Test Drove a JK Today...

Scott Brady

Founder
With 5.13 axle gearing and a 4:1 t-case, and an automatic, it it an elegant performer on the trail. Everything happens right at or just above idle.

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pete.wilson

Adventurer
Hey

It's too bad they don't offer the 4.7LV8 in the 4door JK, that would be a very good gasoline engine combination and still offer the same gas mileage as it gets now with the V6. You would think they would listen to reason. Maybe advance adapters could work up a kit to install the 4.7L into one......Hint!

Pete Wilson
 

calamaridog

Expedition Leader
pete.wilson said:
Hey

It's too bad they don't offer the 4.7LV8 in the 4door JK, that would be a very good gasoline engine combination and still offer the same gas mileage as it gets now with the V6. You would think they would listen to reason. Maybe advance adapters could work up a kit to install the 4.7L into one......Hint!

Pete Wilson

I've been ranting from the get-go they put the wrong damn engines in this model. Give the minivan V6 to the Liberty and Nitro and offer the 3.7 and 4.7 truck motors to the JK:mad: The 4.7 was even upgraded recently to be smoother, quieter, more powerful, and more efficient.

I would love to have a 4 door JK with the 4.7L:REOutArchery02:
 

TheGillz

Explorer
You know I don't honestly know who is doing all the complaining about this engine except overwhelmingly people that haven't driven one more than a test drive. After having one for 10k miles now I have zero complaints. I wheel it and it pulls itself up steep inclines and compression brakes down declines, over boulders and through the mud just fine. I would kindly ask people to reserve the opinions for people that actually use it on a daily basis.

I am a member over at JeepForum.com and there is such a small % of the JK owners that find it inadequate(sp) that it frankly is a non issue, that is only brought up when some TJ or other vehicle guy posts a thread asking about it....
 
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durango_60

Explorer
TheGillz said:
You know I don't honestly know who is doing all the complaining about this engine except overwhelmingly people that haven't driven one more than a test drive. After having one for 10k miles now I have zero complaints. I wheel it and it pulls itself up steep inclines and compression brakes down declines, over boulders and through the mud just fine. I would kindly ask people to reserve the opinions for people that actually use it on a daily basis.

I am a member over at JeepForum.com and there is such a small % of the JK owners that find it inadequate(sp) that it frankly is a non issue, that is only brought up when some TJ or other vehicle guy posts a thread asking about it....

Well said. I'm a little suprised that on a forum that is usually bashing the "American" need for V8 power we are seeing complaints about a perfectly adequate engine. The only thing that I truly hate when wheeling is breakage, maybe I'm simple minded, but my adequate 3.8 is a lot less likely to cause breakage than a big V8.
 

calamaridog

Expedition Leader
TheGillz said:
I would kindly ask people to reserve the opinions for people that actually use it on a daily basis.

Sorry, but no:) I appreciate your feedback related to the engine power, but we all discuss equipment options on vehicles here. I'm not bashing the JK - I think it's the best factory offering for most off highway duties.

If the 3.7L motor was used then the 4.7L family motor would also fit. That would give people the option of having a V8, something many would choose. Consumers like options! I'm a big fan of both of those motors, and so are many Chrysler fans, so of course we wanted to see them in the new JK. These are the truck motors that replaced the old 3.9 V6 and 5.2 V8 motors, and it was believed by most enthusiasts the 3.7L would replace the 4.0 I6 in the new JK.

Also, I don't see the 4.7L as being less efficient in a heavily laden vehicle with big tires - I'm thinking fully loaded with bigger tires, etc.
 

Uticon

Adventurer
My last vehicle was a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4X4 with the 4.7L engine.
I have to totally agree with Calamaridog in that the 4.7 L enine would be perfect for the JK.
All you see is the HEMI swap or people begging for a diesel.
The 4.7 would fit without excessive cutting and reworking, less weight and a time tested and proven engine.


calamaridog said:
Sorry, but no:) I appreciate your feedback related to the engine power, but we all discuss equipment options on vehicles here. I'm not bashing the JK - I think it's the best factory offering for most off highway duties.

If the 3.7L motor was used then the 4.7L family motor would also fit. That would give people the option of having a V8, something many would choose. Consumers like options! I'm a big fan of both of those motors, and so are many Chrysler fans, so of course we wanted to see them in the new JK. These are the truck motors that replaced the old 3.9 V6 and 5.2 V8 motors, and it was believed by most enthusiasts the 3.7L would replace the 4.0 I6 in the new JK.

Also, I don't see the 4.7L as being less efficient in a heavily laden vehicle with big tires - I'm thinking fully loaded with bigger tires, etc.
 

prepmech

Observer
A 4.7L in the JK would be great.

I'm not a big fan of the hemi. From what I've experienced they idle rough, get poor fuel mileage, and have a dead spot in the throttle.

A diesel would be great, if diesel was still cheap and emission regulations were not as strict.

Back to the 3.8L, I have driven nothing but 4.0L jeeps and Ford Powerstrokes for the last four years, which explains my disappointment with the 3.8L.

I'm just hoping that Jeep will come up with something to compete with the H3 Alpha, and the 4.7L would be a great option.
 

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