Secrets Revealed: A Certified Mechanic's Checklist for Jeep Wrangler Inspection

Looking to hit the trails during Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, UT? Make sure your 2 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is in tip-top shape before you go! In this video, join our host and their buddy Jerry, a certified Jeep technician and one of the owners at Shift Autowerx, as they give the Jeep a comprehensive inspection. He covers everything from maintenance requirements to engine performance, tires, suspension, and more. Follow along as he shares expert tips and insights, and learn what to look for when preparing your Jeep for an off-road adventure. Watch now to ensure your Jeep is ready to take on the toughest terrain!
Shift Autowerx: www.shiftautowerx.com
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0:00 Introduction
2:32 Jeep Wrangler Fluid Inspection

[@FM-ig3th]

This is awesome information. Jerry has a wealth of knowledge. If only most "Jeep Service Techs" were as sharp.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! I'm thankful to have him as a friend that is willing to get on camera and share some insight with us all.

[@matthewkirkland6497]

Dealership won’t touch my transmission in my gladiator until 150k I’m like 😬 🤬

[@Jeepboy]

Amen most of em are overworked underpaid and burned out….especially if they off-road also

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Jeeps don't leak, they mark their territory. 🤣

[@TrailRecon]

LOL! That's certainly true for my 74 Cherokee.

[@JRomanMD]

Dude that made my Day!

[@willy3177]

Like Harleys

[@bwofficial1776]

If it's not leaking, it's empty.

[@peterhabel]

I thought that was only Land Rovers 😂

[@3jeepfan]

Hi Brad, what I do for washing the engine compartment, mix up 1/2 Simple Green & 1/2 water. Spray everything down ( cool engine), then just use a garden hose. Less pressure than a pressure washer. Less chance of forcing water into important components. Simple Green is mild enough, does a good job of cleaning, & rinses clean with no residue. You can blow off a lot of the water with a leaf blower to dry. I've been doing it for years with no problems. Love the channel!!

[@bwofficial1776]

Comment for the algorithm. Everyone needs a mechanic friend, preferably a mechanic friend who knows your car better than you do.

[@RocklanderUSA]

Great advice Jerry and Brad, I will be tightening the upper and lower ball joints on my JLUR tomorrow. Awesome update 04/08/2023: tightening the loose front lower ball joints fixed my squeaking clanking front end issue I was hearing. Thank you so much gentlemen, that was bothering me for months. I have referred my friends to come watch your vid here for great advice.

[@davidwalter8816]

I have the same sound and will be checking that out. Thanks for the little gem!

[@paulvalenzuela5847]

Well... You solved two of my existing problems. Oil sending unit and my thermostat housing.... I've got a long trip planned for Colorado coming up and now I have more to do. Thank you for the awesome video!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad this was helpful! And have fun on your trip to Colorado! One of my favorite places to wheel!

[@67wildwolf]

Thanks Brad...Jerry knows his stuff. There aren't very many walk through videos like this showing what you should look for before you go out. I'm one of those that like you learned the hard way. With a couple of trail failures. I now inspect before going out and if I found something I'm not sure of take it to my local shop to give it another once over. It's less expensive than if you ignore it. Thanks again for this great video.

[@andymckane7271]

Superb advice! My Rubicon still has all of its original hoses. Have about 41,000 miles on the Jeep. It will be eleven years since taking delivery of it on the 17th of this month. My hoses, the ones I can easily see from up top with the hood open, all "look" fine. From what your mechanic said in your discussion with him today, I'll get my hoses replaced ASAP. (Tell your mechanic: "Molokai could use a first-rate auto mechanic!") Great advice as always! Andy McKane

[@philpetursson3928]

Re: Lockers. I've had continued problems with my 2007 Rubicon lockers. The lockers would engage but not disengage. I had to drive back from off roading trip. About a 100 km. I should have got a tow truck. I drove home with front lockers locked. Fortunately, no damage. I removed the front diff cover plate and simply used a screw driver to push on the locker mechanism to disengage. No problem. But there's a high risk that locker would get stuck in the locked position once again. So, I've had ARB air lockers installed at front and rear diffs. I hope that they are reliable. Cheers, Phil - New Zealand

[@phillipcraggs6202]

3-4 years for hoses seems a bit excessive. But I agreed with everything else. Thanks for sharing.

