My 2004 Rubicon has been my daily driver for the last 20 years. I put an RE 4.5" short arm kit and 33" tires on it 18 years ago. I retired 14 years ago and moved to a mountain house in Oregon. I have been using studded winter tires for 2 winters and they have been excellent. This winter I started running a snow plow on the Jeep and it has done a great job. Now I want a more comfortable ride so I want to install a long arm kit and some PRP seats. This jeep has been very reliable and it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Yeah I plan on keeping mine long term. Right now I don't mind the rougher ride of my budget suspension but eventually I will probably spend more and redo everything. My only recent issue now which I'm sure was bound to happen is it sounds like I've got a crack in the exhaust manifold somewhere. Other than that, hopefully just need to do normal maintenance this year.
Pulsing lighting on a cold start could indicate that the Jeep has a bad ground somewhere. That's the first thing I did on my TJ. Checked all the grounds and changed out the stock main harness for a thicker gauge harness (positive and ground wires) My TJ 4.0 2001 has 204.000 km on it and I daily drive it for over 8 years now. Never had any issues with it, only regular maintenance.
Yeah I've been looking at beefing up some of the wiring and removing some of the mystery crap from the previous owner. I was actually doing some of this yesterday and in the process I realized my battery is basically on its last legs as the static voltage was under 12vdc. I'll replace that in the next week or two and continue checking wiring.
I had 3 jeep TJs, all bought new. A 2001 4cyl, 2003 6cyl, 2005 4cylDOHC and they were all awesome daily drivers. They were super easy to do the basic maintenance on, pretty much a one could change the oil, brakes, etc. The 2005 was my favorite. That DOHC Reay gave that 4cyl some pep. Power wise, it was right in the middle of the old 4cyl and the 6cyl. It definitely had better l/100km than the other 2. If you can find one, I highly recommend it.
I'd be curious to drive the 4 cylinder around the same places I like going and see the difference in power and fuel mileage. I do really like the 6 cylinder though but I might have to get a second job to afford all the gas.
@@PaulGoesPlaces hahahaha that's for sure, the 6cyl sure likes eating gas. But that 01 4cyl was the worst though. I used to live in Calgary and with a head wind, I'd barely be able to hit 100 heading up to the mountains lol
Yeah I drive frequently on the Coquihalla area and if there's wind, I'm barely keeping the speed limit up some of those mountain passes. I'm OK with going slow but sure costs a lot still haha.
I have a 2005 rubicon not mint but very clean. Drive it a couple times a week because it's only got 112 thousand on it, and want to keep them low. Had it 4 yrs. and other then replaced converters air and heat work great. Had cj's before but this one is a blast. 3 inch lift with 31 in bf Goodrich ko's. Knowing you can just turn off road and go where most pick up trucks and other 4 wheel drive rv's can't. Mine is an automatic.
I hope to keep mine running for many years to come but my main focus with it is off-roading so it'll probably get a little banged up along the way. Frame is solid and I also did some rust prevention work to help it last.
