My 3.8L had a mind of it's own. It would change it's personality at random. I'm sure it was not random but it did change quite often. In the beginning while breaking it in, I went to dinner we got in the Jeep and I thought I must have had something loose because all of a sudden when I stomped on the peddle (part of breaking it in) it actually got up and went. I don't remember the exact mileage, but the same day as the change oil light came on when it should not have. Dealer said both were normal and reset the light. About two weeks after that the engine went back to sleep. I have an auto and the trans did the same thing. I played this game on and off for 10 months. It never did have enough power the get me comfortably down the freeway so I got rid of it.

 

I'm talking about on road power, not off road. I'm definately not expecting a muscle car out of the 3.8. I had 3.21 gears in my basic X model and was surprised that people were complaining, it wasn't that bad. With a six speed the consensus seemed to be that 4.88 gears would make it a little more peppier than stock with 35s. I'm not feeling it. I hope that I see improvements as it breaks in. So, that was really my only question.... Did anybody notice a difference after their Jeep broke in.

 

Yes

 

Shoulda went 5.13's, I can actually pass people on the road now.

 

Is yours an automatic or manual? Mine is a manual, I'm not sure I would want higher RPMs on the freeway.

 

Thanks, I can't wait!

 

you mean 3.8 right? i dont think you will feel a great difference after break it, that seems what you are hoping for. Do you have programmer correcting the speedo?

 

I have around 13k on my 2008, auto trans, all I know is it runs alot better than the day I tried it out at the dealer with 21 miles, I was concerned about the power at first, but the salesman said he had one and it broke in good around 5k. I thought about a cold air intake , anyone know if this voids the lifetime warranty, or is the lifetime warranty a joke?

 

Major difference after it was broke in
Lee, come hang out with us @ Twin Peaks in Lewisville 6:30 next Wednesday (4/1) we get 20-30+ JKs out there, see what the guys are running and have to say.

 

Again, this is one seriously heavy 2 door JK, likely weighing in at around 5,000lbs before a driver or passenger climbs in. That's a lot of weight and ignoring that is going to lead to further disappointment and more bad advise. We're talking about 3-400lbs of additional weight on the axle assemblies alone over the weight of d44s. That's lots of unsprung weight and lots of power to move it. Then a couple heavy bumpers, a winch, 35s, heavier drive shafts, a very beefy lift and a vehicle that's going to need to downshift at 2500rpm and 65mph to deal with a 15mph headwind.

Sure 5.13s are going to help but it doesn't sound like where you want to be. With D60s you have a lot more choices and certainly 5.38s readily available and with a little homework I'm certain even more. All this from a guy who is happy with 35s and 3.73s because my Jeep as it sits is likely a half ton less than the one presented.