2007-2009 Wrangler Unlimited JK (suitable replacement for FSJ??)

[Jeepeta]

On my 3rd FSJ now and starting to loosely look at these newer model wranglers with the 4 doors. I am looking to simplify my life and perhaps a newer model would help.

Any comments on these new models. The rubicon would probably be of more interest, especially with a manual trans and the dana44. I think the drivetrain warranty is lifetime too, nice.

Chrysler 3.6 v-6, good or bad? Gas mileage a little better than our SJ's at least. 4 doors and removeable roof would be a heck of alot of fun. Seems they have improved the top designs vastly over the YJ I had many years ago.

Would appreciate your comments opinions and any experience. Thanks!

[thomastenn]

i just got rid of a 07 rubicon unlimited my advice dont waste youre money the very best mpg i got was 16 the v6 is just to underpowered and doing anything significant the cost is insane

[TPICherokee]

I have heard the V6 is underpowered, but I know there are a few companies out there making headers and intakes and stuff that greatly improve the power.

I have a buddy at Dodge and he just bought a truck. He did say that he heard that this was the last year of the lifetime powertrain warranty.

[Jeepeta]

i just got rid of a 07 rubicon unlimited my advice dont waste youre money the very best mpg i got was 16 the v6 is just to underpowered and doing anything significant the cost is insane

I hope that was city mileage and not hwy! Was it a 6spd manual? 16mpg is still better than the FSJ. I wonder if the wrangler sahara would be better without the dana44s and combined with the lower ratio would might better fuel economy wise. I think I would really want the 6 spd, but regardless they seem to be all rated the same on the window sticker.

Regardless, the used car market is very dead right now with the economy as it is, there are some really good deals out there, just another reason I was looking. Dealers selling on ebay haven't been able to get anything out of their used vehicles....

Still would like to hear some more jk feedback.

[Jeepeta]

I have heard the V6 is underpowered, but I know there are a few companies out there making headers and intakes and stuff that greatly improve the power.

I have a buddy at Dodge and he just bought a truck. He did say that he heard that this was the last year of the lifetime powertrain warranty.

Thanks, Can you ask him what he thinks durability wise of the 6 speeds, dana44, and chrysler v-6... are they holding up???

[newtojeeps]

I'm getting 22 mpg Combined in my 82 Cherokee wide trac w 258 ,T5, 208.

[Jeepeta]

I'm getting 22 mpg Combined in my 82 Cherokee wide trac w 258 ,T5, 208.

You I-6 guys make me sick :)

My 87 wrangler with 258 never saw anything over 16.

[thomastenn]

it was a auto, all unlimiteds have rear dana 44, i had headers cai intake unichip module and got about a 35 hp gain. the 6 speed is a getrag model they r ok the dana 44s r a improved design. that was 16 mpg highway they are not aerodynamic and 3.8 is actually a high rpm minivan v6 the problem is the weight of the jeep. and for what they cost if you got the best deal st 22,000 thats not counting higher insurance and tag fees you can build 1 hell of a fsj for that to outperform any new jeep

[incommando]

My wife regularly got 22 in mixed driving with her previous 3.8 powered Town & Country.

Although it is behind the 3.7, I like the NSG370 6-spd. Mine is holding up nicely depsite " spirited use" on & off pavement.

The JK 4dr has a wheelbase that is 6" longer than a FSJ.....

[The PIG Smith]

16mpg is still better than the FSJ.
I'll probably get flamed for this, but with a super tune up, all the tips, tricks and secrets...I believe it possible for a FSJ to achieve 16 miles per gallon.

So...if a new one is getting 16 and with some work, you can get a FSJ to 16,
then I say save your $$$ and keep the older one.

[red mistress]

When I read they were building couple years ago I special ordered one and left deposit.

Except for marginal power and plastic like all new cars, it's everything I could want.

I put 2" puck and 35" BFG MUDs (rubi comes with 4:11's) and it will climb better than my Scrambler.

The Rubicon's push button sway bar disconnect and E lockers work great.
All 4 pull 100% just like spool or ARB.
Maybe it wheels better because if I break, don't have to work on it, if I roll or bash side I could really care less - disposable 4x4 performance Is mind relief !

I seriously thought about trading it in and getting AVM to put the 6.2 STR8 .
But thing is super reliable so don't want to mess up good Jeep.

[ajbirken]

Any comments on these new models. The rubicon would probably be of more interest, especially with a manual trans and the dana44. I think the drivetrain warranty is lifetime too, nice.

Chrysler 3.6 v-6, good or bad? Gas mileage a little better than our SJ's at least. 4 doors and removeable roof would be a heck of alot of fun. Seems they have improved the top designs vastly over the YJ I had many years ago.

