Buddy… you saved my fkn ass with this video. Long story long, my original engine started knocking last year, so I pulled the pan and found piston pieces. My solution was to just swap in a used engine with lower miles, thinking I’d be good for 100k miles at least. Well, after 12k, it started knocking. So I did this instead of another engine swap, and man that things runs smooth. Thank you Dex. I did the whole job for about $600

For those of us that own, work on, and appreciate Cherokees, I thank you for your content! Especially the technical stuff. The presentation is perfect, you don't try to be a "character", just honest, open and straightforward. With your inventory and facilities, you have unlimited content. My only ask would be for longer videos. Keep up the good work Dex!

my wife had the EXACT same issue with her 4.0 wrangler unlimited and ironically the same no.5 piston. i stood over her shoulder and guided her in the teardown and rebuild and she did all the work. the piston skirt broke at 211,000 miles and since she did the rebuild, she now has 270,000 and still running perfect.

For me, just keep doing what you do. It's all good. God bless, stay well.

Really appreciate all you do and how you explain what you do. Not everyone is a master jeep mechanic, so it really helps a lot of us newer guys out. I’ve got a knock on my 2001 XJ that I’m having a hell of a time trying to figure out. Doing some binge watching on your channel trying to figure out how to tackle it haha. Thanks again brother.

Just hearing that engine fire up makes me want that 5th Grand Cherokee even more! Ive had 3 go past 350k miles! Keep it up Dex!

I’d watch a video series of you and your brother “blueprinting” a 4.0. Disassemble, clean, machine, assemble and run. Full of tips and 4.0 specifics. Thanks!

I have rebuilt a lot of engines but never a jeep 4.0, I appreciate this tutorial

Love all the videos so far. Would love to see a full build series on something similar to your green cherokee.

I like how you are slowing down to explain stuff. Really helps the how too guys I feel. Keep up the good work bud

You gave me about 10 shortcuts. Also changed my mind about replacing the engine. I have a machine shop across the street. He’s actually my neighbor. I have all the tools you have, except for the lift can’t wait to get started PS. YOUR EXPERIENCE IS ON POINT!!

Thanks to you I didn’t sell my jeep xj and it’s been running better than ever.

I like that you explain everything. This is my new favorite channel.

I appreciate you blending in the "basic" stuff.

That's exactly what killed mine lol. I could not find a used engine that wasn't 2k and 200k miles anywhere. I ended up buying an s&j stroker. This one comes with forged pistons...... yay. When you went to blow out the front head bolt hole I was like noooooooo

I have a 96 Cherokee, so watching your channel is quite helpful, you do excellent work.

You sir are doing the jeep folks a great service.

Incredible video Dex, thanks for posting!

Just keep the tips, tricks, and how to’s coming. I’m learning a lot. Thank you.

What you and your brother KNOW and DO ....is amazing.

new to your channel - great video - no honing of the cylinder walls and measuring after for oversized rings ?

I like learning everything I can about these motors

Love seeing this stuff especially from you, the way you describe things and dont try to act like you know everything when you explain. Just the basic what, why and how you do it.

I just found your channel, i have a 89 jeep comanche wheeler, love seeing your tips an tricks an videos like this one just incase I'm doing it in the near future! 🤞

A master mechanic at work. Amazing content and skill here!

Love the in depth videos! Like you said the common noledge isnt that common anymore!!

Great video. I appreciate you sharing your time and knowledge. Thank you.

brother you are doing a fantastic job ...knowledge is always helpful ....and everyone's tricks are different and like you said some people do it differently but for a person that is watching that has never done this stuff like we have your videos may be the one thing they needed help with so my hats off to you sir ...keep up the great work

damn you got a badass setup with your brother being right down the road

Great video, always been a jeep 4.0 guy so glad I found your channel

Awesome men you have a lot of knowledge I’d like to see more details about engine rebuild and transmissions on these 4.0 I have an 98 xj that I’ve been working on for a while now, I really appreciate these kind of videos

That light bulb at 4:19 is the thing that has the inconsistent pitter patter😂

I love every bit of knowledge you have to give. Basic stuff, super secret tricks, all of it. Thanks for sharing.

Wish you were in my home town! Good mechanics are scarce. The few good ones are always busy and behind schedule.

Just keep on keepin on Bud. I been wrenching on these turds for close to 50 years now and I still learn something new every day. You got the knack so show off a little, I ain't skeert a learnin.

Love the tips and tricks videos I've always had a 4.0 in all my rigs can't beat them

Great content. Learning stuff is where it's at. Thanks for the lesson.

