Back in October I purchased my first ever Jeep a stock 4 door 96 XJ with the 4.0HO/aw4. Awesome machine. Me and my brother have decided to make it our vacation rig. Over the summer it will get a new roof rack, 4-4.5 inch lift 31s maybe 33s, and upgraded suspension parts as its a bit wore out.
Now its time I need help on engine decision. I need power and reliabilty. It will be going over 1000+ miles one way at a time from past Toronto to California. Itll normally be just us 2, quite a bit of gear, and time to time will be hauling a boat weighing around 1800-2000 wet lbs. (Tracker 170 if that helps)
I had no previous experience with the 4.0 before I bought this Jeep. Overall never once had a issue with it not wanting to run but it seems very underpowered even with no load.
Ive seen were guys have stroked the engines but I seem concered of reliabilty issues with doing that. Ive also seen other engine swaps weither it be v8 or smaller displacement diesels. I do have a pretty large amount of experience with diesels in trucks and volkswagens and experience with 350 sbc and ls engines although not great experiences with them (2 Ive owned both failed). Would like to know if you guys have any imput from past experience of what would suit my needs better. Obv a truck could do the job better but I love the Jeep and need to give it a purpose to keep it around.
Now its time I need help on engine decision. I need power and reliabilty. It will be going over 1000+ miles one way at a time from past Toronto to California. Itll normally be just us 2, quite a bit of gear, and time to time will be hauling a boat weighing around 1800-2000 wet lbs. (Tracker 170 if that helps)
I had no previous experience with the 4.0 before I bought this Jeep. Overall never once had a issue with it not wanting to run but it seems very underpowered even with no load.
Ive seen were guys have stroked the engines but I seem concered of reliabilty issues with doing that. Ive also seen other engine swaps weither it be v8 or smaller displacement diesels. I do have a pretty large amount of experience with diesels in trucks and volkswagens and experience with 350 sbc and ls engines although not great experiences with them (2 Ive owned both failed). Would like to know if you guys have any imput from past experience of what would suit my needs better. Obv a truck could do the job better but I love the Jeep and need to give it a purpose to keep it around.