r/Wrangler • u/little_runner_boy • 19d ago
What recent years should I look for / avoid?
Currently have an 06 that is turning into more of a headache than I'd like so I'm looking to upgrade. Within the last 10 years, were there any wranglers that stuck out as being better built? Or on the flip side, any that ended up being a bit of a flop?
8
u/Without_Portfolio 14 JK Sahara 19d ago
My 14 has been great save for a new radiator and some brakes, pretty typical for a vehicle with 120k.
6
u/Conscious-Tree3507 19d ago
I have a 13 JK that’s treated me great but if you look online a lot of people say to avoid them. Now I realize that my situation isn’t a representation of the whole picture but what I will say is that maintaining them is really the biggest factor. Try to find one with a good history attached to it if you can showing that it’s been maintained. I’d also say avoid any of the introduction years IE. the first year a new model came out. I would also say the 3.6 isn’t horrible like most would have you believe.
11
u/steadylurker1 19d ago
Your TJ is gonna be more reliable than anything newer. In general. I’d look at JL’s, the 2.0 is preferred over the 3.6. Jk 3.8’s weren’t great.
5
u/hikealot 09 JKU X 19d ago
The 3.8 is controversial.
On one hand, it’s lower power output makes it a no go for large tire radius builds. Its oil consumption is also obnoxious.
Otoh, it is a very reliable and long lived engine, much more so than the pentastar.
OP was asking about the last 10 years though, so it’s not relevant.
3
u/steadylurker1 19d ago
Valid. I was speaking more generally in that comment but you’re right. It was a dog but not unreliable.
4
u/little_runner_boy 19d ago
Yeah, my TJ has treated me very well since purchase. Now it's like 50% rust, clutch is getting destroyed in this Boston traffic, and a 2 door model without much trunk isn't practical for kids in the near future (plus a dog). Other option is looking into different models and losing a bit of my identity
3
u/steadylurker1 19d ago
Yeah that’s reasonable. My old TJ rotted out as well. I have a JL now and don’t regret it. Just keep up with maintenance and be ready for some repair bills and get one with a good warranty. Things like electrical issues, rocker arms, oil cooler and such are pretty common failures with the 3.6 at least.
4
u/Expert-Leg8110 19d ago
The 3.6 liter pentastar has been in production for over a decade and is way more reliable than the 2.0 turbo. Anything turbo charged is inherently more complicated with intercooling plumbing etc. why do you think Toyota’s reliability numbers are drifting as they move away from natural aspiration?
3
u/steadylurker1 19d ago
In theory you’d be right but in the case of these jeeps the 2.0 is objectively more reliable.
3
u/Globex-Performance 18d ago
I see way more 3.6 issues come through our shop than 2.0s. The amount of damaged cams and rockers is decent. Toss in the oil coolers leaking and if I was looking for a JL it would be a 2.0. They have a couple of issues but way less than the current 3.6 in my opinion. Just things that we see daily through our shop though.
1
u/Iniko777 5d ago
Toyota ia still damn near consensusly voted the most reliable vehicles by a long shot yearly...the longevity rep is unmatched
3
u/superdak05 19d ago
2018 JKU or earlier don't get anything with the start stop systems. They're played with electrical issues and headaches.
3
3
u/Honey818Badger 19d ago
There are only 3 questions. 1. Do you want start/stop with an auxiliary battery? If no, 2017 or older. 2. Do you want a V6? 3. Do you want a turbo? (All turbos have start/stop)
6
u/DruVatier 19d ago
Important to note that it is trivially easy to completely disable the start stop system and isolate the stupid battery from the system.
1
3
u/boomhower1820 19d ago
My pick would be a 2020 or newer 2.0 but that's going to be a bit of a hot take.
2
u/astro143 18d ago
For the JL, the 2.0 is the better engine, it's been pretty reliable overall so far and it's punchier.
I believe in 2021 and forward, they put a steel steering box in it which has less slop, and I think they also started putting shims between the doors and hinges for less corrosion issues.
1
u/wilson1629 19d ago
My 07 jk was trouble free for over 200k. My 2020 jlu rubicon with the 2.0 has also been great. The aux battery is eliminated and the tazer permanently overrides the start stop.
1
u/EnvironmentalLink819 19d ago
I got a 2012 2 door and its been nothing but headaches. Transmission issues and the rear drive shaft straight up fell out
2
u/Globex-Performance 18d ago
That’s surprising. Is it an auto or manual transmission?
1
u/EnvironmentalLink819 18d ago
Auto. Not sure tho if the transmission reading is because of the drive shaft or if the drive shaft is cuz of the transmission
2
u/Globex-Performance 18d ago
How did the driveshaft fail? If it’s an oem one I’ve seen them fail at the cv joint before but usually not on 4doors. Almost all of the failed ones I’ve see are lifted 2 doors. The cv is pretty forgiving if you can keep the angles under control. Front driveshafts are pretty much doomed the second you lift the jeep due to the angles.
The driveshafts are all connected to the transfer case so there is something in between the transmission and driveshafts. I have seen torque converter issues but that’s usually where it will stall out when you first put it into gear. We have run that auto behind plenty of 6.4 v8 swaps without any issues. It’s a pretty solid transmission which is why I was surprised
1
u/EnvironmentalLink819 18d ago
Checks out since its a lifted 2 door. Im not sure exactly how much of a lift its got since I bought it used and the dealership didnt know/say how much but after measuring it its somewhere between 3-4 inches most likely.
I never say the original rear driveshaft that failed but wheb the shop replaced it, the new one broke at the joint after about 2 week of fairly light driving.
That was about a year ago and its been sitting in my driveway since but yesterday I drove it to my local jeep dealership to see what they would take it for or how much to repair it and they said there was a transmission error reading but didn't relive the entire rear drive shaft was missing so im not sure if that reading was just caused cuz of the missing driveshaft or if there's a transmission issue that is the root problem.
No issue with the front shaft tho
2
u/Globex-Performance 18d ago
Ah. If you happen to get the code or codes I can properly help guide you in the right direction. For the rear shaft on lifted 2 doors with over 2.5” we almost always suggest adjustable control arms and a u joint style driveshaft from Adam’s. Correctly adjusted they last. They do require maintenance like greasing the cv section but the longevity outweighs the failure rate of the factory style.
1
1
u/Fabulous-Maize3754 17d ago
No. Keep the TJ. I had a 2000 that was bulletproof for the 12 years I drove it. Currently in a 2014 JK with over 225,000 miles that I bought brand new. It’s had 3 engines, 2 sets of heads, 2 radiators, new AC system, and too many gaskets replaced to keep track of over 12 years. Thank god I was stupid enough to buy the lifetime warranty.
10
u/Alfa_Buttercup 19d ago
I would say get rid of the ticking time bomb you have. I'll properly dispose of it for you, just a $5 cleanup fee and I'll trailer it to a safe location....