[@arwinvinnysardana3266]

Agreed. I have an old 2008 twin turbo bmw (runs hot, standard oil temp is 230-250) that I changed the hoses on earlier this month. It was preventative - they hadn't failed. I can't imagine jeep hose material is so much worse that they last 25% as long.

[@korewest]

Video popped up 2 hours before a long trip on my JLU. Thanks folks!

[@reyflores4606]

Replace your key clicker battery every major trip. My son couldn't start his car when the little watch battery died.

[@liberalshaveitallbackwards4667]

You forgot to check the flux capacitor. 1.21 gigawatts

[@stevefoster61]

What an awesome video! It would be great to see what Jerry brings out on the trails (tools, gear, etc)!!

[@DixieOverland]

This has given me a whole new list of things to check and track on my garage whiteboard. Great video!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you found it helpful! The list on my whiteboard always seems to grow. Check one thing off and add two more.

[@jeffquick7917]

Solid info and definitely some food for thought on my ever-evolving JKU project…love the variety of topics covered Brad.. both from you and your family, please…keep it up!

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! I enjoy keeping the content fresh, interesting and a little varied.

[@jonandicochea8404]

Seen a lot of your videos and this one meets my top 10. Tons of info. I have an 07 JK and I would enjoy seeing you go through the same detail as you did on your JL. Keep up the great videos. And have a are trip

[@DuaneCaldwell]

Great tips and discussion guys! Useful tips regardless of what rig is being run.

[@wn0x]

This is awesome Brad! Thank you Jerry for running through the list of things to check. This really takes the mystery out of the common things to look for. Have you ever run into the "Performance Limited Service Fuel System" error displayed onn the instrument cluster on the 22/23 JL's?

[@jeffcombs8237]

Great tips for Jeeping and MAINTENANCE. Thanks Trail Recon.

[@Aaron-ge1hy]

Thank you gentlemen for your generosity in sharing your time and valuable experience!

[@atx1459]

Great video! Always good to hear a breakdown of what should be inspected prior to trips or just normal driving.

[@nativetexson]

Jerry is a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for this video because I picked up some good info. Cheers-

[@nisbetmba]

Video gold, man! Well done. You guys should collaborate more on some things. I bought a 4.0 TJ after listening to your video with him - 'the one Jeep/engine he would buy'.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you ! Love the TJ models!

[@bradcomis1066]

Man, Jerry knows his shit. This guy is awesome! Hope to see him on the channel more and more. He is really good on camera and explains things in a really concise precise manner.

[@mrderek800]

Great video, very informative & helpful. Looking forward to similar ones in the future.

[@capt.stubing5604]

This is a great video for anyone with a Jeep. Great information, thanks you guys.

[@taurota1554]

Awesome as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@Mplonk13]

Great video, If you are planning on changing your transmission fluid, I would recommend replacing the oil pan with the PPE aluminum transmission pan, It adds more fluid, cooling fins and also going forward your trans will have a replaceable filter instead of replacing the entire pan every time. Plus i have noticed on my gladiator, The trans runs a few degrees cooler compared to stock.

[@TrailRecon]

In information, I'll have to look into that. Does the pan hang any lower than the OEM one?

[@Mplonk13]

@@TrailRecon Just a little bit. Northridge did a video on youtube about a year ago when they were released and the install process. Heres the Link for there video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZK9gGeQhs97pZI

[@vincefairleigh6899]

@@TrailReconthat’s exactly what I was thinking, the stock one hangs low , this is why I’d have at least a 2” lift min.! And the stock pan is mild steel, if it’s aluminum and it hits something it will crack, an aluminum pan would be great if you don’t go off road , or maybe this pan is tucked nicely? Although if it’s bigger than that is unlikely

[@vincefairleigh6899]

This guy makes a great point about not using a k&N filter, they are literally junk for off road use, I have had a few and dust goes right through.

