1st Jeep, 4 or 6 cyl?

Joker741 · 04-18-2008, 11:07 PM

Hey everyone, I am new here and have a question...

I am getting ready to buy my first Jeep, but want to know which engine I should get. I am looking at getting a 93 or newer but trying to stay as close to $5,000 as I can. I want a 93 or newer for the ABS and Fuel Injection. I live in Coos Bay, Oregon and this will be my around town vehical to save my 2500HD Duramax and something I can take out on the dunes when I want to leave my quad at home. So, I am going to need something with some power to get up some of the dunes. Any help would be appreciated.

Ctskip · 04-19-2008, 05:44 AM

If you're looking for a DD, go for the 4 . If you're looking for power??? Get a 6. Of course a built 350 is the way to go if you want lots of power. The more cubes, equals more power. I would think a 4 could conquer a dune though. Stay with thefuel injected ones. JMHO.
Ctskip

Joker741 · 04-19-2008, 10:59 AM

Where I live, I am 5 minutes from everything and I work from home. I just don't want to keep taking short trips on my diesel, plus I want something fun to play in the sand with. I just sold my 2002 Tacoma, which was my around town car, so I could buy a Jeep and a few other things. I race in the NHRA and travel a lot, this will just be my in town car.

Luckyduck · 04-19-2008, 11:02 AM

I got my 99 4 banger for $3500 but 6's where much much more

I wish I had a 6

paulthejeeper · 04-19-2008, 01:06 PM

Test drive one of each... Chances are you will like the 6 better, the 4 won't be more economical than the 6 if thats what you are looking for...

Joker741 · 04-20-2008, 03:34 PM

I think I will just look for a nice Jeep and do the 350 swap with a 700R4.

sporticon03 · 04-20-2008, 04:37 PM

depends on auto or manual, 4 cyl autos are dogs, the 6's are great but dont expect more than 15-16 mpgs around town. Check the epa ratings but i dont think the 4's are much better, at least not worth the loss in power

jdubbs107 · 04-20-2008, 04:46 PM

the real question here should be a 6 or an 8. in which case still 6, i'm biased. the inline 6 will last you forever and provide a great dd

Joker741 · 04-20-2008, 05:05 PM

This is not really a DD, I work from home and live in a small town and it is not for travel as I take my 2500HD on trips. It will be more of a quick trip to the store and run in the dunes or on the beach type of Jeep. I just hate to put a bunch of 5 minute trips on my diesel and I want a toy (other than the quad) to play in the dunes with and the possibility of the occational crawl. I am not worried about milage as a tank of gas lasted a month and a half in my Tacoma and it only got 16 mpg with the bigger tires. I think I am going to still look for an I6/manual with the intent of later doing a V8 swap.

Thanks to all of you for the replies, I really appreciate it.

Shark01 · 04-21-2008, 03:11 PM

I drove a 4 cylinder for about 10 minutes......then when I got back to the dealership I killed the salesman for suggesting it

07MustangGT · 04-22-2008, 06:24 PM

I've had both... but unlike you I hadn't discovered these wonderful forums before buying my first one. big mistake. Mine was a 5-speed at least but it was severely underpowered and it really limits you on modifications as you already don't have much power. I got maybe 1-2 mpg better if that with it. The 6 holds its value a lot better too. When I was selling my '02 there were a lot of people immediately turned off by the 4cyl. I would think you could a decent one for around $5k out there. Good luck but I recommend going with the 6.

brokenarrow184 · 04-22-2008, 06:39 PM

My first TJ was a 4cyl on 33" tires and it was a dog. It would barely do 65mph on the highway! I guess gears would have helped but that gets expensive.

Since owning that Jeep I have driven several that are I6 and IMO thats the only way to go!! Im picking up my 2002 Sport this Thursday!

provinT13 · 04-22-2008, 09:00 PM

I have a 4 and its fine, but like everyone says and I would say it too, if you can buy a 6 get it

edmond · 04-23-2008, 01:17 AM

Go for the 6, most who have purchased a 4 regret it. If you are planning on running in the dunes you will need the extra power. Just make sure to get the 91 and newer Wranglers.

Joker741 · 04-25-2008, 12:17 AM

Might have found a Jeep, going to look at it on Saturday. It is a 94, I6/Manual, 126,000 miles, 5" lift on 33's. We will see...

I already have the list completed of things I want to do to it, I just have to find a YJ that I like.

04-19-2008, 10:59 AM	#3
Joker741 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 107 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Where I live, I am 5 minutes from everything and I work from home. I just don't want to keep taking short trips on my diesel, plus I want something fun to play in the sand with. I just sold my 2002 Tacoma, which was my around town car, so I could buy a Jeep and a few other things. I race in the NHRA and travel a lot, this will just be my in town car.

04-20-2008, 03:34 PM	#6
Joker741 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 107 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I think I will just look for a nice Jeep and do the 350 swap with a 700R4.

04-20-2008, 05:05 PM	#9
Joker741 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 107 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	This is not really a DD, I work from home and live in a small town and it is not for travel as I take my 2500HD on trips. It will be more of a quick trip to the store and run in the dunes or on the beach type of Jeep. I just hate to put a bunch of 5 minute trips on my diesel and I want a toy (other than the quad) to play in the dunes with and the possibility of the occational crawl. I am not worried about milage as a tank of gas lasted a month and a half in my Tacoma and it only got 16 mpg with the bigger tires. I think I am going to still look for an I6/manual with the intent of later doing a V8 swap. Thanks to all of you for the replies, I really appreciate it.

04-21-2008, 03:11 PM	#10
Shark01 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Houston Tx Posts: 37 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I drove a 4 cylinder for about 10 minutes......then when I got back to the dealership I killed the salesman for suggesting it

04-25-2008, 12:17 AM	#15
Joker741 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Corvallis, OR Posts: 107 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Might have found a Jeep, going to look at it on Saturday. It is a 94, I6/Manual, 126,000 miles, 5" lift on 33's. We will see... I already have the list completed of things I want to do to it, I just have to find a YJ that I like.