jeep wrangler

[dlm37015]

i am looking to buy a jeep wrangler. i wont be driving it every day .it will be for me and my dog to ride around in. i know nothing about leeps . i know there are jeep experts on here do i get a 4 or 6 a v6 or an inline six .it will not be a new one is there a better year model to look for

thanks in advance david

[Superman]

You dont want a 4cyl, I wouldnt anyway. But whether you get a inline 6 or a V6 depends on what year you go with. Up the 2006 used the inline 6, 2007-up used a V6. 4cyl not offered after 2006. If you go with inline 6 stick with 1997-2006, they have coil spring suspension front and rear. Before that they are leafs front and rear, ride is a little smoother with coils. As far as wich motor is better, both the 4.0 I6 and the 3.8 V6 are good motors so it is a toss up really. But I do seem to remember a couple years they had problems with the head on the 4.0, dont remember what years 99-00 I think.

 

But I would suggest an early Bronco, much cooler ride than a heep.lol I love the early Broncos.

Edited April 21, 2013 by Superman

[xjsnake]

The 4.0 inline 6 that Jeep made is one of the best engines ever produced IMO. Throw Rotella T oil in it (yeah I know it's for diesels) and it will run longer than you will own the vehicle. The issue with the heads that superman alludes to was an aluminum head found on 2000-2001 Cherokees, the heads were known for cracking.

 

The newer V6 is no slouch either, Jeep has had a good run of engines here lately.

 

I love my Jeeps as my screen name refers to (XJ is the body code for a Cherokee).

[Patton]

I have had a half dozen Wranglers over the years. Great vehicles and hold their value very well. If it is a weekend toy, the 2.5 4cyl is fine. I actually prefer it over the older carbureted 4.2l(90 and older). The 4.0 is a very good engine. There isn't much to stay away from on wranglers, but if 32" or larger tires are a desire stay away from the 4.0 w/ 3.07 gears. If you have the money for a Rubicon do it!
As far as the 07 and up JK's, 07's had available 4.10 gears and is heavily desired. The newer 12 &13's with the 3.6's are a beast.

How much are you looking to spend?

[dlm37015]

what ever it takes to get a good one .it will only be for off time i wont drive it every day

[Patton]

I tend to favor 97-06 TJ's over YJ's and JK's. YJ's have a vacuum assist on the front axle(will never bother 90% of people). Factory soft tops are better on TJ's and TJ's actually ride very well. YJ's aren't bad the early Peugeot 5speeds have given some trouble. People say 4cyl 5speeds are dogs but I have never really felt they were all that bad. People that buy them as weekend toys complain far less about 4cyl, daily driver 4cyl can get a little annoying. The 2.5 4cyl actually is a pretty good engine, just weak. Kind of rare but the 04-06 2.4l 4cyl you may want to stay away from for no reason other than just being an oddball. The 4.0 is really the preffered engine. If the top will be off 95% of the time get the half doors but with the top on the full steel doors are so much quiter.
If ride quality, being able to pull a small boat, and extra room mean a lot, the Unlimited is nice. Edited April 22, 2013 by Patton

[glowdotGlock]

I'm with Patton. I have an 05 TJ with the 4.0. I like the TJ's. It's a daily driver for me some weeks mixed with my F150 (which is an inline 6 too). I've got 3.73 gears with 32's with an auto and get around 15.5 mpg on the hwy if I drive it right.

[Patton]

I'm with Patton. I have an 05 TJ with the 4.0. I like the TJ's. It's a daily driver for me some weeks mixed with my F150 (which is an inline 6 too). I've got 3.73 gears with 32's with an auto and get around 15.5 mpg on the hwy if I drive it right.

I have been Wrangler less for 2 years now. I gave up a 06 4.0, auto, 33's, 3.73's. Turning the O/D off everytime I cranked it helped mileage and made driving it more pleasant. I think I even broke 18mpg's once.

[dlm37015]

thanks this gives me some idea of what to look for

[Patton]

One more thing, certain 4.0's will have a highly desireable rear Dana 44 axle. You will have to crawl under it to find out. The Dana 44 will have a metal plug on the differential plate and the undesirable Dana 35 will have a rubber plug. The Dana 35 isn't all that bad but the right person will pay $1000 more for one with a Dana 44. It's not anything that is a deal breaker on a otherwise perfect jeep but the Dana44 is sought after by many.