The more reliable -engine- would be the 4.0, but the more reliable -transmission- would be the 545rfe behind the v8 ( as per the general vote among us jeepforumers ) . However, if the v8 is well taken care of, they can last a very long time. The v8s tend to be pickier about maintenance and like to fuss when they arent well taken care of, which is why some call them unreliable. Also, a 4.0 with select trac is hard to find? Up here in new england, theyre are plenty of them, however, Maybe not as many in the limited trim.

 

Could not be said any better!

 

If worse came to worse if you don't find a black limited the way you want you could always get a black Laredo and find a black limited for parts and swap out your bumpers and skirt to get your black on black

 

You could also look for a special edition if the trim is your main priority. Here is mine. It a 4.7L non HO as that wasn't an option for the special edition. It's quadratrac ii and I get 18mpg on the highway and around 14-15 in the city. If you are looking for better gas mileage buy something other than a jeep!

 

...If you are looking for better gas mileage buy something other than a jeep!

Yeah, pretty much what he said.

 

yeah honestly you wont get much better gas milage with the 4.0L. My sisters V8 2004 gets about 15 average. And thats with stock gears and 32" M/T's. Its still quick as ****!

 

Well gas mileage is one concern. It's really the reliability of the V8 that is the deal breaker. If I found the HOV8 I'd be all over it. Though the HP jump from the I6 to the V8 seems meager for the problems it seems it has and the gas mileage drop.

 

The milage in the v8 is not much worse than the inline and depending on how they are driven can be unnoticeable.but that's just my opinion.

 

I have a black on black limited trim with the 4.7 and quadra trac. The quadra trac system is amazing. I love it. The only thing that does suck is that you cannot actually put it in 4HI before you start slipping. As far as the engine goes, I love it too. Do not go with the 4.0 from what I have heard. As far as life, I do believe the 4.0 outlives the 4.7, however the 4.7 is bad***. But really. I have heard if you take care of it, the 4.7 will run forever. I have 191,000 on it now. As fas as mpg's go, I am at 17.2-17.3 with splitting my driving between highway and backroads. You get the same MPG's out of the 4.0 if not even worst. That is just because of lack of power.

 

My wife has a 2004 4.7 HO with 186,000 miles. No engine problems but its getting tired and will get rebuilt in the next year or 2. Live up the mountain from boulder and routinely do 10+% grades. Gas mileage is 17 or so running up and down the mountain. Got 22 mpg driving to Ouray and back last week. No problems with the quadra drive either. Only problems have been brakes (went to stillen rotors and pads) raditator, and the blend door.

 

According to EPA estimates, the V8 gets right around the same as the I6. I speculate that the I6 has to work harder to push around the heavy SUV, so it uses the same amount of fuel as the V8. I love the deep rumble of the 4.7L V8, but if I had a choice, I would for sure go for the I6. Limited trim with just selec-trac and the I6 would be hard to find, seeming it would have to had been special ordered from the manufacturer.

But alas, I am biased. I've never owned the 4.7L, only the 4.0L. The amount of abuse that the iron head and iron case that the I6 can endure is much greater than the iron bodied aluminium headed 4.7L. The only down fall, as stated, is the transmission that goes with the 4.0L. Even when properly maintained, they sometimes fail in the 150k range.

 

11 years with a 4.7 Limited ...... Fast, reliable, and 20mpg hwy.....

Maybe I am lucky..... But my 4.7 hasn't missed a tick since new. Never been overheated .... Always Mobil 1 synthetic..... And all fluids changed on schedule.

I have never had an engine / transmission combo that feels this good after 11 years of ownership. My total maintenance cost has been less then $250 year ..... It is easy on brakes and tires also. I do all the work except installing tires , so cost is for parts only .

I have to believe that blown V8s ate from abuse or poor maintenance practices.

 

My 4.7l (Non-HO) has over 200,000 miles on it. The only things that have been an issue so far (Knock on wood) is leaking valve covers, Possably a rear main seal and an intermittent Air bag light issue. The motor still runs good and pulls strong.

 

My 4.7 HO runs great...no problems with it except I replaced the radiator because the previous owner somehow bent it...other than that it's excellent..chose it over the i6 because I've heard they do get around the same mpg consider the wj's are pretty heavy. And with a dynomax exhaust it sounds great too.

 

Reading your thread, and others similar to it over the years, has finally convinced me to sell my 4.7L for a 4.0L. Now if only I could take my suspension with me.

 

So maybe my old WJ just needed a tune up. Because the 13mpg STOCK was awful.