Hello, i'm a college kid, and i'm having the normal issues for us..

No money
Need vehicle

I currently got a 1985 S-10 Blazer.. and its ralling apart. peice by peice.

Anyway, I'm gonna sell it for 2grand or so, and got another 1.5 grand saved up. I'm just looking for a solid peice of movable vehicle. Heres my lame excuse for it requiring 4x4:

I live in phoenix, but the outskirts, not really developed and it wreaks enough havoc on new vehicles.. I don't wanna go driving around here in a geo prism.

So, whats the reliablity of a 4cylinder like? A big reason I'd like a wrangler is a simple reason:

TWO solid axles. My blazer right now needs two new front axles, hubs, etc etc. The front suspension alone will drive me broke. I'm mechnically just fine. Recently put a 350 into my brother's s-10 and all.

So!! What does everyone think of a Jeep YJ(or super early TJ), with a 4 cylinder?? Reliable enough engine?

Thanks a lot.

Dan

Yes, they are very realiable engines. As for power...ummm, its not a race car thats for sure but it will get you around

The 4 cylinder will do fine. It's not a race car motor, that's for sure. If you keep it stock, you'll be able to get around fine, both in town and on the highway. It doesn't get up to speed really quick, but STOCK you can maintain 70-80 pretty easily.

My TJ is a 4 cylinder and it's on 33's. With 4.88 gears (stock is 4.10 on a 5 speed) it's about like stock, maybe a bit slower. I can keep 70 easily, but usually run 60-65. On the trail it works great and I can keep up with anybody.

If you're starting out, try and find a TJ. In my opinion, they wheel better stock and you can throw a simple 2" budget boost and some 31's or 32's and do a little better.

Good luck!

lol, sorry I didn't mean "race car" power. I meant is it semi-truck slow?

I know as a college student, this may come as a shock, but I don't want something fast. Infact, i'd prefer something slow.

Speeidng tickets can be expensive at least my blazer right now(85 s-10 blazer), has horridly worn CV joints.. so anything about 55 and it shakes rather horridly

Any idea on mileage with stock tires/gears? Hoping for around 20mpg on highway?

When my TJ was stock, I think I got about 250 miles to a 15 gallon tank. I think that's around 17-18 mpg which isn't bad considereing you're driving a brick. As for speed, it's all in how you drive. I see 4 cylinder Jeeps on my commute every morning goig 75 but I never do. I've had my Jeep since 99 and have never gotten a speeding ticket. It drives perfect at 65 and that's where I keep it.

Well. 250 miles to a 15 gallon tank beats my 180 miles to a 20 gallon tank(something is really wrong with it.. going to remove the cat tonight, see if thats it.).

Thanks for the help

I used to own a 91 YJ with the 4 popper, it run pretty good and would get you there and back. Its top speed was 70, going down hill with a tail wind. It was kinda a pain on the interstate, the entire time I was on the interstate the gas pedal was to the floor, and I was lucky to keep it at 70...lol But it was a good engine, stood up well to abuse, off road it did fine. It was so long ago I cant remember what kind of mileage I was getting, but I know on my YJ I have now (93 with 4.0L) I am getting around 250-270 miles to the tank full, when I fill it up it is usally around 14-15 gallons (think it has a 17gal tank, or somthing close to that) best tank full I have got was around 300 or so miles, that was all interstate though. Its got about 177k on the clock and still going strong. But a 4 popper YJ should be fine for a yound collage guy like you.

Great! just the responses I was looking for!

I guess I can wait for the super charged SBC with nos...

Not really sure in gods name you would need that power, but i'm sure I could find a use.. perhaps sand blast a car or something.


Take the car in the sand dunes, and floor it. Might work?