To buy or not to buy... That is my question....

[my80chevette]

Well how do folks! I have been eyeballing a variety of vehicles to replace my broken down 1997, 2.3, 5-speed 2wd Ford Ranger. Something in the clutch assembly went south and since I lack a proper place to do such an involved repair I am considering something with a few less miles and 4 wheel drive. I spotted 2003 Liberty Sport with the 2.4 and five speed and thought it might be a good choice for me. Before I ask for your opinions I will tell you this little KJ has what some consider a lot of miles...221k to be exact. My Ranger has 300K (had 260K when I got it) and has done well for me the last two and a half years I've owned it. Now I could get the Ranger fixed, but the engine is down on power (lower compression evenly across all cylinders) and I'm leery about spending over a thousand dollars to fix the truck. The Liberty appears to have been well cared for and runs like new with the exception of a driver side cv joint which clicked a bit on tight turns in 4-wheel. The Liberty is $2200 and I would like to run a car fax on the Jeep before buying it but but wanted some opinions on the long term durability of the 2.4. Anyone with a idea of how well these engines hold up and anything I should be especially aware of with these KJ's? Thanks for any input!!

 

[tommudd]

With the 4 cylinder engine I would skip that one. I know the hills and roads around there , ( lived in Cambridge and grew up down towards Marietta ) . But they are very underpowered, plus with those miles I'd pass . Not many around really although we do love finding them to swap out the 4.10 gears they come with.

 

[tjkj2002]

At 221k that 2.4 is past it's life,it may run but will end up just like your ranger not long down the road.It's also a timing belt engine that should be on it's 3rd timing belt.If they have no proof that the timing belt has been changed recently with a new water pump expect a $1000 repair right there to start with.


Try buying a vehicle with less then 75k,better chance at it lasting a few years.

 

[my80chevette]

Thanks for the replies guys!! Well I guess I'll be repairing the Ranger. I had no idea that the 2.4s were so fragile. Do the 3.7 V6's last longer than the four cylinder engines? I need something that gets decent mileage and until the clutch let go in the Ford I was getting 22-24mpg out of the 2.3. I was really hoping to get another Jeep but my budget for purchasing a vehicle tops out at $2500 so no sub 100k mile KJs for me :icon_smile:. Too bad those 4.0 XJs do so atrocious on gas or I would snatch one of those up!! Dang things grow on trees around here....

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The 3.7s will go 300k-400k or more if they are maintained well. And they have a timing chain so that's good.

 

[tjkj2002]

Thanks for the replies guys!! Well I guess I'll be repairing the Ranger. I had no idea that the 2.4s were so fragile. Do the 3.7 V6's last longer than the four cylinder engines? I need something that gets decent mileage and until the clutch let go in the Ford I was getting 22-24mpg out of the 2.3. I was really hoping to get another Jeep but my budget for purchasing a vehicle tops out at $2500 so no sub 100k mile KJs for me :icon_smile:. Too bad those 4.0 XJs do so atrocious on gas or I would snatch one of those up!! Dang things grow on trees around here....

The KJ your looking at is a manual also and when those clutches go you must buy a new flywheel and they are very pricey and very hard to find.Can't machine a dual mass flywheel.You'd be looking at $1200+ for a clutch on a 2.4 manual KJ.