V 6 v Inline

laminad · Apr 26, 2012

I know everyone would put in a 4.0 becuase it bolts up to 2.9 bolt patterns. But for off road and highway wouldnt it make more sense to swap it all out and go with a straight 6. What is your opinion. I have both engines and I feel the straight 6 has more power.

Hahnsb2 · Apr 26, 2012

There are a lot of straight 6s, which one are you talking about?

laminad · Apr 26, 2012

Sorry about that. What I have is a 92 explorer 4.0, and a 97 jeep wrangler straight 6, both with trans and rear axle. I think maybe the straight 6 seemed to have more power because the jeep was so much lighter. But than again when I ask around everyone picks the straight six over the v6.

adsm08 · Apr 26, 2012

A straight six has worse balance and NVH properties than a V-configured, but it has overlapping power strokes which lets it produce more torque. If you live in an area with lots of hills or tow regularly I might think about the inline.

If you just drive it to drive it, take the V6. Frankly, the Ford 4.0 kicks major ass for what it is.

laminad · Apr 26, 2012

I think the v6 also has better mpg. Which says alot these days.

85_Ranger4x4 · Apr 26, 2012

The V is a much better package, lighter and more compact than an inline.

osteologation · Apr 26, 2012

That jeep motor is great for power and mpg compared to ford 4.0. Too bad it's surrounded by a jeep.

Hahnsb2 · Apr 28, 2012

I've never cared for the Heep motor, every single one of them has a cracked exhaust manifold and they suck to work on. The Ford V6 also produces better low end torque.

4.0B2 · Apr 28, 2012

the 4.0 v6 from ford is an awesome motor... if you need low end gears, gear your axles to whatever you need.
the 4.0 i6 from jeep is a great motor to, but why would you want to try to put it in the ford? then you gotta find a trans that'll bolt up (use the jeep one?) then t/case (guess you'd use the jeep case to?) and at that point you might as well find some TJ rubi d44 axles and have 4.10s and locked. lol.

personally, i did the 4.0 swap in a b2 and LOVE it. 4.56's and 33's. i got enough low end to do whatever i want to do...

i agree w/ Hahns to, the manifolds on those things suck unless you get a certain one...

osteologation · Apr 28, 2012

Hahnsb2 said:
I've never cared for the Heep motor, every single one of them has a cracked exhaust manifold and they suck to work on. The Ford V6 also produces better low end torque.

Except for the manifold issue (rather weld a manifold than change head gaskets) you are way off on every other aspect. Don't let your 4k post ford fanboy ism get in your way.

CHKNFKR · Apr 28, 2012

an inline engines greatest advantage is also one of its greatest downfalls, and that is gravity. It's the reason they make the low end power they do, and the reason they don't spin up very well. It's also the reason they empty your wallet at the pump.

Personally I say keep the ford 4.0 v6. It will outperform the jeep motor off road and on the highway, all while saving you a few bucks at the pump. plus the install is more or less bolt on since you have the 2.9 trans in the truck already.

AllanD · Apr 28, 2012

adsm08 said:
A straight six has worse balance and NVH properties than a V-configured, but it has overlapping power strokes which lets it produce more torque. If you live in an area with lots of hills or tow regularly I might think about the inline.

If you just drive it to drive it, take the V6. Frankly, the Ford 4.0 kicks major ass for what it is.

Overlapping power pulses in an inline versus a V6?

Ok, 'splain it to me how six power pulses in 720degrees of rotation
changes depending on if the engine is an inline versus a V-layout?

Funny thing is most people don't realize just how low a 4.0 V6 starts making torque.... 200ftlb by 1300rpm.

AD

85_Ranger4x4 · Apr 28, 2012

CHKNFKR said:
Personally I say keep the ford 4.0 v6. It will outperform the jeep motor off road and on the highway, all while saving you a few bucks at the pump. plus the install is more or less bolt on since you have the 2.9 trans in the truck already.

It would probably be a good idea to get a trans out of a 4.0 truck when you do the swap though. They did get stronger when the 4.0 came out.

laminad · May 1, 2012

I put a re-man 2.9 back in the BII. Man I have not driven that thing on the highway in 7 years, I was very satified with the engine. The straight six will stay with the jeep for now and I will look for a 87 or 88 Ranger Supercab to put the 4.0 into. But first a liftkit for the BII. I bought this BII in 87 and I think it looks better now than it was new. Pics of it are up on FB. I will do the photobucket thing soon to put them on here. Oh and the BII's name is girlfriend, at least thats what my wife calls it. Ha Ha, calls me on the phone and says hows your girlfriend doing. Been working on it for awhile. Wouldnt you know it, first day back on the road with it and blew a heater core. Just ran a loop for now. I am going to need a dash pad also. You guys would not believe what 2012 paint does to a 87, I have to have another, but this time the boys are going to be in on it so they can learn this crap, and get bit by the BII/Ranger bug. :headbang:

birddog321 · May 2, 2012

You guys better hope Will doesn't catch wind of wind of this thread. He'll burn this mutha down for this I6 blasphemy.

V 6 v Inline

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