[jeff_in_rc]

At some point in the near future, about 1-2 years, I will be looking at getting a newer Jeep for myself and was wondering:

1) When was the 3.8 V6 introduced?
2) and then the 3.6 V6? Penstar IIRC.

I remember hearing that the 3.8 was not a very good motor for various reasons and would like some real world comments from those of you who have either motor to help me decide which way to go.

Thanks for any help you all can give me. :thumb:

 

[schnutzy]

The 3.8 was used starting in 2007 till 2011, with the first year for the 3.6 being 2012.

 

[jeff_in_rc]

Thanks for the info schnutzy!

 

[snackindude]

I own a 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 4 door, 6 speed manual with 3.8L. Last fall we did a 3" suspension lift and upgraded our tires from 32 to 35s (on 17" rims). I like the look but the 3.8 engine just doesn't perform on the highway as it did with the 32s. It does okay on city streets and when off road in 4x4...it struggles when having to back up a hill and wants to die if I don't give it plenty of peddle.

I am considering the Ripp Super charger but just not sure yet. I was told by my friend who owned 4-door jeep with 3.6L that it performed a lot better than the 3.8. It had more pep. He did not do a lift or upgrade tires so don't know impacts of that on the 3.6 engine.

 

[Lando25]

Last fall we did a 3" suspension lift and upgraded our tires from 32 to 35s (on 17" rims). I like the look but the 3.8 engine just doesn't perform on the highway as it did with the 32s.

If you didn't regear for your 35s than that was likely the issue.

 

[RemoJK]

I own a 2009 Jeep Wrangler, 4 door, 6 speed manual with 3.8L. Last fall we did a 3" suspension lift and upgraded our tires from 32 to 35s (on 17" rims). I like the look but the 3.8 engine just doesn't perform on the highway as it did with the 32s. It does okay on city streets and when off road in 4x4...it struggles when having to back up a hill and wants to die if I don't give it plenty of peddle.

I am considering the Ripp Super charger but just not sure yet. I was told by my friend who owned 4-door jeep with 3.6L that it performed a lot better than the 3.8. It had more pep. He did not do a lift or upgrade tires so don't know impacts of that on the 3.6 engine.

Re-gear. I had a '10 sport 3.8L with 3.21 gears and 35's and it was a dog. I have a 08 rubi 3.8L now with 5.13 gears and 37's and I can now use 6th gear on the highway and keep 70 easily

 

[HOOCBB]

The 3.8 was introduced as a new engine in the general Chrysler lineup in 1991 based on the 3.3L V6 introduced in 1990.

My biggest complaint about the engine is that it was originally designed as a front wheel drive minivan engine. It seems to me that it was stuffed into the JK as a stop-gap until the new 3.6L could be fully developed.

I have a 3.8 and don't hate it, but I knew coming into it that it wasn't the 300 HP Mustang I had before it.

 

[DrewG]

My dad's got the 3.6L in his 2012, and I think it's great. He's got 35" tires on it with stock gearing and does just fine on the highway, in town, and off-road. We've had no troubles with it at all. I've got no experience with the 3.8L (other than a mini-van we used to service at the garage I worked at...seemed to be capable enough, though), so I can't give you a real perspective on the comparison between the two.