Broke The Jeep TJ Again But This Time It Wasn't My Driving

Well the Jeep lasted me 2 trails before another ride home on the tow truck.. I think it might be time for some big changes.
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[@jamierides4175]

Gotta get rid of the clutch fan and go with an electric set up

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah, after doing a lot of research they don’t seem to cooled the engine properly and anyone that has put one on has gone back to the stock style fan because they just keep overheating with any electric fan set up they get I wish this wasn’t the case but it looks like the stock fan is the best

[@OFFAxisBuilds]

i actually put an electric fan on my yj 2 years ago and love it. the only thing i would say to do is have it on a temp sensor and also have a over ride switch to have it on constant when wheeling.@@SmokinMonkeyOG

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I’m gonna stay away from the electric fan for now

[@KaosJeep]

Weld those body mounts up and keep rocking Big Bird! This is why trail pigs exist. Wheel it, break it, fix it, wheel it again. Appreciate you, Mike - great video as always ✌🏼

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Thanks man!!

[@isawthelight]

If you watch your climb at 2:40-3:00 you will see how much your body shifts compared to the bumper. It is what it is man. Great Video as always! Looking forward to the next one!

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah, even after the radiator I don’t think I’m taking it out until I do all of the body mounts Then I can feel confident about taking it on the trail again.

[@RedRabbit4230]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG don't 4get 2bsure 2 check motor and transmission and transfer case mounts as well if any ware and you have the exxxtra money. Do them all at once

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

@RedRabbit4230 ya good tip

[@niftygriffty]

Best channel for radiator replacement content! 🎉

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Lmao hopefully not for long

[@angelawalker3616]

Awesome videos. Small correction. When we brought the excavator in (thank you Todd Folks!) the trails were built for a full size military Humvee. Everything here has been run by a full size truck, with the exception of the Bounty climb which nobody has ascended yet.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Well there you go! Thanks for the information

[@HammerdownMotorsportsUSA]

I just bought a 97 tj with a plow on it love it so far even though its a 4 cylinder

[@HammerdownMotorsportsUSA]

I feel you about sending the new one through the rough stuff I feel the same way about my new and newer rubicon and the TJ is super clean so we will see

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya I’m feeling like I might end up ditching the Tj after all the issues I’ve had lately

[@HammerdownMotorsportsUSA]

yeah older rigs can get annoying to fix all the time, Im having a hard time getting my rear seat to fit in the latch in the up position wasn't sure if you knew a trick @@SmokinMonkeyOG

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

@HammerdownMotorsportsUSA I never take mine out so I can’t say

[@HammerdownMotorsportsUSA]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG ahh gotcha I think yours might be a bit newer might be a better design

[@leosky38912]

I found your channel for the exact same reason you were explaining. I bought a 2021 gladiator brand new and found I didnt want to destroy it on trails (I am in the north east in NY). I took it all the way to Texas to take it off road in the desert and loved off roading. I then picked up a 1997 TJ which I have no problem bumping into trees with because I am not making payments. Got to admit though I do love the TJ and dont want to ever get rid of it. Fix the mounts.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

That’s the plan, hopefully it won’t be too long before it’s back on the trail

[@williammg9135]

personally I am glad the Gladiator won't be seeing heavy service, would be a shame to see it beat up. Good choice!

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

We’ll see how this works out but I’m starting to feel like I’m going to switch to the gladiator

[@warpony4202]

Honestly I would just fix it like you said you've put a lot of work into it. Your on spot with keeping it as a wheeling jeep and the other as a nice jeep to wheel.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I’m on the fence but leaning more towards not fixing it and chasing more problems down the line

[@RedRabbit4230]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG I told ya I'd take it. Lol. Long ways from BAMA TO CANADA

[@613Gatorator]

Big bird impaled ✔️

[@ZboeC5]

The beauty of a CJ/YJ/TJ is you can replace everything but the VIN plate easily enough.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I agree they’re super easy to work on but it seems like I’m working on it more than driving it these days

