A little afraid of the 3.8L change
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03-25-2008, 11:48 AM
#12
JK Junkie
the 3.8 I believe has been used since 1997 in dodge mini vans.
it is a very durable engine and is a smoother engine than the 4.0.
I personally like the 3.8 and am very confident the engine will last at least as long as I own it.
(Of course the LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY helps with my confidence)
Buy the JK and start your life
it is a very durable engine and is a smoother engine than the 4.0.
I personally like the 3.8 and am very confident the engine will last at least as long as I own it.
(Of course the LIFETIME POWERTRAIN WARRANTY helps with my confidence)
Buy the JK and start your life
03-25-2008, 01:05 PM
#13
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Woodbdridge, Va
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The engine has been around since at leas 98. It was an optional engine with AWD for the grand voyagers/grand caravan/town and countries. It has gone through several updates over the years to make it better as well.
03-25-2008, 01:13 PM
#14
In case you're curious, here's a good read from allpar.com about the history of this line of engines:
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html and http://www.allpar.com/mopar/38-40.html
http://www.allpar.com/mopar/33.html and http://www.allpar.com/mopar/38-40.html
Last edited by amt97; 03-25-2008 at 01:17 PM.
03-25-2008, 03:44 PM
#15
JK Junkie
4.0 versus 3.8
As a teenager in west Texas, my grandparents had I believe a 61 AMC station wagon with a 199 c.i.d. 6 cylinder. This was the grandfather engine to the 4.0. It went thru several incarnations- the 232, the 258 (which I owned new in a 72 Gremlin X). People forget the 4.0 for a year or two had a hell of a problem with piston skirts breaking off. The old carb versions gave real problems when the jeeps were tilted or leaned on the trails. I'm sure the 3.8 in the Jeep installation will have it's share of teething problems but in the end they will be isolated and worked out by guys like all of us. This free flow of information and experience we have going on this site will work to our advantage, something the guys in the old days did not have.......
03-25-2008, 05:18 PM
#17
JK Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I have almost 30 thousand miles on mine and it is running great. I drive about 35 thousand a year so I will know pretty soon if the engine is good or not. Heck I got 170 thousand miles on my 2001 jeep engine. It had a 4 cylinder. It still had the original clutch in it when I sold it. That is one of the reasons I ran right out and bought another jeep.
03-25-2008, 06:11 PM
#18
JK Junkie
Join Date: Oct 2007
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My 97 Town and Country minivan has the 3.8L in it. I have been told by a few minivan fans that the 3.8 was the best motor in the T&C. Mine only has 90k miles on it, but I have had no problems and I get 30mpg on the hwy with it.
03-25-2008, 07:38 PM
#20
JK Enthusiast
In our area, there are many 3.8's running around in the mini vans. Several of the vans that i know about have well in excess of 200,000 miles and about the only issue any had was a water pump. I said "A" waterpump, not several. My van only has 138,000 miles on it but has now had the water pump too. Runs great and gets good fuel mileage and no oil consumption. Main thing is to change oil on a regular basis and use good oil and filters.