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F134 Or Dauntless V6

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by KevH, May 6, 2022.

  1. May 7, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Highway driving is a big consideration no doubt. Another FWIW is that a 4.27 geared F-134 will handle 60 mph comfortably. It is just another point worth considering.
     
  2. May 7, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Not uphill!
     
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  3. May 7, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Agreed! :)
     
  4. May 7, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    What it is is a warmed over 1926 Whippet engine. My father bought a 2A back about 1950 and he traded that off on a nearly new FC 150 in 58. I took my driver's test in that FC and proceeded to wheel the crap out of it. In 69 I purchased the CJ 5-4.88's and 225. After the 134's, what an eye opening experience that was-both on and off road. I'm not into garage queens and, IMO, that is the only place either 134 shine. As to what Tim alluded to, the 72-74 are probably the best of the early CJ's, the only real downside being the D20 and it's 2.03:1 low range, along with sacrificing the overdrive option. But a Tera Low gear set fixes most of that.

    ??? The 4.88 option with the 225 is a lot quicker than the standard 3.73's on takeoff. The downside is that you get less economy and run out of rpms sooner. But with an OD-perfect.
     
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  5. May 7, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's definitely quicker on take off if you nail it, but like you said you have to shift it sooner also. I was trying to describe normal driving and distance traveled between shifts. Basically my description of my experience with driving V6 CJ5's with the 2 different gear ratios.
     
  6. May 7, 2022
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    I have a 58 CJ6 and it had a nice running f-head. I debated back and forth about it vs. a 225. I went with the 225 and I am seriously glad I did. I would highly recommend a late 60s CJ, 225 equipped. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
     
  7. May 7, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I had a f-134 thru high-school, drove from upstate NY to Missouri at least three times swapped it out for a chevy 200ci v6 then a warmed over chevy 4.3 with fuel injection. My inlaws have a cj5 with a 225 and it's just worlds better.
    The 225 is a car engine. The 134 is a tractor.
    There are also lots of little changes like brakes, valve gap, and an actual oil filter. The 134 Era is a lot of maintenance (search "knuckle pudding" btw)

    I'ld likely go for a later inline 6 jeep with power steering and brakes but the 225 is maybe the best stock jeep engine... ever.
     
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  8. May 8, 2022
    Tom_Hartz

    Tom_Hartz Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    North Carolina
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    My 67 has a 225 V6, T18 4 speed, Dana 18, Warn overdrive, 4.88 gears on 33" tires. This CJ runs fantastic I wouldn't change a thing.
     
  9. May 8, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It would be difficult to come up with a better combination than what you have.
     
  10. May 8, 2022
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Another vote for the V-6. It's simple to work on and much more versatile to use in modern society. Nothing wrong with an F-head per se but the V-6 is just so much better. And yes, I've owned both.
     
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  11. May 8, 2022
    jeepdaddy2000

    jeepdaddy2000 Active Member

    Eagle Point oregon
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    The purest answer to your question is this,
    The V6 beats the 4 in every category. Power, torque, even fuel economy.

    That being said, the 4 is still a good engine.

    Other things to consider are cost and availability. The V6 can be found in CJ's from 65-71 while the four ran from 56 onward, which gives a larger market to choose from. They are also less desirable, which means they won't (or at least shouldn't) carry the same price as the V6.
     
  12. May 8, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    That may just be because most of them are worn out, abused, and neglected.

    I spend very little time or money on my 1956 f-head. Routine maintenance is simple enough. (My knuckles don't leak at all. Weird.)
     
  13. May 9, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    My knuckles don't leak either and I'm running straight 80/90 but that's the sort of odd maintenance needed that the OP needs to be aware of to not be one to neglect another jeep.

    Specifically what I'm getting at is with the f-134 there is a lot more little things to stay on top of with the motor, it's ancient technology and only surpasses the Buick at agricultural duties where a farm jeep is needed.

    having a Buick means you have the dana 27, more roadworthy gears, better brakes. Stronger steering box, stronger tranfercase.

    The 225 got a weaker front driveshaft and the vacuum wipers didn't have a pump for full throttle operation.

    I'ld go as far as the 225 is better architecture than the 4.3 since the oil flows past 5500rpm
     
  14. May 9, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    That puzzles me, because I can't think of any. What are you thinking of that wouldn't be true of any engine?

    Which is not to deny that the six may be better in certain conditions, performance-wise.
     
  15. May 9, 2022
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    If there ain't nothin under it, there ain't nothin in it! :lol:
     
  16. May 9, 2022
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    I would vote Intermediate CJ5. 1972-1975 Pre smog if I were starting over.
    You get a whole lot more jeep for your money plain and simple. D30, saginaw steering, better brakes, 4 speeds are common, rear fuel tank factory, the rear axles are good in stock form and the 258 or 304 are good engines.
    If you want to go 71 and earlier I would definitely go the 225 v6 route. The 134 F head has its place but the V6 does pretty much everything better.
    I would look for upgrades like front disc brakes, D30 front axle, rear axle shaft upgrades and steering upgrades. It will almost always be cheaper to buy a jeep with these upgrades already done than it will be to buy and upgrade yourself. Every upgrade will cost you more than anticipated. A 225 v6 in proper working order will easily carry you to highway speed and maintain highway speed provided the rest of the jeep is up to that task.
    Only you can decide what is best for you. I started off just wanting to do some hunting, camping and around town second vehicle driving. Somewhere on this forum there is a post where I said I would never run the Rubicon...... now I cant get enough of it.
    It is guaranteed that you will want "something more" after you have had the jeep for a while. Maybe it will be more off road capability, maybe it will be more freeway capability, maybe it will be more comfort or safety... It just takes time for your own personal preferences to develop.
     
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  17. May 9, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

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    And at sea level----
     
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  18. May 9, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    You must have been around some crappy F-heads. :D:lol: They won't knock your socks off but they aren't as weak as you make it seem. :rofl:
     
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  19. May 9, 2022
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

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    Aren't as weak as compared to what? My RZR engine has more power and compared to just about any V6 or V8, they are just a wimpy whisper. Yes, they will go off road pretty well but just about any other engine makes it a lot more pleasurable experience and tends to keep one out of trouble longer. We will not even get into the on-road performance. I've done my 134 time-both varieties. I'm not going to repeat the experience in my old age. And I'll admit to being a torque junkie. The 12 step program adds about 50 ft-lbs each time--------:twist:
     
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  20. May 9, 2022
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    I am too. That's why I have my choice of trucks in my driveway. :)
     
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