2000 Wrangler Sport tune-up question

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FallenPB13

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Hello,

I am trying to give my girlfriend's jeep a tune up. She has the 6 cylinder 4.0L. And I have a few questions:

1) are there any kits that you recommend?
2) what plugs are do you suggest?
3) I'm pretty sure the jeep has an Ignition coil, why does Quadratec have the tune up kit with a distributor cap?

Thank you sorry for the dumb questions.
 
The only thing you need for a 2000 with the 4.0L are spark plugs, so you don't need any kind of a tuneup kit. If Quadratec's tuneup kit shows a distributor cap for the 4.0L engine, that is for a '99 or older engine which does have a distributor.

2000 and newer 4.0L engines are very fussy about what spark plugs they'll run well on. The two spark plugs I recommend is 1) the Autolite XP985 which is an iridium tipped plug which will perform well for around 200k miles. And 2), the Autolite APP985 which is platinum tipped on both sides of the gap (called double-tipped) which will perform well for around 100k miles. Those of course aren't the only plugs that will perform well but they're extremely popular because they work well and they're easy to find.

Make sure NOT to use plugs like the Autolite AP985 or Champion 3034 even though some spark plug guidebooks erroneously show then as correct. Those two plugs have their platinum coating on just one side of the gap (called single-tipped) which will cause misfires for later distributorless 4.0L engines like your girlfriend's.

I used to recommend the Champion 7034 but long-term results with it aren't as good as the other two plugs recommended above.
 
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Also consider the fact that Quadratec sometimes doesn't use the right images. Make sure to actually read the description for what's included, as there's a chance that the kit that shows a distributor cap doesn't actually include one.
 
Ok, if its dumb question day, can you let me know the plugs, wires, caps, etc. you recommend to tune-up my 2002 SE 4cyl.? Thank you and Happy 4th!
 
Jerry Bransford said:
The only thing you need for a 2000 with the 4.0L are spark plugs, so you don't need any kind of a tuneup kit. If Quadratec's tuneup kit shows a distributor cap for the 4.0L engine, that is for a '99 or older engine which does have a distributor.

2000 and newer 4.0L engines are very fussy about what spark plugs they'll run well on. The two spark plugs I recommend is 1) the Autolite XP985 which is an iridium tipped plug which will perform well for around 200k miles. And 2), the Autolite APP985 which is platinum tipped on both sides of the gap (called double-tipped) which will perform well for around 100k miles. Those of course aren't the only plugs that will perform well but they're extremely popular because they work well and they're easy to find.

Make sure NOT to use plugs like the Autolite AP985 or Champion 3034 even though some spark plug guidebooks erroneously show then as correct. Those two plugs have their platinum coating on just one side of the gap (called single-tipped) which will cause misfires for later distributorless 4.0L engines like your girlfriend's.

I used to recommend the Champion 7034 but long-term results with it aren't as good as the other two plugs recommended above.
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Awesome thank you! This is the first jeep I have dealt with. I want to make sure it is run in in great shape
 
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Chris said:
Also consider the fact that Quadratec sometimes doesn't use the right images. Make sure to actually read the description for what's included, as there's a chance that the kit that shows a distributor cap doesn't actually include one.
Click to expand...

Will do thank you!
 
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This blog has step-by-step instructions with photos for 2000 - 2006 distributorless TJs. http://www.4x4xplor.com/sparkplug.html (The 1997 - 1999 TJs had a distributor.)

I used Autolite APP985 double platinum spark plugs when I did mine, since there were forum threads recommending them for the distributorless 4.0 engines (while also cautioning NOT to use single-tipped platinum plugs like the AP985). A mechanic I know who does a lot of Jeep work recommends just using regular copper plugs like the NGK (3459) ZFR5N V-Power Spark Plug or Autolite 985 Copper Resistor Spark Plug. Good luck. It's a fun little project.
 
MBJ said:
A mechanic I know who does a lot of Jeep work recommends just using regular copper plugs like the NGK (3459) ZFR5N V-Power Spark Plug or Autolite 985 Copper Resistor Spark Plug.
Click to expand...
Some "mechanics" are prone to offer advice that is neither enlightened nor all that helpful... it seems some hate what they do so they don't bother staying up on what can work better than just the same old basic stuff like the same plug technology that has been around for 100 years.

There's nothing wrong with basic copper spark plugs other than they only last 25% as long as basic platinum plugs like the APP985 do, and something like 10% as long as an iridium plug like the XP985 does. Not to mention the newer technology plugs fire more reliably in difficult combustion conditions. And even platinum/iridium plugs still use copper where plugs like the Autolite 985 do. The platinum/iridium coating is just added on top of the electrode to slow erosion so they last longer.

