I Bought a Lifted Jeep Wrangler for $5K Will it Make it 700 Miles? Not Likely With

[@TheMojoFilters]

I would totally watch a weekly sitcom starring Randy, Monkey Wrench Mike, and the German Shepherd on road trips across the U.S.

[@pbattis1]

Its just a matter of time before the offers from Hollywood come streaming into to Randy and Monkey Wrench Mike. Right now they are the best car show and best show on youtube.

[@dibcrew6879]

Car Bros

[@parkerhulsey8219]

Trailer it.

[@jamesbaxterinsideoutsideim1765]

So would I

[@raydunn4517]

Trailer it home for sure

[@chrisbulard1625]

Such a good looking jeep, I definitely don’t blame you guys not wanting to drive it 700 miles I think I’d personally trailer that one back. she definitely needs a little tlc but overall good looking rig

[@jajageo1]

Hi Randy, Mike, I would give it a tune up, oil change, clear codes, and take it for an alignment / check for loose components. The Jeep never had the gear ratios changed which is why it is so slow with the 33's (Same issue I had with my YJ, I have a similar set up). I would swap smaller tires on the rims, trash the tires that are currently on (since they are cupped) and drive it.

[@nickwood8694]

id do the same

[@M_Phipps0520]

It will need more than an alignment, it probably needs ball joints, tie rod ends and adjustable control arms along with the alignment!

[@daniloesperon5743]

Randy, it looks as if there is a lot of slack in the steering box due to the monster tires, common Jeep thing. You can tighten up the slack in the steering box with a wrench and an allen key. Rotate the front tires to the rear and do a back woods alignment with a measuring tape, common way to align the old Jeeps. Give it a tune up, fuel filter as well, 5th gear is probably more of an overdrive with the gearing and size of the tires! With almost 200k on that 4 banger you will have to bring the RPMs up before you hit any hills on the highway. I loved the Jeeplife for many years..this is all typical of how they drive! She will make it..slow and steady wins the race with these old 4 banger Jeeps BUT don’t be scared to bring up the RPMs..those old Mopar 4cyl engines can take it! Steering dampers are more for off-road than on road..lastly,lower the tire pressure…before you start your trip..she will ride so much nicer on the highway. Been watching you for years..since your Uberman days!

[@NoahClay6]

Love the "will it make it?" videos! I would price all the stuff, especially the stock wheels and tires. If the wheels are not bad, I would try and test it with them on and see what speed you can get it up to. Can't wait for the Cadillac as well!

[@thebigfordguy]

As a fellow 4 cyl 5speed tj owner, Im wondering if they didn’t regear the differentials to compensate for the taller tires, I have stock 4.10s with 31x10.5x15 and its as large of a tire that I can have with the stock gearing, the 4 cylinders weren’t known to get out of their own way, with the larger tires the speedo is definitely off, mine reads 5mph slower than I am actually going so yours maybe off more with even larger tires. I can get up to 70 on flat ground but any small hill I’m downshifting to 4th to maintain speed.

[@peternick6]

Probably not regeared and could be the stock speedometer gear it could not be showing the right speed either

[@channell11]

It's far more likely they just slapped on the lift and bigger tires for looks and didn't bother to re-gear. Newer jeeps with their more powerful engines and 8 speed transmissions are a lot more forgiving of bigger tires, but the older versions with the four cylinder were barely adequate on a stock setup. At least it's not the three speed automatic...

[@gr3ndl3r]

Check your gear ratio, with the 4cyl, it may not have enough cajones to make highway speed. You also need to check the tie rods, drag link, panhard bar, etc.

[@EmbraceTheCult]

Steering play has to do with the oversized tires. I have a 96 and ever since bigger tires, there's definitely play in the steering wheel. You can either get used to it, or adjust the steering box and see if that helps.

[@thevacdude]

I'd put that one on a trailer and drive it back on the trailer. Seems like the gearing wasn't changed when they added the larger wheels. I'd look for some smaller wheels and tires, test drive it with them on, andd see how it drives.