So, my 2006 TJ Sport, Manual 6 speed... (Had it since new), has been extremely reliable...I've had brake calipers seize and had to replace a starter...that's it! (Oh...and I've had to replace the blower resister a few times, which is a very common part requiring replacement, every few years!) I do get a very occasional "Check Engine" light, which seems to be pointing to an O2 sensor on the exhaust...I've got a replacement sensor, sitting on a shelf, ready to be swapped in, when it's required... I've got about 130,000 km on my '06, and shifting, is still as smooth as butter...A lot of people are pretty rough on standard transmissions, and maybe your Jeep's previous owner was as well... With respect to 'Winter Driving', IMO winter tires are very important...Quebec is the only province that legally requires their installation, but they're a good idea, regardless of the amount of snow on the roads, because the rubber used is softer, making them more pliable than 'All-Seasons'... I've been driving a Jeep since 1986, and it's very important to put the vehicle into '4-High' on any slippery conditions, including wet roads, (whenever there's a chance of pooling)...(It's not about getting stuck, but with the relatively light rear end of the Jeep, '2-High' will allow the rear of the vehicle to "fish-tail" and potentially spin or veer into the path of on-coming traffic, or into the ditch...(Best case)...In '4-High', judicious, (or occasionally aggressive) use of the accelerator, will immediately stop the swerve, and pull you in the desired direction...'4-High', will also help you to maintain control of the vehicle at high-way speeds, if it starts to hydro-plane... An added benefit of the Manual transmission, whilst in '4-High' is that you can aggressively gear down on slippery surfaces, particularly, on a down hill, heading for a Stop sign, and, (using the clutch and engine), the vehicle will brake all four wheels together, without swerving...You can continue to gear down, selecting first gear, just before the stop...Any attempt to achieve the same amount of deceleration, using wheel braking, will simply lead to a swerve or wheel lock, while continuing to slide... (Just be sure to go back into '2-High', as soon as you're back on dry surfaces, so that you don't damage the drive-train...)
Yeah in BC they only require snow or M+S tires on certain highways. Having previously driven a vehicle with "all season" tires in my city and couldn't make it up a slippery hill a few times, I knew I wasn't going to mess around with bad tires.
Your 02-sensor heater relay can cause a 02-sensor code, start there for eleven or twelve dollars to eliminate it as a problem is a cheap field expedient method of eliminating it as a problem. I always carry spare relays with me.
Thanks for the video and your insights on Jeep TJ ownership! I have a 2004 Rubicon with 175,000 miles (280,000 km) on it, and I really enjoy the 5-speed transmission. I had to replace the clutch at 130,000 miles (220,000 km), but I'm not sure how much that affects the driving feel. I haven't experienced the gear shifting feeling like driving a big truck in gears 1-3. I'm curious about the 6-speed version and how they split the gears. If they added more low-end gearing, that might explain the difference. I've never driven the 6-speed, though. On a road trip from Utah to California, we used a roof rack basket on a 2021 Kia Seltos, and it dropped the gas mileage from about 35 mpg (55 km/l) to 19 mpg (30 km/l). Have you tracked how much the roof top tent affects your gas mileage? Also, do you do anything special to prevent rust?
I do like having the 6 speed but mine is worn out and I have to be pretty careful about my 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, which does slow down my acceleration. Not really a big deal but in traffic it becomes pretty tedious because everyone else accelerates faster than I do unless I'm laying on the throttle. As for gas mileage, I don't even want to know. I'm used to driving small imports so a stock Jeep was still quite a hit to my wallet haha. As for rust, luckily that isn't really a big problem in my area. Just for fun though I did cover as much of the frame as I could with POR15 both on the outside and the inside. I did also drill extra drain holes in the frame after watching some recommendations on this. I also try to make an effort to blast out the frame with a pressure washer if I get mud in it.
Standard shift is just that standard shift whether it is in a jeep or any other vehicle you have the same requirements to drive it, people have just gotten spoiled driving automatics not to mention the fact that many people really don't know how to drive standard when it comes to which gear to be in and when to shift or how to properly use the clutch, the problem is with the operators not the standard tranny.
I'm really happy with the color as it reminds me of the forest. The TJ market in my area was pretty small so luckily this one happened to pop up right as I started watching for ones for sale.
I need some rims and tires my man maybe some searchlights I have a 92 YJ with 35 patagonia's and a 4-in Lyft I think I get about 14 daily driver Florida Jeep life peace
My 2004 Rubicon has been my daily driver for the last 20 years. I put an RE 4.5" short arm kit and 33" tires on it 18 years ago. I retired 14 years ago and moved to a mountain house in Oregon. I have been using studded winter tires for 2 winters and they have been excellent. This winter I started running a snow plow on the Jeep and it has done a great job. Now I want a more comfortable ride so I want to install a long arm kit and some PRP seats. This jeep has been very reliable and it still puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.
