The 3.7 v6 is still very buggy and the new jeeps are not really "jeeps" anymore. '06 is the last year for the 4.0 and it was only available in the grand cherokee and wranglers. the 3.7 was '02+ liberty's compass etc. The patriots do have the hemi or 4.7 options I believe as well.

I had the 4cyl Patriot

And for the hemi I believe thats for the Compass.

I am thinking commander for the hemi or 4.7 option, sorry. More to the point though; a 4.0 jeep is a very good option and I feel it does actually outclass the 5.2 v8 available in 1500 rams, the 5.9 v8's are very powerful but lack a lot in terms of mileage. the 4.0 stock specs are I believe 195hp and 235ft lbs. the 5.2 v8 I believe is 220hp and 245ft lbs.

You cant compare the v6 3.7 to the L6 4.0

The 4.0 is truly a legendary engine. Watch some of the cash for clunker videos where it would take 5 minutes to kill the motor. Only to realize it still starts and runs with a hole in the block, sans a couple pistons.... Its amazing to watch.

The liberty and the patriot arent even jeeps..

4.0 cherokee.

[QU OTE=OldAndyAndTheSea,May 28 2013 11:32am]You cant compare the v6 3.7 to the L6 4.0

The 4.0 is truly a legendary engine. Watch some of the cash for clunker videos where it would take 5 minutes to kill the motor. Only to realize it still starts and runs with a hole in the block, sans a couple pistons.... Its amazing to watch.[/QUOTE]

you just got me pissed off watching some cash for clunkers blowups. a foxbody gt mustang looked great. 91 formula firebird looked great. i loved this one these old ford wagons were tough to beat my uncle owned one and then his son drove it through high school and it could still laid down a black mark lol

Which year do you recommend for the 4.0?

I heard 97 or 99?

Is 98 good too?

Also could you recommend a good set of offroad tires? keep in mind the jeep will also be a daily driver.

This post was edited by 1998 on May 29 2013 05:05pm

depends on what kind of offroading you are talking about. on my 91 nissan hardbody 4x4 i use to run dayton timberline a/t and mastercraft courser a/t in a 235/75/15 and they done just fine. i wasnt sinking it in big mud holes but driving down trails and smaller mud holes it done just fine. im not sure whats factory size on the jeep but most of the a/t tires will do normal lighter offroading just fine. if you are going to be sinking it in big mud holes you probably want a bigger more aggresive tire though. the a/t will give you decent off road capability while still being a fairly decent highway tire. there shouldnt be any tire singing with them either unless you are getting like 32" tires or something bigger like that.

i also put a set of general grabber m/t 32s on it at the end of its time with me but i never got it offroad with those. im sure it wouldve been beast with them though lol

This post was edited by JDH on May 29 2013 05:13pm

There are 4 generations.
87-90 was the renix computer generation. All fine and dandy, other than you need a specific scanner to read the computer for codes.
91-95 was the "High Output" generation - 13hp over the original 87-90 models, but the max torque was made later in the rpm range.
96-00 was a complete change in casting materials and processes and an intake manifold change to bring the peak torque down a little bit on the rpm range.
01-06 was the introduction of the distributorless ignition and actually makes the most torque.

I personally had the best luck with my 97. When I do change the engine in my current '91 cherokee I will use a block from a 89 and the head from a 97. (90 and older blocks are actually a heavier and stronger block)

I pulled this table off of an AMC/Jeep information website:

Output:
1987-90: 177 hp (132 kW; 179 PS) at 4500 rpm and 224 lb·ft (304 N·m) at 2500 rpm
1991-95: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4750 rpm and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) at 4000 rpm
1996-01: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4600 rpm and 225 lb·ft (305 N·m) at 3000 rpm
2001-06: 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) at 4600 rpm and 235 lb·ft (319 N·m) at 3200 rpm

As far as tires, it will depend on how you use the jeep. My '92 cherokee ran 31" general grabber at's and they lasted just over a year. my 97 had 32" mud king XT's which are a mud terrain and they lasted 35k miles. My '91 has 36" iroks and they only have about 25k miles on them and are just about wore out.