JLR or JL 392 !!

[DirtyDJL]

I have a dilemma. I’ve got 2 jeeps. A 19 JLR & and 24 392. I want to build one up to wheel , I have a problem wheeling hard. This is my 4th and 5th jeep and want to build one to wheel and have one just in case one breaks I got wheels. What do I build !!? I go back and forth. Ones the ultimate Jeep and would be a beast to wheel the other would keep me off the trail with a $100k jeep. Someone please give me some logical advice

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[bthomp]

My .02 - If the 19 is a Rubicon, I'd build up that one. Crawl ratio is much better than the 392 and it's noticeably lighter.

 

[DirtyDJL]

My .02 - If the 19 is a Rubicon, I'd build up that one. Crawl ratio is much better than the 392 and it's noticeably lighter.

It is a rubi . 2 door as well. Climbing is always a bit sketchy. I’ve almost flipped on a couple climbs before in a 2 door which isn’t a big deal. I thought if I wheeled the 392 I’d solve that ratio problem with an atlas if that was the route.

 

[sixspeed]

It is a rubi . 2 door as well. Climbing is always a bit sketchy. I’ve almost flipped on a couple climbs before in a 2 door which isn’t a big deal. I thought if I wheeled the 392 I’d solve that ratio problem with an atlas if that was the route.

I personally would have a hard time taking a $100,000 vehicle out any place where it might get damaged.

 

[bthomp]

Gotcha. There are many others on the forum that may have direct experience between 392 and 2dr, but I can't think of any reason why one would tip easier than the other. I have a 3.6 and a 392, both JLU. 392 is a beast and I love to drive it, but crawling the 3.6 with the lower gearing is just a bit more enjoyable for me personally. I'd still lean towards upgrading the 2dr with the shorter wheel base.

 

[DirtyDJL]

Gotcha. There are many others on the forum that may have direct experience between 392 and 2dr, but I can't think of any reason why one would tip easier than the other. I have a 3.6 and a 392, both JLU. 392 is a beast and I love to drive it, but crawling the 3.6 with the lower gearing is just a bit more enjoyable for me personally. I'd still lean towards upgrading the 2dr with the shorter wheel base.

That’s good advice. Thank you.
The shorter wheelbase on hard vertical climbs gets a lil tipsy unless it’s stretched.

 

[DirtyDJL]

I personally would have a hard time taking a $100,000 vehicle out any place where it might get damaged.

agreed. It was hard signing the papers to buy it. I was shaking. But now I’m like why have this beast and not use it for what it’s meant to do.

 

[3TV]

I've been Jeeping for 50 years or thereabouts, and I couldn't decide either. I've owned mostly 2-doors over the years because that is all they had. I've owned 4 4-doors as well. Right now, I have a 2022 392 XR on 40s and a 2025 JLR on 39s. It would help to know how big your build is going to be, and the type of Jeeping you plan on doing with each Jeep.

I will try to compare and contrast the two Jeeps I have.

The 392 is a manageable beast. It has a full PSC Ram steering set up, so steering is super easy off-road, and super well controlled on road. If I am going to be taking a long road trip to go 4-wheeling the 392 is more pleasant to drive. This year I did the last half of the Rubicon Trail and then drove home 800 miles after completing the trail, arriving home at 2 AM. It is so pleasant to drive that you can drive it forever without getting tired. With 40" tires it is very capable off-road. And if I am going to be going somewhere that may be more challenging than I am expecting it to be I will take the 392. I consider it to be my most capable Jeep. Because of wheelbase it can certainly climb the big ledges better than the JLR.

When I drive the 2-door I immediately think "this is what a Jeep is supposed to feel like." It really feels like you are driving a Jeep, and it is much more maneuverable on 4x4 trails. Almost to the point that it feels like you are cheating. It is easier to maneuver through big rocks partly because of the smaller size and partly because of the 4:1 t-case gearing, which is much better for technical terrain. I also use the 2-door if I am trailering the Jeep behind an RV.

I haven't had any reliability problems with stock axles and 4.56:1 gears in 3 years of challenging trails in the 392; and no problems with the stock axles and 4.88:1 gears in the JLR. The stock transfer case in the 392 has been problem free as well.

392 on Cliffhanger this spring.

JLR on optional east side of Top of the World loop (the part they don't do for the Jeep Safari).

 

[DirtyDJL]

I've been Jeeping for 50 years or thereabouts, and I couldn't decide either. I've owned mostly 2-doors over the years because that is all they had. I've owned 4 4-doors as well. Right now, I have a 2022 392 XR on 40s and a 2025 JLR on 39s. It would help to know how big your build is going to be, and the type of Jeeping you plan on doing with each Jeep.

I will try to compare and contrast the two Jeeps I have.

The 392 is a manageable beast. It has a full PSC Ram steering set up, so steering is super easy off-road, and super well controlled on road. If I am going to be taking a long road trip to go 4-wheeling the 392 is more pleasant to drive. This year I did the last half of the Rubicon Trail and then drove home 800 miles after completing the trail, arriving home at 2 AM. It is so pleasant to drive that you can drive it forever without getting tired. With 40" tires it is very capable off-road. And if I am going to be going somewhere that may be more challenging than I am expecting it to be I will take the 392. I consider it to be my most capable Jeep. Because of wheelbase it can certainly climb the big ledges better than the JLR.

When I drive the 2-door I immediately think "this is what a Jeep is supposed to feel like." It really feels like you are driving a Jeep, and it is much more maneuverable on 4x4 trails. Almost to the point that it feels like you are cheating. It is easier to maneuver through big rocks partly because of the smaller size and partly because of the 4:1 t-case gearing, which is much better for technical terrain. I also use the 2-door if I am trailering the Jeep behind an RV.

