Exploring the age-old debate of old Jeep versus new Jeep, this episode dives into the pros and cons of each option. Host Nile Motormow Jenkins shares insights from his extensive experience in automotive repair, discussing reliability, maintenance costs, and the emotional connection many have with their vehicles. The episode also touches on common misconceptions about Jeep ownership and highlights the importance of understanding vehicle history before making a purchase. Listeners will gain valuable tips on what to consider when choosing between a classic and a modern Jeep.
"And Yeah-it's officially February 2nd, GroundHog Day here in the Car Connection workshop. Funny thing is, a lot of car problems feel like Groundhog Day too-same failures, same mistakes, over and over-unless you change the maintenance pattern."
In today's Monday Morning Drive, we break down the real differences between older Jeeps and newer Jeeps -not just the price tag, but the pattern failures, maintenance realities, and ownership mindset that come with each.
Whether you love the simplicity of an older Jeep or the tech and comfort of a newer one, every year, make, and model has it's quirks, The key isn't avoiding problems-it's understanding them and staying ahead of the curve with preventative and scheduled maintenance.
Jeep owners get it. They know their ride isn't perfect, but they love it anyway. And with the right maintenance strategy - think fleet-style thinking-you can reduce surprises, and keep your vehicle on the road for the long haul.
It's a Jeep thing....but the lesson applies to every vehicle.
It's Groundhog Day in the workshop - and if you don't change your maintenance habits, your car problems will keep repeating too.
More episodes and ... project details & links are available at Car Connection Business Network.com(ccbusnet.com) you'll find everything on our home page if you'd like to follow the build/repair work we do & connect with our program partners click their logo to connect Thank You! Grab some Car Connection Motormouth Gear to join the crew, and help us support those struggling with addiction get to a Total Freedom Addiction Campus Canada & USA where a new life awaits them. Happy Healthy Motoring Friends, Tnx for listening & watching. Peace, Patience, Kindness Always, Nile Motormouth Jenkins. NMJ
"...we don't just talk cars, we live them. Whether it's a 25-year-old Jeep Wrangler"
The Jeep Wrangler is a tough, off-road vehicle that can drive on rough surfaces like dirt and rocks. It's a favorite for people who love outdoor activities and adventures.
The Jeep Wrangler is a compact and mid-size four-wheel drive off-road vehicle known for its ruggedness and versatility. It's popular among off-road enthusiasts for its ability to handle tough terrains and is often associated with outdoor adventures.
"...ler getting a second chance at life for a Nissan Rogue getting its brakes back in order,"
The Nissan Rogue is a small SUV that is popular for being comfortable and good on gas. It's a great option for families because it has a lot of space and safety features. People often talk about it because it’s reliable and easy to drive.
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV that has gained a reputation for its practicality, comfort, and fuel efficiency since its debut in the mid-2000s. It is often discussed for its family-friendly features and advanced safety technologies, making it a popular choice among consumers. Recent models have also focused on improving driving dynamics and interior quality.
"Things like oil coolers, oil filter housings, intake manifolds, they're all made of plastic and it's not working out."
An oil cooler is like a small radiator for your engine oil. It keeps the oil from getting too hot, which helps the engine run better and last longer.
An oil cooler is a component that helps regulate the temperature of the engine oil, ensuring it remains at optimal operating temperatures. This is crucial for maintaining engine performance and longevity.
"Things like oil coolers, oil filter housings, intake manifolds, they're all made of plastic and it's not working out."
The intake manifold is like a big tube that brings air into the engine. It helps mix the air with fuel so the engine can run smoothly.
The intake manifold is a component that distributes the air-fuel mixture to the engine's cylinders. It is critical for engine performance and efficiency.
"Things like oil coolers, oil filter housings, intake manifolds, they're all made of plastic and it's not working out."
The oil filter housing is where the oil filter connects to the engine. It helps keep the oil clean by filtering out dirt and debris.
The oil filter housing is the part of the engine that holds the oil filter in place. It plays a key role in ensuring that the engine oil is properly filtered and circulated throughout the engine.
"...particularly on the 3.6 liter Pentastar in the Jeeps, if you open the hood, all you see is plastic,..."
