About this episode
The hosts dive into frustrations with Jeep parts quality and manufacturing processes, focusing on recurring failures in cooling systems, particularly Griffin radiators. They discuss how manufacturers prioritize cost and speed over durability, leading to widespread issues even with OE parts. Personal experiences with coolant leaks and radiator failures highlight the challenges Jeep owners face. The conversation also touches on the aftermarket's role in trying to solve these problems and the importance of accountability in the supply chain. The episode blends technical insights with casual banter and community interaction.
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In this episode we talk about the frustrating reality of bad Jeep parts and questionable processes in the aftermarket. From expensive components that fail far sooner than they should, to “premium” brands that don’t stand behind their products when things go wrong, we break down what we’ve been seeing in the shop. We also call out a few specific brands and experiences along the way—so if you’re into the real, unfiltered side of the Jeep world, you’ll want to stick around for this one.
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four-wheel drive
"In my oversized four-wheel drive Jeep A Jeep podcast starring industry experts"
Four-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels at the same time, which helps it drive better on slippery or rough roads.
Four-wheel drive (4x4) is a drivetrain system that powers all four wheels of a vehicle simultaneously, improving traction and off-road capability.
Easter Jeep Safari
""...And we're just about to get into the Easter Jeep safaris""
The Easter Jeep Safari is a big event where people who like Jeep vehicles go to drive on rough trails and show off their cars. It's a fun gathering for Jeep fans and sometimes new Jeep models are shown there.
The Easter Jeep Safari is an annual off-road event held in Moab, Utah, where Jeep enthusiasts gather to explore challenging trails and showcase modified vehicles. It is a significant event in the off-roading community and often features new Jeep model debuts and aftermarket parts.
cap rotor plugs and wires
""I got the cap rotor plugs and wires changed on the TJ""
The cap, rotor, plugs, and wires help your car's engine start and run smoothly by sending electricity to the right places. Changing them keeps your car working well.
These are ignition system components: the cap and rotor distribute electrical current to the spark plugs, while the plugs ignite the fuel-air mixture, and the wires carry the electrical current. Replacing them maintains engine performance and reliability.
Jeep TJ
""I got the cap rotor plugs and wires changed on the TJ""
The Jeep TJ is a type of Jeep Wrangler made between 1997 and 2006. It's popular for off-road driving and has a strong, simple suspension system.
The Jeep TJ is the second generation of the Jeep Wrangler, produced from 1997 to 2006. It is known for its solid axle suspension and classic off-road capabilities.
diff fluid
""As well as the front and rear diff fluid on the Gladiator""
Diff fluid is a special oil that helps the parts in your car's wheels move smoothly. Changing it keeps your car's wheels working well, especially if you drive off-road.
Differential fluid lubricates the gears inside a vehicle's differential, which allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds. Changing this fluid helps prevent wear and damage, especially in off-road vehicles.
Jeep Gladiator
"As well as the front and rear Diff fluid on the Gladiator It was productive"
The Jeep Gladiator is a truck that can drive on rough roads and carry heavy stuff. Changing the fluid in parts called differentials helps the truck work better and last longer when driving off-road.
The Jeep Gladiator is a midsize pickup truck known for combining Jeep's off-road capability with practical truck utility. Mentioning front and rear differential fluid relates to maintenance that ensures the drivetrain components operate smoothly, especially important for off-road performance.
Griffin Radiators
"I'm real fired up. So Griffin radiators and Felpro are at the top of my list of my crap list."
Griffin Radiators makes parts that help keep your car's engine cool, like radiators. These parts are often used when fixing or improving cars.
Griffin Radiators is a company specializing in manufacturing radiators and cooling system components for automotive applications. They are known for producing aftermarket parts used in vehicle repairs and upgrades.
Fel-Pro
"So Griffin radiators and Felpro are at the top of my list of my crap list."
Fel-Pro makes special seals called gaskets that help stop leaks in your car's engine. These seals are important when fixing or rebuilding engines.
Fel-Pro is a well-known manufacturer of gaskets and sealing products for automotive engines and components. Their products are commonly used in engine rebuilds and repairs to ensure proper sealing and prevent leaks.
AutoZone
"I'm also going to throw out AutoZone's Bering idler assemblies"
AutoZone is a store where you can buy car parts and accessories to fix or upgrade your vehicle.