[@just4kicks950]

IDK about this one guys 🤔. Nice looking jeep though. Definitely run a magnet along them frame rails & make sure someone didn't patch the holes with bondo & slap on some fresh undercoating. Safe travels Randy & Mike👍😎

[@waynewebster8074]

The alignment is way off, the front tires are pointing away from each other and you need to change those stabilzers and that should take care of it.

[@stevencharles9247]

King Randy sitting on his THRONE!😁

[@kenmiller5954]

tighten valve cover ticking is exhaust leak front end alignment to fix steering check engine light stays on most of the time flaws in wiring harness behind gauges i live in Indianapolis i have the same kind of jeep to drive on highway red line each gear you should run 70 mhp

[@hydrazombie]

if the speedometer is not calibrated to the larger tires you could be going much faster than the what the speedometer is reading, it probably reading 10 miles slower than what your actually going

[@mubeenkodare3078]

First good morning randy love your videos and with mike its fireeeee you and mike are best team love your videos watch them every day I was waiting for jeep video hope you made home safely

[@CCCommander]

Lots of good comments here. I’ve owned multiple TJs including a 98 2.5 and an 02 4.0 that I bought new and dailied for 324,000 miles. Couple thoughts: Both motors are bulletproof but the 2.5 just isn’t enough for the big lift. My 2.5, 5 speed, stock tire size would run highway speeds just fine. This one’s lack of power and steering issues all come back to the (poorly installed) lift. The big thing that jumps out is the TWO steering stabilizers. Someone attempted to compensate for something, probably death wobble. There should only be one stabilizer. Those big tires and the multiple stabilizers are putting a lot of stress on the front suspension and steering. An alignment and servicing the front end (tie rod ends, ball joints) will do wonders. And remove the extra stabilizer. As for the seats, the passenger seat is the 1997 original vinyl. Someone recovered the driver’s seat base. The back seat is 99-2000 colors, so it’s been swapped in. That’s common-back seats often get removed and any 97-2002 back seat swaps in with no tools.

[@richardcorner9262]

You have a roll back recovery truck at your disposal ,use it ! and mike could drive the caddy back saving you a 1400 mile round trip

[@jgill1175]

Would be a ton cheaper to have it shipped back to OK than to run that roll back to IN and back. Unloaded on the highway it might see 8mpg.

[@jgill1175]

Randy those wheels/tires don’t work with the 2.5 without it being re-geared. Stock tires will help a ton. Also run a diagnostic to check for crank/cam position codes, as Chrysler ran the wiring crappy and it had a habit of hitting the manifold causing a short that makes them run like crap otherwise I think the Ol Girl will make it.

[@mg8919]

I'm sure someone has already said this but the 2.5 has very little power. And with those huge tires it's probably even worse. But it is a very reliable engine. Nice looking jeep good buy for 5000. Love your videos.

[@nathanmazzella5544]

Any shop should be able to do a alignment and the bigger tires are probably throwing the Speedo off

[@letaloudone]

That thing needs more than a alignment. Needs to go to a 4x4 jeep shop and be redone. The way it is now it is dangerous. Easy to roll.

[@letaloudone]

Trailer it back home is my vote. Not worth getting hurt over. The fumes from the burning undercoat is toxic.

[@putazorra291]

Randy I’m on OG subscriber and I can sure tell you that you found your match. Monkey wrench mike and you together are just awesome and pleasure to watch anytime. Keep it up guys.

[@brucevallee5623]

With the large diameter tires you will need to put 4:88 gears in the jeep or put 28" or maybe...maybe 30" tires on it . I've had many jeeps and the larger the tire the more money you have to put into gears and suspension. The 4 cylinder is a low power engine and every inch in diameter of tire you increase the weaker it gets. Get stock tires it will make it no prob.

[@Evil_Emperor_Zurg]

As I recall these came with 3.10 gears from the factory. (I could be way off, i know that if you got the 4.0 with AW4 auto you got 3.55 gears or 3.73 with the towing package . He could be as low as 3.10 in this due to the manual tranny) To be close to stock tire/gear ratio it would need 4.11s. 4.56 would be the highest I would go with 33" tires. With 4.88s he'd be able take steep hills in 5th gear but would redline before hitting 60mph.