Yeah I plan on keeping mine long term. Right now I don't mind the rougher ride of my budget suspension but eventually I will probably spend more and redo everything. My only recent issue now which I'm sure was bound to happen is it sounds like I've got a crack in the exhaust manifold somewhere. Other than that, hopefully just need to do normal maintenance this year.
Had a 1999 Wrangler, daily drove it every day for over 200,000 miles on it. Most reliable vehicle ever had.
Pulsing lighting on a cold start could indicate that the Jeep has a bad ground somewhere. That's the first thing I did on my TJ. Checked all the grounds and changed out the stock main harness for a thicker gauge harness (positive and ground wires) My TJ 4.0 2001 has 204.000 km on it and I daily drive it for over 8 years now. Never had any issues with it, only regular maintenance.
Yeah I've been looking at beefing up some of the wiring and removing some of the mystery crap from the previous owner. I was actually doing some of this yesterday and in the process I realized my battery is basically on its last legs as the static voltage was under 12vdc. I'll replace that in the next week or two and continue checking wiring.
I had 3 jeep TJs, all bought new. A 2001 4cyl, 2003 6cyl, 2005 4cylDOHC and they were all awesome daily drivers. They were super easy to do the basic maintenance on, pretty much a one could change the oil, brakes, etc. The 2005 was my favorite. That DOHC Reay gave that 4cyl some pep. Power wise, it was right in the middle of the old 4cyl and the 6cyl. It definitely had better l/100km than the other 2. If you can find one, I highly recommend it.
I'd be curious to drive the 4 cylinder around the same places I like going and see the difference in power and fuel mileage. I do really like the 6 cylinder though but I might have to get a second job to afford all the gas.
@@PaulGoesPlaces hahahaha that's for sure, the 6cyl sure likes eating gas. But that 01 4cyl was the worst though. I used to live in Calgary and with a head wind, I'd barely be able to hit 100 heading up to the mountains lol
Yeah I drive frequently on the Coquihalla area and if there's wind, I'm barely keeping the speed limit up some of those mountain passes. I'm OK with going slow but sure costs a lot still haha.
@@PaulGoesPlaces I bet she's just humming going up the smasher lol
I have a 2005 rubicon not mint but very clean. Drive it a couple times a week because it's only got 112 thousand on it, and want to keep them low. Had it 4 yrs. and other then replaced converters air and heat work great. Had cj's before but this one is a blast. 3 inch lift with 31 in bf Goodrich ko's. Knowing you can just turn off road and go where most pick up trucks and other 4 wheel drive rv's can't. Mine is an automatic.
I hope to keep mine running for many years to come but my main focus with it is off-roading so it'll probably get a little banged up along the way. Frame is solid and I also did some rust prevention work to help it last.
So, my 2006 TJ Sport, Manual 6 speed... (Had it since new), has been extremely reliable...I've had brake calipers seize and had to replace a starter...that's it! (Oh...and I've had to replace the blower resister a few times, which is a very common part requiring replacement, every few years!)
I do get a very occasional "Check Engine" light, which seems to be pointing to an O2 sensor on the exhaust...I've got a replacement sensor, sitting on a shelf, ready to be swapped in, when it's required...
I've got about 130,000 km on my '06, and shifting, is still as smooth as butter...A lot of people are pretty rough on standard transmissions, and maybe your Jeep's previous owner was as well...
With respect to 'Winter Driving', IMO winter tires are very important...Quebec is the only province that legally requires their installation, but they're a good idea, regardless of the amount of snow on the roads, because the rubber used is softer, making them more pliable than 'All-Seasons'...
I've been driving a Jeep since 1986, and it's very important to put the vehicle into '4-High' on any slippery conditions, including wet roads, (whenever there's a chance of pooling)...(It's not about getting stuck, but with the relatively light rear end of the Jeep, '2-High' will allow the rear of the vehicle to "fish-tail" and potentially spin or veer into the path of on-coming traffic, or into the ditch...(Best case)...In '4-High', judicious, (or occasionally aggressive) use of the accelerator, will immediately stop the swerve, and pull you in the desired direction...'4-High', will also help you to maintain control of the vehicle at high-way speeds, if it starts to hydro-plane...
