2.7l 4cyl going offroad

How do these handle off road as far as power and performance compared to the 6cyl?

 

4low will be your new best friend. I have a second gen and it off-roads great

 

They're awesome. The 2nd gens have 4.10 gearing, though I'm not sure about 1st gens

 

Do very well.

I've taken mine off trails a number of times. Not rock-crawling but up and down rivers and creeks, through farm fields and general into the woods. Steep terrain you will likely want 4 low but I was mostly able to get around in 4 hi. I've been suprised at how well these things do with just stock. Adding new parts makes it even better. I cant count number of other trucks/jeeps I've pulled out from being stuck. The looks I get when I help other put their "off-roaders" onto trailers to pull away as I head down the main road to drive mine home is priceless.

 

Only been stuck once...

 

Do you have an auto or manual? Auto's it'll be a less noticeable difference between them. The issue with the 4cyl for stuff like rock crawling, maybe even mud/snow/sand where you want torque down while trying to maintain the right amount of wheelspin, the lack of torque at low RPM is difficult to manage. You need so much torque to get up a rock, but you won't get that torque until you're at 2500rpm, where when the clutch it out you'll be moving 3mph. So it's a lot of slipping and bouncing on the clutch.

 

No difference off-road compared to a 3.4, both are plenty capable. On road the 3.4 has more power.