griffin

Hmm ok, so as long as I change the gears to match any mods I do, then this
engine is good enough? I will only be using it as a "for fun" daily driver
in the summer just for light inner-city cruising around with the top half
off. The rest of the time it'll be used for mud offroading - nothing TOO
serious but I do need some power to get out of the thicker stuff.

Are there any differences between the 4's of the CJ/YJ/TJ line? The 4cyl
TJ's from '97 to '99 seem to go pretty cheap relatively speaking. I've seen
some around 100 to 120km for 8-9000.


"SnoMan" <admin@snoman.com> wrote in message
news:bvt373h3pajcauef2q8lval3dmbshfpqir@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 14 Jun 2007 23:37:11 GMT, "griffin" <gryffy@WEEEEshaw.ca>
> wrote:
>
> >I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
> >mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
> >cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
power
> >for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L, old
CJ
> >6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>
>
> The 2.5 is not a bad motor and is a pretty sturdy mill. (it is based
> off the old 232/258 block like 4.0 is) I have one in a 2000 Cherokee
> that I bought new that wife dirves to work and such and it has over
> 80K miles on it now and it has been very reliable and never failed to
> start and run well be it 20 below and near 100 out. It has stock sized
> tires and stock 4.10 gears and it does fine. It does not have the
> power to cruise 80 all day on hills but at lower speed and around twon
> the engine is very torquey and pulls very well for its size especail
> at lower RPM's. Where these engine "fail" as poor power plants off
> road is that people lift them up and put big tires on them and never
> bother to regear the axles. (they "think" they can tune fix this with
> exhaust and intake but they cannot) If you had a Jeep with 35's and a
> 2.5 with some 4.88 or 5.13 gears it it, it would surprize you how well
> it would do off road. It would not be a good high speed highway
> cruiser (not because of RPM from gears but because of increased drag
> from lift and tires vs power avaible) but it would be a fine off road
> machine that would be lighter up front, easier to keep cool and use
> less fuel off road extending the "fun time". I have been off roading
> and driving 4x4 for over 35 years now and some on the most fun vehcile
> I have had off road were smaller ones that were lighter and geared
> deep. One exception to this was back in the later 70's I had a friend
> in NC that had a old 52 Dodge miltary truck that looked like a jeep on
> steriods. It was 100% original complete and in very fine order. It
> had a flat head 6 banger that was good for about 70 HP or 80 HP so in
> this 3 ton "jeep" with a engine driven winch on front of it. It hand a
> total of 8 speeds did not care to go much over 40 MPH or so but it was
> a TANK off road (max speed in first low was just a few MPH) and would
> go anywhere you pointed it and if the hill was too steep to drive up,
> you could use engine driven winch to pull you up with no worries of
> winch overheating. I had a change to buy that thing back then and I
> regret not doing it and storing it and bringing it out to play with
> from time to time.
> -----------------
> TheSnoMan.com
>

griffin

> > 3. I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
> > mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
> > cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
power
> > for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L,
old CJ
> > 6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>
> Yup, a 4 is lacking for modified vehicles if the gears aren't changed,
> other than that I have wheeled with a bunch of 4 bangers and didn't
> notice it at all.

I don't need any *crazy* mods but I'd like to put a 2.5" skyjacker spring
lift and throw some 33" BFG MT's on. Should I change the gears for this? Is
this a bad lift idea? Anything you'd recommend?

griffin

> > 3. I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
> > mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
> > cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
power
> > for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L,
old CJ
> > 6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>
> Yup, a 4 is lacking for modified vehicles if the gears aren't changed,
> other than that I have wheeled with a bunch of 4 bangers and didn't
> notice it at all.

I don't need any *crazy* mods but I'd like to put a 2.5" skyjacker spring
lift and throw some 33" BFG MT's on. Should I change the gears for this? Is
this a bad lift idea? Anything you'd recommend?

griffin

> > 3. I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
> > mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
> > cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
power
> > for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L,
old CJ
> > 6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>
> Yup, a 4 is lacking for modified vehicles if the gears aren't changed,
> other than that I have wheeled with a bunch of 4 bangers and didn't
> notice it at all.

I don't need any *crazy* mods but I'd like to put a 2.5" skyjacker spring
lift and throw some 33" BFG MT's on. Should I change the gears for this? Is
this a bad lift idea? Anything you'd recommend?

griffin

> > 3. I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
> > mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
> > cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
power
> > for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L,
old CJ
> > 6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>
> Yup, a 4 is lacking for modified vehicles if the gears aren't changed,
> other than that I have wheeled with a bunch of 4 bangers and didn't
> notice it at all.

I don't need any *crazy* mods but I'd like to put a 2.5" skyjacker spring
lift and throw some 33" BFG MT's on. Should I change the gears for this? Is
this a bad lift idea? Anything you'd recommend?

griffin

> You really need to go back and ask yourself what you really want to do
> with your jeep. The CJ's and back have a lot of nostelga and a lot of
> rust. Galavanized body sheet metal was introduced for the YJ models and
> the last 6 months of production on the Cj's For your price point, you
> really should look at the early model TJ's, you should be able to find
> decent '97 or '98 models for that money. Just as capable off road, much
> nice ride on road. 2" lift can be done for $100 with the spring spacers.

