Just how feeble is the 4-banger?

"Just Jeepin'" (macintux)
11/10/2019 at 17:20 • Filed to: Craigslist, jeep

This is awfully appealing: reasonable enough price I can get a loan, manual, clean, rust-free(ish), new top . And about 20 minutes from me, which is always appealing.

But I prefer the straight 6, not only for its reputation but also because I’m pretty clueless, and sticking with the devil I know helps compensate for my ignorance.

And I’ve never heard much good, power-wise, about the 2.5L engine.

So how bad is it, really?

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DISCUSSION (20)

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 17:24

I’ve driven a 4cyl YJ and it was able to get out of its own way, at least. Makes a good enough noise once the exhaust rusts through

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 17:38

Friend of mine had a 4cyl 5MT YJ for years, until it basically rusted in half. It was quick enough for Massachusetts highway use and pretty damn reliable. I think it had like 300-350k miles on it when he finally sent it to the scrap yard. You’re not gonna tow anything heavy or win any drag races with it, but it’s usable.

eyeofthetiger > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 17:41

I have a 98 Dakota with the same 2.5 AMC tractor engine. It will do over 100 MPH, which is faster than any Jeep should ever go.

Just Jeepin' > eyeofthetiger
11/10/2019 at 17:45

100?! That’s more than a little alarming.

eyeofthetiger > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 17:47

A Jeep may not have the aero to pull that off. And if you want yooooge tires, forget about it.

Just Jeepin' > eyeofthetiger
11/10/2019 at 17:51

Yeah, big tires aren’t my thing. I have degenerative disc disease, which makes lifting heavy objects challenging , and I’d like to be able to change my own tires.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 18:30

My only experience with one was one that had over 200,000 miles so it could have just been a tired engine, but man was it sllllow.

At the same time with the manual trans it had kind of it’s own charm about it. Makes you feel like your in a model T or something.

DipodomysDeserti > eyeofthetiger
11/10/2019 at 18:38

100mph in a Wrangler? I have the 3.8L in my Wrangler and it struggles to hit 100.

*edit, saw your caveats.

Averyrm - GTI YUP > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 18:47

I had one. 1991 Wranger 2.5L 5 speed. Put 30" pizza cutters on it (30x9.5R 15) . MPG was 16, unless in 4x4 then 12. Fine enough for normal traffic, unless there was a 30+ mph wind. If it was in your face, you couldn’t get above 60.

Had to replace the engine at 86k miles, blown head gasket and cracked block.

The 4.0L was lovely every time I drove it, personally I’d hold out.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 18:55

If you just want a second car I think it’ll work. If you aren’t afraid of the powerless.

I drove a 3cyl metro for almost 10 years and gave it a workout.

I think the problem comes with lift and tires.

But this could be a great candidate for a V8 swap or even swapping in a 4.0 & nv3500. You’ll already have the 4.10 gears that I think this comes with.

XJDano > XJDano
11/10/2019 at 18:58

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
11/10/2019 at 19:00

The problem is my LJ is broken so often this would end up in use a lot. Heck, I’ve been running without speedometer, trip ometer, and odometer for a couple of months now.

(My laptop autocorrected that to “tribometer” and...well, never mind, this is a family joint.)

A 4.0 swap would be tempting, but that’s a lot of labor costs since I can’t do it myself. If I’d wanted to spend that much, I should have jumped on the $800 manual XJ that popped up in Cincinnati a couple of days ago that needed a whole new front suspension.

(I should have anyway. Dammit.)

Wacko > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 19:03

City driving the 2.5 will do fine, forget passing any car that is going 5 under limit. Hills are not your friends.

I had my 2.5 then the 4.0

The 2.5 was running 31 inchers, and the 4.0 had 35s with a 4 inch lift. The 4.0 is better in every possible way.

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
11/10/2019 at 19:05

Oh, man, I dig that color. That doesn’t look like the factory teal.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > eyeofthetiger
11/10/2019 at 19:44

Yeah I’ve found 99% of people complaining about their 4cylinder ‘just not having enough power’ either don’t use more than 1/2 throttle or expect to be able to cruise at 80mph all day long.

eyeofthetiger > MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
11/10/2019 at 19:57

You can’t be afraid of pinning the throttle to the floor until it hits the rev limiter. The 2.5 is basically a 4.0 with two cylinders missing. It can handle high duty cycles of maximum power output.

XJDano > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 20:13

I bet it’s the factory teal. My 93 just looked like shit. I dont know if I’ve shared photos of it lately.

Kinja'd!!!

Just Jeepin' > XJDano
11/10/2019 at 20:16

I dunno, the eBay one looks more aqua-y.

MeatSaber > Just Jeepin'
11/10/2019 at 23:30

If you leave the suspension and tires alone it’s on the sketchy side of adequate. I typically used to avoid bad on ramps and mergers in my old 99. I’d imagine it would be undrivable with the typical j eep bro treatment.

Ready for an adventure! > Just Jeepin'
11/11/2019 at 10:56

So - we have had 99 TJ since 08 or so...has the 2.5 in it. runs 33's on it and does pr etty well. Goes 85 mp h or so onna highway. Ya, not fun, but 70 mph is fine. We even got a Badge of Honor form Marblehead on Drummond Island with it. on 33's. It goes places them $ 40k JKU’s do not go. Much like the old Willys.. I now have a JK 2 door and the TJ and when I build a toy, it is gonna be a TJ. Prolly a 4 banger too.