[pollocksn]

Alright I have some Q's for you Jk owners. I am thinking about buying one here pretty soon. I am not sure if the sales guy was just trying to sell me a auto after I told him that I wanted a stick, but he told me to lift the manual J/K it is going to be more expensive. Did any of you who have lifts run into problems? I know the Jk is new so aftermarket stuff is still most likely being developed. How hard is it to find new toys for these things? I have mixed emotions about the engine swap. I use to have a TJ a few years ago and loved it. How is the the 3.8 holding up for you? And finally why is it so hard to find a jeep with the 4.10 gears instead of the 3.21. What package do I need to be ooking for? I know they come in the Rubicons stock. Thanks in advance I am just trying to figure out if I want a new one or go with a 05-06 model.

[ClemsonJeepGC]

tow package should have 4.10s
I'm pretty sure a stick or auto doesnt make a difference when lifting, especially if the lift is only 2 or 3 inches. Ive heard that crap before with TJs.

[Squint]

Actually, the automatic package comes with 4.10 so you don't need the tow package to get this.

I don't see how a moderate lift (2-3 inches for JK's) would discriminate between manual and automatic. Maybe the salesman thinks you are going to install a body lift.

As far as aftermarket parts, I've seen a wealth of new products come out in just the 2 months I've owned mine. There is already 3 supercharger kits nearing availability: Hesco, Adventure Innovations, and Avenger. The first two are centrifugal and the latter is a roots (screw) blower. Also, there are at least 4 different CAI's, 3 exhausts, and the list gos on. I'm sure that a lot of retailers are still stocking up though.

Another added bonus to the JK, you can stuff more tire under the fender wells with less lift than the TJ and previous models. I had 17x9's and 33's under mine with no lift originally. I now have a 1 3/4" Daystar coil spacer lift and have had no problems.

Anyway, it's still your choice. We're glad that you are open-minded to the JK. Good luck with your selection and welcome to the JK forum.

[pollocksn]

I just read some article on lifting the JKs and the company who did it said it was one of the easier lifts they had put on, so that is a plus. I am starting to like them more and more. I went and poked around in some today. My only issue with my TJ was the lack of power on the interstate. I have not test drove the JK but I assume that the new V6 takes care of that. I read that the bolt pattern is a 5 on 5. I have some wheels that are 5 on 5.5 is there some adapters that would make them work?

[jeff@zina.com]

Originally Posted by pollocksn

My only issue with my TJ was the lack of power on the interstate. I have not test drove the JK but I assume that the new V6 takes care of that.

Don't assume, test drive. Wranglers aren't designed to be highway travelers, they're designed for low speed power in off-road situations. So all Wranglers are underpowered for highway driving.

Jeff

[Prot]

You can get adapters to fit different bolt patterns, but I am a bit scared to use them. The cost of lifting a manual vs. an automatic is the same unless the manual has 3.21 gears, in which case you should factor in the cost of regearing. To avoid that, simply get the towing package which will include the 4.10 gears. If you are getting an 08, I think the only way to get 4.10 gears is on the Rubicon. For 07, all automatics and all Jk's with a towing package have 4.10 gears.

[pollocksn]

Oh I will def. test drive one before I buy it and luckly the dealer is right off the same highway I had issue with driving done in my TJ. Long story short flat, lots of big rigs, oklahoma, and striaght into the wind. Top speed 50 miles per hour floored in third gear. I know the V6 is going to lose some torque but I have the feeling that it should do better on the highway. I will drive it though. The 4.10s are a must, but so far I have not found any with them that are not autos. I might break down and buy an auto. It would probably be better for commuting anyway. I will get this thing dirty but I drive 60 miles round trip to get my education.

[pollocksn]

oh and thanks again for all the answers guys. I like to know as much as I can before I go and look at things. Plus, its always fun when you can school the sales guy about vehicles they are trying to sell you. I did it yestereday when the guy said the JK have the same lug pattern as my truck. Oh how is the real world gas milage?

[MichaelW]

I don't think there is a lack of products for the JK. There is a huge disparity in quality however. Coming from a different vehicle brand it is almost comical to hear the "complaints" of lack of product whereas before you were lucky if anything ever came out for it.

