[DUNES]

ok guys, i've read a bit and think i know what i should get. then theres the reality of finding it for a reasonable price.

backgound; i've built cars, bikes, quads, trucks, rails, put on blowers and turbos, never owned or worked on a jeep.

sold my bronco to a friend when i got into sand, want back in the dirt, for some reason i can't really explain i want a jeep. i've got a subaru which does ok, i've got a big crew cab chevy on 35" with a blower but shes a bit large for trails and i need it to tow so i can't really beat her up too much.

anyway, that was just to tell you i'm not mechanically illiterate ;]

so, it seems the best choice is a post 91 4 or 6 cyl with mpi, but from what i have found so far, they are a couple grand more. so, do i wait and look or go with a 4 to avoid the carter carb ?

this jeep will be used as a wheeler, it will need to get to the trails but that's all the street it will see. i've got other cars for road use.

let me know what you think, or if i'm over thinking this, from what i've read here the carb'ed 6 is a pita.

thanks for any input.

[Sahara88]

If i was you i would go with the Inline 6. Since gas consumption won't really be a factor if your only using on the trails. You'll be glad that you put a bit more money in to get the stronger engine, and try to avoid the carb if at all possible

[DUNES]

that's what i'm leaning toward, but, it seems most of the people around here think their jeeps are toyotas [ that's a joke for those who are getting offended]

i almost thinking of buying a 89 4 cyl yj and a mid 90's cherokee [very cheap] and swapping the motor and trans out. for what's available around me now, that's the cheap route.

how does the tbi compare with the mpi in the 4 ? was wondering if i could get away with big gears since i don't plan on doing too much street driving or going too big with the tires.

[DUNES]

hey guys, got a line on a 93 4.0 auto .........

how does the auto hold up on these ?

beside the power loss and probable loss of engine braking [not breaking] any reason not to go with the auto ?

without doing the gears, what can the motor realistically push 31's, 33's ?

just curious what i can get away with to start until i get around to tearing stuff apart and throwing money at it .........

thanks for any help

[platinumjeep]

many people love the auto for crawling and mudding. i dont care if its better for crawling or not, i love manuals and will own one as long as its practical.

with the I6, you can turn 33s no problem on stock gears.

to your original question, i would of course look for a jeep with the I6, but if you find a clean, low mileage 4 cyl i would jump on it. On the trail, the 4 can do anything the 6 can do with proper gearing. The street is a little diferent though, 4 cylinders and 35s or biger hate the highway

[Burnerman]

My auto works fine for me. I don't do any hardcore wheeling but I love it on the trails. Mine has 3.07 gearing and you loose some power due to slippage but it'll spin the tires (31's) on occasion. If engine swapping is easy for you I really wouldn't worry, a SBC with a beefy auto trans is always a possiblity.