The 3.6 liter Pentastar is a type of engine made by Chrysler that is used in many Jeep and Dodge vehicles. It's designed to be powerful while also saving fuel.
The 3.6 liter Pentastar is a V6 engine produced by Chrysler, known for its balance of performance and efficiency. It's commonly used in various Jeep and Dodge models, providing a good mix of power and fuel economy.
"...all you see is plastic, plastic intake, plastic oil filter, oil cooler housing."
A plastic intake is a part of the engine that brings air into it. It's made of plastic to keep the engine lighter, but it can break down if it gets too hot.
A plastic intake refers to the intake manifold made from plastic material, which helps reduce weight and costs. However, it can be prone to heat-related degradation over time, especially in high-temperature environments.
A plastic oil filter is a part that cleans the oil in the engine. It's made of plastic to save weight and cost, but it might not be as strong as metal ones.
A plastic oil filter is a type of oil filter made from plastic materials, which can be lighter and cheaper than traditional metal filters. However, they may have different durability and performance characteristics.
Valve covers are like lids on top of the engine that keep everything inside clean and prevent oil from leaking out.
Valve covers are protective covers that sit on top of the engine's cylinder head, enclosing the valve train and preventing oil from leaking out. They also help to keep dirt and debris out of the engine.
The thermostat housing is where the thermostat sits. It helps control the temperature of the engine by managing the flow of coolant.
The thermostat housing is a component that holds the thermostat in place and connects the engine to the cooling system. It regulates the flow of coolant to maintain the engine's operating temperature.
"You're leaking coolant into the motor, into the engine itself, into the motor oil. You got motor oil leaking out everywhere..."
Coolant is a liquid that helps keep your car's engine from getting too hot. It moves around the engine to absorb heat and then cools down in the radiator.
Coolant is a fluid used in engines to regulate temperature and prevent overheating. It circulates through the engine and absorbs heat, which is then dissipated through the radiator.
"...into the engine itself, into the motor oil. You got motor oil leaking out everywhere from around valve covers, intakes."
Motor oil is a liquid that keeps the engine parts moving smoothly. It helps prevent damage and keeps the engine cool by carrying away heat.
Motor oil lubricates the moving parts of an engine, reducing friction and preventing wear. It also helps to clean the engine and cool it by carrying heat away from the moving parts.
"And the rear differential lockup unit, even on the newer models, the sensor inside that locks up the differential goes bad."
The rear differential lockup unit helps the car's rear wheels work together better, especially when traction is low. It can lock the wheels to make sure they turn at the same speed, which helps the car grip the road better.
The rear differential lockup unit is a component that helps distribute power to the rear wheels, improving traction by locking the differential when needed. This is particularly useful in off-road or slippery conditions.
"...as it is. I like that, but I really like the 70s Bronco. I like that look."
The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that was first made in the 1960s and is known for being great for off-road driving. Many people love the older models from the 1970s because they look cool and remind them of a different time. It's a popular choice for those who enjoy outdoor adventures.
The Ford Bronco is an iconic SUV that was first introduced in the 1960s and gained popularity for its rugged design and off-road capabilities. The 1970s models are particularly cherished for their classic styling and are often sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. Its significance lies in its representation of American automotive history and adventure culture.
"I've got a 67 Chevy on the lift right now. Mr. Greenjeans will be out this summer..."
The 1967 Chevy refers to Chevrolet cars made in that year, which are often sought after by collectors and fans of classic cars.
The 1967 Chevrolet models are known for their classic styling and performance. They are popular among car enthusiasts for restoration and customization.
"...where the other Jeep parts are and then we'll do one big Jeep sale sometime in the early summer..."
A Jeep garage sale is when someone sells different parts and accessories for Jeep vehicles, usually at a lower price. It's a good chance for Jeep owners to find what they need for repairs or upgrades.
A Jeep garage sale refers to an event where various Jeep parts and accessories are sold, often at discounted prices. This can be a great opportunity for enthusiasts to find specific components for their vehicles or to purchase items in bulk for restoration projects.
"It was all bastardized in there. That's another term for customized it."
