Is the 2.4 any good?

[jeepkid]

Hello, i am new to this forum, but I've been around Jeeps for a while. Im looking at purchasing a TJ to be my 'first daily' driver. Something that will keep up with traffic better than a willys, lol.

So, to cut to the chase. There is a 2004 TJ, SE 2.4l, 5 speed for sale locally. It's cheap and in really nice condition. Amazingly, it has absolutely no rust whatsoever, even the original front fenders are great! The only problem is, its got 200,000 on the odometer. It appears to have been taken good care of, and the engine bay is very clean, with no oil leaks. It's last few owners were all older gentleman who most likely gave it an easy life.

My question is, how many miles have people gotten out of the 2.4? And does it have much time left? I would give it a very easy life, and just need it to do a 10 mile or less commute, through flat backroads. If I could get a couple years out of it, that would be amazing. I know a 4.0l would be way better, but this gets me going for a while until I can afford something better.

I appreciate your thoughts, and hope something might work out. Thanks guys!!

 

[aston4]

Both the 4.0 and 2.5 start cracking pistons at that milage. If you replace the pistons now, that engine would last another 200,000 miles. If you leave the stock pistons, anyone's guess.

If it were cheap enough, I would buy it for myself right now, just for the color. I think I'd also just drive it as is, and if the motor blew up, just throw another used one in, and keep going... or maybe I would put new pistons in, it is so easy on the 4 to open up both top and bottom, A 4 cylinder is so much easier to swap out the whole motor too, I would do the swap myself. The 6 cyl I would pay someone else to swap. Too damn heavy and cramped working space.

 

[TheBoogieman]

If the price is right, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2.4L Jeep for your intended use. I'd change the timing belt if you don't know when it was last done.

 

[macleanflood]

Drive it until it dies and put in an LS when it does.

-Mac

 

[jeepguy03]

Both the 4.0 and 2.5 start cracking pistons at that milage. If you replace the pistons now, that engine would last another 200,000 miles. If you leave the stock pistons, anyone's guess.

If it were cheap enough, I would buy it for myself right now, just for the color. I think I'd also just drive it as is, and if the motor blew up, just throw another used one in, and keep going... or maybe I would put new pistons in, it is so easy on the 4 to open up both top and bottom, A 4 cylinder is so much easier to swap out the whole motor too, I would do the swap myself. The 6 cyl I would pay someone else to swap. Too damn heavy and cramped working space.

I wouldn't say that is super common though, at least not enough where I'd be actually worried about it. I say that as someone who has put well over 200K on 4 4.0L vehicles, and several others in my circle with the same experience. The 4.0L 0331 head cracking issue in late 1999-2001 4.0s has been much more common in my experience.

The 2.4L is also a different engine, and the same 2.4L found in the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Different from the AMC 2.5L and 4.0L engines. If it was maintained well and cheap enough, a good condition 4 cylinder TJ beats the hell out of some other beater car like a Civic.

 

[TheBoogieman]

PRICE?

 

[Chris]

You'll live to regret it, that's for sure.

 

[DuckNut]

As @TheBoogieman says...price.

This would be the first 200k jeep from PA that is rust free.

But i digress. From the looks of the cover, price would be the first thing i would concern myself with...but i would also crawl underneath as it may tell a completely different story.

If it is 5k or so, i wouldn't care. I'd buy it, drive it until it dies then throw it away. Still cheaper than one day depreciation on a new one.

 

[jeepkid]

PRICE?

It's 4500-4700 ish.

I dont know what the market is like other places, but this is the cheapest tj, that isn't rotted away, in my area I've seen in a few years.

 

[L J]

You'll live to regret it, that's for sure.

 

[TheBoogieman]

It's 4500-4700 ish.

I dont know what the market is like other places, but this is the cheapest tj, that isn't rotted away, in my area I've seen in a few years.

Come to Va and look for a 4.0 with no rust. A rust free 4 cylinder Jeep with 100,000 miles should sell for under $5500.

 

[Christian.mers]

Got a bunch up here in WV for around the same price people are sending them away in VA. I know a guy that is looking to sell an 85’ CJ-7 for $6,000. He bought it rust free for that price and was going to fix it up and now it just sits around. It’s slightly rusting now and every time I drive by it, I imagine someone on this forum tossing 40’s and a big V8 on it and happily getting 10mpg