Cruising around inside the city in summer and mudding (nothing insane, but
still rough enough I want some good power). It will likely only get about
3000 to 5000km/year, if that. I just want some 33" BFG MT or similar, an
ample lift to support it, and enough power to have fun in the mud.


> 5) 1" body lift is fine, 2" is ok with a couple of issues, stay away
> from a 3" body lift. Shackle lifts should be avoided, they change the
> caster angles and cause handling issues. The 1-1/4" lift versions with
> cross piece are ok. Spring lift over 2-1/2" will cause driveline vibes,
> best solution to that is a CV driveshaft for $$$. Beware of stiff
> shocks, off road needs fairly soft shocks.

How about the 2.5" skyjacker spring kit?

griffin

> You really need to go back and ask yourself what you really want to do
> with your jeep. The CJ's and back have a lot of nostelga and a lot of
> rust. Galavanized body sheet metal was introduced for the YJ models and
> the last 6 months of production on the Cj's For your price point, you
> really should look at the early model TJ's, you should be able to find
> decent '97 or '98 models for that money. Just as capable off road, much
> nice ride on road. 2" lift can be done for $100 with the spring spacers.

Cruising around inside the city in summer and mudding (nothing insane, but
still rough enough I want some good power). It will likely only get about
3000 to 5000km/year, if that. I just want some 33" BFG MT or similar, an
ample lift to support it, and enough power to have fun in the mud.


> 5) 1" body lift is fine, 2" is ok with a couple of issues, stay away
> from a 3" body lift. Shackle lifts should be avoided, they change the
> caster angles and cause handling issues. The 1-1/4" lift versions with
> cross piece are ok. Spring lift over 2-1/2" will cause driveline vibes,
> best solution to that is a CV driveshaft for $$$. Beware of stiff
> shocks, off road needs fairly soft shocks.

How about the 2.5" skyjacker spring kit?

griffin

> You really need to go back and ask yourself what you really want to do
> with your jeep. The CJ's and back have a lot of nostelga and a lot of
> rust. Galavanized body sheet metal was introduced for the YJ models and
> the last 6 months of production on the Cj's For your price point, you
> really should look at the early model TJ's, you should be able to find
> decent '97 or '98 models for that money. Just as capable off road, much
> nice ride on road. 2" lift can be done for $100 with the spring spacers.

Cruising around inside the city in summer and mudding (nothing insane, but
still rough enough I want some good power). It will likely only get about
3000 to 5000km/year, if that. I just want some 33" BFG MT or similar, an
ample lift to support it, and enough power to have fun in the mud.


> 5) 1" body lift is fine, 2" is ok with a couple of issues, stay away
> from a 3" body lift. Shackle lifts should be avoided, they change the
> caster angles and cause handling issues. The 1-1/4" lift versions with
> cross piece are ok. Spring lift over 2-1/2" will cause driveline vibes,
> best solution to that is a CV driveshaft for $$$. Beware of stiff
> shocks, off road needs fairly soft shocks.

How about the 2.5" skyjacker spring kit?

griffin

> You really need to go back and ask yourself what you really want to do
> with your jeep. The CJ's and back have a lot of nostelga and a lot of
> rust. Galavanized body sheet metal was introduced for the YJ models and
> the last 6 months of production on the Cj's For your price point, you
> really should look at the early model TJ's, you should be able to find
> decent '97 or '98 models for that money. Just as capable off road, much
> nice ride on road. 2" lift can be done for $100 with the spring spacers.

Cruising around inside the city in summer and mudding (nothing insane, but
still rough enough I want some good power). It will likely only get about
3000 to 5000km/year, if that. I just want some 33" BFG MT or similar, an
ample lift to support it, and enough power to have fun in the mud.


> 5) 1" body lift is fine, 2" is ok with a couple of issues, stay away
> from a 3" body lift. Shackle lifts should be avoided, they change the
> caster angles and cause handling issues. The 1-1/4" lift versions with
> cross piece are ok. Spring lift over 2-1/2" will cause driveline vibes,
> best solution to that is a CV driveshaft for $$$. Beware of stiff
> shocks, off road needs fairly soft shocks.

How about the 2.5" skyjacker spring kit?

Mike Romain

griffin wrote:
>>> 3. I bought one 4cyl 2.5L and everyone told me afterwards that it's a
>>> mistake to buy any 4cyl Jeeps. I've noticed anything with a 4 is pretty
>>> cheap compared to a 6 or 8. Is this because the 4 doesn't have enough
> power
>>> for a modified Jeep? What engines are the best? 4.0L hi output, 4.2L,
> old CJ
>>> 6cyl, CJ 304 V8?
>> Yup, a 4 is lacking for modified vehicles if the gears aren't changed,
>> other than that I have wheeled with a bunch of 4 bangers and didn't
>> notice it at all.
>
> I don't need any *crazy* mods but I'd like to put a 2.5" skyjacker spring
> lift and throw some 33" BFG MT's on. Should I change the gears for this? Is
> this a bad lift idea? Anything you'd recommend?
>
>

I don't mind forgetting I have a 5th gear so I don't lug my engine with
my 33's and 3.31 gears, but then I have a 'glass body and the 258 so it
goes nice. I can still use 5th, but it costs gas, about 5 mpg better
without it.

Off road we have low range so never have issues.

As mentioned, 'I' had a big truck spring shop do my lift. They do not
sell gold plated springs like the 4x4 shops do or use platinum tools
like the specialty shops also use. :-)

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)