Recent content by Cooper Smith

My TJ was a base model. Surprised it even had AC that worked. No ABS in the Ohio winters. I don't think ABS would've made much of a difference 99% of it is tires and driving style anyways. Is it a good thing to have? Yes. Would ABS be my sole roadblock from getting out of 3.07's on 31's? Hell...

Yeah, that's not a tick. That's more of a tap or a light knock. Time for a stethoscope and narrowing it down to at least which cylinder. (if any)

Could be your exhaust manifolds. Those can tick loud, especially under load. They tend to start when cold and stop when warmed up as the header/manifold heats up, expands, and seals the leak. Or vice versa. Gaskets are cheaper than a valve job. AFAIK lifter tick is usually apparent at idle too...

I hate having to fix vehicles because they're 30 years old, but fixing analog sensors with a 10 dollar multimeter wins over $5000 scan tools any day.

I saw something on Facebook yesterday about someone having to borrow a phone charger at a dealership as her phone died, and was also unfortunately the only way she could access her electric car. One step forward, and somehow two steps back.

My 2003 with a 2.4 and a 5 speed was $17,500ish MSRP including the Smoker's Group (two plugs for CB AND GMRS) and the other one or two options. That's $30,000ish today. No way in hell would I have paid $30,000 worth (today) back then for as something that was that sluggish. $4-5000 though 20...

One mouse is all it takes.

When the bank spends $100k on it. Auto loan debt has skyrocketed in the last 5 or so years. People making $50,000 a year get approved for $60,000 trucks. I don't get it. There's a welding apprentice I know who makes about as much as I do. $57,000 a year. He's paying $1100 a month on a 72 month...

They're one of the most traded in vehicles, if not the number 1 most traded in vehicle. Just scrolling on CarFax, looking at used Wranglers from 2018 to 2025, about half of them weren't traded in by the original owner. Many of them were on their 3rd or 4th owner at the time the dealer took it...

Alright I'll keep parking cars in November, thanks.

Ohio is about to see a 26 degree low on Monday. It feels like last week we were canceling work due to the heat index.

I'm feeling the desert life. I'm tired of the cold and parking vehicles every winter.

I traversed one Ohio winter with nothing but a soft top. I don't recall it being that bad. Just loud.

Yeah, you need a PCM. That burned right through the traces of the board.