When someone says a car is 'bastardized', it means the car has been changed in ways that might not be good, using different parts that don't fit together properly.
In automotive terms, 'bastardized' refers to modifications that may not adhere to the original design or specifications, often resulting in a mix of parts or systems that don't work well together.
"So now we're at the phase where all that stuff is done. The cooling system, changing the engine, putting a clutch in, changing the fluids"
The cooling system helps keep the engine from getting too hot. It moves a special liquid called coolant around to cool down the engine parts.
The cooling system in a vehicle is responsible for regulating the engine temperature, preventing overheating by circulating coolant through the engine and radiator.
"The cooling system, changing the engine, putting a clutch in, changing the fluids"
A clutch is a part in cars with manual gears that helps the driver change gears by connecting and disconnecting the engine from the wheels.
The clutch is a critical component in manual transmission vehicles that allows the driver to engage and disengage the engine from the wheels, enabling smooth gear changes.
"in the differential, we gotta do the transmission"
The transmission is the part of the car that helps it change gears, allowing it to speed up or slow down. It connects the engine to the wheels and makes driving smoother.
The transmission is a crucial component that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. It allows the vehicle to change gears and control speed, playing a vital role in vehicle performance.
"the transmission and transfer case needs an oil change"
The transfer case is a part that helps send power to all four wheels in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. It allows the driver to switch between using just two wheels or all four wheels for better traction.
The transfer case is a component in four-wheel-drive vehicles that distributes power from the transmission to the front and rear axles. It enables the vehicle to switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive.
"and then we can put the front drive shaft that's fully rebuilt"
The drive shaft is a long metal rod that helps move power from the engine to the wheels. It spins to make the car go, especially in four-wheel-drive vehicles.
A drive shaft is a rotating shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the wheels. In four-wheel-drive vehicles, it connects the transfer case to the front and rear axles.
"Oh, mods, modifications that help and modifications that hurt reliability when it comes to an automobile."
Modifications are changes you make to a car to make it look or perform better. Some changes can help the car, while others might cause problems and make it less reliable.
Modifications, often referred to as 'mods', are changes made to a vehicle to enhance its performance, aesthetics, or functionality. While some modifications can improve a car's capabilities, others may negatively impact reliability and longevity.
"...their own daily driver that they customize and make it their own. And that's what I've learned about Jeepsters."
A daily driver is just a car that you use every day to get around. It's usually not a fancy car, but one that you can count on to work well for your daily needs.
A daily driver is a vehicle that is used regularly for everyday transportation, often prioritizing reliability and practicality over performance or luxury. It's typically a car that the owner drives to work, school, or other daily activities.
"...it's a family, a Jeepster family thing, and you can make your Jeep your Jeep the way you want it."
The Jeepster is an older model from Jeep that people love for its cool design and ability to drive off-road. Many fans enjoy fixing them up and making them their own.
The Jeepster is a classic vehicle produced by Jeep, known for its unique blend of off-road capability and style. It has a dedicated following among enthusiasts who appreciate its vintage appeal and versatility.
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Good morning, folks.
You're tuned to Car Connection
where the coffee's strong, the stories are real,
and the wrenches never stop turning.
I'm your host, Nile Motormow Jenkins,
coming to you from the Car Connection Workshop
where the smell of fresh oil, a little elbow grease,
is all part of a balanced breakfast.
And around here, we don't just talk cars, we live them.
Whether it's a 25-year-old Jeep Wrangler
getting a second chance at life for a Nissan Rogue
getting its brakes back in order,
or perhaps a mystery leak that's got everyone
scratching their heads.
This is where we roll up our sleeves,
get it done with a little wit, a little wisdom,
and a whole lot of fun.
The Car Connection isn't just about
nuts, bolts, and diagnostics, it's about connection.
Connection to our vehicles, to the people who drive them,
and to the community that keeps Niagara rolling.
Because when you fix a car, you're not just
turning a wrench, you're restoring someone's confidence,
freedom, and maybe even their sanity.
We're here every week, Monday through Saturday,
helping you keep your ride safe, reliable,
and ready for whatever road lies ahead.
So whether you're a weekend wrencher, a daily commuter,
or someone who just wants to understand
what that strange rattle really means.
