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I have 40's, 5.38's, and a bunch of extra weight and I really don't have a huge issue with how fast it gets up and moves. I do have an issue with not being able to hold overdrive at 70mph though. But then I remember it's a 6000 pound brick with 40" tires.

One thing that does help me when slowly merging onto the highway is remembering that the entire perimeter of my Jeep is either rubber, bumper, or armor. ;)
 
Must be the 37's??? I'm a JK 4.10 with stock 32's. Frankly it's peppy as hell. Climbs with torque and horses to spare. My perspective.
 
I don't find my jk scary to drive at all... In fact my 2 door.is very pleasant with road manners, i almost wish it was sloppy, it Would make it more fun to drive!


When u have owned an early bronco with 4 wheel drums, 33x10.5 swamper tsl's and a 5.0, gimme a call. That shit will give u nightmares! I did a 180 and crossed 3 lanes to hit the guard rail on the 5 freeway in CA in that thing. I thought i was going to die

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I am not trying to be hateful to ourbeloved Jeeps, but I am definitely a bit disillusioned with the performance of my JK. So far I have modified my Jeep with the standard stuff: 37's, 5.13 gears, axel sleeves, gussets, e-lockers, etcetera.

I love how it looks, but the more I drive it the more I'm frustrated with its lack of performance. Once the new starts to wear off and you can remove the rose colored glasses, the lack of motive power really starts slappping you in the face. Heck, I don't know how people daily drive one of these that actually have to be on a freeway in merge with moving traffic. And yes, I will admit it, my biggest frustrations are on road, not off. So far, I have been pleased with what it can do offroad - but then again, I'm not trying to make it to 30 mph off road either.

I never thought that I would be considering a engine swap in this new of a vehicle in this short of amount of time of ownership. I just don't see being able to enjoy it long term otherwise. All of those LS motor theards are starting to make a lot more sense.
This is my first post after lurking here for about a week, but it is timely. Like you I have been "big horsepower" guy. Had a few AMG benzes, a supercharged Dodge Viper, and currently have a 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 and a Supercharged Jaguar XJ. Ive been struggling with the idea of keeping my SRT8 Jeep for the mere fact that it really cant go offroad...AT ALL. I cant get around on my deer lease and its not serving its intended purpose as my second car (SUV that can go offroad, haul hunting gear, etc). Its fast, it hauls "stuff", and its very nice inside, but off the road, it is useless. I have a good relationship with my Jeep dealer so they let me have a lifted brand new Sahara on 35" tires for the day this last Saturday. Since that day Ive been "teeter-tottering" on the idea of walking away from my 12 second SUV to a lifted V6 Brick. I know why I am buying it, but I REALLY question if I can live with the fact that is epically slow even if I have another 500+ hp car as a daily driver. I was about to pull the trigger on a 2014 Rubicon Unlimited with a 3" lift on 35s, but now im hesitating. There was a RUMOR relased by MSN that the CEO had bought a 392 Hemi Conversion Rubicon from AEV to evaluate it for production. Maybe I should wait? Is it REALLY THAT slow?!? When I was driving the Sahara, I definitely noticed it was slow, but I didnt really have trouble cruising at 80mph. Maybe I need it for another half day.
 
I have a Mustang for going Fast and a Jeep for Jeeping. I would never expect my Jeep to go fast or my Mustang to rock climb.
^ This. I have a '94 Camaro that's been nicely modded. It provides ample power to be fun. I don't think it'll be making its way to Rausch Creek anytime soon, just as the Jeep won't be making it to the strip...

It'd be nice if the Jeep was competitive in terms of handling, braking, and accelerating with other vehicles in its class (midsized SUVs), but in order to achieve that, it'd be giving up its offroad capabilities. I'll just happily suffer...
 
This is my first post after lurking here for about a week, but it is timely. Like you I have been "big horsepower" guy. Had a few AMG benzes, a supercharged Dodge Viper, and currently have a 2013 Grand Cherokee SRT8 and a Supercharged Jaguar XJ. Ive been struggling with the idea of keeping my SRT8 Jeep for the mere fact that it really cant go offroad...AT ALL. I cant get around on my deer lease and its not serving its purpose as my second car. I have a good relationship with my Jeep dealer so they let me have a lifted brand new Sahara on 35" tires for the day this last Saturday. Since that day Ive been "teeter-tottering" on the idea of walking away from my 12 second SUV to a lifted V6 Brick. I know why I am buying it, but I REALLY question if I can live with the fact that is epically slow even if I have another 500+ hp car as a daily driver. I was about to pull the trigger on a 2014 Rubicon Unlimited with a 3" lift on 35s, but now im hesitating. There was a RUMOR relased by MSN that the CEO had bought a 392 Hemi Conversion Rubicon from AEV to evaluate it for production. Maybe I should wait? Is it REALLY THAT slow?!? When I was driving the Sahara, I definitely noticed it was slow, but I didnt really have trouble cruising at 80mph. Maybe I need it for another half day.
Jeep will not sell a factory V8 JK. You sound like a baller so why not just buy the 2014 and send it out for a conversion.
 
