What he said.....

 

Widewing: "Oh, and those who believe that the 6 speed will get better gas mileage than the auto; think again. In heavy stop and go traffic, the 6 speed can be short-shifted, which will improve fuel consumption a bit. However, on the highway locked up with OD on, the auto always turns less RPM than a 6 speed with the same final drive ratio. Usually more than 200 RPM less. That translates into better fuel economy than the 6 speed at normal cruising speeds."
The overwhelming consensus on this board is that the 6 speed averages far better mileage than the auto. I have an auto and I drive like a grandma and average 18.5. Those with sticks are getting up to 21mpg.

 

i get 24-27mpg average all day long at 65mph in 6th..

 

That's what the computer says, right? I doubt your hand checking your figures. If it's true though, that's pretty cool.

 

course thats what the computer says, i dont do calculations. i saw as high as 29mpg but i dont wanna sound too unbelieveable..

 

I for one am a proponent of adequately powered vehicles, it keeps you from tearing up your drivetrain components. Drop a Hemi in there and see what your 4WD converter or ring and pinions look like when you stomp the pedal and the wheels are at a full turn in 4WD and grab some pavement or solid traction at all four corners. zing is all you will hear after the teeth shred off.

And one would do this to any Jeep.........why? Try that in 4-low very many times with the 3.8 and probably see the same thing happen.

 

I've driven this thing all over. From GA to WA, and in all kinds of conditions. I have no problems with highway, freeway, avenue or backtrail travel what so ever. I have no problems moving with the flow of traffic. Even around Atlanta, where anyone doing less than 85 is impeding the flow of traffic.

No, it doesn't have the same "oomph" as my 66' Mustang, nor is it as luxurious as the wifes Tahoe. But it's a Jeep. Who the hell are you trying to race, on the highway, while driving a Wrangler?

Basically it boils down to this, imho. This engine gives me that balance I need to drive to work everyday, pick up my kids from school, throw some groceries in the back, and drive to the top of a freaking mountain or the deepest unexplored regions of the swamp, then make it home in time for vittles.

It's a Jeep thing.

 

I have stock 3.21 gears on stock 32" tires with manual trans. Plenty of power for all situations, including cruising 80mph on the freeway. Perfect engine. In fact, I prefer it to the two 4.0L I have had.

 

I'm not a fan of "concensus". I look at data and specs. The data shows that the automatic with 3.73 gears and 32" tires turns 1,892 RPM locked up in OD @ 70 MPH. A six speed, in 6th gear running the same gears and tires turns 2,304 RPM @ 70 MPH.

Why is this? Well, lets examine the individual gear ratios:
42RLE
1 2.84:1
2 1.57:1
3 1.00:1
4 0.69:1 <----

NSG370
1 4.46:1
2 2.61:1
3 1.72:1
4 1.25:1
5 1.00:1
6 0.84:1 <----

Note that auto has a considerably taller ratio when locked up in OD than the six speed has in 6th gear. Consider a Rubicon with a 6 speed and 4.10 gears vs a Sport/X with auto and 3.73 gears and the disparity grows even larger.

Turning 412 RPM less at 70 MPH always translates into reduced fuel consumption.


My regards,

Widewing

 

1892rpm is a terrible range to be cruising in, thus needs more pedal push wrecking any advantage it had. A closer estimate would be my 3.21 gears on 32" tires in 6th, which turns at about 1950rpms.