What are your opinions on the V6?

[mopar_man]

I'm looking at a 1984 Cherokee with the V6, 5-speed and 4x4. What is everyone's opinion on this engine? Should I wait on this one and go for a 4.0? I haven't heard good things about this engine but was just wondering what some of you think about it.

[Yucca-man]

Go for the 4.0L The 2.8L V6 was a BAD engine, with little power, low torque and a plague of problems to keep mechanics in business...

[jeepin4evr]

I agree with Yucca-man, the 2.8's were NO GOOD, save your $'s and go for the 4.0l you will not regret it. I believe the 4.0 was released in late 87 so thats what year you should look for. Good Luck:D

[mopar_man]

Thanks guys :) Thats what I had heard and wanted to make sure the source was right. This is an '84 that I'm looking at and it was in my price range but I thought I'd check it out first. I've done some homework and '87 was the first year for the 4.0. I'm looking for '87 or newer for a 4.0 and '86 or newer for a 2.5 (I know these are pretty underpowered but they get good gas mileage and thats a good thing for me right now).

[jeepin4evr]

Hey mopar_man how much better do they actually get. I have had an 88 with a 4.0 and now my 98 with the 4.0 and they both got about 400 to 450km's on a tank and upto max 500 on the high way, thats with the 76 liter tank. I'd be interested to know what the 2.5 gets. Oh ya the jeeps with the 2.8. Amc bought the rights to use that engine from chev. They are slow gutless and get the same mileage as the 4.0l. No offence to anyone who has a 2.8 though. I just would never buy one. I still think you would be better off with the 4.0, especially living in the wheat lands you probably do a lot of highway driving, they just cruise much better. My opinions only though. Your money:D

[mopar_man]

My parents have an '86 with the 2.5, 5-speed and 2x4. Last year I drove it back and forth to work (40 kms round trip, all highway) and around the city a little bit and a tank lasted me about 1.5-2 weeks. I took a trip from here to the States once and I got from here to the border on about 3/8 tank (about 280 kms) so it kinda varies. On that trip I think I had a bit of a tail wind though.

As for the 2.8, I think you guys have me set on NOT buying one of those :D

Jeepin: If you find an XJ under $4000, let me know. I'm looking for one but they don't seem to be too affordable around here and I'm willing to make a road trip for the right one.

[jeepin4evr]

Hey mopar go here www.canadatrader.com, there is 10 in Alberta alone under $4000 fairly high km's but my old 88(bro's) 308000 and still running. check it out, you should be able to find what you are looking for, and i believe the site is updated every thursday.

[mopar_man]

Actually I visit that site every Monday (the magazine comes out every Thursday but they update it on Monday so that people will still buy the mag.). I've probably found the ones you found but I was just askin' if you find some that maybe aren't advertised. This is the other site I check out for stuff for sale http://www.calgaryjeep.com/ but they don't have much.

[RatherBeJeeping]

Why don't you just buy the 2.8L version if you can get a good deal and then swap in a 3.4L later? It's a direct swap, and it's the standard engine that comes with the Camaro

[mopar_man]

I'm kinda confused on this. I've found a couple that are a good price that I could afford but sadly they are 2.8. I've done some looking and found these 2 reviews:
http://www.carsurvey.org/review_15836.html
http://www.carsurvey.org/review_20966.html
Did these people just get a stroke of luck and get a good engine without problems?

[Yucca-man]

Either a stroke of luck that those engines haven't had problems, or they're smoking some crack that's gone past it's expiration...GM 2.8L V6 is a weak engine, prone to troubles..I used to own one.

[jeepin4evr]

my buddy had a blazer with a 2.8 and i could barley make it do a donut on snow. WEAK WEAK WEAK WEAK! I would smile and wave as i passed him up a hill. he would have it floored and i would roll up in 4th gear(auto). Please do your self a favour buy a 4.0l they are easier to drive and more of a pleasure to drive and gas millage is basically the same so you will be alot happier with your purchase in the long run.

[86JeepXJ]

That's funny.... The 2.8 in my S10 pulls right by a 4 litre on any day of the week. Then again, it is a more modern EFI version... Ahh, who knows? All I know is the 2.8 from the 93 S10 is going in my Jeep. I would rather have the 4.0, but I don't feel like beating in the firewall, changing trannys, etc.

Just another useless opinion from me!

[derf]

I've heard of people going to salvage yards and getting the 3.4l v6 out of a Camaro or Firebird. It uses the same block and bolt pattern as the 2.8. It just drops right in and bolts right up.

Not only does it displace more but it's much more reliable and has a lot more power due to EFI. I think there's even a place that sells a wiring harness adapter kit so you just plug and go.

Just my $0.02

[Gettin There]

Hey guys I might be a little partial but...I used to own an S10 with a 2.8 and that motor NEVER let me down in 4 years of owning the truck. All I did was change the oil and drive the hell out of it. It was my first car, and you know what 16 year olds can do to 98k mile motors. I drove that truck until some jerk hit me and it was totaled. It had 145k very hard miles on it. True they dont produce much power, 125hp and 150 ft-lbs, but an inexpensive alternative that a lot of the s10 guys are doing is going with the 3.4L. The chevy dealers sell a 3.4 crate motor for about 1700 bucks. Not bad for a brand new long block. Also, if you wanted to save a buck, I believe they came in the 93 through 95 Camaros. This engine is the same block that has been bored and stroked. The crate motor produces 160 hp with lots of room for improvement. There were guys on the s10 board I was a member of that had 3.4s making 200 rwhp. I personally like them, and if it were me, its just a question of ease of install.

Dustin