One grizzled old retired mechanic relative (long dead now) of my family absolutely went off on my dad many years ago for having bought a new car (1962 Oldsmobile Starfire) that had air conditioning. I was about 14 and kinda shocked at how angry he got over the fact my dad would have dared to buy a car with air conditioning. We were spending the weekend with them and he had his tools out ready to remove the a/c claiming it would "wreck the engine". He was on my dad the entire weekend insisting the a/c be removed, he just didn't like anything new like a/c on cars because he didn't understand it. Kind of like the spark plug thing.... some just use and recommend what has worked for them without bothering to keep up with ignition system advancements and how there can be benefits to taking advantage of newer technology. Nope, my dad didn't let him remove the a/c.

Heck I'm 68 and even I see the benefits to "new fangled" stuff when it makes sense. :)
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
One grizzled old retired mechanic relative (long dead now) of my family absolutely went off on my dad many years ago for having bought a new car (1962 Oldsmobile Starfire) that had air conditioning. I was about 14 and kinda shocked at how angry he got over the fact my dad would have dared to buy a car with air conditioning. We were spending the weekend with them and he had his tools out ready to remove the a/c claiming it would "wreck the engine". He was on my dad the entire weekend insisting the a/c be removed, he just didn't like anything new like a/c on cars because he didn't understand it. Kind of like the spark plug thing.... some just use and recommend what has worked for them without bothering to keep up with ignition system advancements and how there can be benefits to taking advantage of newer technology. Nope, my dad didn't let him remove the a/c.
Click to expand...

Seriously? Wow... Some people are just so stuck in a different time, it's amazing.

Remove the AC... Haha, yeah right... Back in 1962 AC was probably a highly desired feature on cars.
 
Chris said:
Seriously? Wow... Some people are just so stuck in a different time, it's amazing.

Remove the AC... Haha, yeah right... Back in 1962 AC was probably a highly desired feature on cars.
Click to expand...
Yep he was my uncle Frank who was pretty stuck in his ways. A/c was still kinda new in the early 60's but it sure was great to have for our summer trips to see the relatives in Texas. The a/c got so cold in that car that ice would form on the chrome a/c dash ducts on humid days, I could peel off off pretty good size chunks of ice. I've never seen another a/c in a car that got as cold as that one did.
 
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Jerry Bransford said:
Yep he was my uncle Frank who was pretty stuck in his ways. A/c was still kinda new in the early 60's but it sure was great to have for our summer trips to see the relatives in Texas. The a/c got so cold in that car that ice would form on the chrome a/c dash ducts on humid days, I could peel off off pretty good size chunks of ice. I've never seen another a/c in a car that got as cold as that one did.
Click to expand...

Haha, that's crazy! I would have liked to have seen how big and bulky an AC system in a vehicle was back in the 60s. I imagine the compressor alone was huge!
 
Chris said:
Haha, that's crazy! I would have liked to have seen how big and bulky an AC system in a vehicle was back in the 60s. I imagine the compressor alone was huge!
Click to expand...
I remember the compressor, it really wasn't any larger than you see in today's cars.

Edit: I just looked it up, it was an AC-Delco and it looks like pretty much like any other rotary style a/c compressor. :)
 
Jerry Bransford said:
I remember the compressor, it really wasn't any larger than you see in today's cars.

Edit: I just looked it up, it was an AC-Delco and it looks like pretty much like any other rotary style a/c compressor. :)
Click to expand...

Interesting! I have thought it would look so much different on an old AC system.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
The only thing you need for a 2000 with the 4.0L are spark plugs, so you don't need any kind of a tuneup kit. If Quadratec's tuneup kit shows a distributor cap for the 4.0L engine, that is for a '99 or older engine which does have a distributor.

2000 and newer 4.0L engines are very fussy about what spark plugs they'll run well on. The two spark plugs I recommend is 1) the Autolite XP985 which is an iridium tipped plug which will perform well for around 200k miles. And 2), the Autolite APP985 which is platinum tipped on both sides of the gap (called double-tipped) which will perform well for around 100k miles. Those of course aren't the only plugs that will perform well but they're extremely popular because they work well and they're easy to find.

Make sure NOT to use plugs like the Autolite AP985 or Champion 3034 even though some spark plug guidebooks erroneously show then as correct. Those two plugs have their platinum coating on just one side of the gap (called single-tipped) which will cause misfires for later distributorless 4.0L engines like your girlfriend's.

I used to recommend the Champion 7034 but long-term results with it aren't as good as the other two plugs recommended above.
Click to expand...


Jerry, just bought the XP985 based on this posting. Can you tell me what the gap should be please?

Thank you in advance.
 
Newer ignitions recommend .040, older with the conventional distributor caps recommend .035. Least near as I can remember, but it's not critical so long as it's close to either of those. Be careful how you gap them, you don't want to damage the iridium coating by sliding a gapping tool in between the electrodes to force them open. Instead, use a notched style of gapping tool that bends the electrode up or down until you measure the right gap. They should come gapped "close enough" in the box but double check them anyway.
 
Olds Starfire, now that brings back memories. My best friends mom had a red 62' convertible with the big engine (over 400 CI if I remember) and the auto trans with the shift in the console. That's one car that you don't see anymore but she was a beauty.
 
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