How many miles can a jeep wrangler last?
Jeep wranglers have been in production since the 1980s and are still being produced today. A few vehicles were built during that period that is still in production while many others stopped being produced. In this article, we’ll see how many miles can a jeep wrangler last?
This tells you that the jeep wrangler has survived the test of time and that people who buy wranglers love them. If you pay attention closely, you’ll notice that there are jeep wranglers from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s on the road, and others are still being sold from one owner to the next.
A jeep wrangler can last for around 280,000 miles straight from the factory with very minimal maintenance practices. Still, suppose you are a good owner, and you pay attention to every sound or issue before it gets worse. In that case, you can drive your wrangler for around 450,000 miles before significant issues start to arise.
You might even find one with all the original components, which shows that it has been appropriately maintained. If this is the case, the wrangler has only been owned by one or two owners.
However, some owners just drive their wranglers carelessly and do not care about car maintenance and anything else that affects the car’s lifespan. If you do this, you’ll be permanently parking your wrangler in a yard due to the cost of returning it to its former glory.
But jeeps are known to “take a beating” regardless of how you use it. There will still be some life in it. At this point, you already have an idea of what you are replacing or what needs to be rebuilt on your wrangler.
You may need to have the engine overhauled, suspension rebuilt, and all the shafts replaced depending on their condition or how you use your wrangler.
What makes jeep wranglers last longer in terms of build quality?
The jeep wrangler is one of the very few SUVs made with the off-roading build quality. Thus, the components used are made to be durable, with some made to last a lifetime.
- You can drive off with your new jeep wrangler to an offroad trail and not be worried about anything breaking. Some of the basic requirements for off-road vehicles are well done on jeep wranglers.
- A good ground clearance and wheel placement and an excellent four-wheel-drive system contribute to the off-road capability of a jeep wrangler. A good approach angle, departure angle, and turnover angle are among jeep wranglers’ features over other SUVs.
- You get your wrangler with a locking slip differential and disconnecting sway bars straight from the factory, thus enhancing your off-road experience.
- The jeep wrangler has a coil-over suspension system which makes it suitable for driving on-road and off-road without compromising comfort and safety.
- You can get optional features such as all-terrain tires, a skid plate that protects vital components, thus increasing their lifespan, and a traction control system that comes in handy when driving in snow or sand.
- Higher spec jeep wranglers such as the Rubicon spec are known to last longer than standard wranglers as they are equipped with better features than standard.
For example, the Wrangler Rubicon comes standard with all-terrain or optional mud tires, chassis calibration, and a better powertrain and drivetrain made explicitly for offroad driving.
If you get a high spec wrangler, you don’t need to upgrade it with aftermarket components unless when necessary. Besides, high spec wranglers are highly-priced, and spending more on a very capable wrangler is not required.
Which year jeep wrangler was the worst?
Sadly, there are manufacturer faults that affect the lifespan of a car, and it happens with cars produced over a specific period.
Jeep Wrangler 2012 Model
The 2012 model was considered the worst model since jeep wranglers were first produced. Some even said that the first production model built in 1987 was better in so many ways.
There were many recalls for wranglers produced in 2012 for the frame, suspension, and steering-related issues that caused a “death wobble” if the wrangler was driven at highway speeds. The frame also flexed a lot when off-roading, leading to cracks in the frame.
There also were engine issues that forced the owners to replace the engine or pay high costs to fix it. The engine shuts off when accelerating, which is dangerous for the occupants and other road users. Sometimes the engine fails to start because of a faulty wireless control module.
Other issues with the 2012 model included water leakages from the A-pillar and throttle sensor failure. Such problems were not caused by wear and tear but were classified as a manufacturer fault, and that is why a large number of jeep wranglers from 2012 were recalled.
Jeep Wrangler 2008 Model
The 2008 jeep wrangler is the second-worst jeep wrangler, but it had more issues than the 2012 jeep wrangler. The engine stalled or failed due to a faulty integrated power module. The problem did not go away even after replacing the module, which was very expensive.
The electrical wiring system was done poorly and led to the malfunctioning of some functions such as the AC system, rear windshield defroster, and sometimes the horn honked by itself.
Other issues were just like the 2012 model. Front and rear differentials had a pinion ring leak, and transfer case leaks were among the problems in the 2008 model.
The 2008 model had more issues than the 2012 model, which had lesser points, but they were more fatal to the lifespan of the wrangler.
Which year jeep wrangler were the best?
Wranglers produced from 2015 are the best wranglers ever built with increasing sales and better customer feedback. Wranglers produced from 1987 to 2006 are also good if you happen to find one with a good maintenance schedule. These are very minor issues that can be solved with good maintenance.
But regardless of the year of production, ensure that you have a well-planned maintenance schedule as this is the main factor that affects the lifespan of your wrangler. If you are looking to buy an old wrangler, check on major common issues for their year of production.