Welcome aboard, stick around for shop talk,
expert advice, a few good laughs,
and maybe it'll jig a story, and I'll share that with you.
Well first and foremost this morning, welcome.
Thank you for letting me into your world,
into your car, or wherever you may be,
wherever you pull your podcasts from.
Remember we are on all major platforms,
Spotify, Amazon, Apple, and wherever you pull
your podcasts from, just type our name in there,
Car Connection Workshop, and you'll find us.
We have over 75 podcasts, almost 200 YouTube videos
that don't teach you five things all the time.
So whether you know a little about cars or nothing,
or you want to save money on your auto repairs,
keep the bills under control,
and keep your car as long as you want.
If that is of interest to you, then this podcast
and our YouTube channel will be where you need to be.
And pick up on those videos.
Go all the way back to the beginning and watch them.
Watch some of the newer ones, and then go back
and collect the older ones, because I go through
a bunch of basics all the way through.
So no matter what we've worked on last summer, last week,
and this morning, after the podcast,
we'll be shooting some more videos.
We put three new videos up on our YouTube channel
every single week, two for Tuesday,
and one every Friday as we head into the weekend.
And you'll learn all the basic fundamentals
of vehicle ownership that will save you time, money,
a few bloody knuckles, and a lot less stress,
and being able to give your vehicle longevity.
That's when you're making money.
That's when you are putting money back in your wallet.
That's right, that's what I'm here for,
is to help you to get the better understanding
around fleet maintenance.
Treating your vehicle as though it is a fleet vehicle.
And if you have multiple vehicles in the driveway,
whether you wanna believe it or not,
you have a little miniature fleet going.
And once you buy into the idea of looking at your automobile
as it's part of a service fleet,
that vehicle is servicing you,
it's providing a service to you
to be able to do everything
that you need to accomplish every week.
Well, let's kick off this morning
with a morning swiggy right away
before your beverage gets cold.
So if you're just scooting through the drive-through,
double check your order, lock it down in your cup holder,
get out on the road, and keep an eye on the other guy,
and keep an eye on the roadway.
We are still deep up to our foreheads in winter.
I did apply for a January thaw,
but it looks as though denied.
That's all I could say, we did not get that.
We did not.
So whatever your favorite morning beverage is,
grab hold of it, we count it down three, two, one,
and have a swiggy together.
Ready?
Three, two, one.
That's really good this morning.
Maybe I'll pause right here.
No, I won't do that.
We got a lot to get through in a short period of time
to get there.
That's real good.
Real good.
This morning we're gonna be talking about,
and I'm gonna tie a bunch of things in with it.
Last week, I did a segment, a podcast
on what Jeep owners do that mechanics hate.
And I couldn't believe when I did my research,
I was well over into 90 minutes,
still listening to mechanics that are asked,
what vehicle would you,
what vehicle do you hate the most and why?
And you know, I could not believe how many texts
said BMW, Hyundai, Kia, and Jeep.
Jeep was like, not even like a nice, I hate it.
Oh, I hate those things.
They're junk.
Yeah.
Well, you know what?
There's good and bad and all.
So this morning, we're gonna continue that just a little bit,
and I'm gonna wrap in all automobiles into it
because there's one thing that I used to do
for people 31 years on the radio.
I would be asked one particular question
by email or live on the air
over and over and over and over again
till I finally got to the point where I'm going,
hey, wait a minute, I'm wasting my breath here.
I need to rethink my answer to that number one question.
And you're probably wondering what that is, right?
Well, you'll have to stick around
because I think you'll enjoy this one.
If you wanna listen or re-listen,
the biggest drawer in our toolbox
and everything that we talk about,
whether it's on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram,
iHeartRadio here with our motor mouth morning drive podcast,
Stephensville on the web.ca.
Everything ties back into the homepage
of our website at carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com.
That's the short form is ccbusnet.com.
But if you can't get this while you're driving
and your co-pilot is fast asleep already,
he's spilling coffee on the seat again, pinch them first.
Then those go out and they go, like, what?
What?
Well, why did you pinch me?
I didn't pinch you.