[@peterkwok9608]

Thank you Mikey wrench Mike. You and Randy make a great team 😎😎👍👍

[@lauranaharro6731]

It definitely hasnt been gegeared for the lift and tires. A stock2.5 is fine on a factory jeep but suffers heavily with larger tires. Stock size tires will make a significant change in power but wont help your stability at highway speed with the lift. Rpm is your friend here. Keep it in 4th and see if you can hold highway speed. Make sure nothing is actively falling off and drive it. Stay around 65 if 4th will get it there and let it rip. A couple miles under your belt and it’ll feel slightly less “sketchy” at speed

[@shepshepherd798]

i had a jeep, same setup, 55 mph max.

[@tquish34]

I would like to watch you tune up the engine and go over the suspension.

[@geedubb-q1u]

The rubber and lift alone will be extra tough on that little 4 banger.

[@Evil_Emperor_Zurg]

A few things to think about with the speed. You need to use a GPS to determine the actual speed it is moving. There's a good chance the gears in the axles weren't changed when those oversized tires were installed, nor was the speedo fixed. Most likely you are moving a lot faster than what's on the dash. The 2.5L is a beast. Similar to the 4.0 they will last forever, 190k miles is barely broken in. Even if they only make 140 and 190hp respectively. TJ wranglers steer weird. They have a short wheelbase with a front axle waaay out in front of the driver. The front drive shaft is actually longer than the rear. They're also known for bad wheel bearings and tierod ends. Even with a perfect suspension and steering linkage you still get a death wobble around 50mph.

[@stevenhartline6039]

Run codes and find out what the check engine light is about. Jeep engine light puts it in limp mode to help get where it needs to go but at slow speed.

[@cherokeeoutlawmartiel5340]

I think first thing i would do is run a diagnostic on it get it running right and then worry about the suspension

[@dcformee123]

I wonder if your speedometer is off because of the big wheels maybe you're actually going faster than it says you are you might want to check that with your phone you can get an app that has a speed on it also run premium in it that'll give it a little more even though they say it's the same it's not.Premium will help the power on the little 2.5 and the smaller tires will make it go a lot quicker? So good luck with your purchase my friend. LOL

[@shepshepherd798]

randy,love the content, you should really consider bring car trailer with you, that way, it goes sideways, you have a tow option.

[@maptincebashimane2739]

I love this road trip video's 🔥🔥🔥🇿🇦🇿🇦 plz make more of them

[@kencramer1697]

The first clue is the dual steering stabilizers. They did not fix the issues in the front end and just added a new plus an additional stabilizer. The front end components are most likely worn out. They are fairly cheap and easy to replace. The shocks look like worn out and cheap. The lower control arms on the lift are non-adjustable and are normally what come on a low end lift kit. My guess would be that they just threw on the cheapest lift kit they could find so that they could run the larger tires. Did not bother to re-gear and most likely did not bother to change the speedometer gear. To get to highway speeds in a 4 cyl setup like that you are going to need a lot of down hill. My 2004 TJ with the 6 cyl was a dog on 35's until I did the re-gear. Even with 4.88's she will not hold speed in 5 gear on an incline. That 4 cyl with those tires doesn't have a prayer at 5th gear except coming down a pass out of the mountains.

[@michaeldoering3231]

I would just send it on it's way. A good jeep is a good jeep. But a bad jeep is never going to be good. Thanks for the great content.

[@BMfixit]

My German Shephard is 5 mos yesterday. Stunning dogs

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

It’s a Jeep thing 🤘🤘🤘

[@larsmanson9577]

cupping of the front tires tells me that the front end needs to be rebuilt that thing will more than likely have the death wobble from time to time.

[@brandonmorris2513]

I have never wanted a dog as much as I want that puppy dog!! She's so sweet.

[@crystalnix8871]

Hey Randy, with larger tires the speedometer would be off, so you could be going faster than what it reads. If you have a speed app for your phone you could check for accuracy of the speedometer. I had 32’s on my ‘98 Jeep Wrangler it also was a 2.4l basic Wrangler.

