Topic: 2.5 Question

[marc1kim]

Hello fellow Jeepsters, I was wanting your advice to help steer me in the right direction (no pun intended) I've been a Jeep fan and owner for many years now, and am getting back into Jeeps after a Long, Long five year absence in the Jeep scene.

Recently I've been offered an excelent deal on a 97 TJ with a four banger, but I'm afraid of making the purchase because of the engine itself. The guys at work were telling me to stay clear of the four bangers for reliability and power concerns, and that the 4.0 is a favorite among Jeep enthusiasts.
 
My past jeeps were a 1980 CJ-7 with a 304 V8, and a 88 YJ with a 4.2L.   If I get the TJ, it's main purpose will be to get my *ss to work and back, and  some moderate offroading every now and then (beach, Ranch,etc). I don't plan on running any tires bigger than 30 or 31's. Should I jump on this deal, or should I wait for one with a 4.0? I've never had any experience with the Jeep four bangers. Any help would be appreciated.

[Jesse-James]

If it's good deal, go for it. From what I've seen the 2.5 is the more reliable motor of the two. As far as power, it's plenty managable so long as it's geared right. It's a matter of personal taste and you will hear opinions from both sides (except here of course). I suggest you test drive it on the highway since that's the only time there's a true difference.

[tommygp]

Just for comparison purposes, a TJ with a 4-popper will probably run comparable or better than the 88 YJ with the carbed 4.2L did.

The 4.0 is a nice motor, but the 2.5 is no slouch.  Like Jesse-James says, drive it on the highway and see how it feels.

[jagular7]

If you haven't taken a test drive, go do one. Then you'll know if its a good deal to you or not. However, just to let you know everyone has bought their Jeeps through a good deal at the time, LOL.

[Mozman68]

I had the same reservations about the 2.5 when I bought mine last year.  Fact of the matter is, I just couldn't tell that much of a difference between the 2.5 and the 4.0 during regular driving.

Sure, highways and hills make it much more noticable, but there are very few of those where I live in Michigan.

I also nearly killed myself trying to find a 4.0 that didn't have high miles, wasn't ridden hard or had a million add-ons that I didn't want or would replace....and they were always more money.

I got a rust free, stock 2000 4-banger with 60,000 miles for $8k and haven't looked back.

(besides, the motor can always be replaced with something better than the 4.0 anyway :twisted: )

[neale_rs]

For the tire size you are considering, the 2.5 will be great.  My 95 Yj with 30 inch tires does fine on the highway.  The only time it seems lacking is on steep mountain roads.  Off-road the 2.5 is great and Wranglers with it are lower geared than the ones with the 4.0.

[Jaggedfel]

Check this out;  
AMC 258ci I6 (4.2L)
HP 112 @ 3200
Torque: 210 @ 2000

AMC 150 ci I4 (2.5L)
HP 123@ 5250
Torque: 139 @ 3250
The 2.5L is comparable to your old 4.2 motor, and in the HP department, it is actually a little better than it.  Kind of interesting is this also:
AMC 304 V8
HP 125 @ 3200 (varies by year, 80-81 specs)
Torque 220 @ 2400
See how technology improves over the years?  I'm a diesel/VW enthusiast, so if my Wrangler motor ever dies, a TDI, VM Motori 2.8L or Cummins 4 BT is going in to replace my 2.5L.

[marc1kim]

Thanks for the tips guys, I didn't go through with the first jeep mentioned above(it had too many issues) I ended up getting a clean 99 TJ 2.5 SE that was owned by an older couple, they would pull it behind their RV. Actual Drive miles are around 45K, Price paid 8K. It was fun driving it home 70-75mph on the highway, got a little scary when I hit a cross wind!!! All the memories came rushing back...it's been a long five years and it's great to own a Jeep again! :wink:

[Jesse-James]

Good to hear, congrats on your new rig.

[dunklervogel]

grats man.. you'll be happy with the 2.5 it is a good engine.. don't listen to those ppl that talk it down  :P

[Tall Boy]

Check this out;  
AMC 258ci I6 (4.2L)
HP 112 @ 3200
Torque: 210 @ 2000

AMC 150 ci I4 (2.5L)
HP 123@ 5250
Torque: 139 @ 3250
The 2.5L is comparable to your old 4.2 motor, and in the HP department, it is actually a little better than it.  Kind of interesting is this also:
AMC 304 V8
HP 125 @ 3200 (varies by year, 80-81 specs)
Torque 220 @ 2400
See how technology improves over the years?  I'm a diesel/VW enthusiast, so if my Wrangler motor ever dies, a TDI, VM Motori 2.8L or Cummins 4 BT is going in to replace my 2.5L.

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The torque is what gets you moving though. When we regear it adds torque. On my dirtbike, I went from a 32 tooth rear sprocket to a 46 and it added the torque. They had a 65 tooth sprocket for it, but the guy said unless I was into climbing trees, it was useless.  
so unless we regear, we don't have the pulling power necessary for big tires. I think i heard someone say it was 4:56 for 31's, and 4:88's for 32's and 33's. He said if I went over a 31 I was asking for trouble, which isn't bad. I went over some hairy stuff with 30's, with scraping. I think the Rubicon was done on 27's way back when.