Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
I finally bought the next big project for the channel: a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ with the 4.0L inline-six and a 5-speed manual.
After years of looking at rusty TJs around the rust belt, I found one with a clean enough frame to actually build on. It is not perfect, and I am definitely not pretending to be a Jeep expert, but that is kind of the point. This Jeep is going to be my learning platform for maintenance, repairs, tools, mistakes, and whatever else comes with owning a 20-year-old Wrangler.
In this first video, I walk through why I bought this TJ, what condition it is in, the first wheel and tire issue I already ran into, what the inspection found, and what projects are coming next.
A few things already on the list:
- valve cover gasket
- spark plugs
- engine oil
- front and rear differential fluid
- transfer case fluid
- brakes
- learning to drive stick
- taking the top off
- figuring out the hub-centric ring / center cap situation
If you know TJs, I would love your advice. What should I check first? What maintenance item am I missing? And if you know a clean way to solve the American Racing center cap / hub-centric ring problem, please leave a comment.
Subscribe if you want to follow along as this Jeep becomes the new HeyDerFolks garage project.
I finally bought the next big project for the channel: a 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ with the 4.0L inline-six and a 5-speed manual.
After years of looking at rusty TJs around the rust belt, I found one with a clean enough frame to actually build on. It is not perfect, and I am definitely not pretending to be a Jeep expert, but that is kind of the point. This Jeep is going to be my learning platform for maintenance, repairs, tools, mistakes, and whatever else comes with owning a 20-year-old Wrangler.
In this first video, I walk through why I bought this TJ, what condition it is in, the first wheel and tire issue I already ran into, what the inspection found, and what projects are coming next.
A few things already on the list:
- valve cover gasket
- spark plugs
- engine oil
- front and rear differential fluid
- transfer case fluid
- brakes
- learning to drive stick
- taking the top off
- figuring out the hub-centric ring / center cap situation
If you know TJs, I would love your advice. What should I check first? What maintenance item am I missing? And if you know a clean way to solve the American Racing center cap / hub-centric ring problem, please leave a comment.
Subscribe if you want to follow along as this Jeep becomes the new HeyDerFolks garage project.