[@purleybaker]

What doesn't Jerry know about a Jeep? Yikes that was fantastic. Thank you.

[@paulfindude8743]

What a great video Brad. You’re so lucky to have that dude as a good buddy. So knowledgeable.

[@angelsuarez17]

Awesome details on this inspection. Very helpful. I'm ready for a road trip.

[@granitesand78]

Brad: can't you just pour the water in the washer fluid tank? haha. nice video.

[@SpangsWorld]

As I am getting ready to buy a JK here soon this video giving me some things to look for when I go to look at it. Thanks for the video.

[@AKgrowngal]

Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Jer-ry! Love your Jeep Talks with Jerry! Such a wealth of information! Interesting to hear some JK vs JL comparisons - seemed there were pros and cons for both. Still would love to hear his engine choice of currently available Jeep engines. Great show, as always!

[@petersantulli2337]

Great info! Thank you both for a must save video!

[@andysolorzano4126]

Another great vid Brad. Just finished a long weekend trail ride on the Mohave Trail from Laughlin to Baker. Gotta take my JL into Shift Autowerx and have them give it the once or twice over. See ya soon Jerry!

[@OuzoLouGarage]

It's always a good idea to have a good friend as a mechanic.

[@AJabri-en2zf]

This video very useful ❤ thanks for you and your guest

[@TealOxAdv]

Awesome video with lots of great information. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheGunGuyCody]

Thank you for this

[@March1966]

Was wondering if there’s a recommended schedule interval for replacing the brake fluid/ bleeding the system on the Wrangler. Would love to see a vid with your mechanic demonstrate how to properly bleed the brake lines and replace the fluid if possible. Great video! 👍

[@rael6_4wd]

Great information. Thanks guy! 🙏🏼

[@harjindersingh-xy2on]

Great help just bought used 19 Rubicon for son just forwarded this vidio to him in canada

[@jimmyj5099]

I'm surprised you didn't mention the blinker fluid level today 😂!

[@Sava13Sorin]

Very good clip .. there are most commun things can be check on most of 4x4 cars 👍😀for those who are at the begining very useful ! Greetings from Bucharest Romania !!

[@juand638]

This is one of the reasons why I watch this channel.

[@Blue-P51]

Awesome video. If I lived in the area I would go to him for all my major jeep maintenance!

[@mrgrivers1]

Really great video just packed with helpful info. Thanks guys.

[@TrailRecon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michaelburckart1551]

Excellent video, even for a JK owner. Thanks.

[@ahmednesbitte4906]

Hi Brad, very nice video. Love the Hella Yella ❤. Thank you for the content.

[@clintonblack7342]

Great video, informative.

[@robertfoster2531]

Thanks. Appreciate this

[@urbancavemanintheak7732]

Great information, thank you!

[@PilotVolunteer]

Super detailed information. Thank you

[@SargeDJeep]

Great information, definitely agree about the second set of eyes. I wish we had a shop like his where I live (Shippensburg, PA), because I do not trust the local Jeep dealer.

[@babytrenton]

Another awesome video!

[@larshamilton40]

don't forget to check the blinker fluid...

[@TrailRecon]

LOL! Oh ya, never forget that!

[@edwardsimmons3721]

Great insight when heading out.

[@gilbertferguson1685]

Great info for a newbie like me. Thanks guys.

[@TrailRecon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@4122inc]

Very cool! Good Job, Jerry!

[@overlandingsmith]

Pretty interesting video with a lot of good infos. Thanks for that. Next month we'll start an overland trip through 6 countries and I'll check all of these things before we do the trip 😎

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you! What an epic trip I bet that's going to be, safe travels!

[@Myfootinplaces]

Fantastic video - thank you both.

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you!

[@onlineretail3550]

Hands down No. 1 4x content creator rn

[@hadjsalemhazem4464]

Thank you very much for the Video , very informativ 🤗👍🏻🤠

[@terry5987]

Really good video for any off-road vehicle

[@TrailRecon]

Thank you!

