My first model year JK has 4.10s on a 2.5 with 33s and for where I live, it's a dog. I'm eventually going to get Dana or Yukon 5.13s.
In the market for a JK; how to know if it's lifted
- Thread starter TRevs
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My first model year JK has 4.10s on a 2.5 with 33s and for where I live, it's a dog. I'm eventually going to get Dana or Yukon 5.13s.
I drove a Rubicon today on 37’s. It looks like ~5”of lift? Does it have a spacer on top of longer springs? Is one of the rubber pads the isolator?
I couldn't find markings on the coils, but the shocks and adj. control arms are Rancho. Looks like they may have offered a 3.5" spring and then spacers were put on top?!? It was a bit unstable on the test drive, and waaay undergeared. And the dealer is 'no-haggle.' Too bad; the body and frame were pristine.
I really don’t have an issue with the NSG370. I have an 06LJ and 2015JKU, both Rubicons and they seem about the same to me. Yes they can be a little “clunky” but overall seems fine to me. I learned stick on my dad’s little Dodge pickup and then drove around a manual 72 Datsun 510 for a few years, then went to a YJ manual. Based on that maybe my reference point isn’t a very good one 
I’ve looked at 4-5 now, and I’m finding that every jeep is going to need some money put into it, so I’m looking at older ones so I have $ leftover.
I drove a 3.8 2011 yesterday and it seemed ok. What do I need to look out for on the 3.8’s? Are they more reliable than the 3.6’s?
The first few years of the 3.6's were the problem ones, but you would think most would have been repaired by now. I have a 3.8 JK but it only has 80,000 miles on it and only had to do a tuneup on it.
3.8s are bullet proof if you take care of them. It's not unheard of to hear about them reaching 300 and 400k miles.
Their biggest issue is they like to eat oil or can develop leaks but this can also change depending on oil you use. I use 5w30 high mileage in mine.
As far as 3.6s go, this could just be my bias but I read they still have issues. Apparently their issues in Dodge Challengers are worse than Jeeps though.
My 3.8 has 218500 on it. It has head gaskets and oil leak fixed and I just put a water pump on it.
Mines almost 200k and I've had to do head gaskets. At 200 though wouldn't you just put that down to a maintenance wear item rather than, "this engine has a problem"?
Probably so.
Are head gaskets fairly straightforward on the 3.8? DIY garage job for a guy who has tools and can follow instructions?
Oh yeah. You can remove the whole top of the engine fairly easy, it's just tedious.