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How many miles on your WJ

How many Miles on you WJ

64K views 369 replies 269 participants last post by  retrvrtrainer 
#1 ·
I have not seen one of these threads for a few years, and I think its good info to have around.

Please participate in the poll than comment below.
Please include year, engine, oil used,any major failure and at what mi. it happened and classify your maintenance habits based on the scale below.
Also include any information relevant to your mileage that is not mentioned above.

I cant tell anybody what to do BUT I can ask; it would be great if we can keep comments (other than your response to the to the original thread) to a minimum in an effort to keep the thread easy to look through for info purposes and reference purposes.

Maintenance scale
1) I just change my oil and fix things when they break.
2) I follow the owners manual "scheduled maintenance".
3) I am obsessive compulsive about maintenance and loose sleep when I don't understand the chemical compounds of a fluid I am using in my JEEP.
 
#28 ·
2004 Columbia Edition
Purchased May 2011 with 78k miles/Currently shows 97k miles
4.7 HO/545RFE/247 TC
- Oil changes at 5k miles using Napa Gold filter and Napa Full Synth oil
-Added PML transmission pan and changed ATF (Mopar 7176 and filters) at 80K with the next change on tap at 100k then at 25k mile intervals after that.
- New radiator/hoses/antifreeze/plugs/fuel filter at 80k,
- power steering pump at 95k
- Napa Gold air filter 1x per year (drive on gravel roads)

Still need to change TCase and diffs and plan to do at 100k. I also want to install an aux transmission cooler but have not made time to do it. I am probably a 2.5 when it comes to maintenance but do not always follow the manual. I do things at intervals that I remember like oil changes on the 5's and major fluid changes on the 25's as I drive 25k-30k miles or more a year.
 
#29 ·
'01 4.0L, 130K miles, owned since 85k (3 yrs)/beginning of it's life it was a rental, then PO bought it, then me.

i use Valvoline MaxLife, fram air/oil filter or whatever is cheapest. had many other jeep problems, not one with my engine so far.

between a 1 & 2
 
#30 ·
'03 Laredo w/ the 4.0 176K, I'm assuming it's the original engine. I doubt the original trans would have made it this far, but I have no idea if it's been rebuilt/replaced. Everything under the hood and body looks clean and original, so who knows....

I just got it 4 months ago, so I have no idea of what was used for oil or how often it was changed. I can say this; when I replaced the valve cover gasket, there was absolutely no carbon build up or sludge anywhere on the head.

I did an engine flush using BG chemicals 'engine flush'. Everything came out looking good, no nasty gunk or sludge. I used Pennzoil high-mileage oil and a Mopar oil filter. I plan on doing 5K intervals for the engine oil changes.

I've had to change the PCM, the oil pan gasket, V/C gasket, both idler wheels for the drive belt. I replaced the fuel filter ( Wix), air filter (Wix) and recently, the spark plugs. Those last pieces all seemed to be original parts, so I wonder if the poor Jeep was ever maintained.

I also replaced both axles with ones from an '04 Overland, they only had 68K on them, it was a lot cheaper than rebuilding the original ones plus now I have Vari-lok front and rear plus a D44a in the back.

I think I'm on top of all of the immediate maintenance needs for a while, I hope I can just drive the darn thing without any headaches.

I'm a 3+ for maintenance. I don't want to work on this thing non-stop, and I'm not out looking for every little tiny items that may show wear, but when there's something that needs attention, I'll go at it full bore and only use good quality, brand name parts. My motto: do it right once and be done with it. :cheers2:
 
#31 ·
Won't let me vote... not enough posts?

204k
'02 Laredo
4.7L
545RFE
Castrol GTX 10w30 (switched at about 50k ago)

In terms of maintenance, I run 3-4k miles between oil changes, often as high as 6k when I was losing a quart every 500 miles, after switching to 10w30, I'm only losing about a quart every 1000 miles.

Generally beat the recommended maintenance schedule in terms of flushes and whatnot.

Lost the tranny at about 73k miles.
Lost the power steering pump at about 90k miles. Still leaks, but is manageable.
Developed a high pressure radiator leak at about 140k miles, had an ice blow out at about 155k. Replaced and lucky I didn't blow anything in the block.
 
#35 ·
2000 Laredo
4.7, Selectrac
3.73
133K

I'd say I'm a 1.5 on maint. Currently running Valvoline high mileage, but I think I'm going to switch to Rotella after reading all the people using it here with good results. My Dad bought the WJ new, sold it to me about 3 years ago. Bought it for our youngest son while he was in high school. Off to college now and he couldn't afford to put gas in it, so we got him a little station wagon (he plays drums) and the WJ is now mine. I have a company truck, so it sits a lot.