An added benefit of the Manual transmission, whilst in '4-High' is that you can aggressively gear down on slippery surfaces, particularly, on a down hill, heading for a Stop sign, and, (using the clutch and engine), the vehicle will brake all four wheels together, without swerving...You can continue to gear down, selecting first gear, just before the stop...Any attempt to achieve the same amount of deceleration, using wheel braking, will simply lead to a swerve or wheel lock, while continuing to slide...
(Just be sure to go back into '2-High', as soon as you're back on dry surfaces, so that you don't damage the drive-train...)
Yeah in BC they only require snow or M+S tires on certain highways. Having previously driven a vehicle with "all season" tires in my city and couldn't make it up a slippery hill a few times, I knew I wasn't going to mess around with bad tires.
Your 02-sensor heater relay can cause a 02-sensor code, start there for eleven or twelve dollars to eliminate it as a problem is a cheap field expedient method of eliminating it as a problem. I always carry spare relays with me.
Thanks for the video and your insights on Jeep TJ ownership! I have a 2004 Rubicon with 175,000 miles (280,000 km) on it, and I really enjoy the 5-speed transmission. I had to replace the clutch at 130,000 miles (220,000 km), but I'm not sure how much that affects the driving feel.
I haven't experienced the gear shifting feeling like driving a big truck in gears 1-3. I'm curious about the 6-speed version and how they split the gears. If they added more low-end gearing, that might explain the difference. I've never driven the 6-speed, though.
On a road trip from Utah to California, we used a roof rack basket on a 2021 Kia Seltos, and it dropped the gas mileage from about 35 mpg (55 km/l) to 19 mpg (30 km/l). Have you tracked how much the roof top tent affects your gas mileage?
Also, do you do anything special to prevent rust?
I do like having the 6 speed but mine is worn out and I have to be pretty careful about my 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, which does slow down my acceleration. Not really a big deal but in traffic it becomes pretty tedious because everyone else accelerates faster than I do unless I'm laying on the throttle.
As for gas mileage, I don't even want to know. I'm used to driving small imports so a stock Jeep was still quite a hit to my wallet haha.
As for rust, luckily that isn't really a big problem in my area. Just for fun though I did cover as much of the frame as I could with POR15 both on the outside and the inside. I did also drill extra drain holes in the frame after watching some recommendations on this. I also try to make an effort to blast out the frame with a pressure washer if I get mud in it.
Standard shift is just that standard shift whether it is in a jeep or any other vehicle you have the same requirements to drive it, people have just gotten spoiled driving automatics not to mention the fact that many people really don't know how to drive standard when it comes to which gear to be in and when to shift or how to properly use the clutch, the problem is with the operators not the standard tranny.
my 1997 2.5L with 31" goes for about 16mpg (15l /100km), but fortunately (from an Just Empty Every Pocket point of view) it's not my daily driver 🤠
My summer tires coming in are 33x12.5 and pretty sure I'll regret that when I see the hit on my gas mileage...
Gorgeous TJ. Too bad they don't offer that colour anymore.
I'm really happy with the color as it reminds me of the forest. The TJ market in my area was pretty small so luckily this one happened to pop up right as I started watching for ones for sale.
Beautiful Jeep
I need some rims and tires my man maybe some searchlights I have a 92 YJ with 35 patagonia's and a 4-in Lyft I think I get about 14 daily driver Florida Jeep life peace
I just put General Grabber ATX 33x12.50x15 tires on yesterday as my summer wheels and I'm curious to see how much it impacts my gas mileage haha
Worse than the Lincoln?
The Lincoln had the Ford 4.6 and probably got at least 18-20mpg. This is worse.