Why can't Jeep just build a Wrangler (Anything) with a 300hp/350ftlbs V8 for the same pricing of the V6 or I4?

[roaniecowpony]

Our Jeeps are Bloated Pigs, that's why they need so much power.

Time to build that Suzuki Samarai.

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[DaltonGang]

Time to build that Suzuki Samarai.

Funny you should say that. I used to see a Suzuki Samarai, running around Houston. It had a 4 banger Cummins in it, with the exhaust coming out the hood. It looked like it was running on 38-40 tires. Very cool.

 

[blnewt]

Thanks for correcting my memory fart, two friends had 5’s with them, didn’t remember the 7’s continued them. I was never impressed, my Chevy powered 63 had ~ twice the power, two of my fathers friends with earlier 283 Chevy and one 289 Ford swaps had more power.

My 74CJ5 came w/ the AMC304 (and w/ a 3spd stick lol), swapped an AMC 401V8 from a Cherokee, that had a steel crank, balanced/printed, w/ an Offy dual port manifold and Holley 4barrel, added a Ford T19 compound 4spd, and front disc brake kit. Now that little hound could scoot, didn't pass many gas stations though

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

they could do a 5.7 as a last hurrah before they stop doing V8s. i wouldnt hesitate to get one. even if i had just bought a wrangler. id trade it in/sell it. decent power/mpg but with killer sound, im all in. the 6.2 is just too much for the average consumer. imagine if they only made 6.2 chargers or if ford only made GT500s and no GTs.

Again - they can’t because it would be too popular and force them out of compliance with CAFE standards. I am shocked they have kept the v8 for 2023….

 

[AFD]

They're a business and tend to focus on areas that are likely to be profitable. The 2-door market is incredibly small.

Approx 12% of Wranglers sold are 2-door. Not a real priority.

Or, maybe the 2-door sells even less because they ignore it?

No more 2-door Sahara, no XR, no diesel, no electric, no v8. People wanting those are forced into a 4-door. And I know some people don't like the Bronco and Defender comparisons, but both of those companies have no problem putting a more powerful v6 in their 2-door (and even a v8 for the new model Defender).

Not a priority is fine, but they've been ignoring it for years.

 

[Sydwaiz]

My 74CJ5 came w/ the AMC304 (and w/ a 3spd stick lol), swapped an AMC 401V8 from a Cherokee, that had a steel crank, balanced/printed, w/ an Offy dual port manifold and Holley 4barrel, added a Ford T19 compound 4spd, and front disc brake kit. Now that little hound could scoot, didn't pass many gas stations though

My 73 CJ-5 was also an original 304 vehicle. Now she also sports a 401 and T-18. Had a 360 in it for a while too. Here's a dated pic of her.

 

[blnewt]

My 73 CJ-5 was also an original 304 vehicle. Now she also sports a 401 and T-18. Had a 360 in it for a while too. Here's a dated pic of her.

Sweet! Did yours also have the 3spd? It was pretty funny driving it w/ the 401 prior to adding the T19, hard to find the ideal gear but remember shifting that 3foot long shifter quite a bit lol.

 

[Petey]

Jeep...We asked for a V8 and you gave us a 392 Wrangler for $80,000.


Why can't you build a 300/350 V8 for "us" your customers a simple basic V8 package? Why Not?

I just want the torque and the sound of the classic V8. I don't need 470/470.

Not getting into politics or anything, but what would happen if the mfgs just didn't pay these fines? I mean, this is the same country that bailed out a lot of the auto industry not all that long ago, so I really don't see them getting shut down for just ignoring them.

Or maybe they could all implement an "economy" mode and a "sport/performance" mode (adjusting ECU tune, throttle response, cylinder deactivation, etc) to improve their numbers? And maybe release a few batches of solar-powered bicycles or something, lol.

