[jeep714]

Hey guys, still trying to get my hands on a Jeep, but I'm in between a wrangler and a CJ. One of my only concerns about the CJ is the reliability. I don't mind getting under a Jeep at all, but I also don't want to be on the side of the road underneath it when I'm on a date or something! When looking at advantages of wranglers, one of the main thing is fuel injection on the models later than 91, so I was wondering if I put fuel injection into a CJ, will I be getting ABOUT the same reliability of a wrangler? (I realize some things do just come with age, however).
Thanks a bunch!

[row684]

If you want FI put it on a CJ, won't catch me driving a Chrysler!

[mvigo]

night and day difference, NEVER, EVER do I have to worry about fuel issues...the best upgrade I have done...

[BagusJeep]

Reliability?

Seriously, if you are going to buy a 20 year old Wrangler, do no expect modern day reliability.

I have a 1995 Cherokee with FI and it has gone wrong twice in 2 years leaving me stranded, once being a fuel pump and once being a relay. They are not bulletproof systems and you will end up under the hood wondering what on earth those boxes, cables and pipes do.

I have several early 80s CJs. I have had an electric fuel pump give up, carbs which have required cleaning and rebuilding and leaks in perished hoses. Apart from the failed electric pump it has never stopped. It is also a system a guy like me can understand and deal with by the side of the road with a few basic tools.

If I was to fit Mopar injection on to a CJ it would be a lot of work, I would need to become a wiring guru and it would cost $$$$$. It will give better economy and allow extreme angles but I seriously doubt that fitting a 20 year old second hand system to a 30 year old vehicle will give faultless performance.

My suggested solution is buy a CJ (because they are better than any Wrangler) and hire a limo for every date.

[RARECJ8]

my 81 CJ was MOPAR'd and after chasing down bugs, its hands down one of the best upgrades. The external fuel pump kept failing, so went with an in tank pump and it runs great.

[Cirruslydakota]

First vehicle I ever had was a F150 4.9 I6 that had a motorcraft one barrel carb. When it was warm it ran great, anything under 40 degrees and it was a total pain. Needed constant adjustments and forget about starting in the winter. By comparison my chevy truck with TBI started everytime and only ever needed a fuel pump in the 100,000 miles I had it. Dont get me wrong, I love older stuff but im glad I dont have to adjust points, check and adjust valve lash every tune up, or tune carburetors.

[John Strenk]

I think the of of the major benefits of fuel injections is the ability to run you engine at angles that will cause your oil pressure to drop to Zero.

I think a properly maintained carb is just as reliable as a fuel injection system. If it wasn't for emissions regulations, i doubt we would have FI so universally applied now.

If you're kinda lazy and don't get into Preventive Maintenance then FI is the way to go. Heck, If you're kinda lazy and don't get into Preventive Maintenance then a TJ Wrangler is probably the way to swing. They still look like CJ's a little.

FI is complicated but once done, you probably don't have to touch it anymore.

[gmakra]

It depends on what you want I concur with Bagus and John. The big difference with a FI system (other than a Howell kit) is more accurate fuel delivery and most important is ignition control. The computer handles the control of fuel and spark and that is huge. On the CJs the carb and ignition are two stand alone systems and they work independently of each other. When you marry the systems you get a more drivable Jeep in the cold, high altitudes and so on, you should also see a bit better gas mileage. Drive an old YJ or TJ and you will get a very good idea of what to expect.

FI is not infallible but its also not as bad as some people would have you believe nor is working on them, its a handful of sensors and a different thought process to trouble shoot.

[CALOcruiser]

Originally Posted by Cirruslydakota

First vehicle I ever had was a F150 4.9 I6 that had a motorcraft one barrel carb. When it was warm it ran great, anything under 40 degrees and it was a total pain. Needed constant adjustments and forget about starting in the winter. By comparison my chevy truck with TBI started everytime and only ever needed a fuel pump in the 100,000 miles I had it. Dont get me wrong, I love older stuff but im glad I dont have to adjust points, check and adjust valve lash every tune up, or tune carburetors.

Chevy beats Ford is the key to that argument, not the TBI ...

A 20-30 year old vehicle is going to have a lot of stuff to leave you by the road if not properly maintained or set up. Since correctly setting up my Weber, it is the only thing that hasn't given me a problem. One by one, I had to debug a worn out or improperly setup system. Understanding the design and maintenance of the systems is key to reliability, not purely one technology over another.

[james04si]

When I had a carb on mine it never left me stranded on the side of the road because of carbs issues. My 64 impala the same. I didnt swap to a Howell TBI because I thought it was more reliable, I changed over simply because of fuel mileage and the ability to turn the key and go no matter the weather.

[243]

If you ever question the reliability, drivability or fuel economy of fuel injection...

...remember, no manufacturer offers carburetors for on the road vehicles.

...even boat motors, atv's and motorcycles have gone FI.

[John Strenk]

My weed wacker still has a carb , but that's not saying anything for reliability or easy starting.

[james04si]

Originally Posted by John Strenk

My weed wacker still has a carb , but that's not saying anything for reliability or easy starting.

I have an echo. I swear they did something right. 2 pulls and it always starts and its 10 years old. Before it I had a weed eater brand that wouldn't start unless you sacraficed a chicken and held your head just right.

[aggiejon]

I'm putting MPFI in my cj jeep now. The sensors that make her go are all new. I'm swapping for easy starting and economy.

My advice is on the date, if you take her out in it, and it breaks down - if she isn't under the hood with you, it's a good sign she wouldn't be worth keeping around. It's embarrassing, but also a great time to talk and get to know one another while stranded on the side of the road or walking back to the gas station. If she bolts, well, makes for a good story.

That being said, I have my CJ for the farm and recreation, not my daily driver.

[BillyPilgrim]

I assumed I would have to go TBI or Propane or some such convoluted conversion on my CJ at some point. Turns out it's just not true, for me. See this is a hard question to ask of a community as everyone has different setups and their own unique issues (makes owning older vehicles that much more fun.)

I did some popular ignition upgrades and set up my MC2100 where I wanted it and I couldn't be happier. Starts in the winter without a choke, fires right up in the summer, damn thing will practically run on it's side also. Sure it's a little cold blooded and loaded up when I first start it, but I love that. Also when it acts up or does something strange there is a comparatively simple flow chart of things to check right in my mind.

My 01 XJ would act up all the time (probably a Lemon) but it was always this or that sensor or maybe this or that circuit. Now this is all easy for me to say as my CJ is not my DD, and I love the feeling of having to know how to start, drive and "tune" my vehicle.

It all comes down to what you want. But with a little TLC and attention I don't think you would have any issues or have to worry about reliability out of a carb.