How to Ensure that your jeep wrangler lasts long?
You can normalize practices, which will contribute to your wrangler’s durability. Such methods require planning and do not take up many costs. If you ignore such practices, you will incur more costs when replacing and repairing damaged or worn-out components.
Good Driving Habits
The jeep wrangler has a steady build from the factory, which is something that all jeep wranglers have. You’ll find an early 2000s wrangler with the same frame it came out of the production line, among other components. But this does not mean you can drive your wrangler as you please.
For example, when off-roading, you are advised to drive at slow, steady speeds. Some obstacles, such as huge rocks, can destroy the frame of your wrangler upon impact and significant parts of the drivetrain, such as the driveshafts and axle shafts.
Such obstacles are blind to the eye when driving fast, and even when you notice them, it will be too late to react. If the offroad course you are taking has a water body in it and you have to go through it, check the depth and compare it with your wrangler’s maximum wading depth.
If the water depth is more profound, find an alternative route instead of putting the engine at risk. If you knew better, you could have gotten a snorkel installed, which is easy, and you can do it by yourself.
When carrying or towing loads with your jeep wrangler, ensure that it is within the indicated limits in the owner’s manual. If you tow or carry excess loads, you put the engine, transmission, suspension, and frame at risk.
All of which are significant components of your jeep wrangler. If you end up wrecking such parts, your wrangler can be deemed totaled.
Have a maintenance schedule for your wrangler
Maintaining your wrangler after some miles after a specific period is highly recommended regardless of your driving habits. You can decide to do it at every 20,000 miles or after every 6 months of driving.
Refilling or filling in the required oil, greasing parts that need greasing, and replacing whatever needs to be replaced depending on the condition.
When carrying out maintenance schedules, inspection on essential components is also done. For example, when draining the differential fluid and you notice that there are metal filings in the oil, it shows that the internals has been grinding against each other.
You’ll need a new transfer case any time soon. Filling in new oil immediately when you hear sounds from the transfer case helps avoid such issues.
The same case applies to engine oil. You may notice gasket pieces and metal filings, a sign of worn-out gasket and engine internals.
Most wrangler owners assume that maintenance only entails the engine and suspension, but this is not the case. Check every moving part, including removing the wheels and checking the axle U-joints.
Some serious owners will even have their wranglers stripped down and reinstalled again to ensure everything is in perfect working condition.
Pay attention to your wrangler
As the owner, you should pay attention to any weird sounds or vibrations from your wrangler. You’ll hear such noises when driving but ensure that you look into it when you get some time.
Inspect significant parts of your wrangler before you set out on a weekend expedition or a long drive upcountry. Any minor issue that you notice could get worse quicker than you expected, and it could have gotten fixed, but you chose to ignore it.
Some checks are simple such as checking the oil levels, air filter, tires, and wheel alignment. It may seem like it’s not necessary, but it goes a long way.
What is good mileage for a used jeep wrangler?
A jeep wrangler can last for over 400,000 miles, depending on how it has been driven and maintained by the previous owner, it is what matters most. But it is recommended that you get one under 200,000 miles on it if you want to drive it for long before significant issues start to occur.
Should you buy a jeep wrangler if it has over 400,000 miles?
Wranglers will start having significant issues at around 380,000 miles. Regardless of the maintenance records and the car’s physical condition, it’s not a good idea.
If it still has the OEM components on it, you’ll only use it for another 100,000 miles before you start replacing significant components.
But it can be a bargain if the previous owner has replaced the components that are bound to be replaced in future. You can consider if the replacement components are better than the OEM ones. Most previous owners with high mileage wranglers have done extensive upgrades to their wranglers, increasing their lifespan.
Do aftermarket components and modifications affect the mileage of jeep wrangler?
This depends on the quality of the components you replace the OEM components with. Suppose the aftermarket components you have are of lower quality.
In that case, you’ll end up replacing them sooner than you thought. Poor quality aftermarket components will also affect other parts you have on your wrangler.
You’ll need to remove some OEM components when installing some aftermarket components. For example, when installing larger wheels and tires, you’ll need to change the axle shafts and driveshafts, sometimes the transfer case.
This is because such upgrades cannot work with OEM components, and even if you try, it won’t be long before you break your wrangler. You might also need to add some supporting parts.
For example, when installing a steel aftermarket bumper, you’ll need to drill in holes for the bumper mounts depending on the weight and size of the bumper.
Conclusion
Regardless of when your wrangler was produced, it’s up to you to determine for how long you’ll have it. Not having a maintenance schedule or a poor maintenance schedule will negatively affect your wrangler’s lifespan.
If you cannot maintain a good maintenance schedule, have it done for you by your local Jeep service center or an authorized third-party service center.
