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

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#jeep #jeepwrangler #lifted

[@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

[@shepshepherd798]

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

[@stevencharles9247]

King Randy sitting on his THRONE!😁

[@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!

[@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👍😎

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

It’s a Jeep thing 🤘🤘🤘

[@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.

[@letaloudone]

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

[@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.

[@miingram63]

4 cyl jeeps of that vintage are absolute dogs.

[@birdman4505]

Over size tires with a small engin will kill your power

[@tquish34]

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

[@peterkwok9608]

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

[@Adam_SRT..717]

Nice content Randy!

[@romeoalphafoxtrot9517]

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

[@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.

[@WildDigger]

The death wobble is real in this one. ☠️☠️☠️

[@nascar-fanjunkie5062]

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!

[@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.

[@coryt-notctk6822]

I really enjoy these videos

[@maptincebashimane2739]

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

[@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.

[@Todd19955]

Happy Sunday Fun Day Randy!

[@ThriftMachine]

That dog just got you 100 more subscribers

[@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

[@cherokeeoutlawmartiel5340]

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

[@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

[@guyh.4121]

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

[@Oyvind88]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@BMfixit]

My German Shephard is 5 mos yesterday. Stunning dogs

[@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!

[@shepshepherd798]

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

[@theworldsnewsplainview952]

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

[@jean-marcandjoshua-petsjournal]

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

[@jasonalexander3080]

This will be a interesting trip back

[@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.

[@jrcopeland93]

This is a beautiful jeep 😍😍

[@TheTotallywolf]

Yolo it man . Drive it like that

[@buddy8225]

Love these Jeeps. Love the color, too. 🐸

[@DeepSouthTechie]

I remember back in the 80's my sister had a Datsun pickup that had a lift kit and big tires on it. We could barely get that thing up to fifty on flat ground, lol. It also steered like crap. I had forgotten all about that thing until I saw this video 🤣

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Cool Jeep, and cute Dog 🥰🥰

[@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.

[@Whittmike2011]

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

[@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.

[@redneckbryon]

Try and plan out a route that takes all back roads all the way from Indiana to Oklahoma. Or try and put it back in an auction. But it could be a decent learning vehicle for Nick. You probably wouldn't get an Uber in a rural area community, but maybe a taxi if you can find one.

[@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.

[@LoneWolfK9Inc]

Always wanted one of those.

[@josephsanders3181]

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

[@brandonmorris2513]

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

[@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

[@jasonalexander3080]

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

[@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.

[@NOXGANG]

Total Jeep thing #1 rule just don’t fight the wheel just let it do it’s thing 😂

[@williamsinger4124]

I used to tell people that the steering was merely a suggestion with mine. I'd have fixed it but ny rust took its toll on it so it wasn't worth it

[@brandonmorris2513]

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

[@jaythomasanhk]

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

[@flipper0172]

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

[@pinball541]

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

[@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.

[@bk_goatkim679]

This is interesting…..🤔love y’all’s sprit still in a not so good car. Leave that Jeep alone I don’t think I could trust that. Love how serous ysll got on this video. Happy holidays to everyone!

[@clintferguson8328]

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

[@ThatGuyRay22]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@MrWisers69]

Just go for it

[@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.

[@Akers631]

Wv sticker I'm from westvirgina keep up the videos man love them

[@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.

[@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.

[@jimk1712]

Hey Randy great video I'd would try to get like you saying some original tires .

[@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.

[@peterkwok9608]

I would tow it home Randy. Safety first. Listen to your gut feeling. 😎😎👍👍

[@sandjunkie9410]

Gotta love Chrysler steering!

[@maxwellstrong7267]

I love that dog it is so pretty.

[@jglez9705]

Love the "will it make it" videos, I think it would be best to run the jeep back through the action.

[@mistertux]

That's a lovely Jeep I would love to have one of those it's amazing

[@davidtaylor1384]

Randy having trouble measuring those big numbers lol.

[@tommywvcacher]

Hello from West Virginia!

[@stevenhovinga6584]

I'd say, find a set of stock tires / rims get a front end aligned. Check for any bad steering components. Then drive it and see what you think. I'm sure the speedometer is off because of the larger tires. Even switching the tires front to back should help the steering some. That size jeep with large tires is going to take more to drive specially with a 4 cylinder which will take longer to get up to any substantial speed like 70mph. I would drive that 700 miles but it might only be 65mph just because its a 4 cylinder and you don't want to ring it out driving balls to the wall the whole way. It's a nice looking Jeep but its more of a run around town and back roads not a highway daily driver. Good luck on whatever you decide to do... I look forward to seeing what you do. Peace ✌

[@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

[@danielventura8073]

The Chrysler built 2.5 comes standard with 100 horsepower which is only adequate for the Jeep. My old 90 Dakota had that same engine. The problem with that engine is the front and rear seals leak after 100K as well as the valve cover gasket. It is a timing belt engine.

[@timjohnson9230]

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

[@tommyhall2768]

Hope y'all make it home

[@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

[@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.

[@josephfoti2759]

Yes

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.