392 as a daily driver?

[pnut]

I have read it is a great all around driver for trips long and short. But I wanted to aske if anyone that has one has experienced drawbacks, problems, other? I did a search on this but it was not conclusive, Thanks.

I drive mine daily April through October. No issues short or long drives.

It's not the most comfortable or quiet, but all my vehicles are like that.

edit: It's stock

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[Aussicon]

You're missing the point completely. I wouldn't own them either. Regardless, people that have blown their money on a 392 and try to tell everyone how fast it is are idiots. They are trying to justify spending waaay too much money - especially when the newer Willys 392 is $15,000 - $30,000 less than the previous versions. A 392 may be fast for a Jeep, but that isn't really something to be proud of. A Jeep is a brick no matter if it has a 2.0 or a 392.

Don't let the door smack you in the a$$ on the way out. Bye.

 

[Zandcwhite]

11 mpg is insanity unless you are just driving around your neighborhood.
For me that would be a fill up every 3-4 days, and, I’m retired.

The 3.6L in our JLUR on 39s only manages 12-13mpg city or highway. Fuel stops on roadtrips are every ~200 miles. I'd much rather have 200 more hp with the same terrible fuel economy.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Pretty sure you're just trolling because you're comparing apples to oranges, but a hellcat ain't shit to me. It's useless once it leaves the pavement.

The TRX cannot go where my wrangler can go, neither can the Rivian and Hummber EV.

At least the trx is a capable off road vehicle. It just doesn't fit on a lot of trails and has terrible breakover and departure angles. The other 2 I wouldn't trust on anything more than a dirt road. Looking at the 392 like it's a drag car or ONLY bought for the 0-60 is just dumb. Comparing it to a hellcat is just retarded. It's still a wrangler, capable of running harder trails than any other factory rig period AND it's pretty damn quick on road. A hellcat owner talking about losing $30k in value over a few years is pure comedy and 2 of his 3 "comparable" 4x4s likely lose that when they are driven off the lot.

 

[4Lo2Yolo]

My only rule is that I won't shift out of park until the coolant passes 160 and the oil is at least 120, and I drive with a very light foot until the coolant passes 180. I don't accelerate hard until the oil and coolant reaches 200 degrees. I like to maintain consistency to keep wear low and maintain tight clearances, I believe it helps an engine survive.

I mean, we are running 0w-40. Zero weight when cold, 40 when at operating temp. And I don't mind the 6 month oil change for the same reasons.

 

[BXFXJeep]

I plug mine in in my basement only when I'm home and awake. There is a smoke alarm right above it.

What the door dash people do, is they have some sort of converter that the J1772 EV charger plugs into that converts it to a regular outlet power bar, and a bunch of them plug their bicycles into it

 

[Twisted10]

I drive mine April-Nov, not really daily as I have multiple vehicles. My 2014 Ram caravan cargo van sees more miles than my truck or jeep. I live 12 mins from my business. I wouldnt want to drive my jeep everyday if I were doing a lot of miles, not exactly a comfy commuter.

 

[YGBSM392]

Howdy YGBSM! Good to see you being a good influence here as well.

To anyone asking the question about a 392 Wrangler daily driver of any flavor. Yes, I know it's expensive. Yes, I know it gets shitty gas mileage. I know it's irrational, but at this point in life... EVERY time I fire it up, I love the burble and roar. Even if I'm only going to the office or grocery, every trip looking over that hood reminds me that I'm going an adventure. I got rid of a perfectly serviceable Lexus RX350 that was quiet, comfortable, and bulletproof... but I'm not dead yet, and LOVE my MOAB. Really looking forward to pulling the doors and top off this summer, and enjoying my second (third? fourth?) childhood. If others don't understand or can't afford it, fine. They can enjoy their bad life choices and drive their Yugo. Me, I'm pissing off the boring neighbors and giving rides to all the kids in the neighborhood who know it's the coolest thing EVER. I'm the bad influence uncle that the kids wish they had, with the neatest vehicle in town.

