cloth sweat wipe has you covered.

Now, these gloves were designed for general equestrian use, with some light farm hand work I imagine. I’ve been using a set of these for the last two months on a daily basis in gravel, working with diesel, pulling cable, pulling blackberry vines, using hand tools, power tools, you name it. Dry weather, cold weather, and in pouring rain, these gloves have handled it all like they should have a seven slot grille on the back of the hand. These aren’t the gloves I have in my Jeep, ut this weekend, I’m getting another pair just for that purpose alone. These gloves not only hold up to the abuse, but they clean well, and don’t stretch out. The dexterity and tactile response of these when working with small parts or in tight spaces has me giving them two thumbs up. I got mine through an outfit called Coastal Farm and Ranch. But the link we’ll have for you is from the manufacturer. You can find a retailer close to you from there.

Campfire Side Chat:

Do You Rebuild It? Or Swap It?

As we sort of discussed in Episode 474 (last week’s round table) when we got the break down from Jalopnik Writer David Tracy who showed just how much money one can save when doing maintenance and repairs yourself using a Jeep Cherokee XJ as reference. One big point of savings came when he opted to rebuild the power steering box instead of swapping it out. Which would you have done?

Links Mentioned in this Episode: 

NEXEN Tires USA https://www.nexentireusa.com/

Jeep 4-1-1 https://www.youtube.com/user/backcountrydriver

The 4×4 Radio Network http://4x4radionetwork.com/

Interact With The Show! https://jeeptalkshow.com/contact

Jeep Talk Show on Facebook https://facebook.com/jeeptalkshow

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Recalls https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

Noble Outfitters – “Outrider” Gloves About $20 (depending) https://www.nobleoutfitters.com/collections/gloves/products/outrider-glove

Video of Josh using them in action on a 4.0L Jeep Motor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5vZR4m_eJA