Meet THOR

[ThysleRoux]

As some of you may know, old RooiTjiep has been my daily drive, family vehicle, and toy for the past ten years. The old Bugger has done 423k km and was in need of a lot of TLC lately, so when the motor developed a miss on cylinder #2 a few weeks ago and I discovered a complete loss of compression on this piston, I started doing the math, which did just not add up in his favour, as the old guy was just not worth the expense.

So I started looking around for a replacement and after driving a few "lesser" cars, decided that I just had to have a WJ in my life. I looked at a few, had buddies in other areas look at some for me (thanks Craig !!) and eventually came across THOR - a 2002 4.7 HO Overland with 176 000 km on the cock, THOR has a full service history and came with RWC and a warranty - all this for less than doing all the repairs (suspension bushes, some body work and opening and repairing the motor, which I suspect has dropped a valve)

His name is THOR, because he has a voice like THUNDER

[Mad Manny]

So, you are going to go through life having never owned a Cruiser?

[XJ Junkie]

Very very smart Thys. Congrats.

[Chris Stoffel]

Whao!4.7L nogal. You are not downgrading, that is for sure. Many happy dunes Meneer.

[ThysleRoux]

@Malman - as much as a Cruiser is the only Toyota I can tolerate, the ones I want are just not practical for my use and pocket.

@Junkman - part of my reasoning is that RooiTjiep remains as a part donor - there are loads of bits that I can use if required.

@ Stoffel - Thanks, I am itching, but will drive it for a while to make sure there are no issues before putting it through its paces. 198 kW and 447 Nm should cope well enough in a 2000 kg vehicle

[XJ Junkie]

You’ve obviously done your homework on that version of motor, but is it true that they have a tendency to bend valves?

[ThysleRoux]

Like any alu head motor they don't like overheating (they will drop valve seats) and bending the valve stems are related to driving it against the limiter, which is not necessary if you have enough horses

That said, I am wary of the motor, as I believe under stressed (read normal PowerTech in this instance) engines are more reliable than tuned versions. I would have preferred the standard motor, but the mileage and maintenance history on this one is a plus, though and there are not many choices when buying older cheap vehicles. Chrysler has done it the right way, IMHO and strengthened the internals (crank, bearings, con rods and pistons) when adding the extra compression to facilitate the power increase. The Jeep version is also the lower stressed one of the HO - in some applications they wring up to 234 kW out of them.

[HenriSteyn]

Good luck and many happy miles Thys!

[grips]

Lekker Oom THYS, gee hom gas Johanna

[Malkoppi]

One of my friends had a 4.7 HO Overland and it is one of the most fun vehicles Ive driven in the dunes! He absolutely thrashed it on the limiter every time we went playing and everything kept up well. I think it is the best bang for buck performance 4x4 out there.

Congrats and may you have many happy (s)miles!

[Ricof4e]

Netjiese motor daai.