Calling all Jeep guru's...

[Markcore]

I'm looking at a '97 Jeep Wrangler 4cyl, 131k miles, small lift and 31'' tires. Sounds fine and drives ok, but had to hold the pedal nearly to the floor to cruise at 60mph on the highway. Is that normal or signs of a power loss issue?

Thanks for the help!

[mustang_gt88]

I have a 97 4 banger 5 speed with 4inch lift and 32.5 x 10.5 and I have no problem getting up to 65 70 on highway. Once i get there i can let off the gas alittle and maintain speed as long as no hill. It will suck gas and make sure you check the front fenders behide the marker light for rust. Also check in front of the rear tires were the body mount is. Got any pics?

[1baddlx]

4 cylinders arent the way to go if you lift them and put bigger tires on them,uless its dirt cheap hold out and buy a 6 cylinder if possible,jeeps shouldnt have been built with a 4 cylinder to start with......just my opinion though...

[06V6Andrew]

4 cylinders arent the way to go if you lift them and put bigger tires on them,uless its dirt cheap hold out and buy a 6 cylinder if possible,jeeps shouldnt have been built with a 4 cylinder to start with......just my opinion though...

i think the first actual jeeps are 4 cylinders. but imo, i woukd buy a jeep pre 1988. that was the year chrysler took over and it went downhill

[1baddlx]

i was referring to the year markore specified.....i asked that same question over a year ago to some jeep gurus and they all said do not buy a 4 cylinder that i wouldnt be happy with it and so i bought a 98 sahara 6 cylinder wrangler off of a customer that uses dawson auto care....i love it and still have it....

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

4 cylinder and Jeep should have never been used in the same sentence. Crappy under powered engine.

As for the original Jeeps, they were half the size and half the weight with half the tires.

[mustang_gt88]

I love my 4 banger jeep, yes the 6 cylinder is better but I have had mine about 2 years and love it. It is not my daily driver its just a nice weather toy.

[leroy93lx]

Depending on what your plans are for it, you could always find a set of gears from a rubicon or even the entire front and rear diffs. Most of them have 4.10s. You will honestly get better fuel mileage from a 4.0 inline six though and be much happier. I really wish Chrysler would of just put small V8s in all wranglers! My 2011 is weak!

[Markcore]

I have a 97 4 banger 5 speed with 4inch lift and 32.5 x 10.5 and I have no problem getting up to 65 70 on highway. Once i get there i can let off the gas alittle and maintain speed as long as no hill. It will suck gas and make sure you check the front fenders behide the marker light for rust. Also check in front of the rear tires were the body mount is. Got any pics?

This Jeep is an automatic, could that make a difference? If it floored it, it would drop down and hit 65mph. Not sure if there was a head wind.

What else should I look for in this Jeep?

Thanks fellas! :bigthumb

[mustang_gt88]

If you get a 4-banger make sure it is 5 speed.

[CNTLOSE]

Four bangers are turds for highway use...especially if you lift and put bigger tires on them...or want to go up a big hill at speed. For around town or on the trails they are fine. I would stay away from an auto 4 cylinder if I was you. But if you are getting it at a killer price and you like it, go for it. You can always sell a Jeep quick or change it over to a 4.0 5speed down the road. (Of course I would only do that it you are getting it at a killer price...if not wait for a 4.0)

[1baddlx]

I know a guy who was selling a 77-8-or79 not sure which year of the three but its got a 302 Ford motor and a 3 speed for sale and it has a half soft top.its a cj5 in primer and it is supposed to be in good shape for 1,500...

[Rick93coupe]

My 97 4.0 wrangler had 31x10.5's and 5th gear was useless in wind or up a hill. They arent very aero dynamic to begin with, so I would avoid the 4cyl. My 99 cherokee has an auto and 6cyl and it does pretty good, no complaints at all.

[full force]

I had a 4 cyl. wrangler years ago with a lift and 31's...no way would I ever have a 4 cylinder again, so slow... It was fine off road, but on highway...forget it...had to floor it all the time to keep speed... why have the hassle..

[mustangboy]

You know 5.0 swaps aren't all that difficult to do to a wrangler, just sayin

[Katmandu]

had to hold the pedal nearly to the floor to cruise at 60mph on the highway. Take the banana out of the tailpipe ! :D

[ibstrokin]

My 97 4.0 wrangler had 31x10.5's and was useless. They arent very aero dynamic to begin with, so I would avoid the 4cyl. My 99 cherokee has an auto and 6cyl and it does pretty good, no complaints at all.

Fixed it!!!!

[sean]

Most lifted bigger tire 4cyl cars are going to suck. the lifted bigger tire 4cyl ones are harder to sell and get a decent price too. 97 was the start of the tj and a better jeep. The 6cyl is the only way to go if your going to be on the highway.

[Markcore]

Help me make the right choice here. I'm am a complete impulse buyer! The Jeep has a nice Sony sound bar, and the body looks to be in good shape. BRAND NEW tires, Interco TrXus 31'' and looks to be 15'' wide. These - http://www.intercotire.com/tires.php?id=11&g=1

Price is just under $6k and has 131k miles on it. KBB says it's worth $7k. Is it worth buying and doing a 4.0 swap down the road? I hear what you're all saying about not getting one with an auto, but I prefer an auto for my DD'ers.

[1baddlx]

dont do it .....there are some nice 6 cylinders for sale and to get the automatic like mine you lool for a sahara model,i looked on craigslist a min ago and found 2

[1baddlx]

summertime fun as well

[evil8]

4.0 especially if its an auto.

[Timido]

My Jeep is a 4.0 5sp 35" tires 4.56 gears and it still is far from a powerhouse. I would not even think about a 4cly unless it was dirt. Heap and I would put a 5.3 in it.

[Markcore]

Thanks for the advice fellas, I called and said I'll pass on it. He tried to offer me a 4.0 and swap over the wheels and tires but it was ~$3k more.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

You know 5.0 swaps aren't all that difficult to do to a wrangler, just sayin

I've contemplated a fuelie 5.0 swap in my Cherokee several times, i just never had a place to do it but now that i have a garage i've been thinking more about it. I'm fairly sure a stock 5.0 will get a few more mpg than the 4.0 and have more power and torque to boot. My only complaint with the 4.0 is the gas mileage. Mine averages about 14mpg.

[Markcore]

Weeelllllllllll....

We worked out a deal I couldn't pass up. The tires are 33x12.50's

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d130/HEPFER/137dde9c.jpg

[Rick93coupe]

:bangwall:

[mustang_gt88]

Sweet looks clean

[CNTLOSE]

Looks nice...and hey if it makes you happy that is what is important!

Congrats!

[Markcore]

Looks nice...and hey if it makes you happy that is what is important!

Congrats!

You're right :bigthumb

[Timido]

If it is a 4 cly just gear the axles for the tires. It is a dark picture but it looks clean. It is highly addictive. I have some Jeep pieces parts that are coming off of mine soon if you need any. Nerf bars, Rubicon rockers, 4" Lift Springs, Skyjacker suspension.

[Markcore]

Cool, what do the nerf bars look like? I think the first thing I'm going to need to look into is some sort of steering stabilizers. These big tires tend to bounce and drift easy.

Did you add any cab lighting at all?

[Timido]

When I bought the Jeep it came with 4 hid lights I have not installed them yet. The nerf bars look like tubes on the side under the doors. They don't offer much protection but they give you a step to get in the Jeep. The Rubicon rockers offer some protection on the tub. Bounce and drift easy check all you bushings joints wheel bearings and steering linkage. They are all hard on them