Today, we will discuss about Jeep Wrangler JK’s Engine and Transmission. We are Saying that you want a Jeep Wrangler JK is not as specific as it sounds. Jeep produced the Wrangler JK from 2007 to 2018. That is 11 years’ worth of trim packages and features.
Whichever you go for, the JK, in general, is a great deal. JK is Jeep’s successful platform in terms of sales and performance, and you’ve got plenty of specs and features to choose from. The most important of them all is the engine and transmission. Check out your choices below:
JK’s Engine
The Wrangler JKs produced from 2007 to 2011 all housed a 3.8L engine with 202 horsepower and 237 lb-ft torque. It’s a bit unsatisfactory, but it works okay with the proper gear and tire ratio.
Experts point out that you could face issues like cracked exhaust manifolds, burning oil, and failure of the intake manifold gasket with this engine.
In 2012, Jeep decided to switch out the 3.8L engine in favor of the 3.6L Pentastar V6. It was a massive upgrade from the previous JK engine, producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft torque.
The exhaust manifold issue with the 3.8L is not a concern anymore with this engine. This one is also lighter. However, the problem with the 3.8L consuming oil is still an existing problem with this upgrade.
JK’s Transmission
Found in the 2007 to 2011 JKs, the 42RLE automatic transmission is paired with the 3.8L. The common complaint with this pair is the underwhelming punch it gives in the first gear. It takes a much higher rpm for the 3.8L to start putting out a more powerful punch.
Be careful adding too much strain, such as oversized tires and added weight which almost always results in overheating. Proper differential gearing is helpful when adding taller tires to avoid this problem. Also, add a transmission cooler to keep overheating issues at bay.
The WA580 automatic was Jeep’s next pick for the JK in 2012. Another upgrade for the year was added to the 3.6L engine. The underwhelming first gear punch from the previous releases is no longer an issue with this pair. Same with the 42RLE, proper differential gearing and adding a transmission cooler will solve most overheating worries.
JKs across all years had the NSG370 as the only manual transmission option. This six-speed manual is a great buddy for driving off-road because of its 4.46 First gear ratio. That affords you great control. Making it an even more solid option is its torque limit which is higher than 1,100 lb-ft. The only problem with the NSG370 is complaints of a gear popping out and a bit of noise.
The early JK is cheaper, so if you don’t mind the slower engine, it’s still a great buy. But if you have more cash to spend, you can definitely go for the stronger post-2011 JKs. You can also consider other things like the interior and the features to help you decide past the engine and the tranny. We are waiting for your feedback about “A guide on Jeep Wrangler JK’s Engine and Transmission.”
