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TJ DD for me?

Discussion in 'Quitters' Club' started by timgr, Jul 1, 2015.

  1. Jul 1, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Please ignore the typo in the title (argh).

    Been having a lot of trouble with corrosion (in the wiring) of the VW. Last winter was really hard on my DD. Connectors are corroded enough that I've had to wire-in jumpers around them. I love this car, but this does not inspire confidence.

    Been looking at 2.4L 4-cylinder TJs online. Any comments? Seems like the main liabilities are - 1) it's a 4-cylinder and not direct injection, and 2) the 35 rear axle.

    The EPA mileage specs aren't that far off from my 1995 2.0L Golf, which at best gets 24 mpg on the highway. I'm looking for an economical but trail-competent vehicle that could drive for long distances. I was thinking about a first-gen XTerra, but why not a 4-banger TJ? The early XTerras are getting pretty old, and the 2.4L was used through 2006. The Pentastar would give me a newer vehicle, but they can't match the 2.4L mileage.

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Jul 1, 2015
    Long&Low

    Long&Low Active Member

    Geauga County, OH
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    Tacoma?
     
  3. Jul 1, 2015
    OleBlue

    OleBlue Sponsor

    Tennessee
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    I love my 4.0 TJ I bought last year which I use as my daily driver. It is a 2005 X. I lucked up on a low mileage one with a 6 speed. If you want that mpg, I'm assuming you want to keep it stock, so the D35 shouldn't give you problems. I think most of that hype is forum stories of forum member's cousin's brother's nephew's friend. But, you are well aware of the jeep mod bug I know. What gears and tranny give you 24 mpg? I'm thinking some 2.4's came with 4.10's and 4.56's. My X had 3.07's but I've regeared to 4.10's with Truetracs, added 3" lift and 33's. My mpg is no where near 24. I get about 17 or so for my setup driving 45 to 70 mph, including stop and go, 75 miles round trip to/from work everyday.
     
  4. Jul 2, 2015
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Had a stock 2000 4.0 TJ for a while. Don't recall what gears it had, I'm thinking something like 2.90? Couldn't drive W. PA interstates without downshifting on hills, which I found disappointing for something getting 17 mpg. A 4-cylinder not on highway would be OK I suppose, but will probably be running at its limit to maintain 65 mph on highway rolling hills.
     
  5. Jul 2, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The 2006 that I may go to look at after the holiday has 3.73s. I understand the 4-bangers have higher (numerically) axle ratios from the factory.

    My VW gets 24 on the highway typically. I thought that was pretty good in 1995. IIRC the 2006 with the 2.4L, 30/35 and 3.73s is rated 17/22 or something like that.
     
  6. Jul 2, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
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    Just as a point of reference, My 3B with a 225, overdrive, and 5:38 gears only gets around 15MPG. The Commando with a V6 and 3:73 runs about 17 MPG. My '86 Volvo, I don't remember the axle ratio, runs about 24 MPG combined and has hit a high of 34 MPG on a trip ti ID with the AC on full blast and I was running over 80, between the construction zones on I 80.
     
  7. Jul 2, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The VW got a ride home on a flatbed tonight. Thank my stars for AAA Gold. Apparently my repairs did not last. 40 miles on the road and the CEL starts flickering on deceleration. Hardly made it through the exit toll both on the pike.

    MAF sensor? An expensive part... need to get out the laptop and check the codes after the holiday.
     
  8. Jul 3, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    Tim go kick the tires on the 4 cylinder TJ . if it's a stick . I think you might like it . but on another note . I know people in ohio . that just drive hooptys during winter months because of all the salt on roads . and keep the good vehicles in garage or driveway . got to love the junk yards out there
     
  9. Jul 8, 2015
    OleBlue

    OleBlue Sponsor

    Tennessee
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    No TJ yet?
     
  10. Jul 9, 2015
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Tim, 4-cyl TJs will be OK if you keep the stock tire size. If you increase tire size, performance suffers quickly.
    3.73 ratio is standard for the 2006 4-cyl TJ.
    Watch for frame rust in your area. Look at frame ends, spring buckets, and upper/lower shock mount areas.

    Fuel mileage will be OK if you keep most of your driving at or below 50 mph. If much of your driving is over 50 mph, the aerodynamics make the mileage difference between the 4 cyl and 6 cyl negligible, so you may as well have the power benefit of the six cylinder.

    Since you mentioned some trail capability, you may want larger/more aggressive-than-stock tires. The six cylinder will be more tolerant of larger tires, assuming both have the 3.73 ratio.

    I suggest you look well beyond your home territory for a good used TJ. Your area seems to command a premium over areas like mine, and yours is more rust-prone. I suggest using Autotrader, and use York PA 17404 with a 200 mile radius. Compare that to a 200 mile radius of Boston... I think you'll see a difference, maybe enough to be worth the ~8 hr trip.

    Good luck, keep us posted! :tea:
     
  11. Jul 9, 2015
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    We had a '97 4-cylinder TJ for a short while, and I had a '98 6-cylinder for years. If you have the choice between the two, get the 4.0, hands down. Like the f-head on our Cj's, the 2.5 can't keep up well with modern traffic unless you are on a downhill with a tailwind. It struggles to get up in the 70's. I've heard that the tranny (AX-5?) had a bunch of problems, but I never experienced any.

    Keep an eye out for frame rot, especially near the rear spring perches. The frames tend to hold muck and rot out quickly. Other than that, I think they are great vehicles, as long as you realize you won't be winning any MPG competitions!
     
  12. Jul 9, 2015
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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  13. Jul 9, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Thanks for the input all. I think nothing will happen until the VW is on the road again.

    Working on a vehicle "wish list." I'll post when it's finished.
     
  14. Jul 14, 2015
    commanlerwrangdo

    commanlerwrangdo Member

    Cleveland, Ohio
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    Yes, in Ohio if you run your nice ride in the snow, expect it to die a rusty death unless it gets a daily wash along with a chassis bath and gets stored in a garage at night. I imagine many other northern states share this issue.

    I started the 61 Cj5 this past Sunday since it's been sitting since April when it got parked in the backyard at the end of winter. Fired right up and I let it run until it got to operating temperature. Checked it over for nasty rust issues due to the salt, but ol' Willy seems to repel corrosion for some odd reason, considering it's coated in aluminum diamond plates that is rather amazing. Might have something to do with being a PA Jeep that moved to Ohio?:D?
     
  15. Jul 14, 2015
    commanlerwrangdo

    commanlerwrangdo Member

    Cleveland, Ohio
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    Tim, the main thing I see going bad on TJ's is the upper control arms rust off the frame on both sides. There's going to be a TJ dropped off by a customer later today for me to evaluate for repairing of the frame on that very issue.
     
  16. Jul 14, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Seriously considering another car, not a Jeep. The new Golf.
     
  17. May 6, 2016
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

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  18. May 18, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    So Don is waking this up...

    Still driving the VW. I gutted the interior to repair the floors, and bought some rocker repair panels which I plan to install... as soon as I can. Working on the J20 currently.

    Browsing on Expedition Portal got me thinking about 2004-2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited.... 4.0L, stretched wheellbase, 2 doors. Hmm... too bad there aren't that many of them.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2016
  19. May 20, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    And when they pop up they have that new car price tag on them...

    I was/am looking for a tj unlimited and if i could find one for a good price id get it.
     
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