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Ok with the newer wranglers i know the best stock engine is the 4.0. The I6 is a beast and built to last. That being said does the little 4 banger have enough final drive gear to still be a good play toy off road with a little lift and maybe 31-32 tires.

Give me your thoughts. Thank you
 
The 4 cyl is a good little engine. I think you'd be happy on 32s or less, but re-gearing will make all the difference in the world. I've seen several 4 cyl builds on here and they all do quite well on the trail.

My additional 1 cent worth? You are already biased towards the 4 cyl, go ahead and get the 4.0 that you desire. Otherwise, you'll be second guessing yourself the whole way and wishing you had the 6 cyl.
 
I'd go with the 4.0....Wouldn't wate the money on the 2.5...they are weak...and terrible mpgs
 
I just put 33's on my 4cyl 97 TJ and with the 4:10s I have no 5th gear on the higway and I'm getting 11.5 mpg. When I run my 31" ats I get 12-14 with a lead foot and can run 80+ and just have to down shift to 4th on hills. Around town and short drive the 4cyl and 4:10s are great. But if I wouldn't have practically stole my jeep from the guy I wouldn't have bought it. I would wait for a good find on a 6cyl. If it's a good deal on a 4cyl maybe if not get a 6cyl. If you plan to drive any amount of highway get a 6cyl. If you are riding around town, a 4cyl with 4:10s really isn't bad. With 31s and 2.5 inch lift I was doing everything I wanted on trails. On the new 33" boggers, I have been surprising my self. 4cyl is enough off road, but I plan on regearing for the 33s and be set for a while.
 
I have got the 2.5 on a little lift and 32's.It sucks.On the highway I am never getting out of 4th gear unless it's really flat.5th gear is useless once you encounter even a slight hill.I love my little Jeep,but I get about 12 MPG and it has no power.If you aren't planning to regear,I would get the 4.0.
 
I got my yj with 2.5l ax5 9in and d44 geared 4.88 run 38.5 boggers and I can roll down the highway alright had it up to 80mph 5th gear doesnt accel good though. But when my 4 banger pops im swapping in a v8. I would go for the 4.0 but the 2.5 will work fine with 31 or 32 imo no auto trans with the 2.5 though they are trash and burn up quick if used offroad much.
 
ok i got my rango for going places i was just thinking a play toy. But with regearing and the cost even if i do it my self it could still be cheeper to go 4.0. Thanks guys you have given me some good food for thought.
 
I had a 97 with a 2.5 and 35x12.5 yes it ws way under powered but I still managed to explode the D35 under it. However once I put a 8.8 under it I climbed everything there is at URE with out issue. I never trailered it I drove it from Burlington to URE every time I went yes 5th would never get used much.

On a side note I now have a 4.0 with 35x12.5 and 5th gear is just about as useless as 5th gear was with my 2.5. I am actually spending the $1000+ this week to regear my 4.0 to 4.88's to make it a little more highway friendly.
 
just throwing this out there, if you get a 4.0 with 3.07s it will still suck with 33s on the highway
 
Your question was about how it does off road. Well it does great. My fiance has a 97 TJ with 2.5L and 33's. We put a locker in the front and it's been a blast. Not the best on road, but off road it does great and never needed a bigger engine. I think 4.56 gears will take care of the on road problems.
 
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