Downsizing To A Jeep......

[D45]

I have the "itch" to find and buy a used Jeep Rubicon Unlimited, 4dr with the auto trans

Anyone down size from a full size truck to a Jeep?

I am not sure how much I will miss the diesel, long bed, and the towing capacity of my current truck

Any thoughts, suggestions, or input?

How is the power of the 3.8L V6??

 

[D45]

What years should I stay away from and what years did the 4door Jeeps come out?

How does the auto trans do in these with 35s?

 

[Flagster]

I don't have a jeep or a diesel pickup but I do have a 1 ton crew cab gasser with an 8ft bed...and that truck is indispensable to me...I would say if you use your truck as a truck regularly don't do it...you will miss the size and power
Don't know much about that jeep engine but from what you read...it is no powerhouse...adequate I would think is the best word...

 

[D45]

I don't have a jeep or a diesel pickup but I do have a 1 ton crew cab gasser with an 8ft bed...and that truck is indispensable to me...I would say if you use your truck as a truck regularly don't do it...you will miss the size and power
Don't know much about that jeep engine but from what you read...it is no powerhouse...adequate I would think is the best word...

True.........I guess I could look at and consider a Cherokee, which would have alittle more storage and towing abilities

......and, they were available with a V8

 

[Hilldweller]

I had a 3.8L JK with an auto, 4.56 gears, & 33s. It did okay ---- unless I towed my trailer. Then it was a slug.

If you're fixed on getting the auto and running 35s, you'll have to gear it to your terrain. 4.88s for all flat, no towing. 5.13 or deeper for reality.

The Jeep was traded for a Power Wagon, btw. Only for towing.
Jeeps rule offroad. Rule.

I like the PW, respect it. But I LOVED the Jeep...

 

[shays4me]

Anyone down size from a full size truck to a Jeep?

Any thoughts, suggestions, or input?

I did. I really like the new Jeep I got, but I'm going to miss the interior space and utility of my crew cab. The Jeep is designed and built with utility in mind, but you can't beat a pickup in the utility department. I have to get the truck cleaned up to sell soon, and I've really been dragging my feet. I already made the decision (financially) when I bought the Jeep, but I'm just not sure I can live without the truck.

 

[brianjwilson]

From this

To this

Granted my f150 was nowhere near a diesel long bed. I do miss having power, towing, being able to make easy runs to Home Depot, etc. But the truck/camper were way too big to use off road. If I lived in Indiana, I'm not sure I would give up a good truck for a Jeep. What are you going to use it for up there anyway? For now the jeep is my daily driver at home, camper, and I manage to fit most thing I need inside. Overall quality on the jeep is very poor compared to the f150 I had.
Anyway, having said that I really enjoy the jeep.
If you're looking used, you are definitely going to find the 3.8l weak and the automatic equally disappointing. Very low gearing will help out, but its not going to be fast. You will have to really plan to pass vs just stomping the accelerator like your diesel. On the other hand it is really flat in Indiana anyway....

 

[ttravis5446]

I had been wanting a Jeep badly but I couldn't give up my pickup either. So I kept a pickup for truck stuff and then bought an older cheaper FSJ to play around with.

 

[Oman4x4]

The 3.8L is a bit of a dog... what you would spend on getting it to move like the 3.6L - you could have just gotten a newer truck with the 3.6L to start with.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I bought our Chevy Diesel to tow our Jeep and wouldn't have it any other way after our first trip to Moab with it. The Jeep with the v8 and 35's would get 11mpg on that same drive while the truck gets 13mpg towing the Jeep, not to mention that the truck rides smooth as butter and the dogs have the entire bed of the truck to themselves, also the peace of mind that comes with simply loading the Jeep up if it breaks and towing it home. Granted, not everyone can have or want 5 vehicles, so that kind of setup doesn't work for everyone. A 4-door JK with a Hemi or diesel swapped under the hood would make a comfortable rig that will tow reasonably well, perfect if you only want to own one vehicle.

 

[mbryson]

I just did what you are thinking about. Sold my pile of crap 2004 Dodge 2500 Cummins and moved into a 2012 JK Unlimited. I DO miss the towing capacity of the truck enough that I snagged a '96 Ford PowerStroke for truck duties. I used to daily drive the Dodge and while it's more civilized to drive everyday than the '99 Ford F250 it replaced it was still a truck in the city. If I lived a little more rural, I think I would have not noticed the truck as much.

