Talk me out of an 07 Jk

[Clubbs]

Jumping on this advice bandwagon that @jcramsey started.

My son bought a boat yesterday from a guy thats cleaning out projects. Had an 07 jk tucked in the woods. 2 door auto, soft top, base model basically.

Was his son's, but recently had overheat problems, new rad, fan, water pump didn't fix it then noticed the passenger head was weeping coolant at the front upper corner. Parked it last year.

Hasn't given me a price yet. Head gasket would be annoying but not that big a deal. Not familiar with the 3.8L but haven't heard great things. No idea what mileage it has. Oil was clean and not milky, trans fluid looked good. That's all I know.

What's it worth as is and what's it worth fixed? How bad is that 3.8L

 

[zuke]

4 or 5k tops if it's under 150k miles, more that that I probably just wouldn't buy it.

Head gaskets a pretty common problem on it.

 

[drkelly]

 

[drkelly]

I would offer him $2,500. It is a 19 year old vehicle that needs about $3k worth of work at a professional repair shop.

 

[R Q]

I would offer him $2,500. It is a 19 year old vehicle that needs about $3k worth of work at a professional repair shop.

Or it needs a motor...

 

[Noel]

I gave 7 for this 14 with 134k. They are priced all over the place. But deals are out there. I’d wanna be in it under 3 with that repair. My other jku is a 3.8 and it’s not as bad as people claim. Easier to work on as well

 

[willness33]

Head gaskets on a 3.8 isn't a bad job. The 3.8 is plenty zippy in a 2 door. Way better than the jku. Id straight up trade my 2012 jku for a 3.8 2 door. Im in the minority in the jeep world but I like the 3.8 better than the pentastar.

 

[Lizooki]

Talk you out of it .....?

It's a Jeep.

 

[Shreddinlettuce]

Best start for an Ls swap, they’re cheaper due to the older interior design and age

 

[Noel]

Head gaskets on a 3.8 isn't a bad job. The 3.8 is plenty zippy in a 2 door. Way better than the jku. Id straight up trade my 2012 jku for a 3.8 2 door. Im in the minority in the jeep world but I like the 3.8 better than the pentastar.

3.8 has a lot less problems for sure.

 

[willness33]

3.8 has a lot less problems for sure.

In my personal experience, 100%.

 

[Shreddinlettuce]

Head gaskets on a 3.8 isn't a bad job. The 3.8 is plenty zippy in a 2 door. Way better than the jku. Id straight up trade my 2012 jku for a 3.8 2 door. Im in the minority in the jeep world but I like the 3.8 better than the pentastar.

so, are you pro duck or anti duck, I mean being the minority voter and all

 

[untchabl]

I really enjoyed the 07 2dr auto that I had. It was stock, had plenty of pep and was fun to drive. Honestly wish I would have kept it.

 

[NCJeeplover]

Head gaskets on a 3.8 isn't a bad job. The 3.8 is plenty zippy in a 2 door. Way better than the jku. Id straight up trade my 2012 jku for a 3.8 2 door. Im in the minority in the jeep world but I like the 3.8 better than the pentastar.

I feel exactly the same way. The only JK/JL I would have is a 2 door 6 speed 3.8. They didn't have the power but damn are they easier to work on.

 

[Jody Treadway]

I've replaced many intake gaskets for coolant seepage/leaks exactly where you are describing.
3.8s are rock solid engines. Anemic, yes. Troublesome, not at all.
I'd also prefer one to the 3.6. They are terribly problematic.

 

[jeepinmatt]

Whats the point of a 3.8 2dr JK when its basically just as old as a 4.0 TJ?

 

[Jody Treadway]

Whats the point of a 3.8 2dr JK when its basically just as old as a 4.0 TJ?

Better ride, more room, the dash better accommodates ducks.

 

[jeepinmatt]

More accommodating of crocs, available in 2wd, the dash better accommodates ducks.

Sounds about right.

 

[zuke]

Whats the point of a 3.8 2dr JK when its basically just as old as a 4.0 TJ?

the 07 JK is generally cheaper than an 06 TJ if condition and mileage are about the same.

 

[jeepinmatt]

the 07 JK is generally cheaper than an 06 TJ if condition and mileage are about the same.

Yeah, because it has a 3.8 and is a JK

 

[Shreddinlettuce]

I’m going rock crawling J ust K idding, I’m going to the mall on 38’s with a front Dana 30 and an 8 inch lift

I do agree that the 3.8 despite low on power is a better longevity wise motor and possible to work on vs the throwaway 3.6 that most find to be a headache. I mean it was designed with some Germans involved, so it’s over complicated in nature

 

[Clubbs]

I'm anti duck. But it does have an angry grill already installed and the mall crawler required bumpers / fender flares. A 3" teleflex lift that looks fairly well done, and 35" falkens. I called the guy and left a message-no response

 

[Shreddinlettuce]

If you’re lift height is larger than your ring gear diameter, you might be a mall crawler

 

[AdamH]

I also have no issues with the 3.8. I’ve owned multiple.

 

[zuke]

Yeah, because it has a 3.8 and is a JK

And hence why I have an 06 TJ