Topic: Verifying an older engine's performance

[chrisfranklin]

Any of you guys driving 4 cyl YJ/TJ/CJs with over 200k miles? I've heard engine "replacement"is suggested at 150k for 4cyl Jeeps.  

Been using synthetics in my 4cyl YJ since 65k; currently have 132k on it.

Getting a feel for how long the 4 can last, I guess.  To verify that an engine's performance is still as new, what do you do, test compression? Other tests?

Thanks.

[chrisfranklin]

A good YJ will be a collector's item BTW.  Of course we will all have driven ours in to the ground by the time the market appricates this.

[Jeffy]

A good YJ a colelctors item?  Not really.  There were too many made for them to be considered rare.  The only YJ that might have a chance to become a collector would be the 90-93 Renegade model.

How long do they last?  200-250 isn't unreasonable with a well kept engine.

[shotgun]

212 K on my odometer.

[jwrape]

Got 177k on the odemter BUT the Heep has always had oversized tires on it so I figure it is closer to 200k+. I just recently got the correct speedo gear to make it read correctly again.

My engine runs good. I have added the 4.0 TB and a electric fan to get a little more out of it. But I am VERY comfortable driving it around town now. When i first got it it was a dog but with those two mods and cleaning up the fuel system and flushing the engine with Seafoam it really runs smooth and drive nice now.

Main thing for a older engine is a good tune up if it is losing power. Those 4 cyl. last a good long time but the slightest loss in power and you know it cause you only have something like 125 hp to start with.
 Adding the TB  and the fan really helps free up some HP that's already there.

[chrisfranklin]

But, conventional wisdom is that the round headlights are "Jeep". So you have all the aftermarket kits to turn your YJ grill in to a TJ.  

Now, sure, about 500,000 YJs were made during their run and probably only about 2/3s of those are still running.  Give it 20 years, though, and 2 or 3 generations of new round headlight Wranglers.  YJ is going to look increasingly unusual & rare if low-mileage.  Mine, of course, is not in line to be a collectible with 132k on the OD.

And, yeah, the YJ Renegade is definitely a contender in and of itself.

[jwrape]

But, conventional wisdom is that the round headlights are "Jeep". So you have all the aftermarket kits to turn your YJ grill in to a TJ.  

Now, sure, about 500,000 YJs were made during their run and probably only about 2/3s of those are still running.  Give it 20 years, though, and 2 or 3 generations of new round headlight Wranglers.  YJ is going to look increasingly unusual & rare if low-mileage.  Mine, of course, is not in line to be a collectible with 132k on the OD.

And, yeah, the YJ Renegade is definitely a contender in and of itself.

At first when i was looking for a Jeep Wrangler I looked for and bought a 83 CJ. But found my 92 YJ and fell in love with it. The square headlights have grown on me and now I prefer them to the round headlights.

[BK2LIFE]

i think he was asking about mileage and performance.  i didnt read any where it saying "gee should i keep my yj and add round headlights, or how about my renegade is it collectable"

my jeep has uknown mileage.
it runs like a 3 cyl yugo.
the power sucks.
good compression, going to try the 4.0 throttle body, and port the intake to match the new t-body.
lookin for a new cam and lifter kit, as to last time i had my engine open, the motor has had some very neglected miles, and looked very scary inside.  so im goin to replace the cam/lifters, and the rocker arms, as they will wear the most with non consistant oil changes and what not.  (yes i pulled some rockers and was scared at the wear i saw)
witht the good even compression check, the new parts should boost my power back into the i like my jeep again range.
also i have a high flow cat, and a performance muffler, depeending on how the jeep works after the new cam/rockers, i might add a header to help out with the new t-body, and better breathing cam/exhaust.
ill let you know how it works out..

[Jeffy]

Now, sure, about 500,000 YJs were made during their run and probably only about 2/3s of those are still running.  Give it 20 years, though, and 2 or 3 generations of new round headlight Wranglers.  YJ is going to look increasingly unusual & rare if low-mileage.  Mine, of course, is not in line to be a collectible with 132k on the OD.

And, yeah, the YJ Renegade is definitely a contender in and of itself.

The actual number according to Chrysler was 638,231 but I'm guessing that only includes North America.  Then you have the continuatiion of YJ's being built in South America well past 1997.

But then consider the production numbers for the CJ-6, CJ-7, C101 and C106.  None of these are really considered collector vehicles.  There may be some collectible ones in there but overall, they aren't that collectible yet.

[chrisfranklin]

I never could explain why I sensed a personal tie to countries in South America.  Now I understand: location of extended YJ production.