I DO like the 2012 JKU with auto and would definitely steer you towards a 3.6L Wrangler or a Hemi or LS swap for the 3.8L (my experience would be 4 door---the 3.8L may be OK with a 2 door?). It's just nicer to deal with everyday. I don't have to find a diesel pump at the filling station. I don't have spendy oil changes on servicing. I can park pretty much wherever I want to and can move in/out of traffic fairly easy. I LOVE having a warranty after fixing the 2004 Dodge all the time. Even with the stock 3.21 gears and 35" tires, the JKU is manageable in traffic. I need to spend some time in the garage and swap my axles to the 4.88s with ARBs but just haven't had time to do so this summer. I imagine the Jeep will scoot quite well with the 4.88.

I MISS the torque of the Cummins. I don't miss the truck it was wrapped in at all. The '96 that I bought for actual truck duties, I really like. I bought it cheap enough I don't mind repairing it as I think I'll get my $ out of it via use. If it goes to worms, I don't have much $ invested in the truck anyway. I DO miss the comfort while using the truck of the 2004 Dodge vs. the '96 Ford. The Ford makes no apologies about being a truck. It is a 1 ton and couldn't care less what you think of it. Loaded down, it rides pretty decent. Unladen, the thing is a roller skate (how it should be).


In short:
My solution was to sell the 2004 Dodge, buy a 2012 JKU and buy a cheaper old truck for truck duties. I did that in Feb. 2012 and have liked the compromise so far. YMMV as your Dodge is a much different animal than my tow pig Dodge (leveled with 285x17 BFG) and it depends on what you're wanting in the JK.

4 doors started in 2007 with the JK redesign. The 3.8L is a slug. I wanted a V8 version so I drove a few intending to swap an LS1 or Hemi into it. I drove one 3.6L and decided I'm OK with the warranty and the smaller, peppy motor.

 

[Judoka]

Get a 2012 or 2013 Jeep. The 3.6L engine is MUCH more dependable and powerful! Best buy for this type of travel is the Rubicon with 4:10 gears, which are standard on the Manual Transmission, and optional in the Auto. I sell these, and I own two 2013 Rubicons...after my past 2 TJs and 2 ZJs I can say that this is my favorite Jeep...thus far! 07-11 are dogs!

 

[D45]

Thanks for all the info........obviously I should avoid the 3.8L V6

--------------------------------

Toyota FJ Cruiser:

2007-2009 4.0L V6
237 HP @ 5,200
278 TQ @ 3,700

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Toyota FJ Cruiser:

2010+ 4.0L V6
260 HP @ 5,600
271 TQ @ 3,700

--------------------

Jeep 3.8L V8

202 HP @ 5,200
237 TQ at 4,000

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Jeep 3.6L V6

285 HP @ 6400
260 TQ @ 4800

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The FJs weigh in at around 4,295 lbs, compared to the Jeep 4 dr Unlimited being around 3,705 lbs-4,100 lbs

---------------------

Can anyone verify if the FJ Cruisers take premium fuel only??????????

 

[Morticon]

The 3.6 more dependable than the 3.8? Highly doubtful. They've ran the 3.8 in the grand caravan for a good 10 years before they used it in the jk. Parts are cheap and replacement motors and trans can be had for as little as 600 dollars! Also of note the 3.6 has(had?) a misfire issue in cylinder 5 I believe. ( not sure what cylinder exactly). Don't get me wrong the 3.6 has more power and is a great engine... But don't knock the 3.8. Extremely reliable and everybit as strong offroad where it really counts. Coming from a 3.8 owner since September 12 2008 (a month shy of 5 years). The motor isn't as bad as everyone says. Honestly your in a jeep not a sports car.

 

[mbryson]

The 3.6 more dependable than the 3.8? Highly doubtful. They've ran the 3.8 in the grand caravan for a good 10 years before they used it in the jk. Parts are cheap and replacement motors and trans can be had for as little as 600 dollars! Also of note the 3.6 has(had?) a misfire issue in cylinder 5 I believe. ( not sure what cylinder exactly). Don't get me wrong the 3.6 has more power and is a great engine... But don't knock the 3.8. Extremely reliable and everybit as strong offroad where it really counts. Coming from a 3.8 owner since September 12 2008 (a month shy of 5 years). The motor isn't as bad as everyone says. Honestly your in a jeep not a sports car.

Living at 4500' and going over 8000' (minimum) passes to get anywhere will give one a different opinion of the 3.8L. In 2007 I took a brand new jk 4 door from Salt Lake to the summit towards Park City. Told myself I'd wait for an alternate power plant to show up and then snag one. 3.8L/auto new could barely get up the pass at 75-80 (75 mph speed limit) with two people, no camping/wheeling gear and stock tires.