2008 JK Wrangler Input

[JsnJcksn]

My son is looking at a 2008 JK with the 3.8, auto and only 57K. I am new to the Jeep game as a whole. What are items he should look for or potential pitfalls for this year and model? At $12K, it not cheap but appears to be in good condition.

I used the G-machine and it claims computers and manifolds are the biggest issues, but the data is cross-posted so much I don't know how much stock to put in it.

Thanks!

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[Fpolanco]

I grudgingly traded in my 2008 JKU for the JT but also knew I was riding on borrowed time w/ 178k miles.

The biggest issues I had was the neutral safety switch going bad, an electrical gremlin that mysteriously went away and slight oil burn. I avoided the more major issues of engine knock or the motor blowing up at 80-100k.

If you can, I'd get the motor inspected by a mechanic. If not and you go through with the purchase, change the fluids immediately, especially the differentials.

Enjoy that thing til the wheels fall off!!!

 

[JustinLentz]

I had a crankshaft fail in my 2009 JK and had to have the entire engine replaced. This was at 67k miles but I hadn't heard of this happening in many other JK's.

I had some ghost issues. The JK would just shut down completely when driving. I would pull over, restart and went back to driving. This happened 5 times in 6 months. I traded it in on my JT before it got too bad.

 

[Hootbro]

3.8 was a mixed bag. Some like to become oil burners around 75K-100K miles. They have issues with the valve cover being plastic composite and developing leaks on the exhaust side that eventually fries and hardens the gasket and warping the cover causing oil leaks. Replacement valve covers are hard to find and AFAIK, only OEM, no aftermarket.

I have seen a few get 200K plus out of them, but you have to be on top of every niggly thing and take care of it then and not defer.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Replacement valve covers are hard to find and AFAIK, only OEM, no aftermarket.

Ironic as heck as one can get very nice aluminum valve covers for a 258 without a whole lot of trouble. And that engine has been gone since the 1980s.

 

[gouacats]

I have an 08 that I bought with 55k back in 2013. It now has 170k miles on it. The only major things I remember other than routine maintenance off hand was replacing the radiator at around 100k miles and replacing the u-joints and driveshaft within the last 10k miles or so. I've been running a 2.5" lift since I bought it and left it fairly stock other than that. It's been a great vehicle!

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