All --

Just signed up and this is my first post. Is a carb setup available to retrofit to a 6-cyl Cherokee? I'd like to get away from FI. I don't own a Cherokee yet, and am considering which year would be best to get for this purpose. If I'm in the wrong place, would you refer me to the appropriate place on the forum? Thanks!

Fridlo
fridlo45@yahoo.com

 

Welcome to the Forum!

Early Cherokees had carbs as standard equipment.... hopefully this link can help you figure out what you're looking for:
http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-ca...herokee-xj.htm

 

There was never a carburated 4.0L, closest was the 4.2L which was never in the Cherokee. For 98% of everyone the MPI is a better setup anyways, remember its not a Chevy with their awful TBI setup where its actually worth going back to carbs.

 

Early cherokees had 2.5L engines, and had a single barrel carburetor (name of the original brand escapes me at the moment.) The carbs were not very good and many people traded them out for a Weber.

EDIT: Aha. I see I skipped over the "6 cyl." part. That 2.5L is a 4 cylinder engine. My bad.

 

Why on earth would you ever want to go from the 4.0 MPI system to a carburator?! You must like doing things the hard way.

 

Thank you all. I was assuming -- apparently in error -- that the MPI system would be difficult or impossible for a home mechanic to maintain. If it is easy, then I certainly wouldn't want to change it.


Fridlo

 

The earlier Renix systems have a mixed reputation, but the later Chrysler system is very good.

If you're concerned about reliability, I'd suggest getting a later model XJ (IMO '94-'99 is the sweet spot, depending on which body style you prefer.)

 

carbs on 4.2 jeep engines were terrible. the engine would almost die when you hit the brakes at low speed. the engine would rev up when you hit the brakes in reverse. it was a poor design. people would swap them out for a weber. they have told me the weber was better but it wasn't perfect. fuel injection is definitely the way to go.

 

Is an ordinary human able to work on the Chrysler MPI system, or do you have to take it to a specialist or to Chrysler?

Fridlo

 

What all do you have to do? With the EFI it either runs fine, or you replace the defective part. Autozone will scan OBD/OBDII for you for free, or rent you the scanner for a refundable deposit.

 

I have the 92 5.2lt with the MPI/Throttle body set up. Cant say it has ever given me any issues. And at more than 19mpg on and old Dodge 318, Im not going to complain!

Ron

 

+1. At first I thought your inquiry about carbs was because you specifically wanted something to tinker with. EFI pretty much takes care of itself.

 

Heck no! I just thought that FI might become impossible on an old car. Y'all are great, this is a super forum and a great resource!

Fridlo

 

Generally speaking, the fuel injection system on the 4.0 is very reliable and easy for the do it yourselfer to work on.

You do NOT want to go back to a carb. The FI is way superior in every way.

 

Yup, leave the carbs on the lawn mowers because FI is the only reliable system.