JLR or JL 392 !!

[yokramer]

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

Im always going to be a proponent of wheeling the 2 doors and leaving the busses to hauling cargo and kids.

Ive seen 37-38 degrees on the dash a few times and never really felt like it was ever gonna go over in my JLR. I think a lot of it is overblown concern these days, coupled with people with more money than experience throwing Jeeps at obstacles they probably shouldnt be on yet as drivers.

If its really a big concern for you Next Venture just released a 6" stretch kit for the body in the rear and worked with Rock Krawler for a suspension kit. RK for some reason still hasnt put their side of the kit on their site yet but it can be ordered over the phone.

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[dogslbr]

@3TV

That has got to be one of the nicest looking and functional "clean" built 392s I've seen, cudos.

 

[DirtyDJL]

Im always going to be a proponent of wheeling the 2 doors and leaving the busses to hauling cargo and kids.

Ive seen 37-38 degrees on the dash a few times and never really felt like it was ever gonna go over in my JLR. I think a lot of it is overblown concern these days, coupled with people with more money than experience throwing Jeeps at obstacles they probably should be on yet as drivers.

If its really a big concern for you Next Venture just released a 6" stretch kit for the body in the rear and worked with Rock Krawler for a suspension kit. RK for some reason still hasnt put their side of the kit on their site yet but it can be ordered over the phone.

If definitely depends on how you wheel. I have this huge problem saying nope that’s too much for my Jeep But your right 2 doors with the ability to drive helps a lot. I’ve witnessed a few jeeps rolling over. But you’re never immune to it no matter what you build if you get dumb with it.
The long distance drive without having to trailer and still be a great wheeling rig would be the goal I think.

 

[3TV]

@3TV

That has got to be one of the nicest looking and functional "clean" built 392s I've seen, cudos.

Well thank you. I appreciate that.

 

[3TV]

I have just a few more thoughts on 4-wheeling my JLR 2.0T vs JLUR 392. I feel more confident in what the 392 can do. It is a beast and if it can't make it, I probably shouldn't be attempting it. But keeping the beast controlled was something I needed to learn. In technical difficult terrain I keep it in Offroad+ mode and change speed with the paddle shifters. A 392 makes more torque when it is idling than a 3.6 does at the peak of its torque curve. So most simple obstacles can be done with the engine idling. For smooth sections between the obstacles just up shift the transmission. It is not uncommon to be idling along in 6th gear low range on the smoother sections of a trail like Metal Masher, in Moab. For the big obstacles that require throttle I have had to learn to do them with one foot on the gas and the other foot on the brakes. I give it enough gas to make the obstacle and apply enough brake to keep it from getting away from me. If done right, it makes it look like you meant to effortlessly crawl up a difficult obstacle with no tire spin, no leaps or lurching, and no wild uncontrolled throttle use.

Although the 392 feels more capable than the JLR, the JLR is easier to drive off road than the 392. I drive it in 4-low and use the manual shifter on the auto trans with Offroad+ activated. You don't need to worry about it getting away from you, so I only rarely need simultaneous gas and brake use. It is smaller, more maneuverable, and geared lower. Breakover angle and perceived ground clearance under the T-case skid seems higher with a 2-door that has a 3 1/2" lift and 39s than it is on a 392 with a 4 1/2" lift and 40s. The Metalcloak skids on my 392 have more scrapes and gouges than you could count. The Metalcloak skids on my JLR haven't even made contact yet. The 2-door is new, with the build finished just 2 months ago. But it has done 4 trails in Moab and 2 other rock trails. Six trails in eight weeks , plus a couple of trails in the 392. Being retired has its benefits.

 

[jadmt]

build and stretch the 2 door....and enjoy the heck out of the 392 for everything else......

 

[DirtyDJL]

I have just a few more thoughts on 4-wheeling my JLR 2.0T vs JLUR 392. I feel more confident in what the 392 can do. It is a beast and if it can't make it, I probably shouldn't be attempting it. But keeping the beast controlled was something I needed to learn. In technical difficult terrain I keep it in Offroad+ mode and change speed with the paddle shifters. A 392 makes more torque when it is idling than a 3.6 does at the peak of its torque curve. So most simple obstacles can be done with the engine idling. For smooth sections between the obstacles just up shift the transmission. It is not uncommon to be idling along in 6th gear low range on the smoother sections of a trail like Metal Masher, in Moab. For the big obstacles that require throttle I have had to learn to do them with one foot on the gas and the other foot on the brakes. I give it enough gas to make the obstacle and apply enough brake to keep it from getting away from me. If done right, it makes it look like you meant to effortlessly crawl up a difficult obstacle with no tire spin, no leaps or lurching, and no wild uncontrolled throttle use.