[@IaMCdN1]

Great video brad, saving this one for future reference! I’m at 60k miles as well 😮

[@cesartoledo5036]

Thanks for information Brad you are awesome I hope one day we hit the trail together God bless you

[@martywilson-nolen8023]

Awesome video!!!

[@biz4twobiz463]

Wow, that's shocking you had loose nuts on the steering. Glad you did the inspection. Nice video!

[@1markymark1]

Great video Brad

[@daughertypb3663]

I like Jerry. He's a nice addition. Very informative video. 👍

[@TrailRecon]

He's a good friend and a wealth of knowledge!

[@iisreset]

Great info!

[@markperza384]

Great video guys!!

[@TrailRecon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Mikey_556]

Great tips 🔥🔥🔥🍻

[@silveralert5095]

Thanks Brad!!

[@TrailRecon]

You're welcome!

[@ronhuggins696]

From S.C. .....Very helpful... Thanks

[@Spanked78]

The JL tranny oil pan isn't the filter. The filter is an easily replaceable part inside of it. You can simply clean the oil pan and even keep the gasket.

[@shiftautowerx]

8 speeds are the ones with the integrated filter, 6 speeds are a normal filter

[@earlshockley2178]

Good stuff Chief - GO Navy

[@bradcomis1066]

“Burnt by the sun” I only wish we had that problem up here in the PNW hahah

[@woof3598]

I find these talks interesting, was hoping for tips on greasing drive shafts where you can get the grease gun on the zert because of a tight fit

[@r0mulyni2]

Changed my tie rod eith Metal Cloak now have to change axle seal before road trip

[@marklus406]

Great video

[@mcguireskaratetheartofsurv1942]

Great info

[@ezinaz1]

Instant classic!

[@mytwogoodhands2799]

I had a 94 Ram pickup I got new sold it in 2015 still had the factory hoses on it at 276K to

[@jefflartigue9110]

Good info

[@user-yn7kn4tj3y]

Good guidance - paint your torqued suspension bolts and synthetic oil every 4-5K miles

[@WolfCatalyst]

Love her yellow wrangler

[@TrailRecon]

Regena loves her 2 door!

[@theblacktundrav85.7lcrewmaxsup]

Wow What’s Great Great video 🎉❤

[@4erpatrick2]

Thanks for this video. What do you suggest to do for cleaning, dirt, mud, and especially salt residue from beach driving?

[@deanlarsen5437]

This is great. Move to Phoenix we need you

[@Wolf4wdadventures.576]

Great video and very informative.... Just wondering when are going to get out and do some rock crawler/off roading vids in the silver JK.... Am missing that type of content!!!

[@TrailRecon]

Just got back from Arizona and Moab in the Silver Jeep... coming soon!

[@MrAirtaz]

I need my own Jerry!

[@GATORADDAM]

Great video. It applies to all vehicles, not just Jeeps...... but mostly Jeeps. Hahaha.

[@tonyyoung3902]

I love the content and for me it was well yea I know most all of that but I know that there are a lot of people that don't so this is very informative for them. What bugs me and it's not just your Channel it's most jeep channels that think everyone has rubicons that go wheeling. I have a jlu sport s and I've only went once so far but I had a blast and plan on doing it more but I don't have a rubicon or the budget for lockers. I would love someone to so how to wheel with a regular jeep

[@henrybecker9708]

Hey Jerry - Thanks for the build you did for me!! Henry Becker

[@shiftautowerx]

Hey Henry. Glad you liked it

[@coreyj2158]

Overall Pretty good advice and tips. I disagree with leaving your coolant in for more than 5 years usually after 4 you start seeing signs of gunk building up. If your changing coolant as often as you should I believe you will only need to change hoses every 8years.

[@John-uo1qf]

I've heard that the engine cover is not needed? The part that says 3.6L on it

[@AustinH7]

It’s not but I like it because it keeps a lot of dirt and mud off the area it covers

[@sam.halljr]

Can Jerry open a shop in Iowa?! Great video, thanks Brad.