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[Flip]

16 years original owner of my 2008 JKUX. All original runs perfect. Been a great rig. Very reliable. WTF happened to Jeep? I hear so many complaints about these JL’s. Crazy.

Well see this is a perfect example. All the negativity I've read about the JK 3.8 engine on Jeep forums. That was the main reason I waited and didn't buy a jeep with the 3.8 engine that changed in 2012 to the 3.6L. But you're having great luck with it.

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[Zandcwhite]

I hear you. Same goes for first generation JK’s. They get a bad rap but mine has been awesome. So have my friends’ JK’s.

Wheeled the mother-in-laws 08 base model JK with a 3" spacer lift and 35s through the rubicon many times. Solid rig although woefully under powered and under geared compared to the JL. Owned nearly 20 different Jeeps over the years and wheeled dozens of others owned by friends and family. We've done the rubicon trail in everything from a wj on 31s (least built) to our 2019 jlur on 3" lift and 38s, including an xj on 35s, a tj Rubicon on 35s, a jk on 35s, and a wagoneer on 36s. The JL was the only rig that we didn't so much as need a single spot. Just drove the trail. Maybe had to back up a pick a new line 2-3 times but no winching, rock stacking, or other work. What's more is even lifted on 38s the JLUR is better on road than all but the wj(it was a limited with the v8 and some of the most comfortable leather seats I've ever owned in a vehicle). Anybody who misses the old versions of the wrangler is suffering from memory loss or aren't really pushing the capability on and off road of each. The JL is that much better in my experience.

 

[DMentdJL]

I LOVE my Jeep. Stellantis...not so much.

I LOVE MY JEEP AND I DON'T OWN STOCK. I HAVE NOTHING COMPLAIN ABOUT!

 

[aldo98229]

Well see this is a perfect example. All the negativity I've read about the JK 3.8 engine on Jeep forums. That was the main reason I waited and didn't buy a jeep with the 3.8 engine that changed in 2012 to the 3.6L. But you're having great luck with it.

I got around the 3.8L V6 issue by getting a JK with the 6-speed manual.

Part of the issue was the 3.8L itself, but another key part was that tepid 4-speed automatic.

I had no problems with the 3.8L with the 6-speed manual.

 

[Spartan99]

I got around the 3.8L V6 issue by getting a JK with the 6-speed manual.

Part of the issue was the 3.8L itself, but another key part was that tepid 4-speed automatic.

I had no problems with the 3.8L with the 6-speed manual.

Yep and the right gearing wakes up the automatic a bit. Add a $40 throttle commander knock off and it’s a whole different Jeep. The throttle lag it came with was the worst. Easy and cheap fix.

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

WOW! MOST OF YOU DISGRUNTLED STALLENTIS, "WHATEVERS," REALLY HAVE A AX HERE DON'T YOU?

FUNNY THING IS, YOU ALL OWN JEEPS!?!?!?!

WORST THING IS, YOU'RE NOT HAPPY!

I own a Jeep...and I am very happy with it and my dealer.

 

[Flip]

Yep and the right gearing wakes up the automatic a bit. Not a powerful engine but it’ll go the distance. Mine purrs like a kitten.

Now see I read horror stories about them: barely make 100,000 miles, smoke at 100k, stay away, don't buy it no matter what, one after another.

I'm glad it's worked out for you; I wish I would have never read about it or believed it. I passed on a few really nice JK's.

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Now see I read horror stories about them: barely make 100,000 miles, smoke at 100k, stay away, don't buy it no matter what, one after another.

I'm glad it's worked out for you; I wish I would have never read about it or believed it. I passed on a few really nice JK's.

2008 2 door X with 3.8 and AT. Definitely not a sports car engine but over 100k and running strong. And the lack of crazy electronics is awesome.

 

[Flip]

2008 2 door X with 3.8 and AT. Definitely not a sports car engine but over 100k and running strong. And the lack of crazy electronics is awesome.

Funny you mention that (lack of electronics) that was one of the main reasons I didn't want to buy a new Jeep. My 2005 Tj was manual everything except steering. No frills, bells or whistles.

 

[Flip]

2008 2 door X with 3.8 and AT. Definitely not a sports car engine but over 100k and running strong. And the lack of crazy electronics is awesome.

I still can't believe I can't take off my seat belt and back up my jeep into my garage. It just chaps my a**! The gosh dang just stops! It's like WTF! Technology

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

I still can't believe I can't take off my seat belt and back up my jeep into my garage. It just chaps my a**! The gosh dang just stops! It's like WTF! Technology

I hear you...I was shocked the first time I tried to back with my door open in my JL

 

[dragoneggs]

I still can't believe I can't take off my seat belt and back up my jeep into my garage. It just chaps my a**! The gosh dang just stops! It's like WTF! Technology

Here is a twenty dollar solution...

https://www.seatbeltextenderpros.com/jeep-wrangler-seat-belt-extender/

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Funny you mention that (lack of electronics) that was one of the main reasons I didn't want to buy a new Jeep. My 2005 Tj was manual everything except steering. No frills, bells or whistles.

I passed the 2008 on to my daughter so I had to get new one...didn't have much time so opted to go with a new JL....2021. But I purposely went with the Sport package to keep it as simple as possible. Manual windows and locks and the smallest U connect screen. Still too much tech on it though.

 

[Flip]

I passed the 2008 on to my daughter so I had to get new one...didn't have much time so opted to go with a new JL....2021. But I purposely went with the Sport package to keep it as simple as possible. Manual windows and locks and the smallest U connect screen. Still too much tech on it though.

Same here, sport manual locks & windows. I've spent over $400 on gadgets to eliminate as much tech BS as I can but I there are certain things I still unfortunately can't get around. This would actually be my biggest complaint.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Yep and the right gearing wakes up the automatic a bit. Add a $40 throttle commander knock off and it’s a whole different Jeep. The throttle lag it came with was the worst. Easy and cheap fix.

There's no amount of right gearing for that auto with a 2.86-1 first gear. The stock 31s paired with that gearing and even 4.10s would be the equivalent of running 50s in a stock jl Rubicon thanks to this amazing 8 speed. Could it be made to work? Sure at the expense of top end rpms on the freeway. Was it ever good by comparison? Not even close. The early jk is why I laugh when guys on here argue you need 4.88s for 35s or 5.13s for 37s. I've seen many a jk on 37s with the auto and none of them were running the 6.73 axle gears they'd need to match up to the 8 speed auto and 4.10s. On the flip side our double over drive top gear is so tall that you don't lose much on the top end of freeway speeds even if you go off the deep end with gearing.

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