Why would I pinch you?
Let him think about it.
So if you head to our website in the top right-hand corner,
our webmasters put all the links there
for everything for you to connect, follow, share, like,
and be a part of our car connection and motor mouth.
There are logos for all the businesses
that bring this podcast to you and our YouTube videos.
We're blessed, very blessed to have them come along
after walking away from radio after 31 years
and now going total digital.
It's something we, it was me holding it up.
We should have done it like three, four, five years ago
and we didn't, but here we are and we're rolling.
All the logos for the businesses that you hear mentioned
on car connection or on our YouTube channel
or on our homepage, click on their logo
and it opens a beautiful profile page
where you can get all of their information
all in one place.
We also have a merch store, merchandise store
for car connection and motor mouth gear.
And when you make a purchase there,
you pick your color, your size, you order it,
pay for it safely online.
It gets shipped directly to your door
with proceeds helping those who are struggling
with addiction and addiction is not,
it does not pick its person, right?
It's not a specific age group or anything.
It hits home really hard with a lot of families.
So through total freedom, Canada and USA campuses,
the campuses are there to help them
get through their addiction to a new life,
a new heart, a new lifestyle.
And so we wanna help that along by giving them proceeds
from the sales of our merchandise.
So make sure you grab yourself a limited edition
car connection coffee mug.
It doesn't have to be strictly coffee in there,
make it your own personal mug and enjoy it.
And thank you for doing that.
So know that when you buy merch or car connection merch,
that you're helping someone who's struggling with addiction
to get to one of total freedoms addiction campuses
and start working towards that new life.
And that is so cool that we all work together.
Well, let's see what we got for weather.
It is a brand new week and it is officially,
do you know what today is?
Anybody?
It's International Groundhog Day.
That's a big deal around the car connection workshop.
We have our Groundhog posted up on the shop door
for over a week.
You can't go beyond a week
because apparently that's a full paw yet.
So our Groundhog has been posted
and helping us to get into that
International Groundhog Day celebration.
So let's hope that Wyrton Willie,
I don't know what generation we're on, what Jan
and Punxsutawney Phil hopefully will tell us
we only have five weeks of winter
because I heard there's a bit of a coup going
with about nine angry golfers with nine irons.
I've warned the brown furry missiles
and said you may want to rethink the outcome.
Yeah, absolutely.
So today's weather, if you're in the Niagara region,
I'll tell you, by the south shores of Lake Curie,
the snow banks are so high,
it's very difficult to get out of your driveway now
unless you're in a big four by four,
four wheel drive rig.
Eight degrees right now, partly cloudy,
wind is making it feel colder about two degrees.
Cloudy conditions expected around 10 a.m.
Today's temperature range, ready for it?
Don't scream too loud.
Seven degrees to 22 degrees.
And it feels like one degree to 14 degrees, come on.
The high temperature today is higher than yesterday.
Yippee!
That's all I got to say.
That's what we got.
Do we have any precept here on the scale?
Zeroes, we have zero in the last 24
and in the next 24, zero inches.
Thank you, because I still think my snowblower
is still glowing.
The engine block is still glowing this morning.
All right, let's jump into conversation.
Before we do that, I'd like to thank
City Auto Sales and Leasing
for making this podcast possible.
Earl and Louise Grant, fantastic car couple.
And they love, love, love what they do
for well over 20 plus years now,
providing low mileage quality vehicles at fair prices.
And they have great resources.
I have never seen pre-owned vehicles
as pristine as what they put out
at City Auto Sales and Leasing.
Amazing, they're outstanding.
And that's why they're a part of Car Connection.
I stayed away from car lots and dealerships
being part of our program for a long time
for that specific reason.
I just did not feel good about the quality of stuff.
Quality of service, quality of product.
No, and I finally just said,
no, no, no, no, then Louise gives me a call
and we hit it off, they've been with us.
I think we're in like our eighth or ninth year now.
We're really blessed to have them
because they want to make sure
that you get the best possible vehicle you can
for your money.
So that's how they've earned the title.
Greater Toronto Areas, premier pre-owned auto stores.
So if they don't have what you're looking for
in their inventory, let Earl and Louise
do all the legwork for you
through their line of resources.