[@ZboeC5]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG You gotta pay to play. You do a lot of offroading and regardless of how nice something looks on the outside the fact is that TJ is now old. The things you are running into are "old Jeep things" that would apply to many Jeeps of that vintage. If you want a newer Jeep I can't blame you at all. I would love to have a brand new mint condition TJ but they don't really exist anymore so a couple weeks ago I bought a nice low miles 2021 JL Rubicon instead.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

@ZboeC5 ya I agree I feel like even if I fix it I’ll be chasing problems. Maybe time to switch to the gladiator

[@SargeGreenAdventures]

On the bright side of things, you saved a bunch of fuel on the trail!

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

lol the drive home is where I saved fuel the trail usually isn’t too bad

[@TheGoodkilo]

I'd be interested in "I broke the TJ" merch 😂

[@terrykinnell4201]

is your tranfercase crossmember dropped down by spacers ? if so that changes the angle of the engine .moving the fan closer to the radiator they make drop motor mounts for the motor mounts .to help as you need to check it

[@artillerybuff2000]

Good content, I appreciate your journey...

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

What an adventure it has been lol

[@Alphyte]

I definitely get the frustration. I think mounting an electric fan would keep it rocking a little longer. I use an electric fan on my 6.0 swapped wrangler and it keeps it cool

[@lundysgarage]

You need a MML to accompany that body lift too.

[@NitrousExpressCoyote]

Carry radiator stop leak. It’ll seal aluminum long enough to get you out.

[@CWSpiderman]

Sweet video mike keep em coming

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Thanks!

[@stephenwest798]

If there is a weak spot in in your rig wheeling will find it, when you get your body mounts fixed put a skid plate under your radiator to prevent shit from getting up in there and bending your fan and you said yourself you need a bumper to protect your fenders, it's only money and it grows on trees and there are a lot of trees in Canada so there should be no shortage of money. LOL Put a flowcooler waterpump on my jeep and two puller fans with a shroud and left my pusher fan on, the pusher fan is loud so I will run the two puller fans constantly and the pusher off a thermostat, was running just a little warmer than I liked which is why I went to the flowcooler water pump because it flows more coolant at low rpms. Will see how well it works this summer. also had to extend my steering arm on my steering box to match the length of the steering arm on my steering knuckle so I could have full turning radius and had to add controls to the wiring harness for the two new fans, so you're not the only one working on your jeep as the saying goes, "it's a jeep thing, you wouldn't understand".

[@los3627]

Yeah a backup e-fan is great. I did that to my WJ ,I installed both fan clutch and re-wired the e-fan as a backup. Hope you can get it all done with ease.👷

[@jonc2914]

I probably need an efan on my tj because in the summer. Simply putting my ac on parked and idled... my engine overheats... cause no airflow over the condenser and radiator. It ONLY happens when the AC is on.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

That’s not because of the fan you will never find a fan that works better than the stock one in the TJ. I’ve done so much research and I wish I could but I’m at the point where I don’t even have the patience to deal with it so I’m not putting in another electric fan now and dealing with overheating problems. Everyone that runs an electric fan and the Tj ends up having overheating problems every single time they start idling.

[@BREAKOVERPARK]

"best way to keep miles off the truck is to tow it" had me LOL 4real

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

It’s not a lie lol

[@user-pe8ng9jb2i]

Good video Mike as always when you fix your gas gauge show us mine is the same way stay warm it's colder than hell here in Arkansas

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

You gotta replace the entire fuel pump. The gauge (sending unit) is one part with the pump

[@user-pe8ng9jb2i]

My girlfriend Mike said hang in there ours is broke down to it's a piece of crap until you get it going and fun fun fun thanks Mike

[@n9ghtb9k5r]

have you checked your engine and trans mounts? Hope you get her rockin' again

[@eatmyspecial1]

The clayton overland + 3.5 in lift is awesome. I have it on my gladiator as well. Such a good lift.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Good to hear! I’m going to pick one up for myself soon

[@drepagaming]

Let me know if you find any local dealers! I spoke to Clayton and the shipping + duty from them is crazy. Its obviously worth it in the end... but for their Overland 3.5" Diesel lift package with the steering/shocks/dampner is nearly 10k CAD shipped.@@SmokinMonkeyOG

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

That’s the problem. Almost every kit is from the states and they’re super expensive. That’s the reason I don’t have one yet lol

[@jeep2003]

Can you modify it so the rad is farther forward. Also you can put a tow bar on big bird and flat tow it to the trails

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Not possible the fenders and grille are your limiting factors

[@XxggxX8]

I would just weld it back together, you know what you got.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya gotta get someone with a welder to help me because I can’t even plug one in where I live currently lol

[@LookJohnItsaRubicon]

Caught the Insta story... Wondered what fate the Bird had suffered ,that prompted the appearance of the Gladiator ...

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya it’s starting to feel like it’s time to move on

[@johnhoffman8545]

Nothing like blowing your day with a breakdown 😢

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya I’ve had too many of those lately lol

[@chadgreniersr5808]

JT Gladiator time...

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Sounds about right lol

[@marciosilveira719]

I can’t wait….

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Lmao this guy wants to see me break that one too

[@RedRabbit4230]

Big Bird and Cookie 🍪 Monster 😅😅😅😅

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Actually not bad haha been looking for a name for the blue beast

[@BerniesBastelBude]

JL is just too big imho

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I’ve been wheeling with the guys that have them for the past four years and there’s never been an issue

[@user-zo4rl3hn4p]

Sheeetttt

[@kundrew1990]

Maybe some frame stiffeners?

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Frames fine I only have 3/9 body mounts left though

[@BobNob1]

you should put an electric fan on it

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I’ve looked into it and everybody that has a TJ that put an electric fan on. It has cooling problems after so I don’t wanna deal with that now I’m gonna put a regular one back in it and I think I’m gonna just fix every body mount that way it’s done properly, after that nothing should break

[@twagn]

Fix the body mounts. Don't throw $$$ in a worn-out Jeep

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

So you’re saying fix the body mounts or don’t throw money at it anymore and don’t fix the mounts

[@Vic-dog]

Your engine/trans mounts good?

[@RedRabbit4230]

That was my next thoughts. If the motor and transmission and transfer case mounts aren't what they should be then that would allow alot of fan movement...

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah they’re all fine. It’s literally I have three out of nine body months left and the body mount directly underneath my drivers seat is caved in about 4 inches so it definitely moves a hell of a lot whenever I flex the Jeep.

[@fredwasielewski8327]

Time to retire big bird and get The gladiator out:)

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya that’s honestly what I think

[@whateverrobert]

Have ya checked motor mounts. Something is shifting. Check the motor mount bushings. Ya did have a new motor. Put in. Maybe motor mount is bad.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah they’re fine. I literally only have three out of nine body mounts left though and the one underneath. My driver seat is caved in 4 inches so I don’t think that’s helping the body flex.

[@whateverrobert]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG yeah. My body mounts are ok for now but probably replace them this years. Plus the floor boards.

[@TreeLovinAdventures]

How did you test your engine mounts? Brake torque? I put in some high engine engine mounts on our XJ and within a year they were toast because they were polyurethane(which hates Canadian winters)

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

@TreeLovinAdventures had them checked when I replaced the engine in the summer as well as at the shop a month ago when I had some work done. Myself I don’t really test them other than watching the engine when you rev it for any movement on the mounts as well as any cracking or wear.

[@TreeLovinAdventures]

@SmokinMonkeyOG perfect. Next best thing you can do. I realized after posting that a brake torque on a manual is quite difficult unless you have Toretto in your blood.

[@mp6163]

Bring it to a shop and make tell them what is going on and they will warrantee it

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I don’t need to spend that kind of money on this thing lol ill literally be spending minimum 10k

[@chadgreniersr5808]

He brings Big Bird to a shop in Ontario, they'll say it can't leave there legally, lol

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Got it out of the shop two weeks ago. They did a bunch of work on it for me. It’s in one of my latest videos too lol

[@kennethpfeiler7051]

About time to upgrade to a electrical fan and ditch the mechanical fan.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

After doing a ton of research it looks like that will bring more cooling problems I don’t want

[@manualtuning5222]

Electric fans also are known to drain battery’s in TJs

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah, after doing a lot of research they don’t seem to cooled the engine properly and anyone that has put one on has gone back to the stock style fan because they just keep overheating with any electric fan set up they get I wish this wasn’t the case but it looks like the stock fan is the best

[@manualtuning5222]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG you could always put some vents in the hood

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

I wouldn’t want to go that far. Rather fix things right. Do the body mounts and get a new rad and then it should be fine

[@manualtuning5222]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG yeah I have a feeling it’s the body mounts, you could also get a motor Mount lift if you don’t have one already

[@windzer]

i dont get why you didnt figure out why your fan got into the radiator the first time instead of putting 10 radiators in it and hoping for the best its gotta be costing u a fortune u can see in your vid your bodies all over the place compared to your bumpers start there

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

It all started after I got my engine replaced and the guy never put the front front engine mount back. I replaced the front engine mount and that was two radiators in and then my body mount started to go to shit and then the body started sliding so that started eating radiators so it hasn’t always been one issue.

[@windzer]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG yikes that sucks

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Ya I’ve been chasing problem after problem since

[@jothew1274]

How hard is it to buy a jeep from Canada here in the us? Your buddy wanna sell any of the tjs your talking about if u don't take it

[@MrJoshItIs]

I did the other way around. I moved to Canada in '11 from the states. I bought my Dad's Jeep (already built and he was OO) and "imported" it to Canada. Canada's rules are a bit stricter than most states (outside of CA and PE off hand). So it might be easier the other way. Typically doesn't happen because Ontario is in the "rust belt" as well, meaning they salt the roads, so frames and bodies are typically rotted. My Dad's Jeep was from Washington state, where they don't salt, so super minor rust but no rotting. I addressed it thoroughly with frame coating inside and out and I don't drive in the winter.

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah, if you wanna buy any of those jeeps, just start buying all the floors and torque boxes now so you can replace them all because none of those jeeps have floors. None of those jeeps have torque boxes. My jeep has no floors. My jeep has no torque boxes. My jeep has three out of nine body mounts so if you’re really good at rust repair, you can buy them all.

[@jothew1274]

@@SmokinMonkeyOG lol o shit ya I didn't know it was that bad there. It isn't much better in upstate new york so I can only imagine 😂

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

@jothew1274 ya were just a couple hours north of you so you can imagine

[@chadgreniersr5808]

Now now, thats just Ontario jeeps. Lol. Salt capital of Canada lol. Just kidding...​@SmokinMonkeyOG

[@RedRabbit4230]

Electric fans ans metal blades😊

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yeah, after doing a lot of research they don’t seem to cooled the engine properly and anyone that has put one on has gone back to the stock style fan because they just keep overheating with any electric fan set up they get I wish this wasn’t the case but it looks like the stock fan is the best

[@RedRabbit4230]

@SmokinMonkeyOG gotcha AND THAT'S EXXXTREMELY UNDERSTANDABLE. WE DEFINITELY DONT NEED 4 TO 6 MORE HOLES SLUNG OUT THE BOTTOM END AGAIN!!!! THAT WAS COSTLY....

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Yup lol 😝

[@Arexa852]

bruh get new wheels and tiees like bfgoodrich and good lightbar from kc highlights

[@SmokinMonkeyOG]

Nothing wrong with my super swampers they ride amazing lol don’t need more lights either I have a Rigid 24,000 lumen light bar on there already lol