How many miles are too many when buying 2.4L TJ?

canary bird

canary bird

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The threads on the forums on 2.4L have been soooo helpful!! I have read the threads comparing engines and feel comfortable with getting any engine type, considering what I want to use TJ for. I couldn't find any threads on 2.4L regarding ... how many miles are too many when buying a 2.4L (non-AMC engine)? ... if you don't want swap or rebuild engine a short time later? Anyone thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I have found this 2003 SE 2.4L auto with 155K miles and they are asking for $7k. It claims to be rust free and looks rust "free" except for spot where arrow is pointing. (see photos below)

I am deployed abroad and planning to get a TJ before getting back as I don't have time to hunt for a TJ during the short times I get back. I am on the hunt for a TJ for winter & summer driving around town, light off road use. My wish list: 1.) 4.0, 2.5 or 2.4 -automatic (for the wife), 2.) rust "free", 3.) as stock as possible, & 4.) $6-8k ... and probably from a dealership so I could have it shipped to a dealer friend in Indiana who says he only gets trade in Jeeps that are rust buckets.
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My friend, this is your lucky day. Your ship has come in. Just so happens there's a little cream puff up in Oregon that's for sale on this very forum. If you can live with a 2.5 this may be your DREAM CAR! Little leaks here and there, salvage title, but no frame damage!! You'll fall in love! Better be quick though - there's a mom on the hook.
 
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Me personally I'd prob pass because of the mileage,but that's just me....i have an 03 SE(2.4) with 75,3xx miles on it. Also have a 04 with the 4.0. Would I buy another 4 banger? Dang straight i wood if it was clean and the price was right. Both get me from A to B,and both will wheel just fine. If your not always in a hurry kinda driver the 4 bangers are just fine. Especially for you since you live in flatlands.

I wouldn't be too scared of that mileage on a well maintained 4.0,but there isn't much out there on how long lasting and bulletproof the 2.4s are. At least I haven't come across much info in that regards.

Everyone else and the majority of folks are gonna tell you to get the 4.0 btw.

Good luck..
 
The biggest thing you're going to deal with in regards to higher miles is that transmissions generally don't tend to last longer than 200k before they need a rebuild, sometimes it's much sooner. That being said, if I bought that, I'd buy it expecting to have to rebuild the transmission at some point in the near future (2-3k), plus replace the cooling system, and do basic maintenance such as O2 sensors and what not.

I would personally skip on the 4 cylinder though and look for a 4.0.
 
KillerIsMe said:
My friend, this is your lucky day. Your ship has come in. Just so happens there's a little cream puff up in Oregon that's for sale on this very forum. If you can live with a 2.5 this may be your DREAM CAR! Little leaks here and there, salvage title, but no frame damage!! You'll fall in love! Better be quick though - there's a mom on the hook.
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Thanks for your reply, I sure appreciate it, but if it is the Oregon Jeep with the title "problem," I better stray from it. I apologize that I should have included "clean title" on the wish list.
 
Chris said:
The biggest thing you're going to deal with in regards to higher miles is that transmissions generally don't tend to last longer than 200k before they need a rebuild, sometimes it's much sooner. That being said, if I bought that, I'd buy it expecting to have to rebuild the transmission at some point in the near future (2-3k), plus replace the cooling system, and do basic maintenance such as O2 sensors and what not.

I would personally skip on the 4 cylinder though and look for a 4.0.
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Great thoughts and yes, I'd prefer a 4.0 with all the nostalgia, reputation & AMC history ... but just didn't want to buy more than I need, but would happily have a longer life engine. Yes, I want to leave wiggle room for dropping money into vehicle after getting it.
 
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LuvmyTJ's said:
Me personally I'd prob pass because of the mileage,but that's just me....i have an 03 SE(2.4) with 75,3xx miles on it. Also have a 04 with the 4.0. Would I buy another 4 banger? Dang straight i wood if it was clean and the price was right. Both get me from A to B,and both will wheel just fine. If your not always in a hurry kinda driver the 4 bangers are just fine. Especially for you since you live in flatlands.

I wouldn't be too scared of that mileage on a well maintained 4.0,but there isn't much out there on how long lasting and bulletproof the 2.4s are. At least I haven't come across much info in that regards.

Everyone else and the majority of folks are gonna tell you to get the 4.0 btw.

Good luck..
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Thanks for your reply! I often drive Chevy Express extended vans in Indiana (called "Yoder Loaders" in the Amish mennonite areas) and they accelerate just a bit faster than a buggy, so a slow Jeep is fine. I am a motorcycle guy overseas, and a Jeep is the compromise to be "cage (car) free," but run more people around with me.
 
canary bird said:
Thanks for your reply! I often drive Chevy Express extended vans in Indiana (called "Yoder Loaders" in the Amish mennonite areas) and they accelerate just a bit faster than a buggy, so a slow Jeep is fine. I am a motorcycle guy overseas, and a Jeep is the compromise to be "cage (car) free," but run more people around with me.
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Well, the good thing is that properly maintained, the engine itself should last well over 500k before you even have to tear into it. There was a 4.0 on here that had 600k miles on it before the owner sold it, and the only major things he had to do were three transmission rebuilds (every 200k miles), and basic routine maintenance. He didn't however have to do any internal engine work, which speaks to the longevity of modern day engines.
 
If it is rust free anything on a TJ can be rebuilt. But $7K is way too high.
Nothing wrong with an SE but I'd only get one with the 3speed automatic, not the 4speed.
Which would mean '02 or older with the 2.5L.

Do you have any more pics, details on your avatar ?
 
Chris said:
Well, the good thing is that properly maintained, the engine itself should last well over 500k before you even have to tear into it. There was a 4.0 on here that had 600k miles on it before the owner sold it, and the only major things he had to do were three transmission rebuilds (every 200k miles), and basic routine maintenance. He didn't however have to do any internal engine work, which speaks to the longevity of modern day engines.
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Yes, I agree and would believe it. Over here near North Africa, old Mercedes diesel sedans get a second life after European use and serve as taxis with half a million to a million miles - good engineering is amazing!
 
canary bird said:
Yes, I agree and would believe it. Over here near North Africa, old Mercedes diesel sedans get a second life after European use and serve as taxis with half a million to a million miles - good engineering is amazing!
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Modern engines have come so far since the old days. You used to have to rebuild air-cooled VW engines every 60-70k miles or so, but nowadays a modern engine itself will last a million miles I suspect.

That being said, what you have to worry about these days isn't the engine itself, it's the electronic sensors, seals, cooling systems, transmissions, and other accessory components. The engine itself though is built so well that it's typically going to be the last thing to fail, unless you really, really treat it poorly.
 
billiebob said:
If it is rust free anything on a TJ can be rebuilt. But $7K is way too high.
Nothing wrong with an SE but I'd only get one with the 3speed automatic, not the 4speed.
Which would mean '02 or older with the 2.5L.
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I can't agree more! Could I ask, to make sure that I understand, you would pick a rust free, high mileage pre-2003 ... if your only other viable option was a low mileage 2.4L with some rust issues?
 
Chris said:
Modern engines have come so far since the old days. You used to have to rebuild air-cooled VW engines every 60-70k miles or so, but nowadays a modern engine itself will last a million miles I suspect.

That being said, what you have to worry about these days isn't the engine itself, it's the electronic sensors, seals, cooling systems, transmissions, and other accessory components. The engine itself though is built so well that it's typically going to be the last thing to fail, unless you really, really treat it poorly.
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... that makes sense!
 
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obviously the high mile 2.5L should have a huge price advantage over the low mile 2.4
Thanks for the Good advice. I would not buy the Jeep with the intent to ever resell it, but want something that I can keep alive light light duty work and as reliable as possible.
 
canary bird said:
Thanks for your reply, I sure appreciate it, but if it is the Oregon Jeep with the title "problem," I better stray from it. I apologize that I should have included "clean title" on the wish list.
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I was being facetious my friend. If you look that Jeep up and go back through the seller's posts you'll find some entertaining bathroom reading in there 🙃
 
canary bird said:
Great thoughts and yes, I'd prefer a 4.0 with all the nostalgia, reputation & AMC history ... but just didn't want to buy more than I need, but would happily have a longer life engine. Yes, I want to leave wiggle room for dropping money into vehicle after getting it.
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With a 4.0 you aren't getting more than you need, you are just getting enough to be enjoyable, and capable of contending with highway traffic , provided its geared correctly.


Don't be misled..the 4.0 is has a legendary reputation , but that doesn't mean it is even close to the output of a modern engine that displacement. It isn't. Oh , it will last, thats the best and worst thing about it ..you can't get rid of it.



A 2.4/2.5 auto in a 3000-3500 pound chassis with terrible aerodynamics is an odd combination in modern vehicle design.

I'm not picking on anyone that has one or insulting anyone's choices...but there are more folks looking to sell those than buy them.

My advice- drive a 4.0 and the 4cyl, then vote your pocketbook.
 
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