DD Wrangler Question - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

ToyotaJeep · 10-06-2007, 07:57 AM

My wife is a huge Jeep fan. She also has a long commute and has a car for much of the year.

In years past we have bought two new 4-cylinder Wranglers. Both hard tops and have a pretty good idea of what they will do.

We are looking at the following criteria for her commuter Jeep:

hardtop
Best MPG possible
Mild spacer type of lift and 31" tires
Very minimal 4x4ing-Pavement pounder

I am seriously considering an 04 and up with the new engine (2.4 engine) and 6 speed transmission.

Thoughts and experiences with the newer 4 cyl.?

She does not want a cute ute, or a Subaru etc. She wants a Jeep Wrangler....I got that loud and clear....Now!

My guess is a 4.0 with 31" tires will pull around 15 MPG.

If we could squeek 20 on a regular basis with slightly more power than the old school 2.5's I think we could live with that.

Any ideas or input on the newer 4's?

Thank you, ROB

The Black Sheep · 10-06-2007, 01:55 PM

Well, in response

Sounds good, 6cly and 4 cyls get the same MPG, if u want to shoot yourself in the foot on the horsepower issue then thats up to you

. As for gas mileage, you will hear alot of different opinions, my 4.0 stock TJ gets about 16 mpg on my daily highway commute. Most get similar. You might get a little better with lower gears, you might get worse. I put this politely but i have never seen a TJ get 20 mpg, a jeep is a brick in the wind, Jeep and good MPG don;t fit in the same sentence really. A lift might make/probably will your MPG worse, larger tires might/probably will make your MPG worse, infact u don;t need a lift to run 31" tires anyways. It will be a compromise for u either way. Its my understanding that the new JKs get much better gas mileage. But once again, you gotta get on the 4 more so therefore it eats more gas then the 6 cyl.

ToyotaJeep · 10-06-2007, 02:05 PM

Our 2000 model was around 20, not much better, and it was driven slowly...It did a bit better than the 95. Same exact Jeep, even color.

It seems it was about 2MPG difference.

A couple of years ago I test drove a 2004 with a 4 cylinder. It was a really different feeling rig. The engine is substantially different of course.....

Anyone have a newer 2.4 powered Jeep?

Thanks, ROB

soilantgreen · 10-07-2007, 01:03 AM

My girlfriend's unmodified 99 Sport regularly gets 19 mpg with a 4.0 liter, 5 speed, and 3.73s. She's easy on the gas and has 30 inch tires. It has 123,000 miles on it.

ToyotaJeep · 10-07-2007, 05:49 AM

She wants the 6. But I figured we were going to see 14-16 regularly.

And to all those that want to say a Jeep is not designed to get MPG, I know. However it is what she wants, so why not get the best mpg model we can? The 45 mile commute in winter is why she wants it.

Thanks people, ROB

Mr. 95YJ · 10-07-2007, 01:28 PM

4.0 and 2.4 are going to do about the same on gas. Get the 4.0 they run forever and have enough power to get you to speed on the highway for your situation. Besides there is no replacement for displacement.

Jtjwrangler · 10-07-2007, 01:48 PM

My wife had a 02 sport 4.0. I installed the k&n intake system and it had a flowmaster muffler on it when we got it. It was getting in the 20s around town and freeway. You can free up alot of power and fuel economy with basic bolt ons. Sounds like your wife is a keeper. Dont go with the 4cyl. I had a 99 with the 2.5lt and it sucks on the freeway. Its really hard for it to stay at freeway speeds when its windy.

Knuckelhead · 10-07-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jtjwrangler

My wife had a 02 sport 4.0. I installed the k&n intake system and it had a flowmaster muffler on it when we got it. It was getting in the 20s around town.

Ya, sure...

tators · 10-07-2007, 02:28 PM

We drove a 97 4cyl up to Muncie Indiana to trade it on a new 2000 6cyl..(jeepwarehouse.com) ... got 14mpg on the way up, top down , no A/C.. with the 4 cylinder doing good to maintain 70mph,,, got 16mpg Top up with A/c running going home with the 6cylinder cruising at 75mph...

crashnzuk · 10-07-2007, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soilantgreen

My girlfriend's unmodified 99 Sport regularly gets 19 mpg with a 4.0 liter, 5 speed, and 3.73s. She's easy on the gas and has 30 inch tires. It has 123,000 miles on it.