Although the 392 feels more capable than the JLR, the JLR is easier to drive off road than the 392. I drive it in 4-low and use the manual shifter on the auto trans with Offroad+ activated. You don't need to worry about it getting away from you, so I only rarely need simultaneous gas and brake use. It is smaller, more maneuverable, and geared lower. Breakover angle and perceived ground clearance under the T-case skid seems higher with a 2-door that has a 3 1/2" lift and 39s than it is on a 392 with a 4 1/2" lift and 40s. The Metalcloak skids on my 392 have more scrapes and gouges than you could count. The Metalcloak skids on my JLR haven't even made contact yet. The 2-door is new, with the build finished just 2 months ago. But it has done 4 trails in Moab and 2 other rock trails. Six trails in eight weeks , plus a couple of trails in the 392. Being retired has its benefits.

yea that’s a ton of wheeling time ! I love that for you. One day I’ll earn the right. You definitely must have had an itch to get a 2 door again while wheeling the 392 or you wouldn’t have went and got another one ! I will probably just moderately build the 2 door and keep the 392 off the trail until I can completely get it built is what I’m leaning towards now seeing your information. I will probably go ahead and do an Atlas 3:8 before I go in the 392 since the T case is known to have issues and weak points plus its lack of crawl ratio.

 

[bthomp]

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.

You have checked your t-case fluid levels right? They’re notoriously under filled. Mine needed quite a bite.

 

[Megawatt]

I doubt you will wheel everyday. Therefore keep the 392 for daily and wheel the Rubi. The sound alone is reason to drive the 392 everyday.

 

[DirtyDJL]

You have checked your t-case fluid levels right? They’re notoriously under filled. Mine needed quite a bite.

I have not! I just changed the oil today. I should have looked while I was under it. I may just drain it and put some new in. Thanks for the heads up !

 

[DirtyDJL]

I doubt you will wheel everyday. Therefore keep the 392 for daily and wheel the Rubi. The sound alone is reason to drive the 392 everyday.

It definitely is ! And that’s valid. My problem is it’s a Jeep not a muscle car so I mentally want to wheel it ! lol but your right I wheel a bit and I like to camp and wheel I will have to see if the stuff fits in the 2 door since I don’t run back seats then I’ll prob build up the 2 door for the rocks !

 

[Sportacus]

It seems like it would be smarter to do a hemi swap on a V6 Rubi then buy a 392, reliability/durability wise. But thats just based on some of the stuff ive read.

 

[3TV]

"I wheel a bit and I like to camp and wheel I will have to see if the stuff fits in the 2 door since I don’t run a back seat"

With the rear seat removed you can get a lot inside a 2-door.

Start with a M.A.S.S.+ Platform by American Adventure Lab.

Put a lithium battery and charger in the storage cubby to run a fridge. Then add a fridge slide and an Ultralight Storage Drawer from American Adventure Lab. And top off the storage drawer with a dog bed for your best friend. Then add an Expedition Storage Shelf above it all, also by American Adventure Lab. You can use Milwaukee Packout mounts to put half a dozen Packouts on the shelf to carry everything else.

 

[DirtyDJL]

It seems like it would be smarter to do a hemi swap on a V6 Rubi then buy a 392, reliability/durability wise. But thats just based on some of the stuff ive read.

I don’t agree with that. I think the money you would spend on the swap can go to the weak points like t case and axle shafts. it’s seamless when you’re behind the wheel.

 

[DirtyDJL]

"I wheel a bit and I like to camp and wheel I will have to see if the stuff fits in the 2 door since I don’t run a back seat"

With the rear seat removed you can get a lot inside a 2-door.

Start with a M.A.S.S.+ Platform by American Adventure Lab.

Put a lithium battery and charger in the storage cubby to run a fridge. Then add a fridge slide and an Ultralight Storage Drawer from American Adventure Lab. And top off the storage drawer with a dog bed for your best friend. Then add an Expedition Storage Shelf above it all, also by American Adventure Lab. You can use Milwaukee Packout mounts to put half a dozen Packouts on the shelf to carry everything else.

I never could find Anything for 2 doors from AAL. This new from them ?

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