AutoZone is a large American retailer and distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, known for selling aftermarket and OE parts.
OE parts
"Sometimes you even get OE parts in their box Right Which would be fantastic if we did that"
OE parts are the same parts that came with your car when it was new, so they usually fit better and last longer.
OE (Original Equipment) parts are components made by the same manufacturer that produced the parts originally installed on the vehicle, often considered higher quality and better fit.
Wrangler Rubicon
"Correct On my own 21 Gladiator Rubicon I've had a smell of coolant for ever"
The Wrangler is a Jeep that can go off-road. If you smell coolant, it might mean the engine is leaking or getting too hot, so it needs to be checked.
The Wrangler, referring to the Jeep Wrangler, is known for its off-road prowess. A persistent coolant smell can indicate a leak or overheating issue, which should be addressed to maintain engine health.
pressure test
"Pulled it in and did a pressure test. The middle of the radiator is leaking."
A pressure test is when a mechanic pumps air or fluid into the cooling system to see if it holds pressure. If it doesn't, it means there's a leak somewhere.
A pressure test is a diagnostic procedure used to check for leaks in a vehicle's cooling system by pressurizing it and observing if pressure drops, indicating a leak.
winch battery cables
""These winch battery cables were rubbing the radiator and that causes due stress to it""
Winch battery cables are thick wires that carry electricity from the car's battery to a winch, which is a tool used to pull heavy things.
Winch battery cables are heavy-duty electrical cables that connect a vehicle's battery to a winch, providing the power needed to operate the winch for pulling or lifting.
OE production
""Even his 50,000 mile JT radiator is OE production""
OE production means the part is made the same way as the original parts that came with the car when it was new.
OE production means Original Equipment production, referring to parts made by the original manufacturer or to the same specifications as the original parts installed on the vehicle.
Mishimoto
"I feel like we got a complaint about Mishimoto... The guy kind of let back the curtain"
Mishimoto is a company that makes better car parts to help keep engines cool, especially if the original parts have problems.
Mishimoto is an aftermarket automotive company specializing in performance cooling products such as radiators, intercoolers, and oil coolers, often used to upgrade or replace problematic original equipment.
all metal radiator
"That you're going to buy this all metal radiator It's going to be better than what you have Better than a plastic and metal one"
A radiator is a part that cools your car's engine. An all metal radiator means it is made fully from metal, which helps it last longer and cool better than ones made with plastic parts.
An all metal radiator is a cooling component made entirely of metal, typically aluminum or copper, which offers better durability and heat dissipation compared to radiators made with plastic tanks and metal cores.
original equipment
"Well and we were also seeing mass failure At the original equipment line"
Original equipment means the parts that the car maker puts on the car when it's new, not parts added later by other companies.
Original equipment refers to parts that come installed on a vehicle from the factory, as opposed to aftermarket parts which are added later by other manufacturers.
coolant
"Nate was actually asking about coolant Since you were talking about it Scott He's looking to replace a coolant on my 2020 Gladiator"
Coolant is a special liquid in a car that keeps the engine from getting too hot. It moves around inside the engine to cool it down.
Coolant is a liquid used in a vehicle's cooling system to regulate engine temperature and prevent overheating. It circulates through the engine and radiator to absorb and dissipate heat.
Champion
"We sell some Mishimoto We sell some champion Gosh I'm trying to think of who else we have At the moment, champion's been the best So far"
Champion makes parts for cars, like spark plugs and cooling parts, which help the car run well and not overheat.
Champion is a brand that produces automotive parts including spark plugs, cooling components, and other replacement parts, known for reliability in OEM and aftermarket markets.
flexed
""It looks like it was flexed It's a Jeep That we off-road with Of course The Jeep was flexed""
Flexed means the car's parts bend or twist when driving over bumpy or rough ground.
Flexed refers to the twisting or bending of a vehicle's suspension and chassis, common in off-road driving when wheels move independently over uneven terrain.
off-road
""It's a Jeep That we off-road with""
Off-road means driving a car on rough ground like dirt or rocks instead of smooth roads.
