new member from PA

@Germanshepherd , I have a four banger, and love it. You have to understand what you're dealing with though to appreciate it. I have no issues going up hills on the freeway, or merging with traffic. It does 70 - 75 down the freeway just fine. BUT, and it's a big but, there are two things you really need to keep an eye on. The first is weight. Keep the rig as light as possible. The second is gear ratios. When you go for bigger tires, plan on changing out the gears. I used a 27" tall tire as my base and worked from there. For instance, with a 31 or 32" tire, go with a 4.88 ratio. You've got 5 gears, use them all. It's easy to dog out the four banger, but I like mine. YMMV.
thanks.. appreciate the input. i will prob hold out for a 4.0 as I do not want to be putting money into it as far as gearing goes to get the pep I need out of it when I need the extra power.
 
No issues, the four isn't for everyone. Let us know what you end up with!

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appreciate everyones input.. I have a mustang GT and my daily driver is a buick verano that is turbocharged so I am used to having power when needed LOL. I know the 4.0 is not a fast jeep by any means but the one I test drove, it was plenty adequate.
 
Even my 4.0 feels like a dog going up hills (before the supercharger at least), so I wouldn't ever purchase a TJ that wasn't a 4.0. Of course that's just my opinion.
 
I like my little 2.5 and really have no real issues on the highway maintaining speeds. I'm running 31's with the 5 speed and 4:10 gears. It can be a bit marginal with the AC blasting like today when coming down the NJ Turnpike and the temp was hovering around 100 but other than that it is a hell of a lot easier to work on with all the extra space under the hood. Take out the radiator shroud and you can practically climb in to replace the water pump and other accessories.
 
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@TJ4Jim , I think we are going to have to just accept the fact that our TJ's are the red headed step children of the Jeeping world. I have never convinced anyone that the four bangers are just as worthy as the six's, unless they already own a four banger. It's in the same arena as convincing someone that they don't need 35" tires and 4+" lift for 90% of Jeep owners. I mostly just smile and nod, and go on about my business these days.
 
@TJ4Jim , I think we are going to have to just accept the fact that our TJ's are the red headed step children of the Jeeping world. I have never convinced anyone that the four bangers are just as worthy as the six's, unless they already own a four banger. It's in the same arena as convincing someone that they don't need 35" tires and 4+" lift for 90% of Jeep owners. I mostly just smile and nod, and go on about my business these days.

I owe it to myself to at least test drive a 2.5 because maybe it will be adequate but the main time I will be on the highway with it will be on longer trips with a lot of cargo (as much as I can cram into it) with the a/c on with some hills. unfortunately it will be hard for me to replicte that on a test drive but will do my best. I dont want to pass up on a nice 2.5 in great shape if for the most part the 2.5 will be enough so I am going to test drive them as well..
 
Weight is the enemy of the TJ SE. If you cram it as full as you can, you will hate it, and me. I have a 7.4 liter suburban for packing loads of stuff around. That works much better for hauling stuff.

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Coming from someone who owned two 2.5's, I say hold out and get the 4.0. I LOVE the power of my 01 XJ's 4.0 and my TJ does not compare. Even when completely empty (no rear seat, no cargo, no carpet, no soft top hardware) it feels sluggish and slow. I have 31x10.5's and 4.10 gearing. BUT it is ok for what I use it for (around town and occasional topless drives to work on nice days).

If you are used to driving a mustang then you DO NOT want a 2.5.
 
Coming from someone who owned two 2.5's, I say hold out and get the 4.0. I LOVE the power of my 01 XJ's 4.0 and my TJ does not compare. Even when completely empty (no rear seat, no cargo, no carpet, no soft top hardware) it feels sluggish and slow. I have 31x10.5's and 4.10 gearing. BUT it is ok for what I use it for (around town and occasional topless drives to work on nice days).

If you are used to driving a mustang then you DO NOT want a 2.5.

you are most likely correct but I'll test drive one to I know for sure. 90% of the time it will just be driven locally and I know I would be fine with the 2.5 but its the occasional trip to the beach etc that I would really need the extra umph...
 
This one is about 2 hours from me,little less. Seller stated it has a slow freon (r134) leak but compressor is new.
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I won't pay $7k for that (especially with that godawful bumper). I bought my 1999 TJ almost 4 years ago for $7000 and it had 81k miles on it.