Would appreciate your comments opinions and any experience. Thanks!

We've got an 07 rubicon LWB 4-door JK and love it. It really does remind me of a waggy in its dimensions and ride. It is underpowered, but I never have a jeep to go fast. We average 18mpg with all city driving using some mild hypermiling techniques. We have gotten 25+mpg highway drafting and going 55.

[YellowJeep]

I've heard the new JKs are really excellent wheelers. Pretty sure they use the 3.8 not a 3.6. It's an older pushrod motor but quite reliable. The motors are pretty limp for overall daily driving but do have a little bit of low end grunt (We have one in the minivan)

[cocco_78]

I've driven a few, both auto and manual, rubi and non rubi... The rubi with the 6speed was pretty tolerable as far as power goes. The auto's that I drove seemed alot more gutless. I don't get why all these people buy rubicons and never use them. Seems like the lots around here have a 90 to 10 ratio of rubi's to regular jeeps. Then the people that do buy them and wheel them upgrade the axles because of the fact that the D44's are pretty marginal, the fronts are still a hybrid D30/44... The interiors on them felt very cheap, but then again all the new stuff looks and feels like crap inside.

It looks like the rubi's are really holding their value though, well I'm mean they are marked up and no one is buying them but they won't give any deals on them...

[back2spool]

My local dealer is advertising the Unlimited X 4-door for 18K, before tax, title and license.

How much are tax, title, license?

I can get an additional $2K off for internet coupon and employee discount (friend)

I am this close to going to look at them....I have a VERY CLEAN '95 YJ, I love (from California, under 100K miles), but I would consider parting with it in spring if we got a 4-door.

[chr1s]

thats great, now I will have to pass you on Paper Mill in ANOTHER indentical vehicle ;)
My lady has been hammering me about getting one of these, she loves it. We checked out a few at the York show, and shes been nagging me ever since.

Its amazing what you can get a mid-level suv for these days, I was looking at Mountainers and newish Explorers, decked out for pretty cheeeep.

Good luck with it, just tell me what color you end up going with :thumbsup:

[Dmntxn77]

I love'em, and I would own one if the wide didnt want a new camaro so bad... Not that I am turning my nose up at the new camaro.. :D

[Herk]

Personally I don't care for the new JK. Too freaking big, and heavy (not that my LJ Rubicon is exactly small and light). I test drove a JK and a FJ cruiser back to back, and if I were to by a brand new rig that size tomorrow, it probably wouldn't be the Jeep. Don't drive the Cruiser if you want the JK.

[incommando]

Personally I don't care for the new JK. Too freaking big, and heavy (not that my LJ Rubicon is exactly small and light). I test drove a JK and a FJ cruiser back to back, and if I were to by a brand new rig that size tomorrow, it probably wouldn't be the Jeep. Don't drive the Cruiser if you want the JK.

Just don't try to look out of the rear of the FJcruiser or let your friends see you driving that fugly thing. :p :D

[back2spool]

Personally I don't care for the new JK. Too freaking big, and heavy (not that my LJ Rubicon is exactly small and light). I test drove a JK and a FJ cruiser back to back, and if I were to by a brand new rig that size tomorrow, it probably wouldn't be the Jeep. Don't drive the Cruiser if you want the JK.

We don't drive foreign cars in Detroit. Be kinda like an Idahoan eating imported potatoes...

[Dmntxn77]

Don't drive the Cruiser if you want the JK.

Thats like saying to not take a plane if you want to go on a cruise...

Yeah, they are both forms of transportation, but they are hardly in the same class.

If you want a JK, the only competition is another JK...

[lifenajeep]

I had very mixed feelings about the new JKs, mainly because I saw this as a poor substitute for the rescue. I have since changed my mind. We have built close to a hundred of these now and we have found some things that will really liven these JKs up. So much so I just ordered my JK 4dr the other day. I will do the mods needed to make them into a great jeep.

These are a few of my favorite builds we've done
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/lifenajeep/DSC03308.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v157/lifenajeep/DSC01744.jpg
http://www.searchers4wd.com/images/480_jeep14.jpg

We are building three right now that blow these away

[2003 mcs]

You can always get a Hemi, just contact AEV.

http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/

[PlasticBoob]

Just don't try to look out of the rear of the FJcruiser

He's not kidding guys!!! That thing is IMPOSSIBLE to see out of in ANY direction; I don't know how some of these guys can wheel it. What a joke. :thumbsdown:

As for the JK, I like it a lot, but at the end of the day it's just another common Jeep. Blah.

[fulsizjeep]

sorry, gotta do it... ;)


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