Anyone ever look into mating up the newer trans with the 3.8? Wonder if there's an adapter out there for it to be done. The 3.8 gets a bad rep for being underpowered but properly geared it's pretty solid,

 

One thing that has not been mentioned is in 2011 they changed the ECU so 2007-2010 will not work. Additionally the interior was changed to the newer style and you have to be careful when buying take offs. In 2011-2012 were the years for the new interior that they did not have airbags in the seat except for the driver.

As for mating the new 3.6L to the old transmission is more than just swapping the motor. Your would be better off swapping the 3.8l for an LS or 6.4 Hemi.

As for the hardtop keep your eye on the for sale threads or Craigslist.

I had one in my garage for the better part of two years before I sold it. I like my TrekTop NX.

R/
Will

 

Canvas, can you please explain this to someone without technical background:

"Different ECU"
"Buying Take offs" - This 2011 already has the new interior but the 3.8 engine. What is there to be careful of?

Thank you

 

He means the computers are nowhere near the same. Example: those buying the 11s couldn't get there hands on the superchips to program or change tire size due to the interim period in creating a programmer specifically for that model year. Same motor, but not streamline.

Think the procal came out a bit quicker but these guys waited for months to be able to change ire sizes, ratios, etc.

 

The ECU or Electronic Control Unit controls all things relating to the engine and gadgets in the Jeep. Since Jeep changed the interior they needed to change how the electronics communicate in the Jeep. In 2012 Jeep brought out the 3.6L Pentastar motor which required a different ECU since it is a different motor but same electronics.

Take Offs are the parts and accessories Jeep owners remove as they upgrade their Jeep. One of the most common item found are Rubicon take offs like tires, wheels and suspension. Sometimes Jeep owners no longer want their hard top so the post them in the for sale threads or on craigslist.

When buying take offs especially interior items you need to make sure that it is for 2011-2012 because in 2013 Jeep started putting airbags in the side of the seats. If you look at Baertrac (Trek Armor) seat covers you will see there is sets for 2007-10, 2011-12 and 2013-6. That is due to the airbags in the seats. Also the dashboard is completely different from 2010 to 2011.

Hope this clears it up. I know because my Jeep is a 2011 and have to pay attention to what accessories are purchased.

R/
Will

 

The 3.6 in certain years, more recently has been better, 2014 as the exception. Read a lot about head issues, and electrical problems etc. typical with new engine and tranny introductions. Was the same when the 3.8 jk was being sold at first. Guess I got lucky, but 2011 for the 3.8 was a big year for the interior as you mentioned.



I have a 14 JKU (manufactured late in the 14 model year) with the 3.6 and have had no problems with the known head issues. Hopefully the information that I read about the head issues were in the earlier 3.6's and had been been resolved by 14 were correct. I guess time will tell. Still wish I had the money to drop a Hemi in it. Call me stupid but it just does not make sense to me that a Dodge Ram pickup with a 5.7 Hemi gets better gas mileage than the 3.6 in my JK. I've driven several of the Hemi Ram trucks and they beat my JK on gas mileage.

 

Thank you for helping me out with the terms.
So, do superchips already have a product that fits the 2011 Rubicon?

As for the interior, may I assume that except the airbag in the seat, all other interior parts are the same as the 2011-2016 JK's? Junt want to make sure there are enough options to find interior parts on Ebay if needed and not only from 2 model years.

Thanks

 

Yes Superchips has corrected the programming for the 2011 models.

As for buying interior parts you can purchase almost everything but seats or seat covers. I tend to stay away from ebay because if there are issues you have to work with ebay and the seller. I like using places like Northridge4x4, Rebel Offroad, Morris4x4, Quadratec or directly from the vendor. This eliminates the middle man and can get your issues resolved quickly.

Again this is just my opinion. Sometimes cheaper is not better. Point, I put in XRF ball joints I purchased from eBay and now after 6 months and 12K miles the lowers are shot. I have to now track down who sold them to me and try and warranty it. Second point is my TrekTop NX, I purchased second hand and now the zippers are breaking out and in order to get it warrantied I have to contact the original purchaser and hope he has the receipt where he purchased it from to get it warrantied.

R/
Will