My Dad replaced the radiator before I got it. I replaced the tranny (Pulled my 4000lb bay boat with overdrive on) and front brake rotors. Sorry, don't remember mileage.

I love this vehicle. The power is amazing. I plan on putting on a small lift since I don't wheel often or very hard, just for looks I guess.
 
#36 ·
2000 Laredo
4.7, Selectrac
3.73
133K

I'd say I'm a 1.5 on maint. Currently running Valvoline high mileage, but I think I'm going to switch to Rotella after reading all the people using it here with good results. .
Rotella is great stuff but it's really more of a 4.0 thing due to the flat tappets. While Rotella would still work fine in your 4.7 in all honestly the Maxlife you're already using is a better match for it.
 
#38 ·
1999 Laredo
4.0, Selec-trac, D30/D35
208,123 miles, all original drivetrain and running gear.
Replaced fuel pump two weeks ago, along with the filter, both were factory. Also replaced the front axleshafts and fluid in everything. I use kendall 15w40 and wix gold filters, and regular oil in everything else.
I'm a 1.5 as far as maintenance, and a 3 as far as mods go. LOL
 
#39 ·
A shade under 193,000. 2000 V8 Limited. Got it at 150k. Since then no major internal issues. I know the alternator was done before I got it. Just did a water pump. I use Champion plugs, Mopar, Fram, or QS filters, have a k&n intake, and use usually Quaker State conventional 5-30. Never used anything out of the ordinary on my jeep, just what it calls for. Oil changed every 3-4k miles. Im pretty anal about it and try to fix things when it breaks or if I know it needs to be done.
 
#40 ·
'03 Limited 4.7, 75000 miles
Mobil 1 5-30 changed every 6,000
Trans was rebuilt at app 60,000 miles probably due to improper towing behind a motor home. I got the car at 67,000 miles and had to have it rebuilt again. The parts in the trans were new, but put together wrong. The coolant lines were not cleaned out either resulting in a lot of debris in the pan. New seals, correct adjustments and haven't had any problems since. Replaced power steering pump--original was cracked.
About 2.5 on maintenance schedule
 
#41 ·
Just rolled over 180k today. Engine was rebuilt at 162k, transmission was just rebuilt at 176k. New front axle shafts at 170k, new front drive shaft at 179k. Hopefully, I'm done for a while. :rolleyes:
 
#44 ·
04/ 4.0 I6 /42RE/ 130K mi.

Mine since 40K mi. I ran Valvoline 10w30 Dino and Fram TG, until 70K, then MaxLife Syn Blend and mopar filters since. Tried MaxLife Full Syn on the last change (perhaps incorrectly) and now she leaks a little.

I maintain on schedule; a 2.5 on the scale.

Biggest issue has been a torque converter replacement at 100K.
 
#45 ·
On vehicle Maintenance Iam a 5+
I have replaced every thing from an heater core, to designing a biger an better radiator for our beloved 4.0 I6 motors .
I use Rotella T6 motor oil an a full time jeep maintenance mechanic only for our WJ's Lol'' . Helped rebuild my own motor to an 4.6 an polished an ported my 4.0 head . But not to brag'' just look at my signature .

Thanks for looking .
 

Attachments

#48 ·
1999 Powertech 4.0, 154,300 miles
Conventional oil @3000mi interval

Bought the jeep @ 136k
Tie rod end @ 137k
Heater blower motor resistor @ 137k
Lift gate motor @ 137k
Usual blend door issues noticed @ 137k
Bad wrist pin developed @ 139k
CV shaft @ 139k
Throttle position sensor @ 142k
Water pump @ 144k
Electric fan @ 146k
Rear axle assembly @ 146k
Two tie rod ends @ 154k

I've come to the conclusion that it was neglected by the PO

Mixture of 1 & 2 for Maint scale
 
#50 ·
2003 Laredo
4.0 Powertech (whatever that is)
71,xxx mi
Latest change was to Castrol GTX 10w30 and a Mopar filter
I'm 2.5 on maintenance
I'm the second owner of this Jeep and hope to have it for many more years. Previously dealer maintained and I plan on keeping it up. Its my wifes DD and it will remain stock. Purchased to replace a 98 ZJ with 200,750 miles on it, over 100k by me on a steady diet of Castrol dino oil.
No major issues yet....
 
#51 ·
04 4.7, just cracked 89K about 2 days ago
no major problems aside from a slow seeping between the front of the block and the oil pan, and a slow leak above the water pump.
I change the oil every 3000 miles with penzoil 5w-30, going to royal purple synthetic on my next change to get as much out of this big V8 as possible.
I would be a 3, i absolutely lose sleep on the slightest leaks and feel the need to spend my life savings on rebuilding even if it aint broke yet.
 
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