Hemi, the pros and cons.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: limerick , new york
ask camp crocker from the cop shop 4x4 stuffing hemis in jks is what they do https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/memb...7-Camp-Crocker
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: limerick , new york
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
These were my concerns and the answers I found from current owners and local shops.
Maintenance costs will increase - service + oil changes. Oil changes on our Hemi Commander were almost three times as much as my Wrangler.
Warranty. (interior, paint, exterior, emissions, powertrain, etc.) Don't assume Chrysler will warranty ANYTHING on your Jeep any longer. Everything goes into a gray area. For example, Duramax swaps on the H2's, GM specifically states they will not cover anything at all. Nothing, zero, nada. You'll most likely be a cash buyer for all service work. Stop in to the wrong dealership and they may request Chrysler mail you a notice of warranty termination.
Extended Warranty: Don't know, but doubtful. I don't qualify for several because of my lift, gears, etc.
Service: Even though its all factory stuff, I would prefer to live near the shop that did my install. That way they can do the maintenance/service and ensure my Hemi is 100%. Plus if something comes up that enhances the install they can do that. (new CPU flash or cooling setup, etc.)
HEAT: issues with heat under the hood and the cooling system is still a concern. Especially when wheeling in 100+ temps and not getting cool air across the engine. This is one of the areas where the quality of the kit and install will make or break you.
Resale: Difficult market for Hemi Jeeps, you're not going to see the return on your investment. Especially when Chrysler pulls more power out of the V6 engine.
Maintenance costs will increase - service + oil changes. Oil changes on our Hemi Commander were almost three times as much as my Wrangler.
Warranty. (interior, paint, exterior, emissions, powertrain, etc.) Don't assume Chrysler will warranty ANYTHING on your Jeep any longer. Everything goes into a gray area. For example, Duramax swaps on the H2's, GM specifically states they will not cover anything at all. Nothing, zero, nada. You'll most likely be a cash buyer for all service work. Stop in to the wrong dealership and they may request Chrysler mail you a notice of warranty termination.
Extended Warranty: Don't know, but doubtful. I don't qualify for several because of my lift, gears, etc.
Service: Even though its all factory stuff, I would prefer to live near the shop that did my install. That way they can do the maintenance/service and ensure my Hemi is 100%. Plus if something comes up that enhances the install they can do that. (new CPU flash or cooling setup, etc.)
HEAT: issues with heat under the hood and the cooling system is still a concern. Especially when wheeling in 100+ temps and not getting cool air across the engine. This is one of the areas where the quality of the kit and install will make or break you.
Resale: Difficult market for Hemi Jeeps, you're not going to see the return on your investment. Especially when Chrysler pulls more power out of the V6 engine.
Last edited by TonyT; Aug 5, 2010 at 06:55 PM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,073
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett IL
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 2
From: B.F.E, MI
These were my concerns and the answers I found from current owners and local shops.
Maintenance costs will increase - service + oil changes. Oil changes on our Hemi Commander were almost three times as much as my Wrangler.
Warranty. (interior, paint, exterior, emissions, powertrain, etc.) Don't assume Chrysler will warranty ANYTHING on your Jeep any longer. Everything goes into a gray area. For example, Duramax swaps on the H2's, GM specifically states they will not cover anything at all. Nothing, zero, nada. You'll most likely be a cash buyer for all service work. Stop in to the wrong dealership and they may request Chrysler mail you a notice of warranty termination.
Extended Warranty: Don't know, but doubtful. I don't qualify for several because of my lift, gears, etc.
Service: Even though its all factory stuff, I would prefer to live near the shop that did my install. That way they can do the maintenance/service and ensure my Hemi is 100%. Plus if something comes up that enhances the install they can do that. (new CPU flash or cooling setup, etc.)
HEAT: issues with heat under the hood and the cooling system is still a concern. Especially when wheeling in 100+ temps and not getting cool air across the engine. This is one of the areas where the quality of the kit and install will make or break you.
Resale: Difficult market for Hemi Jeeps, you're not going to see the return on your investment. Especially when Chrysler pulls more power out of the V6 engine.
Maintenance costs will increase - service + oil changes. Oil changes on our Hemi Commander were almost three times as much as my Wrangler.
Warranty. (interior, paint, exterior, emissions, powertrain, etc.) Don't assume Chrysler will warranty ANYTHING on your Jeep any longer. Everything goes into a gray area. For example, Duramax swaps on the H2's, GM specifically states they will not cover anything at all. Nothing, zero, nada. You'll most likely be a cash buyer for all service work. Stop in to the wrong dealership and they may request Chrysler mail you a notice of warranty termination.
Extended Warranty: Don't know, but doubtful. I don't qualify for several because of my lift, gears, etc.
Service: Even though its all factory stuff, I would prefer to live near the shop that did my install. That way they can do the maintenance/service and ensure my Hemi is 100%. Plus if something comes up that enhances the install they can do that. (new CPU flash or cooling setup, etc.)
HEAT: issues with heat under the hood and the cooling system is still a concern. Especially when wheeling in 100+ temps and not getting cool air across the engine. This is one of the areas where the quality of the kit and install will make or break you.
Resale: Difficult market for Hemi Jeeps, you're not going to see the return on your investment. Especially when Chrysler pulls more power out of the V6 engine.
Eventually, that fellow with the hooded robe holding the sickle I have glimpsed a few times will catch up with me (one time working the flight deck on the Independence long ago, I swear he had me by the b@lls) . If I am lucky, he is driving a 6 banger and it might take him another 20 years or so.....but you never know.
Although I love what the Wrangler can do, I am not waiting for Chrysler to put a motor in there I like....I might die of old age first. But, I do not consider my Wrangler an investment. It is an expensive mud slogging, sand throwing, snowmobile with a heater, convertable toy that as a bonus happens to provide daily transportation.
In other words, 400 HP in a Wrangler is not about being practical.
Last edited by Yankee; Aug 6, 2010 at 09:13 PM.
JK Junkie
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
The price is a definitie con, also I think the already short mile range of the Jeep would be cut even shorter.
Cons the powa easy acceleration, and it's a truck engine so it should have a lot of low end torque/.
Cons the powa easy acceleration, and it's a truck engine so it should have a lot of low end torque/.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Oh, I'm completely sold on the idea of a motor swap. Ive got mine geared as low as possible. Its manageable but a 350+ HP would bring a smile to my face every time I turned the ignition. I'm just concerned about other options coming in the near future. Seems like every time I put all my effort into educating myself on the right product an upgrade, or price drop, comes along.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 0
From: New Brunswick
[QUOTE=Yankee;1797358]It is an expensive mud slogging, sand throwing, snowmobile with a heater, convertable toy that as a bonus happens to provide daily transportation. QUOTE]
That is about the most accurate description of a Jeep -Hemi-swap or not- that I've ever read. I love it. Hope you don't mind, it is now part of my signature. ha, even if you do mind...there it is! thanks!
That is about the most accurate description of a Jeep -Hemi-swap or not- that I've ever read. I love it. Hope you don't mind, it is now part of my signature. ha, even if you do mind...there it is! thanks!
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: jackson,ms
Not saying I would not do a hemi swap if I had the money, but everyone talks about how slow the jk is and I disagree. I don't know what they drove before, but it is no slower than my previous vehicles. Which include, 87 toyo 4x4, 83 bronco V8, 92 ranger, and 02 tacoma. A motor swap is way down the list of things I want to do, and hopefully by that time there will be an an option for an ls motor that is affordable. Nothing against a hemi, but just about everyone I know, knows the ls motor very well.