[@crystalnix8871]

Just to let you know my TJ made it all the way to and from Clarksville TN back to Wichita Falls multiple times and mine was not lifted. It did get a speeding a ticket for going 80 in a 60 zone with the 32” tires.

[@josephsanders3181]

Tires play a big role in handling putting stock back on will improve the handling and speed

[@Lichohedge]

that thumbnail lol!! also that is one cute dog. good vid, love these 700 mile videos. shame this one couldnt do it. i say you should probably get rid of it, probably not worth all the trouble trying to get it all good and stuff. also seems pretty risky driving 700 miles in that thing

[@oldcarjunky]

that is a fine intro pic .my nefew just recked my wife 2004 wanger it looks just like that jeep with factory wheels. I love those houses you're driving by

[@oldcarjunky]

big tires slowing speedo reading

[@jean-marcandjoshua-petsjournal]

Beautiful neighbourhood dog. They follow you because you are a good person.

[@suewells6897]

I would check the front end and get the toe in checked. That would explain the feathering on the tires and the poor handling. Remember the speedometer will be off with the big tires. Maybe check the speedometer against what your GPS says. Maybe you are going faster than the speedometer says. At any rate good luck.

[@vikingred1883]

Top guys love from the u.k. Great ent , fact, And, what i love is the way you guys love what you're doing ... YOUR a pleasure 2 watch

[@benc6614]

Grab a quick alignment first up I'd reckon! Love the content as ever!

[@theworldsnewsplainview952]

Randy I think it would be OK. You have decide for yourself but I would go for it. Good luck.

[@nickwood8694]

theres a turbo chrysler mini van(sohc mitsi engine of some sort) in Antelope california its $2500 aswell, its at the pull a part but they are selling it as a whole, you should buy it and drive it back

[@donaldashburn7313]

Hey like I said go to stock you'll find out it will ride it will dry it will even handle and if you take the big tires off and put the little ones on the stock one time you won't have to reline the front end.

[@cigarsgunsanddiesel8032]

14:00 typical Chrysler! All our Ram tow trucks are the same way...

[@pinball541]

Randy, drop it like it's hot (potato), & run away as fast as you can.👍 Hello from Phoenix Arizona!🔥

[@Vekurus]

One of those vehicles I regret ever getting rid of. 99' Sahara in green. 4L, 5spd, bigger axles, both tops and the 30" tire option.

[@CyllieCreator]

I gotta be honest. You have done tons of em' but this one? I wouldn't do it. You already paid 5K for it and to get stock wheels, tires, and what ever else it may need? Not to mention the cost to drive home? I wouldn't do it. Plus it just seems waaay to risky. I'd walk away from this one and try to get as much as you can for it to try and get some of your money back if you can. Your safety is far more important than that Jeep. Best of luck and can't wait to see the next video Randy! Keep it up!

[@Oyvind88]

Great video guys, not risk it🔥😎 Cutest dog😍

[@theodorerumpke9626]

Drive it! Your Speedo is off a bit with the taller tires, the 4cylinder is gutless on the road. It’ll make it home regardless imo

[@Todd19955]

Happy Sunday Fun Day Randy!

[@leftoverporkchop9972]

Jeep.....Just empty every pocket. I have a 2000 tj. 2.5 4 cylinder as well only an automatic. I live in the mid atlantic. I paid a whisker more than you did for yours but it ran and drove great. no dash lights etc. Over the past 3 years i have put on a few personal upgrades. Nothing radical. Then i found the rust. Drivers side rear control arm. Got the frame repair kit and went to work. Dropped the fuel tank, cut off all of the factory welded brackets on the frame for control arms and sway bars. Cut out the rust and cleaned and primed everything i could access. Dry fit the piece several times to make sure i had it in the right spot and could reach everything to weld it in place. Clamped and welded, then began putting it back together. I lifted it 2 1/2" so i put new springs, shocks etc. in place. Everything was rusty. Had to drill out and re-tap the upper shock mounts and countless other little items. Then i did the front and it went pretty smooth, and then had 33" tires installed. Quite frankly, a pretty standard upgrade. And then, i found rust on the passenger side front lower control arm. Did the same exercise with another frame repair kit. A little easier on the front. Then i replaced the steering gear box, pitman arm, drag link, tie rod ends and ball joints. These old Jeeps require this attention and one should never buy one if they don't want to put in the time and effort. (you'll go broke faster than you can say spit if you pay someone to do it for you) The joy they give back however, is invaluable. It's a hobby and a toy to have one, and i wouldn't suggest anyone buy a tj or older jeep to daily drive. But to have it out on the weekends with the top and doors off....man, no better feeling.