Dex I loved it, great job! Especially enjoy the raw human stuff you leave in. Those opps moments we all do, even the best of us and most YTubers edit it all out. Extra cool w/ brother next door & seeing him doing his thing! Hopefully you never make so much $$ on the channel that it changes 😄Keep being genuine, that’s appealing & what’s missing these days with voice-over crap on TV, over edited crap here on YT…. ANYWAY I just stumbled across your video while searching for stroker info, (which I’ve been watching YT vids on for about a week, so I’ve seen plenty) za maybe you’ve already done a 4.2 crank in a 4.0 making 4.6 stroker, if not - that’s my vote - There’s some really good info out there, be interesting to see your take on doing one Duces ✌🏼

Just found your channel and great content. I have 02 Wrangler Sahara 4.0 and working on issues. I am positive I will see issues I come across on your channel. Thanks and keep on truckin great channel.

BRO! You did an amazing job! Heads up from the beatiful state of Sinaloa, Mexico!

Excellent. Thank you very much. Loved seeing the pit-falls from (onvious) prior experiences.

I picked up a 2001 xj, it had low oil pressure 20 driving and 10 at idle, changed the oil to 20 50 to see if thicker would help, changed the oil sending sensor, drove it a hundred mile then the oil pressure drops to zero when hot at idle, fresh oil change with 10-30 thinking the 20-50 was too much, same issue. thought about doing an oil pump but I have seen too many videos of people doing oil pumps with no change when they are done..... some one said main bearings are toast..... what do you think? I like your videos, really good information for us newbies!!

Great video! Been debating doing this or dropping in a new engine. I’ve replaced the head and oil pump before, but I can tell the bearings are worn along with some slap. I think buying a hoist and dropping in a new long block might be less work overall.

I love your content. Thank you. Very insightful

As Im in the middle of a repair, your tips are appreciated.

Good content! Much better than most. I watch 4.0 stuff mostly but it's hard to find creators teaching correct engine how to videos so I appreciate you not keeping stuff secret👍

Your content is great - appreciate all the good tips. Piston slap and collapsed lifters are pretty common on these. Keep up the good work.

Thank you so much for your videos you explained it simply easily to understand for those of us who work on our own vehicles❤

I absolutely enjoy watching your vid, thanks for posting. Where are you located?

You are the man! For guys like me just enjoying to learn how to do multiple things for myself because I’ve never been shown much, men like you are priceless! Keep on keeping on my man!! And because of you anytime I see a Cherokee i try to buy them all lol! This ole Kentucky boy sure enjoys all your content buddy! Take care you and your brother keep fighting the good fight!!

Big thanks! My 2.5L mystery knock is no longer a mystery.

Also, I love this type of daily mechanic stuff, definitely keep it coming!

Great video -I self taught on sbc's; this is good for entry level mechanics and anyone learning faults of a 4.0 Now I know why many of mine failed

Best Jeep channel on the tube.

I did the same thing to my sons Jeep las April. It’s definitely a common problem. A friend of mine called because his is making a similar noise. I sent him this video as it’s better than I can explain it to him. Good vid👍🏼

Thanks for the basics, Dex

Enjoyable video, and I definitely learned a few things. You definitely pace the video very well.

i have a 94 jeep cherokee 4.0 and im learning from you , please keep it up.....

Awesome video - very informative and entertaining. Keep it up!

Informative video, I have a 2004 grand Cherokee with the 4.0, has 468,000miles, runs great and all original

Hey bro. I’m 27 and I got 2000 Cherokee 2dr. Love watching your vids and you teaching all your tips and tricks. I love it! Are you in North Carolina ?

Dex I ain’t got common sense and I’m hardly mechanically inclined so I like these videos. If you could do more informational things like this I’d love it.

Man.. it was great, I washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen listening to ya….. I think I subscribe.🎉

As for myself , I love all your videos Dex !!! But what I truly was wanting to know is sense you are the guy doing what I've always wanted to do being the Jeep King and all do you sell em too ???

This was great! Just watched the rebuild ZJ to XJ 4.0 engine stand vid. Now this vid. Great content. I just picked up a one owner 2000 XJ with 80kmi. Hoping to base line the maintenance stuff, oil leaks etc. Hope I don’t have major engine stuff for a long while. Not sure you have yet… can you talk about the early 2000s cylinder Head 0331 crack issues/overheat. Thanks.

i enjoyed it, struggling with a 98’ xj 4.0 currently. #2 cylinder low on compression but doesn’t seem low enough to cause dead miss at idle at about 106lbs vs all the rest at 120’s. miss goes away above 1100 rpm or so, even confirmed with scanner no miss detected at higher rpm. probably going to pull head unless someone has any other ideas. so yeah I like seeing someone that is an expert and learning! thanks for sharing

that is awesome, thank you for all that you do.

