How to Buy a Used Budget Jeep - Engine & Drivetrain Choices

First thing you need to decide is the intended use ofengines came with the medium duty AX5
your Jeep. With today's gas prices every bit counts.transmission and the same NP231 transfercase. A bit
If you're looking for a little freedom drive and smallharder on gas and pocket book, this engine is what
commutes in town, the 4cyl engine will do you fine. Ifmost look for as it has the guts on the highway
you travel frequently on the highway or interstateinterstate. They also come plenty in automatic and
definitely need the 6cyl. Either engine will do finestandard transmissions. A good catch in the 6cyl
off-road with the gearing provided by themodel is the heavy duty Dana44 rear axle that you
transfercase. If you are looking for a project budgetcan stumble upon in Jeeps that came with towing
Jeep for off-roading that will get a new engine thenpackage. These rear axles can handle more abuse
you still have the engine to consider as it will affectthen the stock Dana35.
your bottom line; 4cyl engine Jeeps are cheaper.Unfortunately Jeep Wranglers did not come from
Since this is about Wrangler or YJ Jeeps we won'tfactory with a V8 so if you come across one for
touch the others at this time. In 1991 Jeep introducedsale take a good look at the engine harness and ask
the fuel injected 4cyl engine. It pushes out 123hp andlots of questions. Last thing you want to do is inherit
139ft/lbs of torque. Transmission and transfercasesomeone else's problems. We will go deeper on this in
with this engine is the AX5 and NP231. The AX5 is aanother article.
lightweight transmission and when you test drive youSo you have a lot of choices. Best to be educated
will want to verify smooth shifting from 2nd the 3rdand know what you are looking at so you can make
gear as they are known for bad sychro's (akaan informed decision. The buying decision will be
grinding will occur). The NP231 is a chain driventotally different between someone looking for a
transmission and will stand up to any abuse you willcruiser or and offroading project. As they say: "Your
throw at it with the 4cyl and has a respectable 2.71:1mileage may vary"
reduction for off-roading. If you're looking for a townThis part three of a six part series I'll write.
putter, easier on gas, able off-roading and open airStay tuned for:
driving to the beach this is for you. Best thing about- How to accessorize your Used Budget Jeep
these engines is the price, but if you want an auto- How to build a mild off-roading Used Budget Jeep
they will be gutless and hard to find.- How to upkeep your Used Budget Jeep
Also in 1991 Jeep had the 6cyl as an option orHope this was informative and helps you discover the
standard depending on the model. The 6cyl JeepJeep addiction. Keep it Jeep!
engine put out 185hp and 220ft/lbs torque. These