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Looking to buy a 86 mj!!


Odie5035
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Hello! I'm new to this but I'm going to look at a 86 mj this Monday and had some questions for y'all. I'm a die hard wrangler fan I have 2 and one build going but I wanted to look into a mj to haul my four-wheeler and stuff for my builds and to take camping fishing hunting. I was just wondering if anyone has ever hauled there quad on the back of there mj with a 2.5 auto if so I would love to see pictures!! Was also wondering about the 2.5 and power issues? Anyone have a lift with a 2.5 and if so what size tires and does it go highway speeds alright??

Thanks everyone!!! Hope to hear for y'all soon!!!!

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Hey, I can't speak to the towing/hauling issues of the 2.5, but I would suggest holding out for an MJ with the I6. They have a solid history and have good pulling power.

On a side note, IMO, MJ's are the best riding and driving truck I've owned. That includes a Ford Ranger, Toyota Pickup and a full-sized GMC. Good luck!!!

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I pulled a tandem trailer for months, weighs in at 3500 to 4000lbs, the 2.5 will do it but the AX5 will not last. Mountain roads. 

 

 

What  you want to do, as you described, a 2.5 will do just fine. 

 

4.10s with 32s, I now have a new modified 2.5 in my MJ with less than 30 miles on it, it will no longer be pulling a trailer regularly. 34s on the horizon, next year I'll likely go with the 305/70/18s.

 

Below is my new Frontier, same displacement as the I6, 4.0. 

 

There is no comparison, none, litre for litre, the I6 is a dog, sorry to all the purists, it just is. Yes, the MJ pulled that trailer everywhere I needed it to.

 

YJL1hfu.jpg

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86 was a bastard year Ive owned n 86 xj and currently own a 86 mj , they have a different engine bay with different rad support and all so some parts are more of a pain to get , with that said if it was the right price I would buy it anyways haha , check my build out i had a buddy retro a newer style xj rad into the 86 so you can have an idea of what I mean

 

 

http://comancheclub.com/topic/52180-86-comanche-build/?hl=comanche+build

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I pulled a tandem trailer for months, weighs in at 3500 to 4000lbs, the 2.5 will do it but the AX5 will not last. Mountain roads. 

 

 

What  you want to do, as you described, a 2.5 will do just fine. 

 

4.10s with 32s, I now have a new modified 2.5 in my MJ with less than 30 miles on it, it will no longer be pulling a trailer regularly. 34s on the horizon, next year I'll likely go with the 305/70/18s.

 

Below is my new Frontier, same displacement as the I6, 4.0. 

 

There is no comparison, none, litre for litre, the I6 is a dog, sorry to all the purists, it just is. Yes, the MJ pulled that trailer everywhere I needed it to.

 

YJL1hfu.jpg

 

While Jeep Driver did answer your question, there was an unnecessary insult to the I6 that, I guess, just slipped out. :hmm:

 

Also consider longevity and serviceability. I'm not an expert by any measure. However, a simple Google search may help.

 

"Nissan 4.0 engine" returns countless accounts of trouble with this motor. Essentially, it sounds like a POS. :roll:

"Jeep 4.0 engine" however, returns just as many accolades on how great this motor is.  8)

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  • 4 weeks later...

Several years ago nissan went bankrupt and they went everywhere attempting to fins someone toe bail them out.

 

Renault finally did bail them out.

 

Now folks with a nissan have a "frog" vehicle!

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I think it was what was available in the OPs area.

While I like my old 85 XJ I'd never recommend it to somebody new to MJ-XJ. Even if they are hard core jeepers there's a lot of oddball stuff that later years are either improved or easier to find parts for.

I would take on a 86 only knowing there'll be a ton of things I'll want to do to it starting with pulling the motor out whatever it happens to be. Then update the transfer case and maybe transmission. Stock can be fine but I've learned I'm not happy with what was stock in 84-86.

 

 

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