My buddy has the same exact rig and reports right at 20mpg on the highway.
Travis..

rob99TJ · 10-07-2007, 05:09 PM

I use to get 19mpg with mine stock; 4.0, 5-speed, 3.73's, 235/75/15's and 16mpg with 32's and a 2" lift.

Jtjwrangler · 10-07-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knuckelhead

Ya, sure...

dont be a hater. try it and see the light. 3.73 gears with 31" tires.

helimech2003 · 10-07-2007, 05:37 PM

where are you all getting 3.73's with a 5 spd.
it's been my understanding that 5 spds. only came with 3.07. to get the 3.73 you had to get an auto.
i've got a 99 sport and it's got 6cyl 5spd and 3.07

Never Monday · 10-07-2007, 05:59 PM

I'm gonna get flamed for this but.
Look for a KJ diesel. It might not be a Wrangler, but at 28-30mpg and "decent" off road capability...why not

jpfrk2001 · 10-07-2007, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Never Monday

I'm gonna get flamed for this but.
Look for a KJ diesel. It might not be a Wrangler, but at 28-30mpg and "decent" off road capability...why not

I agree. You get 300 foot pounds of torque at 1400 rpm's as well. The only reason some jeepers don't like it is because it used front IFS. I REALLY wanted to buy one when My wife needed a car, but just cost to damn much (for me).

They are known to be great off road(just don't try and do serious stuff). the only problem is the diesal was only offered in 2006. So you will have to find a used one. If your lady is willing, go for it. Besides:300ft/lb ,5500 pound trailer rating, its a liberty on steriods!!

Never Monday · 10-07-2007, 06:47 PM

The KJ CRD was released in Mar-Apr of 05 as an 05 model. Becareful of the early ones. I had a Mar build and it had a ton of problems. The 06 should be improved.

Little Jeep · 10-07-2007, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. 95YJ

4.0 and 2.4 are going to do about the same on gas. Get the 4.0 they run forever and have enough power to get you to speed on the highway for your situation. Besides there is no replacement for displacement.

2X

Mike 257 · 10-27-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

where are you all getting 3.73's with a 5 spd.
it's been my understanding that 5 spds. only came with 3.07. to get the 3.73 you had to get an auto.
i've got a 99 sport and it's got 6cyl 5spd and 3.07

I have a 2000 Saraha that is a 5 speed and also has 3.73's , I got lucky mine also has a D44 rear

cacti · 10-27-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helimech2003

where are you all getting 3.73's with a 5 spd.
it's been my understanding that 5 spds. only came with 3.07. to get the 3.73 you had to get an auto.
i've got a 99 sport and it's got 6cyl 5spd and 3.07

Mine WAS a 99TJ Sahara with 3.73,Ax-15, D44.

dragginwagon406 · 10-28-2007, 07:21 AM

My 98 Sahara has 3.73(D35) and 5 speed and also my brother's 02 Sahara has 3.73(D44) and 5 speed. Seems pretty common.

With 33x12.5's, 4.0,5 speed, I average about 15 mpg if you take out towing the quads.

10-06-2007, 07:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
ToyotaJeep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1056 Posts: 3,828	DD Wrangler Question My wife is a huge Jeep fan. She also has a long commute and has a car for much of the year. In years past we have bought two new 4-cylinder Wranglers. Both hard tops and have a pretty good idea of what they will do. We are looking at the following criteria for her commuter Jeep: hardtop Best MPG possible Mild spacer type of lift and 31" tires Very minimal 4x4ing-Pavement pounder I am seriously considering an 04 and up with the new engine (2.4 engine) and 6 speed transmission. Thoughts and experiences with the newer 4 cyl.? She does not want a cute ute, or a Subaru etc. She wants a Jeep Wrangler....I got that loud and clear....Now! My guess is a 4.0 with 31" tires will pull around 15 MPG. If we could squeek 20 on a regular basis with slightly more power than the old school 2.5's I think we could live with that. Any ideas or input on the newer 4's? Thank you, ROB

10-07-2007, 01:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
soilantgreen Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Member # 70321 Location: Writing angry letters to anti-2A legislators--like you should be doing! Posts: 3,169	My girlfriend's unmodified 99 Sport regularly gets 19 mpg with a 4.0 liter, 5 speed, and 3.73s. She's easy on the gas and has 30 inch tires. It has 123,000 miles on it. __________________ [url]http://www.scorpioncoatings.com/[/url] [url]http://www.spiderwebshade.com/[/url]

