hey jeepers out there whats the most desireable year 4L ??? is there much difference between the bunch ............

any suggestions will be greatly helpful ..

thanks .

 

You will get tons of opinions on this one. I swear by my renix (87-90) many people will tell you anything h.o.(91-01) I think that's because of the much heavier aftermarket support. Us renix guys have to get a little creative, I like the challenge and I like the loose parameters in the ecu because I can add intake exhaust and t.b.(and port work) and all I really have to do to make it run right is turn up my fuel pressure and mess with my map a little. All in all the 4.0 through the xj platform are all very similar. The one thing to look for are the later models with the 0331 head. It is very prone to cracking. Also the cooling system on 87-90 can be tempermental..... its all about what kinda deal your getting and how far you're willing to turn that wrench.

 

99'-01' without a doubt. When I drop that sucker to the bottom, my boat doesn't move a lick. Even in 40 mph winds.

 

Hahaha...... I could think of better boat anchors... these have the notorious 0331 head. It's funny the xj had almost a 20 year run and only right at the end Chrysler decided to sabotage it with an "improved" head while my 90, though only a few years into xj production has only very minor to no issues.... kinda went backwards there.

 

That 0331 head would make a nice anchor by itself. So frustrating! I'm just trying to get a vehicle to suit my needs and MAYBE have a little fun in, and it has to go and wreck that.

sigh

Sorry, little threadjack there......

 

95-98 are my personal favs. my 99 cherokee is a beast i beat the **** outa it and no problems yet (193k) ~knocks on wood~ however my 2000 when they put coil packs and other stupid stuff in it i dont like that. i much rather have a distributer cap and spark plug wires. but yeah personally id love to get my hands on a 1997 2dr cherokee sport with a 5spd manual and the 4.0 rock solid engine. but they are so darn difficult to find

 

Huh, my 99 doesnt have an 0331 head.

Like someone said about why they like their Renix....Id say is why I hate them: Not enough aftermarket support. Stay away from the AMC motors, they are junk. The later Chrysler motors are the cats pajamas, and even the notorious 0331 head motors are still awesome motors, they just have a crappy head. Get a 99 so you have the best of all worlds (no 0331 head, no coil packs, aftermarket support, etc.) or a 99+ and make sure it doesnt have the 0331 head. Or just get a post AMC (1991 and up) 4.0 H.O. motor. You cant go wrong with them.

 

Amc motors are junk? Care to expand on that? Pretty sure that's where the BULLETPROOF 4.0 started. Please explain why these motors that regularly go 300k are junk?

 

ya cant hate on amc they r great engines my dads 86 comanche has the little 4 banger in it and it is a very reliable little engine. i wouldnt go over a 99. id stay 99 and down. but like the first reply said your going to get alot of opinions on this thread

 

With a little ingenuity and a little fab SKILL you can make more power for less money with the renix. Some people just like to buy everything shiny and new I guess.

 

99-01 has a better intake manifold, which can actually give you more HP if you remove the pre-cat by installer an earlier version exhaust system. Similarly you can just install the newer intake manifold on an older engine for the same effect.

I have owned a 2000 and a 2001, both still run, one is over 250k and never a cracked head. I think it's more how you use (or abuse) it rather than some mythical notoriety. The 2001 with 155k still looks, runs, and drives like it came off the lot a month ago.

 

If you overheat an 0331 chances are it will crack. Weak points in the casting. I agree if you keep up on maintenance you should be ok. Not always though.

 

Its all opinion. You like your AMC, I dont like AMC. Its all good. My 99 doesnt have the 0331 head, but you said it did. Care to explain? Geez man, dont take it so personally.

 

Way I understand it it was whatever was in the parts bin. This thread is about pros and cons. Calling the Amc 4.0 junk is just not correct. Stock for stock both our engines are equally reliable. My 21 year old Amc runs like new. I don't want to misinform the op. When I said stay away from 0331 I didn't list a year. I said later jeeps with the 0331. I would leave it up to the buyer to research into it.

 

Correct, it is all opinion. The FACT is the AMC blocks had a higher nickel content, made within 8 HP of the HOs. They can equal and exceed the HP of an HO very easily.The torque has always been the same. Aftermarket support is there in the form of throttle bodies bigger than HO for $90 from www.strokedjeep.com, eliminating the "crush" in the exhaust headpipe, upgrading injectors etc.

And yes, those of us who grew up with AMC and the XJs can get a little touchy when people criticize AMC, especially those of us who were Parts and Service Managers at their dealerships during the XJ years..
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