Not sure how many Wrangler fans we have, but I read recently that the "new" 3.8L V6 in the Wrangler is basically the exact same motor in the Grand Caravan and it's been around forever.

That really seems like a step backward from the venerable iron block inline six? Anyone have more tech on this? Why don't they put the Hemi in it?

 

I sell Jeeps (at work right now but it's raining), so I'll give it a shot. The "new" 3.8L is essentially the same corporate v6 that's been in the minivans, but it's been retuned to better meet the requirements of the Wrangler. As for the 4.0L I6, I'm personally glad that weezy old thing is gone. Driving an 06 back to back with an 07 the differences are amazing. The 3.8L doesn't have much more power, but it's much smoother, quieter, and more efficient. The really good news it, even though Chrysler won't say anything about it, the V8 will easily fit in the engine bay. I'm hoping to see both the V8 (fingers crossed for Hemi) and the CRD diesel within the next year or so.

 

Oh, the CRD diesel would be awesome in a Jeep! Forgot about that!

Thanks for the write-up. I guess the inline six was a pretty wheezy, gas guzzling slug. The only thing it really had going for it was it was durable.

 

Here ya go!!! A Hemi Wrangler.



Hemi Wrangler Conversion

The Hemi News

 

diesel FTW

 

I have a couple friends with these Jeeps and they are amazed at how bad the milage is. Niether expected the Jeeps to be that quick, but for the weight of the car it should not be slow AND guzzle. One friend would see 12 mpg regularly when in mixed winter 4wd driving. I had a 51 WIlly's that would get more than twice that. (but it was kind of a rusty pos )

 

The "new" V6 is hardly a dramatic step forwad but I believe that Daimler Chrysler didn't have much of a choice in dropping the old straight 6 as it was reportedly increasingly difficult to make the I-6 emissions compliant.

 

Not only that, the biggest reason is crash worthiness. Inline 6 is alot longer and with recent requirements, they needed the extra space for a crumple zones and etc. At least that's what the articles said over on the jeep forums.

 

I always liked the Wrangler. If Jeep put the diesel in there...man it would be hard to resist.

 

We have 96,000+ trouble free miles on our 02 Wrangler. Yea, the 4.0L is old and weezy, but this motor is trouble-free, totally reliable and parts are super easy to find should we need them. I6s are easy to work on, too. I understand getting 12 mpg driving around in 4wd, but we normally get 18-19 in mixed driving with our 5-speed normally in 2wd.

I am not saying the "new" V6 is not worth the change, but I for one am fine with the old 4.0L too. Emissions and crash issues are the best reasons to change.

Also, let's face it: Wranglers are barely more practical than S2000s, so great 0-60 performance and mileage is not something anyone should expect from it.