Jeep advice

[Ibayne]

Kicking around the idea of a 4 door Rubicon for a family/vacation trip vehicle. What’s yalls idea of high mileage on them. Wife’s 4.0 lasted forever till she done a 5.3 swap. Didn’t know how the newer motors compares against the older ones. Thanks

 

[sawdoff]

think you need to look at 2012 and newer. motor change from the old mini van 3.8. i have no personal experience but thats the rumor.

 

[Jason W.]

Tue 3.6 in the 12 up Jk, is worlds better. Better 5 spd trans on the autos as well. Stock you will get between 18-20mpg

 

[VortecJeep]

Tue 3.6 in the 12 up Jk, is worlds better. Better 5 spd trans on the autos as well. Stock you will get between 18-20mpg

I’m guessing the OP has the same question I have; are the 3.6 as reliable from 100k to 200k miles as the 4.0s were? In other words, would you be comfortable buying one with 100k miles and taking it on long trips?

 

[Ibayne]

Yes!!! How many miles is too many on these newer ones....should I stay under 50 or is 80 acceptable

 

[Jason W.]

There are many out there with over 100k miles on the 12 and up,s. I havent heard of any engine failures, its not something that I have seen pop up on jk related forums.

The 3.6 is timing chain also, no belt to replace.
The 3.8 is not a bad motor. Last a long time. Cracked exhaust manifolds and oil consumption is common though

 

[obullfish]

Got a buddy with a 2012 JKUR that’s getting close to the 250k mile mark. He said it still runs okay but is drinking about a quart of oil every 500 miles. He is searching for a low mileage take out engine now.

 

[77GreenMachine]

FWIW my wife’s van has the same motor and now has over 150K and no signs of stopping.

You can also get an idea of the longevity of these engines by looking at late 2011+ model caravans and town & countrys. Sorry to bring the dreaded minivans into your Jeep thread, it’s just that there is typically more high mileage vans than Jeeps and you can see more high mileage 3.6 engines that way.

 

[shawn]

2011+ model caravans

I take it you're not familiar with the phrase "smoking like a Dodge Caravan"...?

 

[RenegadeT]

Can't believe I'm going to (continue) to derail a Jeep thread with minivan content, but here goes...
In 2013, we traded in the wife's 2005 3.8L grand caravan because oil was disappearing quickly. I never saw it smoke but the check engine light finally came on, O2 sensor code. It was only 100kmiles, we decided to cash in while it still had some value.

 

[77GreenMachine]

Yeah I’m not sure what @shawn is referencing. The late 2011 model vans switched to the 3.6 and didn’t have those issues to my knowledge.

Disappearing oil in the 3.8 is extremely common. I’m told the 2010 up is better, not sure. Personally I would much prefer the 3.6 engine, but at the right price I’d except a well built 3.8 wrangler with intentions of an LS swap in the future. But if you just want to drive it, do some light wheeling and have a reliable vehicle to last you a long time I’d stick with the 12+ models with the 3.6
Seems like I was told the 3.6 has about 55HP more than the 3.8, that’s a hefty noticeable difference in my book.

 

[Jason W.]

3.8 jk is 215
3.6 jk is 285

 

[rodney eppes]

I take it you're not familiar with the phrase "smoking like a Dodge Caravan"...?

Maybe referencing the Old 90 models, with the Chrysler engine. Real Smokers! The Mitsubishi engine ran Flawless.

 

[shawn]

Maybe referencing the Old 90 models, with the Chrysler engine. Real Smokers! The Mitsubishi engine ran Flawless.

Yup

 

[ghost]

A friend that worked with a Jeep dealer for a while said the newer motors all have cam issues relating to oiling issues. The 3.6 from what I have read is a time bomb after 150K. Of course if oil changes are done when they are supposed to it's supposed to help. Just what I have heard and read.