So in about a week I'll be going from WA to NY, I plan taking the WJ, but I am a bit worried, the vehicle runs fine, while idling sometimes the revs drop a bit, when putting it in gear I hear a clicking noise. Is there anything I should be worried about, I checked the ATF, and It's clear pink, the oil will be changed, but I can't have this thing die halfway there, I'd be screwed. In conclusion, what should I do to make sure this thing survives the 2800 mile trip?

 

1)Flush radiator and check/replace thermostat
2)Make sure plugs, wires and distributor cap/rotor are in good condition.

I don't think the rpm drop is anything to worry about my ZJ does that too. I don't know what the clicking sound is possibility a bad relay somewhere

You might want to think about joining AAA they aren't very expensive and can get you out of a bind.

Do you have a reason to not trust your Jeep ?? Other symptoms?
Might not be a bad idea to have a service manual with you on the trip.

I have driven across country 3 times and the only problem I had was getting to low on gas on back roads and a flat tire. But that was in an 1971 Ford Mustang.

 

Take it in for a checkup. There's a limitless number of possible problems that show no symptoms until it's too late.

 

My '04 WJ has made a funny "ratcheting, clicking" noise when put into gear since we bought it new. It now has 86,000+ miles and never a problem except for the front brake recall, heated seat recall, and steering gear recall. All of which were taken care of with no issues.
Check here to see if your WJ has any recalls on this list that haven't been taken care of. http://www.wjjeeps.com/recall.htm
Dan

 

well theres your problem! haha jk.

i wish i could go cross country in my xj tho, got it so i have room for roadtrips and stuff. good luck.

 

Theres a TSB on the tranny issue,look here and scroll down.. http://wjjeeps.com/tsb.htm

How far do the r's drop? First three things to check for the dropping idle would be 1) IAC 2)dirty TB 3)TPS

regarding the second post,WJ's don't have wires or a distributor they are COP. But i would throw some plugs in,it's super cheap and easy.

 

The RPM's drop from about 700 to 550, I've noticed that while driving in the city, the transmission will sometimes search for gears, It will drop one, It might be because of my control of the pedal, who knows?

While on the highway, It drives great.

When I change the oil, should I seafoam it?

 

if by some chance you starting running into problems near the eastern ohio/western pennsylvania line, just give me a call and id be more than happy to help out a fellow CF member. my guess is that once in ohio you will be take I80 east, and my garage, or "mancave" as i like to call it, is just a few turns off the highway. ill PM my cell number for ya. good luck and hopefully you wont need to call me

 

I am going form PA to CA in two years with my CJ-5. I guess it will be my big trip after college. But good luck with the drive. The wj will be fine!

 

My '04 WJ has had the "clicking" noise when going in gear since I bought it, also. I asked about it once while it was in for service. I was told it was a solenoid or something in the tranny, putting it in gear. I've got 54k+ on it, use it to tow a 5400# travel trailer and when I had the tranny serviced last week, the mechanic said it looked like new. Like anything else, a little preventive maintenance does wonders and goes a long way.
I'd throw some Seafoam in the tank and see if that remedies the rpm lag. Might just need to have some cleaning done for the fuel system. The other suggestion of changing the plugs is also good, as is the radiator flush and thermostat check/replace.
Basically, you want to make as many as the vital fluids clean/new as possible. I did this a couple of times when I made x-country trips in a '87 Blazer. Blazer had the 2.8L and I towed my daughter's Chev Spectrum to Pullman from Western MD in '97. Beforehand, I added a tranny cooler, replaced all plugs, rotor, distributor cap, flushed radiator, serviced tranny, etc. Not a problem the whole trip. Also did this again a couple years later when I made a trip to Utah. Blazer engine was still strong when the body gave out 2 years ago.