4 banger/auto: should I?

[Gilaguy23]

Why one might ask why . Its the only unmolested clean/stock TJ close to me. 120K miles, nice and clean with no rust. In all honestly because of where we live now 99% of its use will be putting some stunning country roads topless with a frequent putt to town to grab some goodies. I think my motorcycle days are done which was the other option. These things do an honest 65 mph?

 

[hear]

I think the biggest issue with the 4cyl is resale value, since everybody wants the 6.

I say drive it, if it drives well at highway speed & passes all the other tests (i.e. no rust) then why not? Get whatever scratches your itch.

 

[jeepguy03]

I haven't driven a 4 cylinder TJ, but did drive a 4 cylinder YJ. It was slow, but not dangerously slow like some would lead you to believe. I think you need to keep it stock. Any lift or larger tires will just kill what little power they already have. Keep the smallest stock size tires and wheels and no lift, no heavy bumpers or anything, and I think you will be just fine.

 

[Moglocker]

I haven't driven a 4 cylinder TJ, but did drive a 4 cylinder YJ. It was slow, but not dangerously slow like some would lead you to believe. I think you need to keep it stock. Any lift or larger tires will just kill what little power they already have. Keep the smallest stock size tires and wheels and no lift, no heavy bumpers or anything, and I think you will be just fine.

You can gear it lower also

 

[Chris]

I wouldn't to it.

 

[BlueC]

Buy it at a discount and put together some motivation and have fun.

 

[Paparock1]

depends on price

 

[lBasket]

Buy it at a discount and put together some motivation and have fun.

View attachment 646281

 

[TheBoogieman]

The 4 cylinder AUTO is slow but will maintain 65 mph as long as the roads are flat (or downhill). I wouldn't pay more than $4,000 for one.
This is a pic of one with a hard top.

 

[bucky]

I agree with pricing. A 4cyl has much lower value and the offer price needs to reflect that. Go on KBB and compare prices between them. My buddy has a 4cyl auto. It gets the job done albeit slower and needing to use 4lo more often. Most of us here prefer the 6cyl because we can build it with power hungry upgrades. My buddy still enjoys the shit out of his. Mainly because it’s all he knows.
Give us more info on the TJ you’re looking at. Pictures especially the frame are helpful.

 

[macleanflood]

This is a pic of one with a hard top.

Or of the turbo you add for more power.

Drive it as is. LS swap it if you want. TDI, Hemi, 5.2 or .9.

Just like any Jeep you can do whatever you want.

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Or of the turbo you add for more power.

Turbo added here.

 

[Gilaguy23]

I wouldn't to it.

The voice of reason. BTW, Ive had a 4 cyl YJ and TJ. The power was livable, the auto and 4 cyl...yikes maybe.

 

[BlueC]

The voice of reason. BTW, Ive had a 4 cyl YJ and TJ. The power was livable, the auto and 4 cyl...yikes maybe.

If it's a nice enough Jeep and at a steep enough discount, and you don't want to go the turbo route, you could reasonably easily find a good 4.0 & trans take out and swap that in for probably $2k or so.

 

[Gilaguy23]

Its honestly on the high end of what Id pay. Thats another issue, but it is clean. Theres also over 200 TJ's and YJ's for sale within a couple hours drive of me. Id love a clean CJ but no in the budget.

 

[srimes]

I'd get one for a lightweight trail machine. For on-road cruising I'd rather have a miata.

 

[TheBoogieman]

I'd get one for a lightweight trail machine. For on-road cruising I'd rather have a miata.

I've seen Miata occupants (what was left of them) when one rolled and slid while upside down. I'll take a TJ and its subpar rollbar any day.

 

[Hacker412]

My daughter has a four-cylinder standard. I topped it out at 80mph in Texas (flat) with no headwind. When you add a headwind and a slight incline, it struggles to maintain 60-65 mph. You won't be traveling in the passing lane as long as you can live with that, it's ok. Don't expect great gas mileage because it's a 4-banger. She gets 10 mpg with the AC running and 14 mpg without the AC running. You can race it and win so long as the other person is on a bicycle and quite elderly.

 

[Moglocker]

My daughter has a four-cylinder standard. I topped it out at 80mph in Texas (flat) with no headwind. When you add a headwind and a slight incline, it struggles to maintain 60-65 mph. You won't be traveling in the passing lane as long as you can live with that, it's ok. Don't expect great gas mileage because it's a 4-banger. She gets 10 mpg with the AC running and 14 mpg without the AC running. You can race it and win so long as the other person is on a bicycle and quite elderly.

But what mpg would it get with a FRAM oil filter?

 

[Redneckerson38]

The good thing is that it doesn't have enough power to break anything, including 60mph lol. I rarely drive mine(4.0l, ax-15) over 70, but it is nice getting there with the rest of traffic, without having to put the skinny pedal to the floor.