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 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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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 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👍🏼

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 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

I like learning everything I can about these motors

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!!

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

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

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

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.

It's piston slap. Pulled mu oil pan on my 268k daily driver, and found the skirt from Piston #4 in the pan. I've got a 97k spare engine in the garage that will be going in. It took me a good 11hrs today for me to get the old engine pulled. Now I start waiting for the gaskets and other parts I need to put if back together. I've got plenty of other work to do inside the engine bay while the engines out, and also some auxiliary electric upgrades to finish, as with the engine out of the way, I'm hoping to find a place on the passengers side firewall to run an 8g cable into the cab to replace the 12g wire that feeds my aux power panel, and moving/replacing lights around, so the Nilights that have been on the roof(with failed finish) move down to the foglight position, and 4. new Nilights go up on the roof, 2 replacing the moved ones, and 2 replacing the DIY 18" bar I made out of a mangled 4' bar that has no voltage regulation and several LED's have burnt out since.) Unfortunately the parts I have on order won't be in for over a week, so I expect I'll be tearing the old engine down while I'm waiting for them to arrive. I know that Thumper had (as a coworker called it) a "Death rattle" for the last 50k, so I expect to see some carnage. I always thought it was just badly worn lifters, to the point that if the transmission didn't die last summer, one of my plans was to pull the head and replace the lifters.As I ran the Jeep ~45 miles after the sound started getting really bad, I expect badly scored cylinder walls. Personally, I disagree with a shop doing this type or repair, as I'd expect cylinder damage; likely major scoring, but even an oval'd bore which is an earlier sign that the piston has been rubbing the cylinder walls for a while. When I pull the old engine apart, I fully expect cylinder 4 to have major scoring from the broken up piston, and prehaps other cylinders have ovaling from piston slap as well.

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

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

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

I’ve never actually seen too many rod bearings go on the 4.0 without leaving an inspection port, but piston failures are relatively common. I actually think a clogged cat/muffler is what causes most of these. It just keeps too much heat in the engine and fatigues the piston. I think it may even be the catalyst material quality that is to blame, but I have seen this a ton on 4.0s.

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

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

I just replaced my head on my 2000 Cherokee, and I was wondering if the Pistons were bad. What would they sound like? This answers those questions; they don't. I loved the basic talk to me like I'm a beginner because I am.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

Incredible video Dex, thanks for posting!

I appreciate you blending in the "basic" stuff.

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

You sir are doing the jeep folks a great service.

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.

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

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.

IT WOULD BE SO DAMN NICE IF YOU LIVED IN OREGON. I appreciate you brother.🇺🇸

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

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

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

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

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! 🤞

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👍

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

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

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

Thanks for the basics, Dex

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

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

Best Jeep channel on the tube.

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

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 !! 🙃

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.

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!

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 love your content. Thank you. Very insightful

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

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.

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

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

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

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 ✌🏼

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

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

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

great stuff , been binging your vids

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.

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

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

make some videos on troubleshooting the electrical on these things

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

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

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

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

I love the content!

Awesome work

Keep it up!

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

Makes me want to drive down to Tennessee so you can do this to my Jeep.

great video brother subscribed👍

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.

Thank bro for sharing love your videos

That was AWESOME! Thanks!

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

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 ???

ALways enjoy your videos

Excellent video. Keep it up.

Enjoying the videos, I’ve been learning a lot from u, thanks man

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😜

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.

Awesome video man

Do one for low cost steering and axel swap upgrades and things for TJ’s