[@jasonalexander3080]

You can feel if hubs are hot for bad bearings ,probably need better tires and bigger tires can change your speed

[@silentassassin1108]

I looked everything over before I bought my 98, I missed the torque box inspection and will be replacing it soon. Also has piston slap.

[@bungeycord5971]

Clogged cat or damaged muffler maybe exhaust mainfold leak or all of that is my guess. If the cat is melted into a ball it will roll around blocking the exhaust at times. Did you notice the gas cap had a lock ? Also that front end needs addressing big time id take it to a shop and get them to give you an estimate. Looks like fun truck worth saving though.

[@buckfiden6102]

I picked up a 02 to jeep with a misfire in first gear I'm thinking it needs new spark plugs. It's just another toy for me. I have 4 vehicles, my lifted 98 xj is the oldest and most reliable vehicle now in these cold m.n winters....ive had at least 40 vehicles and that little tj has a big heart...

[@brandonmorris2513]

That's a great dog, that German Sheppard. I love her.

[@clintferguson8328]

BEAUTIFUL dog hope it finds its home oh not a bad looking Jeep keep the good videos coming just love cars man .

[@JREwing78]

Had a college buddy with one of these. Top speed, brand new with stock tires/gearing is about 80. Curious what the GPS speedo is showing you v.s. the in-car speedo - I bet you GPS will show this was getting up to 60 in 4th.

[@furmanmackey5479]

If you plan, at some point, to keep the Jeep sell the tires and wheels and make the lift "kit" go away. replace the wheels and rubber with factory or factory equivalent wheels and the best all terrain tires you can find and afford. Once you've returned the Jeep to factory ride specs you could easily make a couple of thousand or more profit here in the South East.. I've seen several of that era sell for around three to five thousand more than you paid for yours over the last three years or so. And don't forget to get the speedometer recalibrated.

[@mattmullins2490]

Sometimes the wires behind the heater controls get hot and melt a little. And it blows through the vents.

[@realstgaming4004]

Check if the 4wd is engaged that could cause slow acceleration and could cause the steering to be scetchy

[@kencramer1697]

It is not going to impact the acceleration and he would already know if it was engaged. He would have known it as soon as he turned onto the pavement. Those tires would have been barking and you would feel the binding in the drive line. Trust me. A TJ will have a fit with 4wd engaged on dry pavement and there is no mistaking that there is a problem.

[@timjohnson9230]

Looks to me the right tire is kicked out a bit. Tape measure alignment could help until you get it in somewhere.

[@flipper0172]

We love Mike so give him a day headstart in the jeep 😆 jk Mike yall already know. Merry Christmas everyone

[@ThatGuyRay22]

I Been watching you for a while now big fan from New York queens

[@maxwellstrong7267]

I love that dog it is so pretty.

[@birdman4505]

Over size tires with a small engin will kill your power

[@michaelcarson8534]

Fix the front suspension and get an alignment, probably what you said about the toe being out causing the irregular tire wear.

[@rogerlalonde703]

Check to see if there is a hanger bearing in the driveline it could be on it’s way out

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

I'd say it is a big Hell No for the drive back to Oklahoma until all of those issues are solved.

