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What can I do to save my Jeep

3K views 31 replies 16 participants last post by  dstacy 
#1 ·
from dying on a long trip.

I'm set to drive down to Fed Ex field this weekend to see Kenny Chesney (about 1.5 hours one way), and the next drive to Ocean City, MD (3.5 hours one way).

I bought it over two months ago, but never had anything changed so far ie. oil.

So basically my question is aside from all the fluids, should anything else be replaced? A wire from my battery comes lose sometimes and it can either take me about 10 minutes to fix with a socket wrench or have two people start it up, it's annoying, but it's the worst thing wrong right now.


Thanks.
 
#3 ·
just bring your socket so you can fix the battery if it comes off...

other than that, its a vehicle...its made to go long distances lol. You'll be fine.

You should change the oil just so you know exactly when its done and you'll know its good to go for awhile...other than that, nothing.

If you're feeling ambitious, you can do a small tuneup on it quick...change the plugs, wires, cap/rotor, and air filter...
 
#4 ·
As stated, check the jeep over, something you should always do before a trip.
Fluids, lights, wipers, tires, etc.

And if the wire is a common thing, why not correct it now and then not have to worry about it. One less thing.
 
#5 ·
I've tried a bunch of things, took the bracket off and cleaned the battery and bracket itself really good, put it back on real tight, it stays tight but will come lose after awhile. I keep a socket wrench (a mini one) in my glove box and it's an easy fix so I won't worry too much about it. I need to get it inspected anyway coming up, so I may just get the garage to give it a tune up or do it myself at a guy's garage, I have all the fluids to go in just have never done it before so some guidance would be needed.
 
#7 ·
Ah well we all have different choices of music, just like jeeps. As long as it ain't rap, I'm good with just about anything. Me, it's rock and roll from the 60s/70s. But heck if Waylon or Hank Jr are on it's just as good.

OK, back to the wire. If it's pulling out of the terminal, you may have the wrong size terminal and yes they make more then the standard one. Also some have a 2 sided tops on them, where you stick the cable in. One side for heavy cable, the hole is round, or one side for light cable, the hole looks like a half moon. Look for tabs or a bend in the top plate. It's reversible for different sized cables.


Or, most likely, your cable is too short and the jeep bounding around is tugging on it, and it pulls the cable out.
 
#8 ·
I baby my Jeep...

I ask a lot of my little booger, so I pamper the rock-buster. My oil doesn't even get dirty before it's change. But then again, I go very remote up here in the Northwest wilderness and don't get a second chance to get out with my butt in my hand. If you take care of those 4.0's they are indestructible when you need then to be.
 
#19 ·
You can buy a new lug anywhere (auto parts store, WalMart etc) for a couple bucks. Get the right size for your cable. In the mean time, you can strip back some more wire and fold it over and retighten the bolts on the lug.
 
#15 ·
In 2008-9 I drove from Indiana to Arizona, up to Vegas, around the Grand Canyon, over to Denver and back home. Ten-ish days, 4,500+ miles.

I got my oil changed before we left, topped the fluids, had emergency tools (as mentioned above), and all went fine. I overpacked... knock on wood.

You'll be fine... unless there is something up with your Jeep you haven't mentioned.
 
#17 ·
I've put under 300 miles on it and 150 of them came in one day so I haven't really had to do anything.

Topped off the tranny fluid tonight
 
#23 ·
Some of us "only fix it when it breaks" and some of us "over compensate" - being a new used vehicle-if it were me-CHANGE ALL FLUIDS and filters and grease. Unless plug-wires look really new would change those as well-and since that far into it- plugs, cap and rotor-may as well change that serpentine belt unless it looks good as well. Check all the lights.
Would ensure that when changing cooling system I flushed the heater core very well. Maybe over kill but better to pay for it now or do it myself when I am able to fit my schedule and budget rather than pay for a tow and waste time I hadn't planned on repairs I wasn't anticipating. Granted it won't be cheap for everything-but I would know it is in as good of shape as possible before the trip and except for motor oil should be good for a year or two anyway. Just my.02
 
#24 ·
Some of us "only fix it when it breaks" and some of us "over compensate" - being a new used vehicle-if it were me-CHANGE ALL FLUIDS and filters and grease. Unless plug-wires look really new would change those as well-and since that far into it- plugs, cap and rotor-may as well change that serpentine belt unless it looks good as well. Check all the lights.
Would ensure that when changing cooling system I flushed the heater core very well. Maybe over kill but better to pay for it now or do it myself when I am able to fit my schedule and budget rather than pay for a tow and waste time I hadn't planned on repairs I wasn't anticipating. Granted it won't be cheap for everything-but I would know it is in as good of shape as possible before the trip and except for motor oil should be good for a year or two anyway. Just my.02
Yep preventative maintenance goes a long way. Not all, but a lot of young guys don't do it and wonder why their car breaks down, isn't worth anything at trade-in time, or has problems. It is the whole "instant gratification" mentality.

On older vehicles I see people all the time who don't check the date code on the tires. You (the original poster) have a 1998 Jeep and are planning on making a highway trip on tires that are 2? 6? 10 years old? Do you know?
 
#25 ·
I know they stopped making the tires 3 years ago. See I also have no idea how to do any of that stuff, so I may just pay a garage, any idea how much that would run me?
 
#26 ·
Don't sell yourself short-hardest part would be "gaping" the plugs. If you can unscrew bolts and screws and clean things when apart (wipe off with rag or scrape gently with putty knife or use a metal brush) you can do everything. Parts total cost-if using synthetic oils $100-$200 dollars. Depends on type of ignition parts. There are manuals and we will help/tell you how to do it-but the satisfaction of knowing it was done properly and not rushed will go a long way for your piece of mind. It will also help you get to know your Jeep.

If you want to pay someone else to do it----I would GUESS $750 minimum depends on the shop.
 
#29 ·
Oh man, that's steep. Well I'm working with about $200 so I guess it's on me. I'm going to get my buddy to help me out, show me how to do it, learn from it, so I can do it on my own the next time. Better watch and be safe then try to do it myself wrong and screw something up.
 
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