An opinion on TJ SE models

StG58 said:

Nice looking rig, a little jealous of the wheels!

Click to expand...

Some Ravines for sale...cheap!
https://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/wto/d/buckley-4-30x950x15-yokohama-geolander/6827289564.html

Phil Younger said:

Put a turbo on it and you'll pass every one of us on mountain passes and still be lighter on the trail

Click to expand...

Can't wait for the new 2.7L Sierra. A full size pickup with a turbo 4.

Ok I’ll jump in [emoji2369]. I’ve got a ‘99 SE. My first and only Jeep. I bought it used with no idea what I was getting and it came with all sorts of mods from the PO. I like to say it has “all the wrongs” for an SE. 4” lift with 35” tires and a rear Dana 35.

The first time I took it out rock crawling I quickly discovered two things: the Dana 35 will break an axle shaft with 35” tires and, a 2.5 four cylinder engine is more than enough power for off road. I just put it in first gear and let her crawl. Easy on the gas and, until my axle shaft broke, it was easy going.

Recently I’ve been stretching her legs on the highway and I’ve come to grow quite comfortable. I started local and now we’re going two and three cities away. I stick to the right lane and as long as I don’t have a headwind, I can click right along at 65 and 70 mph no problem. Yes, I lose speed going uphill but, I don’t drive my Jeep for speed. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a lead foot. But if I want to haul ass; I jump in my truck. I love driving my Jeep strictly because I love driving my Jeep.

Point of of this being, I’ve come to love my SE and wouldn’t change it. Some day I might change that Dana 35 to a 44 but no time soon. The 2.5? Well, she’s done nothing but right by me. Steady, reliable, and easy to work on.



Here’s my most recent pic. Off to the park in the adjacent town for bike riding.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Works fine for me.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

StG58 said:

If you casually call my selection of TJ a POS, then fully expect me to either ignore you or challenge your sacred cows. Up until now I've been good, with a few minor but notable exceptions, about just ignoring the BS

Click to expand...

Back on topic. This is what is disgusting. The few idiots who attack every idea different than their own. Having a different preference is fine but respect those with a different perspective.

Phil Younger said:

Put a turbo on it and you'll pass every one of us on mountain passes and still be lighter on the trail

Click to expand...

There is a guy on the other Wrangler Forum that did just that on his 2.4. In the end it looked great and ran just as good. But it was a ton of fabbing and tuning. If you have the capability and want a project it is an option. Once upon a time there was a company that had a supercharger set up for the 2.4, but they went out of business.

Jack72 said:

Ok I’ll jump in [emoji2369]. I’ve got a ‘99 SE. My first and only Jeep. I bought it used with no idea what I was getting and it came with all sorts of mods from the PO. I like to say it has “all the wrongs” for an SE. 4” lift with 35” tires and a rear Dana 35.

The first time I took it out rock crawling I quickly discovered two things: the Dana 35 will break an axle shaft with 35” tires and, a 2.5 four cylinder engine is more than enough power for off road. I just put it in first gear and let her crawl. Easy on the gas and, until my axle shaft broke, it was easy going.

Recently I’ve been stretching her legs on the highway and I’ve come to grow quite comfortable. I started local and now we’re going two and three cities away. I stick to the right lane and as long as I don’t have a headwind, I can click right along at 65 and 70 mph no problem. Yes, I lose speed going uphill but, I don’t drive my Jeep for speed. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a lead foot. But if I want to haul ass; I jump in my truck. I love driving my Jeep strictly because I love driving my Jeep.

Point of of this being, I’ve come to love my SE and wouldn’t change it. Some day I might change that Dana 35 to a 44 but no time soon. The 2.5? Well, she’s done nothing but right by me. Steady, reliable, and easy to work on.

View attachment 79495

Here’s my most recent pic. Off to the park in the adjacent town for bike riding.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Drop to 33's and re-gear and you will feel a significant performance improvement.

Jerry Bransford said:

I don't own an SE but I've always considered the 2.5 the equal to my 4.0 when I'm offroad. I've been spanked on difficult trails more than a few times with well built rigs running that 2.5.

Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more with this. While I love my 4.0s and would never personally buy a 4cyl TJ, the 2.5s and 2.4s should never be underestimated on the trail. Engine size often makes very little difference when everything around it is built properly.

StG58 said:

I think that's just for the tires...

Click to expand...

Yep. I misread it. I saw the "Just dismounted from my Jeep TJ wheels" as "Just dismounted from my Jeep TJ". Sorry, Chief. There was a set of five that were bare rims just north of me for $150 not too long ago, so they do show up. I'd be happy to keep an eye out for a set, if'n you'd like.

Rob5589 said:

Junk, pure and simple...

Click to expand...

Hilarious man.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The original Willys MB flattie came with a 60 hp 4 cylinder engine, and it became a legend. They were among the first to conquer the Rubicon back in the day, and they are still doing it. When it comes to doing what the TJ does best, and by that I mean getting you out into the boonies and reliably bringing you back, the SE is a fine choice, modified or stock. That is all.

2.5l 31” k02s stock otherwise.

Just got back from a highway run once I hit 70 I didn’t drop below it mostly kept it at 75+. Decently hilly terrain.

On the highway I take to work traffic flows at 80+ in the left lane, which is where I sit with zero problems keeping up.

IMO both engines suck power wise and their only call to fame is really high reliability and ease of service.

Factory HP numbers are a difference of like 70hp. They make no power and get terrible mpg at the same time.

Hard to pass some of the deals on 4 bangers cause most people don’t want them, if the engine fits your plans.

Is the 2.5 generally regarded as better than the 2.4? I've heard that the overhead-cam 2.4s develop serious issues around 150k whereas the 2.5 is just as stout as the 4.0.

Chris said:

I take responsibility for Sgt58s anger

Click to expand...

Not you Chris,

Not just 4 angry squirrels,

His angst applies to every topic from several members.

Most of Chris's comments I take in context. But there are a few who are as bad as trolls on this site altho I think they do own TJs and are just ignorant.

I drove my 99 SE 5 speed w/31's coast to coast hauling a trailered motorcycle 2-1/2 years ago and forgetting the level of comfort that is typical to all TJ's she ran at 65-70 all day and the only challenge were the Wyoming mountains on RT 80. Even then I outran my son in his XJ with the 4.0 who was also towing. I like my 2.5 especially when I have to open the hood to work on it and there is all the extra room to wrench.