How's the cost of gas going to affect your daily lives, four-wheelin', fishin', maybe just driving to work?
Not much change as far as driving style, but my rig is not yet trail rated (according to my own standards, not Jeeps) for the Miami area, as I have no lockers, and there's A LOT of mud down here!
How may of you have one? Have they been reliable? What about "MPG"? What kind of gears and tire's are you using?
Mine is a 4-banger; I got a '94 YJ, and have made some mods (FoMoCo e-fan conversion with speed controlled according to the temp of the aluminum radiator, Performance Distributor ignition, LiveWires, plugs gapped at .45 if I remember correctly, roller rockers, K&N filter in stock box, 62mm TB, 62mm TB spacer, Gibson Cat Back, all new snesors to be sure they are up and running as they should, etc) and I am just getting 16 mpg.
I think if I stay of the highway, I'd probably get a little more (anything over 50 in a Jeep and the engine, regardless of size, has to push a lot of air around!). I should point out that I got the stock gears (4.10), transmission (AX5) and TC (NV231), but I do run 31 tires, so that lowers the mpg also... Not to mention I got the hardtop on (heavier = mor fuel burnt every time I accelarate from a stand still) and I have 4 inches of lift (more wind resistance).
Overall, I am really happy with the 4 banger, and if you get one, great for you. Just dont expect it to be better in mpg than the 4.0L, 'cause it's really not, especially in highway situations! A head wind will surely go acompanied by a drop to 4th gear!
Felipe