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2012 with better engine worth it?

3K views 35 replies 22 participants last post by  chode 
#1 ·
Hi guys,
I'm looking to trade my current 08 4Runner for a JKU. I've had a 2007 JKU in the past-- it was an automatic, had 35's and a 4" lift when I bought it. And boy was it a pig. Needed a re-gear badly, and some other stuff which I didn't want to mess with, so I just sold it.

This time around, after having also owned a TJ, I'm thinking I want a JKU again, this time it would be a manual transmission, and nothing larger than 33's. Ideally I'd like a 2012 or newer because of the better engine for that year. My problem is the price. These things hold their value amazingly well, especially here in Colorado. So my question is, is it worth holding out and trying to spring for a 2012, or take the compromise and go with an older one? The extra HP of the 2012's is not insignificant!
 
#5 ·
What are the 3.6 issues?

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#6 ·
Can't speak to the differences between the earlier engines and the 3.6. Recently bought a 2013 manual JK sport and am happy with the performance.

There are a couple of issues you can find threads on in the forum. One is titled something like "poll on 2013 transmission rattle".....something like that. If I recall correctly...about 60% of owners reported some type of trans noise. Various complaints about the noise, and various outcomes about success in fixing it/living with it.

The other is related to a known part failure issue for the oil overflow valve. There is a replacement part being tested for market so soon this won't really be an issue at all. But below is a thread on it if you want to learn more:

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f202/help-2012-oil-filter-change-went-very-bad-1458570.html

Good luck in your decision making!
 
#17 ·
My 3 previous Jeeps were manuals. They all rattled from day one. The transmission can sound like a can of marbles, but I never had one single problem with any of them.
As far as the 3.6 problems go, there was an initial problem with sand in the castings. Get a 2013 or later, the issues were resolved.
The only problem I had with my 13 was a bad water pump.
One other thing.....get one with 3:73 gears and you're good for 33's.
It'll drive like a sports car, a fat, chunky sports car.
 
#8 ·
The engine was half the reason I went with a 2012 vice a 10 or 11 that I found great deals on. After driving it for over two and a half years I definitely look back with no regrets. As JoeCool said, I would recommend holding out for what you really want rather than doing something just to "get it done" so to speak, especially if you plan on hanging on to it for a while.

Good luck!
 
#9 ·
It depends on what you want/what you are accustomed to. I didn't buy a Jeep to race down the highway; the 3.8 has good enough low end power, and it is a tried and tested motor. I have a 2008 manual JKU, and I am very satisfied with it. I will regear eventually, but for now its enough. That being said I am bias because there wasn't a 3.6 when I bought mine, and mine is paid off so it will be driven into the ground. Get what you want; its your money. But unless you do a engine swap, its still a Jeep motor.
 
#12 ·
Yes get the 12+ if you can. I had a 08 JKU X manual and there is no comparison between that and my 16 JKU RHR auto, huge step up in power plus better mpg.

I also,didn't purchase mine to race however that doesn't mean it should be slow and not able to easily maintain speeds up inclines w/o having to downshift. That being said my RHR needs another 100-150 hp :)
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the insight, guys. I found a possible '12 I'm going to look at on Saturday. Already has wheels that I like, and a lift -- waiting for the dealer to confirm tire sizes and lift specifics if they can figure that out. Pics aren't quite clear enough to tell.
 

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#23 ·
You had me worried, but I think I'm at ease now. Looks like Jeep has extended the warranty on that particular part to 10 years / 150,000 miles:

News | Chrysler stands behind heads
 
#20 ·
Is this an official recall issue? Or only fixed for free if it breaks while under warranty?
 
#19 ·
When I was buying mine, there was a big price difference between the 2012 models and those made before because of the engine/transmission, to the point of paying roughly the same for lower models with 40% more kms. I've honestly never found the 3.8 to be lacking, but then again there's a good chance that if I'd driven both (rather than the 2011 and just seeing it as a huge step up from the TJ), I would have felt differently and waited until something with the 3.6 came about in my buying ability that I wanted.

When I first drove my 2011, I noticed that it was considerably slower than my other vehicle which is a small but averagly weighted turbo car (as expected), but better than most vehicles that I've driven in general, and a drastic difference from the previous generation of Jeeps.

I also drive my Jeep a lot differently than I do with my car, and honestly the only kind of windey drives that I'd prefer to be in the latter would not have me driving that way in the Jeep, even if it had a Hemi. If I wanted something drastically faster than my PT, I'd have gotten a muscle car... but the Jeep I found offered everything that I was actually looking for, and for the best overall cost at the time.

Gotta figure out what that is and make a decision acordingly.
 
#21 ·
...And how can I tell if that work has been done? Would a Carfax report show that? I don't suppose I can just look at the engine and see something obvious...

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#22 ·
Had a 2010 Sport. I have always defended (and still do) the 3.8 as "adequate". But when driven back to back with a 3.6, the difference is huge. Tons more power, much smoother, much happier to rev. There's nothing wrong with a well cared for 3.8 Jeep, but the 3.6 is the way to go.
 
#25 ·
I guess it's not enough to deter me, considering all of the info I've found on it over the last 24 hours.

Chrysler isn't about to admit that there's a flaw, especially if it could impact sales, so I'm not surprised about the letter you received. They will keep on quietly fixing them as they crop up.

Maybe I'm biased since I really like this one I found because it's got everything I want, which is pretty specific (2012+, manual trans, hard top, 3.73 gears, power locks, power windows, white). There are *zero* other JK's currently for sale within 300 miles of me that have all of that, for a price I'm willing to pay.

But either way, all of the information I've managed to dig up says that when it fails, it will happen WELL before the 10 yr/150k mile warranty is up, and it does not cause any other damage to the engine, nor does it leave owners stranded... just causes noticeably reduced performance and MPG's. So when it happens, it's a quick trip to the dealer for a free fix. Except for the one week-long backlog period they had, it sounds like dealers now are turning these around within a day and a half. Chrysler flooded their dealers with the replacement parts because at one point they were up to 500 repairs per week.
 
#30 ·
Ok now I'm learning all kinds of stuff. Can you be more specific on what thr the oil cooler and camshaft sensor issues are?
 
#29 ·
I have a 2012 and I am VERY happy with the engine. I cannot speak for the 3.8 that they had for a couple years but I had a TJ with the 4.0 I-6 and this new engine is head and shoulders better than that straight 6.

I know some people like that old four liter, but I hated it even when I had the TJ.
 
#31 ·
I have a 2012 and can attest the motor is MUCH better than the 3.8. I have driven the 3.8 with same setup as mine, 3" lift, 35s, and it, as opposed to mine with 3.21 had 4.11 and OMG it was a slug. I mean no powerband to speak of. It was almost embarrasing for the guy who owned it.

The other nice investment in a 2012 is it is the first year of the 3.6, but also the oldest, so the resale on the 2012 has dwindled a bit compared to other newer years; meaning you can get one for a better price. I got mine with 33k miles about 2 years ago for $25k and felt I got a good deal. I am now at 70k miles and have enjoyed the motor, power, performance, sound and throttle. I can do without the waterpump squeek, Transmission valve body hoot and the lifter/valve ticking....but I really don't care enough about them to do much than turn the radio up and/or imagine I am driving a Sherman tank.

I say go for a '12 and especially the 3.6. Did I mention my 2102 has a factory transmission cooler! What a bonus for towing my 3200lb tent trailer!
 
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