If Stellantis can continue producing ultra high-performance vehicles like the upcoming 900HP SRT Hellcat Redeye, they can certainly give consumers something reasonably priced in the 300 to 400HP/TQ segment.

Oh but it is about money and politics and they're inseparable partners financial bottom lines matter in the big world .. we are worker ants in general .. the kind that they bend bend the log so the queen doesnt have feel the pain

 

[2nd 392]

My 74CJ5 came w/ the AMC304 (and w/ a 3spd stick lol), swapped an AMC 401V8 from a Cherokee, that had a steel crank, balanced/printed, w/ an Offy dual port manifold and Holley 4barrel, added a Ford T19 compound 4spd, and front disc brake kit. Now that little hound could scoot, didn't pass many gas stations though

Granny box would have been nice, mine had the close ratio Muncie that came out of the same wrecked Vett as the L79 but the 5.38’s made up, although sometimes low range would not have been necessary as soon. Edit- but not as much fun playing with the muscle cars!

 

[Sydwaiz]

Sweet! Did yours also have the 3spd? It was pretty funny driving it w/ the 401 prior to adding the T19, hard to find the ideal gear but remember shifting that 3foot long shifter quite a bit lol.

Yeah. It had the T-15. The 401 made short work of it after a couple power shifts though!

 

[Zandcwhite]

Yeah. It had the T-15. The 401 made short work of it after a couple power shifts though!

A built 401 obviously has more power potential than a 2.0, but stock they made all of 255hp. Still weak in comparison to the stock JL options at up to 3.25 times the displacement and well below the OP’s 300hp benchmark. Even a javelin with the 401 was 7.7s to 60, slow compared to every stock JL. The “glory days” of the late 60’s and early 70’s weren’t nearly as glorious as we like to remember.

 

[Old Dogger]

My 74CJ5 came w/ the AMC304 (and w/ a 3spd stick lol), swapped an AMC 401V8 from a Cherokee, that had a steel crank, balanced/printed, w/ an Offy dual port manifold and Holley 4barrel, added a Ford T19 compound 4spd, and front disc brake kit. Now that little hound could scoot, didn't pass many gas stations though

WOW.. just awesome..

 

[JLUW75]

Jeep...We asked for a V8 and you gave us a 392 Wrangler for $80,000.


Why can't you build a 300/350 V8 for "us" your customers a simple basic V8 package? Why Not?

I just want the torque and the sound of the classic V8. I don't need 470/470.

There is no money in it and most people will see that the turbo six gives you almost the same power so they won't bother with a V8 engine that gets turbo four numbers! Then you have the CAFE standards and CARBS to deal with and they frown upon larger displacement engines!

 

[Canucklesammich]

My 73 CJ-5 was also an original 304 vehicle. Now she also sports a 401 and T-18. Had a 360 in it for a while too. Here's a dated pic of her.

That explains your forum name

 

[blnewt]

A built 401 obviously has more power potential than a 2.0, but stock they made all of 255hp. Still weak in comparison to the stock JL options at up to 3.25 times the displacement and well below the OP’s 300hp benchmark. Even a javelin with the 401 was 7.7s to 60, slow compared to every stock JL. The “glory days” of the late 60’s and early 70’s weren’t nearly as glorious as we like to remember.

There were a lot of built in inefficiencies in those older motors, especially in fuel delivery. My 401 was probably in the 375hp range at the crank as per the builder, and he built mainly drag motors. The CJ5 didn't have a lot weighing it down, and not much emission gear so it was pretty quick. I had a front shackle reversal setup too, so the caster wasn't too scary. Prior to my disc brake swap the scare factor was up there for sure, had to be very alert after going through water for sure!!!

But you're right, my 2dr JL w/ the V6 w/ 8AT zips around as quick as I remember that CJ, and much quicker to maneuver w/out having to deal w/ manual steering, long throw shifter, and leaf spring suspension that was stiff as hell Not to mention all the time wasted locking out the hubs

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