1997 Jeep Wrangler specifications

Assembly Plant: Toledo, Ohio; introduced in April, 1996 as a 1997 model

Two engines were available: the 2.5 liter four-cylinder developed by AMC and generating 120 hp; and the 4.0 liter inline six-cylinder, also developed by AMC, and generating 181 (or more) horsepower. At launch, the four-cylinder was only available in the base SE model; the 4.0 was in Sport and Sahara. For each model, a manual transmission was standard, and an automatic was optional.  The engines had this in common: gasoline powered, liquid-cooled, in-line engines, with cast iron block and head and sequential multiple-port electronic fuel injection. Two overhead valves per cylinder, hydraulic lifters, flat followers. The two engines were closely related.

4.0 liter In-Line 6-cylinder engine specifications

AMC-Jeep 4.0 liter engine details!
Displacement: 242 cu in. (3958 cc); Bore x Stroke: 3.88 x 3.41 (98.4 x 86.7)
Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
Power (SAE net): 181 bhp (135 kW) @ 4600 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 222 lb-ft (301 N-m) @ 2800 rpm
BHP/Liter: 45.7
Max. Engine Speed: 5250 rpm
Fuel Requirement: Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
Oil Capacity: 6.0 qt (5.7 L)
Coolant Capacity: 10.5 qt (9.9 L)
Emission Controls: 3-way catalyst, heated oxygen sensors (2), engine modifications
Max. Gross Trailer Weight: 2000 lbs, 300 lbs tongue load
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG City/Hwy): 17/21 - man. trans.; 15/18 - auto. trans.

2.5 liter in-line four-cylinder engine specifications

Traditional AMC/Jeep engine, later used in the Dakota as well
Displacement: 150 cu in. (2464 cc)
Bore x Stroke: 3.88 x 3.19 (98.4 x 81)
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Power (SAE net):120 bhp (90 kW) @ 5400 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 140 lb-ft (190 N-m) @ 3500 rpm
BHP/Liter: 48.7
Max. Engine Speed: 5550 rpm
Fuel Requirement: Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
Oil Capacity: 4.0 qt (3.8 L)
Coolant Capacity: 9.0 qt (8.5 L)
Emission Controls: 3-way catalyst, heated oxygen sensors (2), engine modifications
Max. Gross Trailer Weight: 2000 lbs (900 kg); 1000 lbs (450 kg) w/auto. trans.
EPA Fuel Economy (MPG City/Hwy): 19/21 - man. trans.; 17/19 - auto. trans.

Transmissions and Command-Trac® transfer case

	Five-speed manual	Three-speed automatic
	Overdrive, synchronized in all forward gears	Electro-hydraulic control, electronically controlled converter clutch
First	3.93 (a); 3.83 (b)	2.74
Second	2.33 (a); 2.33 (b)	1.54
Third	1.45 (a); 1.44 (b)	1.00
Fourth	1.00
Fifth	0.85 (a); 0.79 (b)
Axle	4.11 (a); 3.07 std., 3.55 opt. (b)
Overall top gear ratio	3.49 (a); 2.24 w/3.07 AR, 2.55 w/3.55 AR (b)	3.73 (a); 3.07 std., 3.55 opt. (b)
Notes	(a). With 2.5 L engine; (b) With 4.0 L engine

Model: NV231
Type: Part-Time
Operating Ranges: 2WD; 4WD High; Neutral; 4WD Low
Low Range Ratio: 2.72:1
Center Differential: None

Dimensions and more specifications

• Wheelbase: 93.4 (2373)
• Track: 58.0 (1473), front and rear
• Length: 147.7 (3756) to bumper, 151.8 (3856) to spare tire
• Width: 66.7 (1693)
• Height: 68.9 (1750) with hardtop, 70.2 (1783) with soft top, 68.2 (1732) with no top
• Ground Clearance at curb weight:
  • Front Axle:   8.0 (204) min.; 9.6 (243) max.   
  • Rear Axle:  7.9 (202) min.; 9.5 (24) max.   
  • Running: 9.7 (246) min.; 11.2 (2847) max. 
• Approach Angle, Min.:   42.5°
• Ramp Breakover Angle, Min.:  25.5°
• Departure Angle, Min.:  30.5°
• Payload Capacity (Includes All Occupants & Cargo): 800 lb ( 363 kg) 
• Frontal Area:    28.2 sq ft (2.62 sq m) hard top; 28.3 sq ft  (2.63 sq m) soft top
• Drag Coefficient: 0.55 hard  top; 0.58 soft top 
• Gas tank: 15.0 gallons (57 liters) standard, 19 gallons (72 liters) optional
• Cargo Volume:
  • Rear Seat Up:  10.9 cu ft (309 L) hardtop; 11.3 cu  ft ( 320 L) soft top   
  • Rear Seat Folded: 35.7 cu ft (1011 L) hard top; 36.9 cu  ft (1045 L) soft top   
  • Rear Seat Removed:  53.5 cu ft ( 1515 L) hard top; 55.7 cu  ft (1577 L) soft top 
• Curb weight: 3,092 lb (1,403) with four-cylinder, 3,229 lb (1,465 kg) with I-6
• Gross vehicle weight rating: 4,360 lb (1978 kg) with I-4, 4,380 lb (1,987 kg) with I-6
• Weight distribution: 49/51 with four, 51/49 with six

Body and chassis

• Instruments: 6000 rpm Tachometer, 100 mph (160 kph) speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, temperature, fuel, oil pressure, voltmeter
• Warning Lamps: Low fuel, high beam, seat belt, 4WD, turn signals, brakes, shift indicator (w/ man. trans.), check gauges, check engine, air bag, (if equipped) anti-lock brakes

body/chassis

Longitudinal front engine, 4WD, ladder-type frame, open steel body
Suspension - Front: Live axle, leading arms, coil springs, track bar, stabilizer bar - std.
1.18 (30) low-pressure gas charged shock absorbers - std.
1.77 (45) monotube high pressure gas charged shock absorbers - opt.
Suspension - Rear: Live axle, trailing arms, coil springs, track bar, stabilizer bar - std.
1.18 (30) low-pressure gas charged shock absorbers - std.
1.77 (45) monotube high pressure gas charged shock absorbers - opt.

steering

All models used recirculating-ball steering; Sport and Sahara got power steering with a damper (this was optional on SE). With power steering, the overall ratio was 14.1:1, with 3.0 turns to lock; with manual steering, the ratio was 24:1, with 5.1 turns to lock. Turning diameter (curb-to-curb) was 33.6 ft (10.2 m) with standard tires.

Brakes

Front: 11.0 x 0.94 in. (280 x 24 mm) vented discs w/single piston sliding calipers
Swept Area: 198.5 sq in. (1281 sq cm)

Rear: 9 x 2.5 (229 x 64) drum
Swept Area: 141.4 sq in. (912 sq cm)
Power Assist Type: 7.88 in. (200 mm) tandem diaphragm vacuum

tires

SE standard tires: P205/75R15 BSW A/T Goodyear Wrangler RT/S

Sport standard tires: P215/75R15 BSW A/T Goodyear Wrangler RT/S

Sahara Standard tires: P225/75R15 OWL A/T Goodyear Wrangler GS-A

Numerous optional tires were available up to 30 x 9.5 x 15 OWL Goodyear Wrangler GS-A.

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