Off-road refers to driving a vehicle on unpaved surfaces such as dirt, mud, rocks, or sand, which requires specialized vehicle capabilities.
warranty
"And they say well Tell us about your warranty And I gotta be honest"
A warranty means the company promises to fix your car if something goes wrong within a certain time. It helps protect you from unexpected repair costs.
A warranty is a promise from the seller or manufacturer to repair or replace a vehicle or its parts if certain problems occur within a specified time or mileage.
transfer case
""You were getting a fully rebuilt transfer case. A new pump, new shift pads as needed. It had seals. It was completely clean.""
The transfer case is a part in some cars that helps send power to both the front and back wheels so the car can drive better on rough or slippery roads.
A transfer case is a part of the drivetrain in four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles that splits power between the front and rear axles, enabling power delivery to all wheels.
rebuilt
""You were getting a fully rebuilt transfer case. A new pump, new shift pads as needed. It had seals. It was completely clean.""
A rebuilt part is an old part that has been taken apart and fixed so it works like new again.
A rebuilt part is one that has been disassembled, inspected, repaired or replaced as needed, and reassembled to meet original specifications.
Jeep Wrangler
"Isolation to Our Wrangler radiators And before we get off of the cooling s..."
The Jeep Wrangler is a tough SUV that can go off-road easily. Talking about radiators means checking parts that keep the engine from getting too hot.
The Jeep Wrangler is a classic off-road SUV celebrated for its rugged design and strong aftermarket support. Discussion about radiators and cooling systems highlights common maintenance areas to prevent overheating during demanding use.
thermostat
"Hey, I went to my corner mechanic and he did my radiator or he did my thermostat and now I don't have heat"
The thermostat is a part that controls when the engine gets cooled down, making sure it warms up fast and stays at the right temperature.
The thermostat regulates the flow of coolant through the engine and radiator, helping the engine reach and maintain its optimal operating temperature quickly and efficiently.
bleeding the system
"And I took it back and they bled the system for 20 minutes and I still don't have heat"
Bleeding the system means getting rid of air bubbles in the car's cooling system so the heat can flow properly and your heater works.
Bleeding the cooling system involves removing trapped air from the coolant passages to ensure proper circulation and heating performance. Air pockets can prevent heat transfer and cause heating issues.
gaskets
"We wanted to talk about gaskets. Gasket technology in the last 20-25 years has really grown hugely on reliability, ease of assembly, kind of staying put. But we're having this problem with Fel-Pro gaskets specifically."
Gaskets are like seals that stop oil or coolant from leaking out of the engine so it works properly.
Gaskets are sealing components placed between engine parts to prevent leaks of fluids or gases, crucial for engine reliability and performance.
head gasket
""We believe that it was a breached Head gasket That's a whole other tech conversation for another day""
The head gasket is like a strong seal inside the engine that keeps important fluids separate and helps the engine work properly. If it breaks, the engine can get very hot and stop working right.
A head gasket is a critical seal between the engine block and cylinder head, preventing coolant and engine oil from mixing and maintaining compression in the cylinders. Failure of the head gasket can lead to engine overheating and significant damage.
Tesla Semi
"...d I'd love that But then I want to go get in the semi And I want to do big truck things"
The Tesla Semi is a big electric truck that carries heavy loads without using gas. People talk about it because it shows how trucks might change in the future.
The Tesla Semi is an all-electric Class 8 truck designed to revolutionize freight transport with zero emissions and advanced technology. Discussing the Semi reflects interest in future trucking and electric vehicle innovations.
Ford Model T
"...als and stuff he was seeing I got Two door sedan model T body I completely took that apart"
The Ford Model T is one of the first cars ever made, a very old and important car. Taking it apart means fixing or learning how these early cars worked.
The Ford Model T is a historic car produced from 1908 to 1927, often credited with popularizing the automobile through mass production. Restoring or disassembling a Model T is significant for enthusiasts interested in automotive history and early car mechanics.
Chevrolet C10
"And let that run And start up my C10 and let that run So that was also good to hear s..."
The Chevrolet C10 is an old pickup truck that many people like to fix up. Getting it started means it's working again after some repairs.
The Chevrolet C10 is a classic American pickup truck from the 1960s and 1970s, prized for its style and durability. Starting and running a C10 often indicates maintenance or restoration progress, as these trucks are popular project vehicles.
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