Can't wait to take it west of the Mississippi, only slightly concerned that I'll never come back. Still have my GI camping gear, and could live out of a rucksack again if opportunity knocked.

Did I mention it's RED? /evil grin.

Wow!!!! That is a great looking Jeep!

 

[XtremeRetard]

I get a healthy 7mpg from my 21 3.6L Etorque around town and to and from the offroad park.
It will dip into the 6's on a good day. From what I have seen the 392 gets about the same, but has another 150bhp.. to use in the dunes..

Though on the rocks the v6 is better. There is definitely such as thing as too much torque and throttle response when rock crawling 9 rated trails at 45 degrees plus incline, or near 40 degress off camber

 

[3TV]

Though on the rocks the v6 is better. There is definitely such as thing as too much torque and throttle response when rock crawling 9 rated trails at 45 degrees plus incline, or near 40 degress off camber

A 392 makes more torque when the engine is idling than a 3.6 makes at the peak of its torque curve. I had to learn how to drive differently offroad when I got a 392. On technical terrain I have to use one foot on the gas to make it go and the other foot on the brake, so it doesn't get away from me. Once I relearned offroad driving it is actually pretty good. It would be better if it had the 4.0:1 T-case of the 3.6, which is a good part of the 3.6 being easier offroad.

 

[XtremeRetard]

Yeah, good point on the transfer case. Though some of our 392 guys have atlas t-cases.

2 foot driving on the rocks is mandatory for sure.

 

[gato]

You're missing the point completely. I wouldn't own them either. Regardless, people that have blown their money on a 392 and try to tell everyone how fast it is are idiots.

Do you lecture your friends when they order Wagyu for dinner, when a NY Strip "is just as good"? Do you lecture your wife or gf when they buy designer clothes or shoes because the Target one is just as good?

People have different tastes and buying a 392 is a splurge. It is fun. It is exciting. It is not a spreadsheet analysis.

I chose to buy a Rubicon X, instead of a 392. But I know the 392 is much more exciting to drive. And if someone bought a 392 Rubicon, I am certain they had fun in it. There is no way in 20 years they will remember that they spent a bit more on it. They'll probably remember picking up their kids in it for the first time to go for a ride, or the first time they mashed the right pedal.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

We used to have a 2006 Commander with the V8. Town driving was no better than 12 MPG and about 20 MPG on the highway. It was a fun drive.

Now I daily drive our 2015 Maserati or the 2018 Sport S. Both are very fun and streetable. The Wrangler does better for in town fuel economy. On the highway we can get 19 - 20 in the Wrangler and about 25 MPG in the Maserati. Both wind up being about a wash on price per gallon with 87 in the Jeep and 89 in the Maserati.


If you can afford the 392 then go for it. Some will have a second car with a small engine to save on the price of fuel but its not really a savings when you look at the cost of the vehicle, insurance, and maintenance on 2 vehicles.

 

[JETNash]

I love my 2026 Moab but would not drive it daily. It stays in the garage with the doors off ready to ride on those beautiful days. When you do ride, it makes the experience even better, along with a bigger smile. I will also disclose that I’m a big guy 6’4 235 so I do feel a little claustrophobic with the top closed.

 

[Three92]

I have read it is a great all around driver for trips long and short. But I wanted to aske if anyone that has one has experienced drawbacks, problems, other? I did a search on this but it was not conclusive, Thanks.

I have a 2024 392FE. It’s my only vehicle. I have Clayton 3.5 inch lift springs, Fox Performance Elite 2.5 inch DSC shocks, and the original 35 inch tires. I’m up to 25,000 miles now with a lot of that being long distance road trips between Idaho and Arizona pulling a small camp trailer.

Currently, the only issue is premium fuel, reaching nearly 5 dollars a gallon. I get 13 miles per gallon around town and on the highway, but only 10 miles per gallon when towing my camp trailer. This is probably similar to many trucks, but it’s the premium fuel that gets me.

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