Throwback Thursday: This 2011 Jeep Wrangler Shows That Less Can Be More

This low-mileage 2011 Jeep Wrangler has been tastefully modified but the stock engine remains. Is that the right decision?

We have said it here many times, but one of the most appealing aspects of owning a Jeep is the ability to modify it anyway you want. The aftermarket support for a Jeep is larger than just about any other vehicle out there. The 2011 Jeep Wrangler we see here has been modified but the build is relatively low-key. It is a functional build that doesn’t break the bank or make the Jeep undrivable on a normal commute. But rather than talking about the specific items that have been upgraded on this Jeep, it is more interesting to talk about what has not been upgraded. Most notably the engine. The stock 3.8L V6 remains. It produces just 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. And there is nothing wrong with that.

This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this 2011 Jeep Wrangler. It is not the most outrageous build we have ever featured on these pages. People won’t flock to it at the next Jeep show. It doesn’t have a massive Hemi engine under the hood. But that is kind of the point of this Jeep. It has all that is needed to be enjoyed and to do some moderate off-roading. A lot of folks are tempted to want to stuff the biggest and most powerful engine they can fit under a Jeep hood. But is that really necessary? Is it even a good idea? If you are building a dragster, sure. But if you want to just hit some trails, does the extra power help you? This Jeep was featured on the Car Wizard YouTube channel and this very question was raised. Is more power always a good thing?

3.8L V6

2011 was the last year that the Wrangler got the 3.8L V6. Starting in 2012 the much more powerful 3.6L Pentastar V6 was used. And yes, some folks didn’t like the fact that the 3.8L was used in Chrysler minivans. And the Wrangler with the 3.8L will not win many 0 to 60 mph contests, and it is not the most efficient engine either. So, we won’t go so far as to say the 3.8L is the greatest engine ever put in a Jeep. However, if you are buying a Jeep to do Jeep things like driving off-road then the 3.8L is just fine. It will do that all day. Sure, a Hemi swap will give you more power and a faster rig. But it is also quite an expensive proposition. And big horsepower or torque numbers don’t necessarily mean you have a better off roader.

Power Upgrade

Let’s be clear, we love power. There is nothing wrong with having a more powerful engine in your Jeep. The point here is that it is not strictly necessary to have a competent off-roader. And as most folks are aware, once you begin to upgrade it becomes a slippery slope. And other components have to be considered in the upgrade plan as well. You add bigger wheels and tires, and you may need to upgrade the axles, ball joints, etc. When you add significant power, you will have to consider upgrading the braking system as well. Again, the point is upgrades tend to have a snowball effect. If you have a large budget, then by all means go for it. You will have a hell of a rig. But for those on a tighter budget, you can be comfortable knowing the stock power levels will be fine.

Open for Debate

Do you agree? There are more opinions about how to upgrade a Jeep as there are aftermarket parts. So, what is your opinion? Do you think that for most off-roading scenarios the stock 3.8L V6 is fine to stick with? Or do you think that the first thing you should do is pull that engine out and replace it with something else? Let us know your thoughts in the JK-Forum forums.

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