How Many Miles Can a Jeep Wrangler Last: Are They Reliable?

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How Many Miles Can a Jeep Wrangler Last

In a hurry? Here is the short answer: The numbers vary based on a few different factors. An older, decently cared for Jeep Wrangler can last up to 200,000 miles meanwhile, a Jeep Wrangler in perfectly good condition with frequent maintenance can last up to 400,000 miles. The numbers ultimately depend on how well you take care of it!

The Wrangler is one of Jeep’s most popular and well-known models out there. They are such cool vehicles and are a huge favorite that is loved by many Jeep enthusiasts everywhere. They’re indisputably cool because of the fact that they can be seen four-wheel driving through all different types of areas like snow, the beach, the mountains or just cruising through your local friendly neighborhood. Wherever you look, there’s a place for Jeep Wranglers.

If you’re thinking about buying your very own, you might be wondering exactly how long these babies can actually last to be sure you’re making a sound decision. So, let’s dive in and find out!

Wondering how many miles Jeep Wranglers can last is a logical question, but it doesn’t actually have an entirely clear-cut answer. The numbers vary based on a few different factors. An older, decently cared for Jeep Wrangler can last up to 200,000 miles meanwhile, a Jeep Wrangler in perfectly good condition with frequent maintenance can last up to 400,000 miles. The numbers depend on how well you take care of it!

Due to the manufacturing of these great vehicles, they are made for the toughest conditions. As the newer models continue to come out, there are many that can definitely push the limits of the typical car can handle. One of the most popular reasons that the Jeep Wrangler is still in the market nowadays is because they are known for being one of the longest lasting vehicles out there.

When someone is looking for a car that is trustworthy, and won’t leave them on the side of the road, the Jeep Wrangler is the one that should come to mind. Since the days of World War II, these cars have always been used in tough situations and have always been there when people needed it to get around.

The Jeep Wrangler has changed a lot throughout the years and different models have been released, but the same quality and longevity have stuck through thick and thin (although in this article we reveal the Jeep Wrangler years to avoid).

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How to make your Jeep Wrangler last longer

There are a few ways that can make your Jeep Wrangler last longer overall. First, you must take your Jeep Wrangler for an oil change every 6 months or 5,000 miles and make sure that you also rotate the tires on it at least once a year.

Jeep Wranglers are meant to be the car for a heavy-duty individual who enjoys taking trips and feels that they need a larger car without moving onto a truck. This vehicle is very durable and can resist almost anything thrown at it. These cars are made proven to last.

If you are looking into purchasing a Jeep Wrangler from the 2000’s, you must take it to be checked by a trusted mechanic. Most people do not change out the serpentine belt, so that is a must. It is very important to keep yourself safe by servicing things on your Jeep Wrangler such as your brakes, belts, fluids, and electrical wires regularly.

Items that wear out

Contrary to popular belief, Jeep Wranglers are not as high maintenance as you actually think. There are only a few items that wear out, but with proper care and maintenance, you can have your Jeep Wrangler in tip-top shape and within your budget. Keep in mind here are some items that can wear out on a Jeep Wrangler:

Tires

Due to the Jeep Wrangler being an all-terrain vehicle, the tires can wear out from going any and everywhere. A lot of people use these vehicles to go mudding or driving up mountains. This can cause some wear and tear on the tires. Most tires have wear bars that can be found between the tread blocks. What this tells you is that the tire is approaching the end of its useful life.

Tires should be replaced when you hit around 40,000 miles of use on them. They start to lose their grip and that is when you realize you’ll need some new tires. As mentioned before, rotating your tires every other oil change is essential in keeping your Jeep Wrangler in excellent condition. A good replacement all terrain tire worth considering is the Goodyear Wrangler Trailrunner.

Suspension System

Since Jeep Wranglers are known for driving off-road, it’s possible for the suspension system to flatten out. Even though these vehicles are known to be highly durable, it is necessary to give attention to the suspension system. Checking your suspension system should be as routine as getting an oil change for your Jeep Wrangler.

When a Jeep Wrangler is used very often, they may start to lean more when making turns, shake a bit more when hitting speedbumps in the road or even have a stiffer steering wheel. Suspension parts wear out on a gradual basis. There are several suspension system parts that typically need to be replaced more than others such as the leaf spring, U-bolt, or leaf spring bolts.

A good aftermarket alternative is the Daystar shackle bushing kit which fits 1987 to 1996 models. The price is very affordable and the kit reduces body roll for improved road handling.

Daystar shackle bushing kit

 

These items are what keep your leaf springs connected to the axle. These too can wear out over time due to road fragments and severe weather conditions.

Shock absorbers

It’s almost impossible to assign a number of years or miles as to how long shock absorbers really last. There are so many factors that go into it, but they do tend to wear out over time and it is something you definitely should be keeping an eye on.

They typically can last about 4-5 years as a rule of thumb for a regularly used vehicle – less if the vehicle has been subject to more use than normal. A good tip is to have your shock absorbers inspected initially at 40,000 miles or 50,000 miles and then annually every single year after that. While you are replacing your shock absorbers it may also be worth looking at upgrading the shocks such as these ones from Bilstein rather than replacing with standard kit.

Rear brakes

Did you know your rear brakes could potentially wear out faster than your front brakes?  The brake pads typically last 40,000 miles and should be changed out every so often. On newer vehicles, they tend to wear out unevenly. More often than not, the rear rotors have noticeable wear meanwhile the front pads/rotors are still looking brand new.

How quickly these wear out depends on how much the person is driving and what kind of terrain they are driving on most of the time. If your Jeep Wrangler starts making strange noises, it’s best to make sure you check the brakes on them as soon as possible.

If you are planning to change the brakes, then similar to the suspension parts, it may be worth considering a performance upgrade. The PowerStop Performance Front & Rear Brake Upgrade Kit is available for popular Jeep models and includes drilled and slotted front and rear rotors plus performance ceramic disc pads.

Soft top

Jeep Wranglers have the option of using a soft top or a hard top. Since the soft top is made of sailcloth vinyl, it is more likely to wear down over the years compared to a hard top that is sturdy. The UV rays deteriorate the soft top and in order to prevent your Jeep Wrangler from having a worn down soft top you must be cautious of a few things.

First, if you live somewhere that has tough weather patterns like snow, rain, hail, or intense storms you have to park your Jeep Wrangler in your garage or find a covered location to park it. This will protect the soft top from the outside elements that are out of your control.

If the soft top does need a good clean then use a specialist cleaner and a convertible top horse hair brush to bring it back to life.

If you do find any tear in your soft top then these can be fixed by using soft/convertible top repair kit such as this one from Gear Aid. Any larger tears will probably mean a trip to a specialist repairer or a brand new top.

Next, if you live somewhere very hot the windows will need to be replaced because after about 5 years they will start to wear down visibly due to the sun. Overall, with the proper care your soft top could stay in excellent condition over the years if you take the right measures of precaution.

In summary, your Jeep Wrangler can last for a very long time if you take the time to give it proper maintenance, pay attention to whether or not something needs to be replaced and you handle it with the care it deserves. Overall, the Jeep Wrangler can be a great addition to your family and can be around for many years to come.

 


More information

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