JK 3.8 vs 3.6

Would you buy a 3.8 over a 3.6 to save $3k?

  • 3.8

    Votes: 1 5.9%

  • 3.6

    Votes: 16 94.1%
  • Total voters
    17
Andy J.

Andy J.

Doin’ it LIVE
Joined
Nov 5, 2005
Location
Winston
Obviously the 3.6 and accompanying transmission is the one of choice, but if you could get a 2011 with the 3.8 for about $3k less than an equivalent 2012 model...Would you do it?
 
tw89yj said:
Not unless you intend to do an engine swap at some point.


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Was hoping you’d chime in
 
Night and day difference in my opinion.
 
I'll be the one to disagree here, I have two JKU's an 08 'x' with the 3.8 and a '15 Sahara with the 3.6, Both Automatics, both with 3.73's and both on 35s. The 3.6 is a much nicer motor, BUT if the two jeeps are otherwise nearly identical and similar mileage, I sure wouldn't pay $3000 more for the 3.6, It's not THAT much better. Maybe $1500 better, but $3000 is a pretty big premium.
 
zuke said:
I'll be the one to disagree here, I have two JKU's an 08 'x' with the 3.8 and a '15 Sahara with the 3.6, Both Automatics, both with 3.73's and both on 35s. The 3.6 is a much nicer motor, BUT if the two jeeps are otherwise nearly identical and similar mileage, I sure wouldn't pay $3000 more for the 3.6, It's not THAT much better. Maybe $1500 better, but $3000 is a pretty big premium.
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Couldn't disagree more lol
 
Bogleparsons said:
Couldn't disagree more lol
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And I support your right to disagree ;)

It's a pretty subjective thing anyway, but if he's already buying an 8 or 9 year old Jeep it seems to me that cost must be a significant factor in his decision. If $3000 isn't that big a leap, then he should be buying a much newer Jeep, and the 3.8 vs 3.6 question becomes moot.

Let's not forget that the 2012 was the first year Wrangler Pentastar either, and had some issues..
 
3.6 has about 55HP more if I remember right.

I would buy a 3.8 if the deal was good, as in the Jeep was well built with ALL the stuff you already wanted, and it was nice. But I would intend on putting an LS in down the road when it needed a motor. I’d just live with the oil consumption, lack of power and mpg in the meantime.

On the flip side if the Jeeps were nearly the same, and it was $3k difference to get into a 3.6, I’d certainly spend more up front because at some point you’d need to replace the 3.8 anyway and I’m sure that would cost roughly $3k

I would bet that moderate wheeling in low range with a 3.8 wouldn’t leave you lacking much if geared correctly, you’d really only feel it going down the highway. And since you are a mall crawling poser, that’s you most of the time...
:D
 
77GreenMachine said:
3.6 has about 55HP more if I remember right.

I would buy a 3.8 if the deal was good, as in the Jeep was well built with ALL the stuff you already wanted, and it was nice. But I would intend on putting an LS in down the road when it needed a motor. I’d just live with the oil consumption, lack of power and mpg in the meantime.

On the flip side if the Jeeps were nearly the same, and it was $3k difference to get into a 3.6, I’d certainly spend more up front because at some point you’d need to replace the 3.8 anyway and I’m sure that would cost roughly $3k

I would bet that moderate wheeling in low range with a 3.8 wouldn’t leave you lacking much if geared correctly, you’d really only feel it going down the highway. And since you are a mall crawling poser, that’s you most of the time...
:D
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Just ask @Nakoma he called his 3.8 the Powertrain Protection Feature as it didn't have enough power to break anything.

At a 3k difference I'd definitely go for the 3.6 Only way I'd buy a 3.8 is if it were cheap and blown up so a 4.8/5.3/6.0 could take it's place.
 
77GreenMachine said:
3.6 has about 55HP more if I remember right.
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Few more

3.8.JPG
3.6.JPG
 
NickMaul said:
*22RE has entered the chat :D

Who needs horsepower to idle down a trail all day. Are we all rock bouncers now :flipoff2:

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True. But JKs weigh a lot, so they do need some torque/HP.

And if you ain’t having to back up and bump it, are you even wheeling?
 
77GreenMachine said:
True. But JKs weigh a lot, so they do need some torque/HP.

And if you ain’t having to back up and bump it, are you even wheeling?
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True. JK and a WJ weigh roughly and extra 1000 lb over a XJ for comparison. Ideally you’d want to shed a hard top for a soft top and avoid bolting on giant ass bumpers.

Wasn’t Don’s jk a 3.8 on 35s? Seemed to have plenty of power on some of the hill climbs we did in Harlan a few years ago. Of course regearing also helps.


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I’m in no rush and want to get the ‘right’ one. Right down the road from me at Flow Lexus there’s a 2016 JKUR Hard Rock with some tasteful mods for $33k. 64k miles, 315 bfg ats on nice aftermarket wheels. Price seems to be about average for the options and miles.
 
I have owned a lot of Jk,s love em, and I have learned em. A stock 3.8 with stock tires and the 3.73 option or the rubi 4.10 is fine.

As soon as you stick any bigger tire behind em they SUCK, geared deep they suck. With the old 4 speed auto even worse.

3.6, end story. A 12 up geared properly will still run very nice, far from slow. With proper gears 16mpg all day long too.

Stock Jk,s around 19 to 20 with 3.73 , 18 with 3.73, and if your not going to put it on tons and 40s , with 37,s and below, buy a rubicon, I promise you will have massive regret if you dont
 
Why are yall worrying about HP? I wanna see side by side torque curves.
 
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