We'll save you a thousand steps.
They sell no junk whatsoever.
And Earl will make sure that he finds the best
of the best of the best just for you.
So City Auto Sales and Leasing, buy with confidence.
Be treated with nothing less than honesty and integrity.
Well, this morning's title,
don't turn the dial off when I say
we're gonna be talking about old Jeeps versus new Jeeps,
which one actually makes sense.
I'm gonna wrap that in with a number
of different makes and models.
And then I'm gonna let you into that ultimate question
that I was asked for 31 years all the time.
And then I would do all my homework
and research the best of the best top 10 automobiles
for you to purchase and guess what would happen?
Exactly, they would never buy one of my top 10.
And how did I select the top 10?
Was based on what vehicles were always making their way
into our service base on the Hamilton Mountain
with Jenkins Automotive and Repairs,
because we did cars, trucks, equipment, buses.
Yeah, we were geared up for all of that.
But when you're working on the stuff,
all the vehicles all the time,
you get to see which ones are reliable
and which ones suck with a K.
But as I've mentioned before,
if you know the pattern failures,
tied to the specific vehicle that you're driving
before you're gonna drive before ownership,
before you own it, then you can stay ahead of the curve
by using the fleet maintenance idea.
That concept will help you stay ahead
of those shortcomings.
Because I don't care what you're driving,
what year maker model, but I was really surprised
how many techs when I spent 90 minutes researching
what mechanics hate about jeeps
and what Jeep owners do
that really make them hate them even more.
I was really shocked to hear the lineup of the vehicles
that pretty much I'm gonna say out of all the techs
that I heard their feedback to that question,
which was, what vehicles do you hate the most and why?
And BMW came up a lot.
I'm gonna say like a lot.
And then Kia and Hyundai.
And Hyundai, I find we have one
and I find it's pretty decent.
Like it hasn't been problematic.
But there again, I'm using my own car connection
maintenance schedule to track the maintenance
because we have more than one vehicle
around the car connection workshop.
And if you get behind on your maintenance,
that's when your repair bills start to soar.
And yeah, other things get sore as well at the same time.
So we can work on that together.
We're actually going to be shooting the video
that will totally outline the car connection
maintenance schedule kit.
So you can see how elaborate it is
that you've gotta be a rocket scientist to use it, not.
It's simple.
It is so simple.
When you get to see that video on our YouTube channel,
we're gonna, we'll shoot it today
and then we will get it scheduled quickly
so that you can get to it because it's important
that you see how it works, that you get that understanding.
And it's even with these Jeeps,
they have a plethora of problems.
But why do Jeep lovers love their Jeep?
It's a communal thing.
That's my conclusion.
You know, we're finishing, we're doing really, really well
on the 97 Jeep TJ Wrangler rescue.
And you know, I didn't know anything about Jeeps really.
In fact, at my own shop,
I just like tell them, you know,
it's better that you take it to a Jeep guy, honestly.
I didn't even wanna touch them.
So after working on this one, I get it.
I get it.
They're not, the older ones are very neanderthal.
There's nothing prestigious about it whatsoever.
The way it's built, how it's put together
is very neanderthal.
But that's just it.
You know, when they brought those,
the Jeeps out in the war,
it say those Jeeps saved the war
because it was a vehicle that could go anywhere.
They were rugged and they've kept that rugged
kind of appearance for a while.
Now you got the newer gen.
And there's a lot of fellas and fellas out there.
They love their Jeep.
And then there's the older crowd
that likes the older Jeeps.
Then there's the younger crowd
that likes the older Jeeps, better than the newer ones.
And then there's those that are both.
They have an older one, they love an older model
and they have a new model.
But the thing about the new model
is too much plastic under the hood.
And seeing that on a lot of vehicles,
the plastic is getting way too much heat
and these components, they break down.
Things like oil coolers, oil filter housings,
intake manifolds, they're all made of plastic
and it's not working out.
There's too much under the hood temperatures
to prevent that plastic from degrading
and that's what's happening.
We're seeing it everywhere.
And particularly on the 3.6 liter penistar in the Jeeps,
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