10-07-2007, 01:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jtjwrangler Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11401 Location: Brownsville, Texas Posts: 261	My wife had a 02 sport 4.0. I installed the k&n intake system and it had a flowmaster muffler on it when we got it. It was getting in the 20s around town and freeway. You can free up alot of power and fuel economy with basic bolt ons. Sounds like your wife is a keeper. Dont go with the 4cyl. I had a 99 with the 2.5lt and it sucks on the freeway. Its really hard for it to stay at freeway speeds when its windy. Last edited by Jtjwrangler; 10-07-2007 at 01:50 PM.

10-07-2007, 05:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
helimech2003 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 84849 Location: Moore,OK Posts: 33	where are you all getting 3.73's with a 5 spd. it's been my understanding that 5 spds. only came with 3.07. to get the 3.73 you had to get an auto. i've got a 99 sport and it's got 6cyl 5spd and 3.07 __________________ [QUOTE=Myanarchy;6852409]Um, newsflash dude, by clicking on JU you should have already known that it was going to be a gay forum in a foriegn language. Its JU, what were you expecting, tech?:laughing:[/QUOTE]

10-28-2007, 07:21 AM	#20 (permalink)
dragginwagon406 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Member # 98681 Location: Ohio Posts: 25	My 98 Sahara has 3.73(D35) and 5 speed and also my brother's 02 Sahara has 3.73(D44) and 5 speed. Seems pretty common. With 33x12.5's, 4.0,5 speed, I average about 15 mpg if you take out towing the quads. Last edited by dragginwagon406; 10-28-2007 at 07:26 AM.

10-06-2007, 01:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Black Sheep Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Member # 40587 Location: SouthEastern CT, Near South Rd./White Rock Posts: 3,062	Well, in response Sounds good, 6cly and 4 cyls get the same MPG, if u want to shoot yourself in the foot on the horsepower issue then thats up to you . As for gas mileage, you will hear alot of different opinions, my 4.0 stock TJ gets about 16 mpg on my daily highway commute. Most get similar. You might get a little better with lower gears, you might get worse. I put this politely but i have never seen a TJ get 20 mpg, a jeep is a brick in the wind, Jeep and good MPG don;t fit in the same sentence really. A lift might make/probably will your MPG worse, larger tires might/probably will make your MPG worse, infact u don;t need a lift to run 31" tires anyways. It will be a compromise for u either way. Its my understanding that the new JKs get much better gas mileage. But once again, you gotta get on the 4 more so therefore it eats more gas then the 6 cyl.

10-06-2007, 02:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
ToyotaJeep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1056 Posts: 3,828	Our 2000 model was around 20, not much better, and it was driven slowly...It did a bit better than the 95. Same exact Jeep, even color. It seems it was about 2MPG difference. A couple of years ago I test drove a 2004 with a 4 cylinder. It was a really different feeling rig. The engine is substantially different of course..... Anyone have a newer 2.4 powered Jeep? Thanks, ROB

10-07-2007, 05:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
ToyotaJeep Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1056 Posts: 3,828	She wants the 6. But I figured we were going to see 14-16 regularly. And to all those that want to say a Jeep is not designed to get MPG, I know. However it is what she wants, so why not get the best mpg model we can? The 45 mile commute in winter is why she wants it. Thanks people, ROB

10-07-2007, 01:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mr. 95YJ Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Member # 56486 Posts: 136	4.0 and 2.4 are going to do about the same on gas. Get the 4.0 they run forever and have enough power to get you to speed on the highway for your situation. Besides there is no replacement for displacement.

10-07-2007, 02:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
tators Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 10066 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 652	We drove a 97 4cyl up to Muncie Indiana to trade it on a new 2000 6cyl..(jeepwarehouse.com) ... got 14mpg on the way up, top down , no A/C.. with the 4 cylinder doing good to maintain 70mph,,, got 16mpg Top up with A/c running going home with the 6cylinder cruising at 75mph...

10-07-2007, 05:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
rob99TJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Member # 46513 Location: Ashburn, VA Posts: 27	I use to get 19mpg with mine stock; 4.0, 5-speed, 3.73's, 235/75/15's and 16mpg with 32's and a 2" lift.

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