I haven't had any reliability problems with stock axles and 4.56:1 gears in 3 years of challenging trails in the 392; and no problems with the stock axles and 4.88:1 gears in the JLR. The stock transfer case in the 392 has been problem free as well.

392 on Cliffhanger this spring.

JLR on optional east side of Top of the World loop (the part they don't do for the Jeep Safari).

I love this perspective. We did take the 392 to Colorado and the comfort was unmatched.
I love to rock crawl more than anything. I’ve had 2- 4 doors and 2 - 2 doors and have wheeled pretty much most the Midwest and this post makes me think to keep the 2 door simple and “ build “ the 392 for long trips and tough wheeling. I was definitely concerned about the transfer case in the 392 and the crawl ratio. You made a ton of valid points. Thank you.

 

[EbyCreek]

I have a 2021 392 on 37" tires. I only made it to 10,000 miles before my transfer case front clutches started slipping. The front wheels quit pulling and I had to get winched several miles off the hole in the rock trail in Utah. I have since installed the 3:8 ratio Atlas transfer case. The 3:8 compared to the factory 2:72 is a big improvement. With the new Atlas kit you can use what ever driveshafts you are using now. Install took me about 4 days with a floor jack and a creeper. Pretty simple install if you have some mechanical ability.

 

[Richard_JL]

You have a '19 JL ready to go, Rubicon at that.
Keep the 392 to hold wax (and its value.)

 

[DirtyDJL]

I have a 2021 392 on 37" tires. I only made it to 10,000 miles before my transfer case front clutches started slipping. The front wheels quit pulling and I had to get winched several miles off the hole in the rock trail in Utah. I have since installed the 3:8 ratio Atlas transfer case. The 3:8 compared to the factory 2:72 is a big improvement. With the new Atlas kit you can use what ever driveshafts you are using now. Install took me about 4 days with a floor jack and a creeper. Pretty simple install if you have some mechanical ability.

I’ve heard of the transfer case having major slipping issues. I have it forced in 2wd right now because of the fear of it. I was assuming that would be part of the build process to just replace it so I don’t get stuck anywhere. You would think over the last few years they would make the change to it so this wouldn’t be a problem anymore.

 

[dogslbr]

I say build whichever one is more fun for you to drive & works better for where you will be using it and forget what it cost on the front end when you bought it.

Personal vehicles aren't investments 99.9% of the time; so no reason to treat them as such. They are depreciating assets unlike real estate, stocks, bonds, etc. I've been watching prices on used 392s pretty close over the last year; I keep waffling back and forth between buying a used one to build up or do a HEMI swap on what I have. Used 392s are slowly but surely dropping in value as new ones are sitting on dealer lots due to inflated prices. Eventually they will have to mark those down significantly which will cause a precipitous drop in used prices as well. The depreciation curve on 23,24,& 25s is going to be very painful for those that paid MSRP or god for bid above it. Our local dealer has several they have had for quite some time but they REFUSE to adjust the pricing...yet. They got greedy in the post covid years and i think they are going to pay a price now and I don't feel a bit sorry for them. Now w/ the MOAB 392s hitting the lots in the next couple months at almost 20K less than a new 2025 "final edition lol" its going to speed up that depreciation curve on used ones even faster. Eventually they will settle in but is that 3 months from now, a year from now? who knows.

If you love driving it I can't imagine not building up the 392 because they are so much fun to drive and the power compared to the 4 and 6 cyl options is incredible. That power isn't always necessary though and can even be a hinderance in some situations; but it sure is fun. Downside being the AWD transfer case sucks big donkey balls durability wise so set aside some money for a ATLAS tcase swap in the future.

You only live once!!!

 

[DirtyDJL]

I say build whichever one is more fun for you to drive & works better for where you will be using it and forget what it cost on the front end when you bought it.

Personal vehicles aren't investments 99.9% of the time; so no reason to treat them as such. They are depreciating assets unlike real estate, stocks, bonds, etc. I've been watching prices on used 392s pretty close over the last year; I keep waffling back and forth between buying a used one to build up or do a HEMI swap on what I have. Used 392s are slowly but surely dropping in value as new ones are sitting on dealer lots due to inflated prices. Eventually they will have to mark those down significantly which will cause a precipitous drop in used prices as well. The depreciation curve on 23,24,& 25s is going to be very painful for those that paid MSRP or god for bid above it. Our local dealer has several they have had for quite some time but they REFUSE to adjust the pricing...yet. They got greedy in the post covid years and i think they are going to pay a price now and I don't feel a bit sorry for them. Now w/ the MOAB 392s hitting the lots in the next couple months at almost 20K less than a new 2025 "final edition lol" its going to speed up that depreciation curve on used ones even faster. Eventually they will settle in but is that 3 months from now, a year from now? who knows.

If you love driving it I can't imagine not building up the 392 because they are so much fun to drive and the power compared to the 4 and 6 cyl options is incredible. That power isn't always necessary though and can even be a hinderance in some situations; but it sure is fun. Downside being the AWD transfer case sucks big donkey balls durability wise so set aside some money for a ATLAS tcase swap in the future.

You only live once!!!

This is all facts. YOLO for sure

 

[Maverick909]

I have a dilemma. I’ve got 2 jeeps. A 19 JLR & and 24 392. I want to build one up to wheel , I have a problem wheeling hard. This is my 4th and 5th jeep and want to build one to wheel and have one just in case one breaks I got wheels. What do I build !!? I go back and forth. Ones the ultimate Jeep and would be a beast to wheel the other would keep me off the trail with a $100k jeep. Someone please give me some logical advice

build the rubicon enjoy the 392 on the street where you can open it up

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