Synthetic, Blend, or Conventional Oil?

rasband

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What oil is best for our TJs? Is there a recommended filter? Are there differences for the 4L vs the 4 banger? Do we go for high mileage, if so, when?

I’ve not seen any definitive threads on the topic and thought it could be helpful to have a single spot to discuss/recommend.
 
What oil is best for our TJs? Is there a recommended filter? Are there differences for the 4L vs the 4 banger? Do we go for high mileage, if so, when?

I’ve not seen any definitive threads on the topic and thought it could be helpful to have a single spot to discuss/recommend.
The PO used Mobile 1 High Mileage Full Synthetic in mine. 10W-30. I will stick with synthetic, not sure on full or blended though.
 
And to add to this. I am typically very picky with my oil. I have run amsoil in my Harley’s and previous vehicles for years. It is simply unnecessary in a TJ.
 
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Both our 4.0s had a slight rear main seal leak. I've been using Mobil 1 European Formula 0W40 and the leak is down to minor sweating. Also no more lifter tap during start-up.
 
I don't think you will find a definitive thread on this subject. There is no definitive answer that everybody will agree upon.

That said, I can't say I've ever seen an engine that has failed directly as a result of using regular oil, blend or synthetic oil.

Changing your oil and filter on a regular basis is really the most important.

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Valvoline or Napa oil for the Jeep and Mopar V8s is all I ran.

In my higher performance engines I use full synthetic.

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The Factory Service Manual calls for 10w30 motor oil in most climates. It does not differentiate between conventional, synthetic blend or full synthetic which means that any of the three can be used.

The Factory Service Manual also calls for an oil and filter change every 3,000 miles for "Schedule B" usage, which includes stop and go driving, offroading, driving in dusty conditions, trailer towing, etc. Many of us extend the service interval to 5,000 miles and even longer for full synthetic oil. Use any name brand filter of the correct size - even the orange one will be okay if you consistently change your oil at the shorter 3,000 mile interval.

I use Valvoline Maxlife synthetic blend 10w30 with a Fram P/N TG16 Tough Guard filter and change the oil every 5,000 miles.
 
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Fram Tough Guard TG16

Edit:

I'm going to add to this post to give some context to the tangential discussion below regarding whether there is any advantage to running a filter longer than the filter specified by the manufacturer.

Back in the dinosaur age when CJ-7's with the 258 c.i. I-6 and smog exempt diesel pickups freely roamed the earth it was not uncommon for we cavemen to use a filter with similar specs as the OEM filter but a few inches longer. Typically the cost was the same or very nearly the same. The justification for deviating from stock was that the additional oil capacity and larger filtration area was a potential benefit that came at no additional cost. Whether the benefit was real or imagined was largely immaterial; we were simply getting the best bang for the buck.

The only reason I don't use the longer TG8A filter is that the manufacturer specified TG16 is quicker and easier to maneuver into place and I place a higher value on convenience than when I was younger.

And now back to our regular programming.
 
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I use the TG8A or equivalent. Its a bigger version of the TG16....more filtration.

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Mobile 1 10w-30, NAPA Gold filter (made by Wix). The only reason I use full synthetic in the SE is because Chevy recommends it for my 454, and everything uses the same oil weight. I buy in bulk when it's on sale.
 
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Never EVER run full synthetic for the first time on a high milage engine. It will clean everything up and u will find leaks in seals that were once gunked up and not leaking before.

Had to replace my oil pan gasket because of that. The synthetic is also thinner so it will leak faster