The 4 door automatic JK with 35's and a 4" lift weighs in at 5600 pounds when loaded for the trail. That is a lot of weight. Around town it is fine. Freeway on ramps and merging into high speed traffic, uphill climbs at speed and passing are somewhat lacking. But this is coming from a big block 454 that passed everything but a gas station. I have opted for the SC route for now to see if this conquers the limitations on the highway. I would love to have the 6.1 Hemi but I'd be sleeping in the dog house for the next 5 years.

I have been a stick man forever. I did however go the auto route this time. I love it. I will never go back to a stick again.

I am running the 4.10's still and have the 5.13's sitting in the garage waiting for me to motivate.

The JK is awesome in my opinion. I can't think of a more complete dual purpose off road capable machine than my 4 door Rubicon.

[DirtyJeepJK]

Originally Posted by jeff@zina.com

Don't assume, test drive. Wranglers aren't designed to be highway travelers, they're designed for low speed power in off-road situations. So all Wranglers are underpowered for highway driving.

Jeff

i don't think my JK feels underpowered on the highway. in fact, the gearing and power seem to work really well together on or off the trail. i have a 2 door and a 6 speed with 4:10's.

[kscobra2004]

They JK will easily cruise down the highway, I have 32's with 4.10's and a 6 spd 2dr, no trouble at all hitting 90 plus, going up and down hills in wisconsin, easy with whatever speed you want to go at. It is very windy here, I am from Norman, OK so I know all about wind, but SW Wisconsin is the cream of the crop as far as that goes, and it does factor in a little bit.

[pollocksn]

wow another Normanite. I was born and raised in Nompton.

[kscobra2004]

Originally Posted by pollocksn

wow another Normanite. I was born and raised in Nompton.

cool man, I am stuck up here in the frozen tundra. Surely you are a sooner fan.

[chrisgardner73]

I have an 07 4Dr Rubi and I think that it does just fine on the highway. I traded up from a Chevy Colorado and I had a lot more problems with acceleration with that vehicle. The 5 cyl engine that Chevy put in that vehicle is terrible. It could travel at low speed and cruise just fine, but trying to pass someone felt like a Kamikaze mission sometimes.

I am going to leave the 3.8 alone for now, but I do plan on adding a cold air intake, throttle body spacer, chip, and exhaust to increase performance a bit...oh and to just have another project with my toy... I will probably do this in conjunction with a lift, tires, and bumpers to add a little power to compensate for the additional weight.

As for aftermarket parts, check www.quadratec.com. They have a whole section dedicated to the JKs.

Oh...my salesperson was clueless too. I think that she thought the axle locks were a theft deterrent.

[DLeeWebb]

Originally Posted by xBADTRIPx

i don't think my JK feels underpowered on the highway. in fact, the gearing and power seem to work really well together on or off the trail. i have a 2 door and a 6 speed with 4:10's.

I agree with BT above. It's all relative. I have a garage queen sports car whose existence led me to the Jeep community in the first place. I needed a daily driver with 4WD. The Wrangler was the most attractive choice for me. I bought an '04 TJ. I liked that Jeep so much I often chose to drive it when the sports car's siren call was strong. Obviously, there was a serious power difference between the two vehicles. (...especially noticable on the highway...) That's a long-winded way of getting to the point. The Wrangler isn't meant to be a highway cruiser and never will have the raw power of my 350Z or numerous other vehicles. However, the JK's pick-up and highway feel is significantly and very noticablely better than my TJ. The question was raised in another thread about road and wind noise. While I agree with some that lack of acceleration, wind noise, and road noise were part of the character and charm of previous Wranglers, I am daily liking more and more the facts that the JK is more highway friendly, is MUCH quieter, and feels more solidly built. I am again enamored by another Jeep Wrangler. Some of my friends say, "Did you consider the Lexus XXX?" or "Did you test drive the Land Rover XXX or Hummer XXX?" I tell them that the Wrangler is an original, it's me, and that's that! PS Personally, I wouldn't consider anything, let alone a Jeep Wrangler, with automatic transmission...to each his own. (but don't settle for AT if you really want 6MT !)