So whoever said Jeep has trouble check this out

[Bandit’s Lair]

Well, funny you should ask. My transfer case gave out at 325,000 miles, so I had my shop do the transmission at the same time since they were partially there already. Nothing was slipping at that time though, so it may have gone just as long. But I'll never know for sure.

That’s pretty good for a Ford.

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[rubicon4wheeler]

I have a 3.8l JK on 4.10s and a 3.6 jk on 3.21s and the 3.6 jk absolutely hauls ass compared to the 3.8 lol. That 3.8 with the shitty 4 speed is an absolute dog off the line but once you're going it does fine.

My heavily-laden 2010 JKUR with the 3.8 liter V6, 4.88's, 6-speed manual, and 38" Milestars was essentially identical in speed up mountain grades as my buddy's heavily-laden 2014 AEV JKUR with the 3.6 liter V6, 4.88's, 5-speed auto, and 37" Nittos. Depending on who was in the "better gear" at any given moment, sometimes he would slightly pull ahead of me, or sometimes I would slightly pull ahead of him. I was perfectly satisfied with my 3.8. Everyone else was always surprised that even when towing my offroad trailer, I was never the slow vehicle in any given convoy over the mountain passes.

Most of the 3.8's bad reputation for being so slow was due to the terribly mismatched 4-speed automatic. The gear ratios in those were just awful, with 1st gear being like starting off in most vehicles' 2nd gear, and huge gaps in ratios between gears. That transmission generated more heat than power.

The Pentastar and ZF in today's Jeeps are light years ahead, but when I ordered my Gladiator I wanted some real power so I ponied up for the EcoDiesel. Surfing its waves of torque is just glorious, and the ZF manages it so well. The only thing holding back its capabilities is its ability to keep cool while towing up long grades in the summer.

 

[NC_Overland]

My heavily-laden 2010 JKUR with the 3.8 liter V6, 4.88's, 6-speed manual, and 38" Milestars was essentially identical in speed up mountain grades as my buddy's heavily-laden 2014 AEV JKUR with the 3.6 liter V6, 4.88's, 5-speed auto, and 37" Nittos. Depending on who was in the "better gear" at any given moment, sometimes he would slightly pull ahead of me, or sometimes I would slightly pull ahead of him. I was perfectly satisfied with my 3.8. Everyone else was always surprised that even when towing my offroad trailer, I was never the slow vehicle in any given convoy over the mountain passes.

Most of the 3.8's bad reputation for being so slow was due to the terribly mismatched 4-speed automatic. The gear ratios in those were just awful, with 1st gear being like starting off in most vehicles' 2nd gear, and huge gaps in ratios between gears. That transmission generated more heat than power.

The Pentastar and ZF in today's Jeeps are light years ahead, but when I ordered my Gladiator I wanted some real power so I ponied up for the EcoDiesel. Surfing its waves of torque is just glorious, and the ZF manages it so well. The only thing holding back its capabilities is its ability to keep cool while towing up long grades in the summer.

After living in CO with a 3.8l 6 speed JKU Rubicon, I could not disagree more. It was awful even with 32s.

 

[bleda2002]

My heavily-laden 2010 JKUR with the 3.8 liter V6, 4.88's, 6-speed manual, and 38" Milestars was essentially identical in speed up mountain grades as my buddy's heavily-laden 2014 AEV JKUR with the 3.6 liter V6, 4.88's, 5-speed auto, and 37" Nittos. Depending on who was in the "better gear" at any given moment, sometimes he would slightly pull ahead of me, or sometimes I would slightly pull ahead of him. I was perfectly satisfied with my 3.8. Everyone else was always surprised that even when towing my offroad trailer, I was never the slow vehicle in any given convoy over the mountain passes.

Most of the 3.8's bad reputation for being so slow was due to the terribly mismatched 4-speed automatic. The gear ratios in those were just awful, with 1st gear being like starting off in most vehicles' 2nd gear, and huge gaps in ratios between gears. That transmission generated more heat than power.

The Pentastar and ZF in today's Jeeps are light years ahead, but when I ordered my Gladiator I wanted some real power so I ponied up for the EcoDiesel. Surfing its waves of torque is just glorious, and the ZF manages it so well. The only thing holding back its capabilities is its ability to keep cool while towing up long grades in the summer.

That's what I've also said. The 3.8 itself isnt all that bad, but the 4 speed auto I have is absolute garbage, terrible ratios, constantly wants to be in overdrive, just so bad. The nag1 on the 3.6 is just so much better, fast shifts better programming, and better ratios. Its not 8 speed but I can't say I hate it. When it dies though I'll be replacing with an 8 speed using the jeep speed shop swap.

 

[KIWelder]

That’s pretty good for a Ford.

Beyond anything I would have expected.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Beyond anything I would have expected.

I had a '95 Ranger 4.0L that was probably the most reliable vehicle I've ever had.

 

[Baxter]

I had a '95 Ranger 4.0L that was probably the most reliable vehicle I've ever had.

I had a 95 Ranger with 4.0 that developed a bottom end issue at about 3000 miles. Dealership bought it back.

 

[NC_Overland]

The 3.0l V6 was the one that lasted forever

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The 3.0l V6 was the one that lasted forever

I was young, I needed the biggest motor with zero concerns about reliability.

 

[NC_Overland]

I was young, I needed the biggest motor with zero concerns about reliability.

I was an S10 guy. I’m not really brand loyal, but for some reason I always like GM trucks the most. I just know the 3.0ls lasted a long long time in fleet work trucks. I had two S10 Blazers. One lasted 340K and was still going strong. The other was 280k and in good shape. I loved the second one. 4.3l 5 speed manual 4wd. The first was a 2.8l manual 2wd but it was somehow unbreakable. Slow but unbreakable.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Ye Ole 2.8l Low Output.

 

[NC_Overland]

Ye Ole 2.8l Low Output.

I miss how easy those were to work on. TBI FTW. I went through a lot of starters and alternators. Cheap autozone parts. I didn’t know any better.

 

[KIWelder]

I had a '95 Ranger 4.0L that was probably the most reliable vehicle I've ever had.

I think we both enjoyed the golden years of the Ford Ranger. I test drove a 2024 Ranger prior to purchasing my Gladiator and the ride was terrible. My 2001 Ranger with 405,000 miles actually rides better than the new ones..

 

[KIWelder]

The 3.0l V6 was the one that lasted forever

True That!

 

[Stan H]

Ye Ole 2.8l Low Output.

I had a Blazer with the 2.8L oh my gosh, that was the most under powered vehicle we ever owned. It was so under powered it actually climbed in snow reasonable well because it never I mean never would spin a tire ever in 4WD. Not even in snow it didn't have the power.

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