Why the JK 3.8L V6 sucks.....the video!!

[Cole]

Why the JK 3.8L V6 should have been a Hemi.....the video!!

Went skiing today and took my helmet cam along with me. So on the way back I took a video of what it takes from the 3.8L to climb from Silverthorn, CO up to the tunnel on the way home.

It was worse with the 4:10s, now it has 5:13, auto, 35s.



Kinda long (8 min) because I left it totally unedited.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVIVErL9RYk

 

[alosix]

I can read the tach and speedo just fine in the video.

FWIW, I was having a heck of a tie seeing them on my MBP until I turned the brightness up all the way, and then just barely.

 

[modelbuilder]

The JK 3.8l V6 doesn't suck....actually it's very capable on the trail. If you are going to complain about on road capability buy a Toyota or Honda Sedan.

 

[Funrover]

Did I miss something? It looks like you are doing 70 MPH up a LONG incline with a modded JK. Oversized tires, extra gear, bumpers etc. You have mad modifications that are not helpful for speed. I don't see your complaint? There is no way my rig with just me and my snowboard would catch you. If you are that hungry for power/speed it appears you made the wrong choice.

 

[OS-Aussie]

mmmm I used my stock JK on the same hill with my trailer coming back from White Rim and we were wondering if 1st gear would make it. The old inline 6 in the TJ made it's power and torque much lower, however the JK V6 is all high revs for power or torque. Bring on the updated V6 they are talking about. Maybe it will not have to down shift on bumps in the road let alone something that may really be a small hill.
I was very sorry I did not take my WK diesel. Oh how I miss my old hemi TJ, oh how I love the extra space of the 4 door. Why couldn't we have the 4.7 flex fuel it would do, don't really need the hemi.

Please only comment if you have a JK.

 

[bigreen505]

Full of sound and fury signifying nothing ...

Very nice Jeep!

I can't really see much on my old Powerbook, can you clue us in to what you were running on the two big climbs (before it flattens out in the middle and the steep before the top)? It's pretty hard to see, but it looks like you are running about 60 on the steep parts. If it makes you feel any better a turbo diesel Land Rover runs it about 45-50, but that is 110 hp pushing a lot of weight.

I think with engines like the 3.8L gearing is really important, compared with the old 4.0 that had less peak power, but a broader power band. I could run the hill at 65-70 in my old Pathfinder (150 hp, 31x10.5 tires, 4.56 gears, 4500 rpm), but am closer to 55-60 in the Trooper (230 hp, 285/75x16, 4.30 gears) because the gears/tires combo is a long way from stock. I know you are re-geared, but not sure how close you are to stock.

Dumping the 4.0 in favor of the 3.8 was purely an accounting decision and was definitely an unfortunate one. I think it is very telling that the hemi V8 conversion gets the same gas mileage as the 3.8. I don't think the 4.0 would get you to the top any faster, but probably with a little less drama.

Whether the 3.8 is a great engine on the trail or not is a worthless argument. Some of us have to drive pavement too. Hence this being an expedition forum and not a rock crawling forum.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

........ I don't think the 4.0 would get you to the top any faster, but probably with a little less drama.

I just came back from Moab last weekend and was only able to maintain 65 mph at 4500-4800 rpm (redline is 5k) with my '98 XJ (auto) in 2nd & 3rd gear. See sig for rig details.

I'm hoping for the new, more powerful, v6 for JK's also....otherwise I will likely end up in a v8 Grand Cherokee.

 

[MossMan]

The JK 3.8l V6 doesn't suck....actually it's very capable on the trail. If you are going to complain about on road capability buy a Toyota or Honda Sedan.

:Wow1: Seriously? Any tired 4cyl is very capable on the trail with all that gear reduction. Cars/trucks/Jeeps need to be able to do a lot more that trail ride. I have the same setup, 35's and 5.13s and I too will say the 3.8 SUCKS!!!!! There is for Jeep not to offer a factory option Hemi in these things.

 

[getlost4x4]

i test drove a rubicon and X.

they both suck for power. i wasn't sure how i could whip those hamsters into shape so the damn thing would actually move if a car was going to t-bone me. IK couldn't believe the amount of noise the engine put out and the complete lack of acceleration.

i love V8 power. one commander and on wagoneer!

that said, have you ever driven a toyota truck with the 4 banger. i had one for 5 years. one time i was driving into a 30 mph headwind (truck was completely stock at the time) i had it in 3rd gear just to keep it going 50 mph.

 

[Christian P.]

you guys want to try my Syncro up this hill, 5000 pounds with a 2.1L, 4 cyl, 95HP.......then you can really complain...

 

[Cole]

Youtube must really degrade the video for many of you. It was filmed inHD and the tach and speedo are perfectly clear. Seeing if I can get it up in another format now.

The jeep shifts clear down to 2nd and is running 5,500rpm the entire way to hold 60 mph.

My jeep is very light relatively speaking. Aluminum wheels, aluminum front bumper, light winch with rope on it. No heavy gear at all.

We did the same climb in a V8 grand cherokee and it runs 75mph at only 2,700rpm full of gear and people..


When did the non vulgar non derogatory word "sucks" become inappropriate for public use?

 

[Layonnn]

Please only comment if you have a JK.

I don't have a JK and the one of the major reasons is the engine.

From having a CJ-7, then a Cherokee, i was planning on purchasing either a JK or an FJ.

 

[Hilldweller]

When I went to the dealer for my first test drive of a JK, the salesman said he had to drive it off the lot for insurance purposes. He took it down a hill and stomped the accelerator vigorously several times, went back up the hill, and then invited me to drive it down the hill. All the while he praised the "power".
I didn't buy a Jeep from them; that salesman was a jackarse and was trying to play me.
Nobody buys a JK thinking it has power, do they?

 

[Cole]

I edited the original video link with one that should be easier to see the tach and speedo.

 

[durango_60]

This dead horse has been flogged more than your poor JK. Purchase a different vehicle or get used to enjoying the scenery.

Coming from my FJ60 the JK is a rocketship.:victory: