We all know there are simple maint items that are addressed before there is a problem. Oil changes, ignition tune-ups, trans fluid, serp belt, brakes, all the usual stuff in the FSM.

Now that my D one weekend trip shy of 100,000 miles, and that I really dislike being stranded, I was wondering about other 'old stuff' on the truck, like alternator, water pump, steering box and pump. Does anyone have thoughts on "it's not broken, but it's old" replacement on these part types?

 

After 100k, my radiator went out. Split at the seams. The hose with radiator cap went out also.

SJ02

 

I'd take off the belt and spin the accessories individually by hand, then listen carefully to the bearings in them (may help to put the end of a long screwdriver on the accessory you're trying to test and the handle against your ear that way you can hear it better). Then test the output from the alternator and so on.

 

Monitor for these common sensor issues if you have not experienced them yet.

TPS sensor (speed surge issues using cruise control)
ABS and Speed sensor for speedo failures, abs error light, shifting issues. (if one of these goes out, recommend to replace both as they work together)

 

Yep watch and test. I like the motto "if it ain't broke don't fix it". That doesn't mean that something can't slip through the cracks. I would go to a trans shop and have the trans checked out and tested (pressures and so on). I would do a mild shift kit to help preserve the trans.

 

True. "Only open the hood when you get a check engine light." is not the best approach.

I have a well built and modified '93 Jeep for off-road, chevy motor, Ford axle, rusty frame swapped for fresh, a lot of work/fun. It's always checked for worn things, and made bulletproof. I always thought of the D (bought new) as 'the thing just works', I just did normal maint, including trans maint.

Then the trans went last Oct (had a high end rebuild done, even kevlar bands, runs great). This past week I swapped out the exhaust (full Magnaflow, manifolds to bumper!). Then I had a heater hose pop (the plastic Y broke on one side), then the alternator acted up (chalked up to a bad rain storm).

So in the past 11 days, I've had three unrelated systems display issues, which prompted this thread. I think I just have to do 'Jeep-think' to the D, always check things, keep ahead of issues.

 

As any car gets older it's going to start needing things replaced as they start wearing out, that's just how it goes. Now that your 01 is 12 years or so old it's going to start needing things like alternators and water pumps.

 

so far so good with my 00 R/T. had a tranny rebuilt, water pump, radiator, heater core a couple times, and TPS sensor replaced.

Then for good measure, I replaced both abs/speed sensors as well as the map sensor around 2004 even tho I did not have any symptoms. Just a preventive measure.

 

The things that will put you on the side of the road are the biggest issues. So things like water pump and alternator. I suspect ABS issues would just throw a code and kill the ABS, which still lets you drive. Does a bad power steering pump should still let you steer?

Last week I figured out a quick way to bypass the entire heater coolant system, so thats in my pocket for the future, get me moving again.

 

you have a great idea Don. for 4 decades i did my own truck work. but my body wount let me do it any more. so i found a great shop. so now my 01 dak i do a preventive maint program. the biggest thing is i do is to replace the starter and battery every 4 years. my idea is if i can get it started i should be able to limp it in to the shop. i have done i cycle so far.