1997-2002 2.5l 4cyl Wrangler. Need opinions

RedVenom48 · Aug 13, 2019

Selling my Excursion, and my new to me 99 Corolla is probably totaled after someone hit it while parked this weekend. I need an economical daily, but dont want to lose off road ability. So, Im thinking about a TJ Wrangler with the 2.5L AMC 4. Not interested in the 2.4L version.

Not really interested in pre-1996 vehicles, just do not want to deal with non OBD2 cars.

How much of a dog is the 2.5 on the freeway? AC is a must, cause its damn hot in AZ during the summer and homie dont play the no AC thing. My lady wants a new vehicle of her own, probably a Rubicon Wrangler, TRD Off Road 4Runner or Bronco (if that isnt a turd). This is just for me.

While Id prefer the 4.0L, they are still a smidge out of my price range.

What say you SVTP?

SID297 · Aug 13, 2019

It's a complete turd. 4.0L I-6 or nothing.

7998 · Aug 13, 2019

I've never driven a slower vehicle than a 2.5 Wrangler. I can't imagine how slow it would be with the a/c on. Also they suck on gas.

Evil Bender · Aug 13, 2019

I hate to pile on but having owned a 2.4L ,I would not get another ,have you thought about a 4.0L XJ maybe ?

Mentos · Aug 13, 2019

The 4 banger isn’t worth it, unless you get a smoking deal. Speaking from experience.

ford fanatic · Aug 13, 2019

Bought a new four banger TJ back in 06, it was a gutless turd.

SolarYellow · Aug 13, 2019

lexustech48 said:
Selling my Excursion, and my new to me 99 Corolla is probably totaled after someone hit it while parked this weekend. I need an economical daily, but dont want to lose off road ability. So, Im thinking about a TJ Wrangler with the 2.5L AMC 4. Not interested in the 2.4L version.

Not really interested in pre-1996 vehicles, just do not want to deal with non OBD2 cars.

How much of a dog is the 2.5 on the freeway? AC is a must, cause its damn hot in AZ during the summer and homie dont play the no AC thing. My lady wants a new vehicle of her own, probably a Rubicon Wrangler, TRD Off Road 4Runner or Bronco (if that isnt a turd). This is just for me.

While Id prefer the 4.0L, they are still a smidge out of my price range.

What say you SVTP?

1.) With 30's, the 5 speed and the 2.5L I would be lucky to top 80mph on the highway.
2.) Gas mileage was poor because you always had to rev the heck out of each gear.
3.) Add a person and some gear and "performance" was so bad you couldn't even laugh.

In terms of 4x4 it was incredible though.

SID297 · Aug 13, 2019

Shit, now I'm thinking about building a Jeep TJ/LJ.

nxhappy · Aug 13, 2019

I would say any v6 Yota would fit your needs ...

punishd · Aug 13, 2019

I had an 01 2.5 5-speed. It's probably the most underpowered vehicle that I've ever driven. Mine had a mild lift and 31s and averaged about 15 mpg. Still love TJs though and would like to have another one some day, but it would have the 4.0.

Handlebar Moustache · Aug 13, 2019

punishd said:
I had an 01 2.5 5-speed. It's probably the most underpowered vehicle that I've ever driven. Mine had a mild lift and 31s and averaged about 15 mpg. Still love TJs though and would like to have another one some day, but it would have the 4.0.

Had a 95 or 96 (can’t remember) Xj 2.5L with a 5 speed. It was a reasonably cool truck, but yeah it was slow as hell. The 5 speed made it tolerable. I had 30s on it; it would get 19 (I think) around town, maybe 21 on the highway. You could hang meat inside it with the A/C on though. Picked it up for $1200, sold it for $2600 a few years later. Didn’t have many problems with it. I used it to pull a 16 ft trailer loaded with an 88 dodge colt on the interstate once....lmao.

I also had a 95 4.0L auto for awhile. It reminded me of an angry little chainsaw when you’d wind it out. It was torquey. definitely more fun than the 2.5L.

Sent from my iPhone using the svtperformance.com mobile app

ViciousJay · Aug 14, 2019

What's you're budget and needs for a DD?

ViciousJay · Aug 14, 2019

SID297 said:
Shit, now I'm thinking about building a Jeep TJ/LJ.

You're better off with the 3.6 pinnacle block, go find a salvaged mopar mini van, also look into VW turbo but if you ramp it up the ecu tuning might be an issue. You could find a tuner willing to play with the software tables.

My cousin worked for VW and played with the 3.6 and tried talking me into turbo-ing my jeep but oh well.

Stanley · Aug 14, 2019

A couple of the bleepinjeep guys (can find them on youtube) put a vw TDI in a TJ and another in a XJ. Could be an option if you find either cheap enough and want a fun project. The XJ gets pretty good mpg with it.

GodStang · Aug 14, 2019

Stanley said:
A couple of the bleepinjeep guys (can find them on youtube) put a vw TDI in a TJ and another in a XJ. Could be an option if you find either cheap enough and want a fun project. The XJ gets pretty good mpg with it.

I have a YJ that we have everything built buy the engine is still a stockish inline 6. I am wanting to do a TDi so bad. Would love to do the 3.0L out of the Touareg.

The guys you mentioned

Stanley · Aug 14, 2019

GodStang said:
I have a YJ that we have everything built buy the engine is still a stockish inline 6. I am wanting to do a TDi so bad. Would love to do the 3.0L out of the Touareg.

The guys you mentioned

Go watch the videos of the TJ they did. It's pretty funny to see it blowing black smoke going over rocks. The videos made me want to find a XJ with a blown motor just to do the swap.

That's it!

***Side note, the 1000th video three part series they did was great.

SID297 · Aug 14, 2019

ViciousJay said:
You're better off with the 3.6 pinnacle block, go find a salvaged mopar mini van, also look into VW turbo but if you ramp it up the ecu tuning might be an issue. You could find a tuner willing to play with the software tables.

My cousin worked for VW and played with the 3.6 and tried talking me into turbo-ing my jeep but oh well.

I like the old I-6. I'd like to build one up some day. I'm a sucker of I-6 engines in general.

GodStang · Aug 14, 2019

Stanley said:
Go watch the videos of the TJ they did. It's pretty funny to see it blowing black smoke going over rocks. The videos made me want to find a XJ with a blown motor just to do the swap.

That's it!

***Side note, the 1000th video three part series they did was great.

Dang it man you just killed all my productivity today:

Conversion Parts Link: Jeep

Stanley · Aug 14, 2019

GodStang said:
Dang it man you just killed all my productivity today:

Conversion Parts Link: Jeep

I just made myself close all the tabs and gear up for work. haha

1997-2002 2.5l 4cyl Wrangler. Need opinions

RedVenom48

Let's go Brandon!

SID297

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7998

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Evil Bender

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Stanley

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