Grate to watch your independence with the 4.0 And it really helps As we say in Australia Thanks mate !! 🙃

Awesome job thank you. I own a 93 XJ 4.0 251.000 plus on it hit a flood yesterday water went over my roof at about 35 40 mph and kept on going love my jeep xj country

Just found your channel and Subbed. I actually worked with Justin at Cat(well in the same building). I Had a broken piston skirt on my Jeep Tj. I did the rebuild on my channel. I have been interested in an XJ for a while. I need to come up sometime(from Corinth). Keep up the great work!

Damn… you make it look easy and not time consuming. I guess the lift really speeds things up. Nice job!!👍🏼👍🏼 Earned a sub fo sho😜

I have a 2004 WJ Laredo 4.0 with 203,000 miles. It started chattering a while back. It got better at 3,000 mile oil changes, but now it doesn't go away. I switched to T5 Rotella and a quart of Lucas High Mileage. I don't know a lot about engine internals, but I think what's going on with mine is the same as the one in the video. I'd love to learn how to rebuild it myself. This video is great. I'll be looking for more

My ZJ had knock I thought might be bearings. I replaced the bearings (in my driveway). I was delighted that the knock went away for half a day, and it was back. Turned out to be the harmonic balancer. When I started your video I was sure that was going to be the cause. Knock on wood my 04 WJ's pistons don't fail. Totally liked the video, especially your parts retrieval vehicle. I'd be comfortable with one like it but I don't think my wife or neighbors would approve.

quality video my friend you make it look easy, its great videos like that that will help people learn and have an idea how to do jobs like that to be a mechanic. its a bit out of my league to do but great to watch thanks for that.

Hey dex, love the channel man keep it up. I have a wj and an xj, my wj tapps pretty loud but as soon as it warms up to temp it goes away. Would piston slap go away like that? I always assumed it was valve related.

I love watching this stuff. I’m excited for the heads video I have a 99

Your videos are great! I hope you're able to read these comments, because I have a question. Have you ever come across a 4.0L with same noise and found it was a loose flex plate instead? And do you ever buy crate motors? From where or do you always rebuild?

I regret selling my 2001 jeep I could have made a rebuild motor if I had just seen your video like 6 months ago but I'm thinking about buying another one cause u just gave me the game on how to rebuild a motor thanks

you all really got it together.......... thanks

I got an 89 with an engine tap too. I’ve been trying to diagnose it since I got it

Boy, u c that bulb flickering behind u ??? Any way u boys r a winner, hope u 2 brothers go a long way together in life. Where is your good old shop in America ???

Odd knock Advice? Intermittent knocking on very low mi. early 97 TJ 4.0 - Loudest underneath rear pan area, at running temp random, off idle, mid-range, varies or disappears depending on load. knocks at idle but give slight throttle and quiet. Pulled pan, looked up at skirts all in place, nothing in pan. pulled every rod cap all good & tight bearings. Pulled some main caps, all like new. Way before, on almost vertical climbs starved oil, lost pressure and knocked at least two times. Do early TJ 4.0l like late 96 build get cracked skirts? Thanks for the vids Dex!

Watching him almost grab the hot piston rod with his one bare hand made me clench. haha

I’ve got a 1999XJ limited that I’ve been trying to restore slowly, but surely she’s coming together thank you for your help

That was AWESOME! Thanks!

make some videos on troubleshooting the electrical on these things

great stuff , been binging your vids

Keep the video's coming !! Great content !!

All good Dex....Keep 'em comin'

I love the content!

Loved it ! Was very informative. Keep up the good content !

Man thank you for this wealth of knowledge keep turning an burning them wrenches man. You are a chill mech-head.

Keep it up!

Glad I found your channel. I subscribed and I have a question. Can you do the same in-car repair with an XJ engine? Is the clearance for oilpan etc similar?

Thank you for the video. Right to the point and informative. I am going to replace the pistons in my 99 Cherokee as soon as the weather breaks. Is there a specific part number that you would recommend? I see that Sealed Power has a few options.

Amazing!

I’m driving a 99 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0 I it with 232K on it. I’m thinking of doing a very basic rebuild on it as the body is in good shape anything I can learn about it is great.

great video brother subscribed👍

Awesome work

Thank bro for sharing love your videos