There was a RUMOR relased by MSN that the CEO had bought a 392 Hemi Conversion Rubicon from AEV to evaluate it for production. Maybe I should wait?.
Rumors like this is why sayings like "when pigs fly" exist.


Jeep will not sell a factory V8 JK. You sound like a baller so why not just buy the 2014 and send it out for a conversion.

...This too. 392 swaps certainly exist, quit whimpering and just go have it done.
 
The cost of the coversion costs 75% of the cost of the base truck. Even though Ive wasted my fair share of "fun money" on hot rodding toys, Ive tried to tone it down a bit. It doesnt make financial sense to me. Im struggling to justify the $50+K cost of a modded new Rubicon in my head. Adding another 30K to the cost doesnt meet my personal common sense filter.

Back to the topic. Obviously some here are satisified. But its a matter of perspective. How often are the horsepower guys, TRULY annoyed with the factory engine?
 
I am debating heavily to trade in my 09 JKu for a nice Crew Cab 4x4 Ford / Chevrolet / RAM and picking up a matching Bronco / Blazer / Ram Charger. Perfect wheel base, V8 engine, and good aftermarket support. Plus its not my daily driver being destroyed off road.
 
I have a Mustang for going Fast and a Jeep for Jeeping. I would never expect my Jeep to go fast or my Mustang to rock climb.
^ This. I have a '94 Camaro that's been nicely modded. It provides ample power to be fun. I don't think it'll be making its way to Rausch Creek anytime soon, just as the Jeep won't be making it to the strip...
My sentiments exactly. I once owned a 1987 Volvo wagon with the Chevy LT1 engine, 6 speed and suspension conversion. I go with the purpose built concept, Jeep's being a great off-road machine with decent enough street/interstate manners.
 
The cost of the coversion costs 75% of the cost of the base truck. Even though Ive wasted my fair share of "fun money" on hot rodding toys, Ive tried to tone it down a bit. It doesnt make financial sense to me. Im struggling to justify the $50+K cost of a modded new Rubicon in my head. Adding another 30K to the cost doesnt meet my personal common sense filter.

Back to the topic. Obviously some here are satisified. But its a matter of perspective. How often are the horsepower guys, TRULY annoyed with the factory engine?
If you're that serious / interested, the dealer should let you take it for the weekend. I did. I signed an agreement that if I went over X number of miles, I would pay like 50 cents a miles, or something like that. I think it was 200 or 300 miles. See if they will let you do the same. Drive it on the hwy. See how you like it for 2-3 days. If it already has 35's then you'll have a better idea.
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
It'd be nice if the Jeep was competitive in terms of handling, braking, and accelerating with other vehicles in its class (midsized SUVs), but in order to achieve that, it'd be giving up its offroad capabilities. I'll just happily suffer...
There is no trade off that would have to be made at all at least in the power or braking. Doesnt even require a 'evil' gas hungry v8. Heck I have a F150 ecoboost v6 that has tons of power. No reason you could not put that in a jeep.

Also can easily go with a hydralic vs vacuum booster like many new truck have and 6-piston calipers up front and the brakes with be in great shape.
 
There is no trade off that would have to be made at all at least in the power or braking. Doesnt even require a 'evil' gas hungry v8. Heck I have a F150 ecoboost v6 that has tons of power. No reason you could not put that in a jeep.

Also can easily go with a hydralic vs vacuum booster like many new truck have and 6-piston calipers up front and the brakes with be in great shape.
Yep, however that'd require "give a damn" by Jeep. They've sold a million JKs and people do keep buying them regardless of them not caring about the components in the vehicle.
 
I have seen a dual carb corvette engine in a cj that hauls ass on the dunes.....out of my league finacially and mechanicaly but if you think 37s and 5.13 are "standard stuff" you clearly have some options many of us don't. Yes they may be the norm round here but ain't cheap by any means. I do 80 on pavement and 55 on dirt with regularity. No JKs are not fast, but they get you there and back and for most with a smile. That said I agree with you.

Of course if its that bad, and you cannot live with it I'd haul it away for ya!

Now go out and have some fun.
 
You don't need to drive a Mustang or Corvette to think a Jeep is sluggish. My wife's Honda Odyssey will run easily outpace my JKU. I have no intention of switching with her though...

The LS conversion make me drool, but that's a lot of coin to replace an engine/transmission that's getting the job done 95% of the time.

Doors ... where we're going, we don't need doors
 
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