[@leonb2637]

Could you one-way rent a dolly trailer from U-Haul and tow it with the Ram ? It's stick so no issue with the rear wheels on the ground. Save some on fuel as well as both of you riding in comfort. I am not sure I would want to drive that 700 miles even if could steer right, go 70 MPH as would beat you to a pulp and ruin your back. You could likely sell it easier if in a more mountainous area, or out west like Utah, AZ, NM where someone needs or wants the 4 WD.

[@jaythomasanhk]

Car trek should give yall a series too that would be incredible

[@dan8827]

It looks like your Jeep's front end is out of alignment based on your video. Get the front end aligned replace the shocks based on the cupping of the tires and then try stock Jeep wheels and tires and remove one of the steering dampener (I'm sure you don't need two)

[@kencramer1697]

Correct. If you "need" two then you are just covering up a problem and not fixing it.

[@67alsmith]

Need to re gear axles for tire sze

[@stu01565]

I had the same exact Jeep with stick wheels and tires. 75 MPH was pushing it. You most likely have death wobble which is in-nerving at 50 mph. On the bright side it runs like a clock!! They love to go 45mph on a back road

[@AutoAuctionRebuilds]

No death wobble at all. She just wonders around the road.

[@trevormangus7832]

Proper alignment …the lift probably threw the castor way off. And the engine is tired. Probably low compression oil change heavier oil and a tuneup in a can and fix the engine light issue

[@baitse7676]

When you lift a jeep without changing the radius arms or drop mounts for the radius arms, the front axle rolls forward and the caster will be out of specification. Without caster, especially with oversized tires, the Jeep will track terribly.

[@bretthibbs6083]

Randy I have the Wrangler it's a few year newer but the to lock and unlock the center console you use the ignition key and don't press down while turning just stick it in there then turn.

[@jwheezerandomvids9210]

That passenger side front is definitely out of alignment. I would get my alignment fixed with a set of stock hoops and casings. Also I'd take a grinding disk to the rubber on the exhaust.

[@kevinwood3515]

Check the air box, see whats up with the check engine light.

[@buddy8225]

Love these Jeeps. Love the color, too. 🐸

[@jonah8961]

The short wheel base. Combine with bad shocks . Is recipe for bounce house

[@patrickmackey6882]

Randy a jeep with a 4 cylinder and big tires not a good combination. Always get a 6 cylinder. That being said, for Good content do a Hemi swap, I’d enjoy seeing that 👍 But I’m sure that’s more than you want to get into.. Good luck

[@Adam_SRT..717]

Nice content Randy!

[@Whittmike2011]

The Look & Sniff test say "Maybe". I like that, because a good mechanic is really expensive 😅

[@Swagga723]

Blower motor resistor possibly bad.....had the same issue in my F150. Fixed mine less than 5mins, 2 screws 1 connector

[@turbotato]

The 4 cylinder Jeeps don't start out with a lot of power, put those big wheels and tires on it plus I suspect some steeper gears and it's been built for slow off road crawling not highway travel. Some times you have to know when to fold 'em...

[@seanmiller6310]

id say get a aliment case it looks like it needs it and with a bad aliment the rolling resistances can slow it down case it takes a far bit more power to push the jeep if the tires are scrubbing and woodnt be as noticeable win at low speed but trying to get to highway speeds its going to be a lot harder to get to speed case ur adding more resistances from the tires scrubbing making the engine work harder from dragging the tires instead of just being able to turn thelm

[@harryayness133]

You could string the toe in. Nascar teams set the toe with a string on pit road after wrecks. Might straighten it up enough to get home. You don't suppose it has a plugged converter?

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool Jeep, and cute Dog 🥰🥰

[@eduardolopezjr1386]

That rattling are the ujoints on the front drive shaft and 33's on a 4inch with a 2.5 those are the reasons it only goes 55 it needs better gear ratio 4:10 4:56 I'd say

[@DJB077]

The heaters problem will be the heater motor resistor, I have had a lot with the same issue, they are cheap

[@fixitdaniel]

That is a resistor problem so if you only have it working on high and none of the other buttons work that's a resistor on top of the blower that's not working my wife had that on her escape and I replace the resistor a motor or the resistor on top of the motor and it works just fine