Driving Line VOLUME IV ISSUE 4 | FALL 2018 | Page 30

THE EIGHT-SPEED IS GREAT EXCEPT…
WIND NOISE
Mating the ZF eight-speed transmission to the 3.6L is exactly what the Wind noise and leaks are something Jeep battled with on the JK
Wrangler needed to make the V6 really come to life. Jeep has been pairing platform. While we haven’t learned of any leaky tops yet, we hear one
an eight-speed variant with the Grand Cherokee for years, and one can also common complaint for JL owners with hardtops: wind noise. In fact, many
be found behind the pavement-peeling Dodge Demon. The only drawback who are having the issue are moving up from JKs and saying they find the
some might see is with the low-range gearing off-road. With a 4.71:1 First new JL with the hardtop to be louder! This may be a fitment issue or slight
gear, some owners are complaining it’s almost too low when paired with the growing pains with a new model, but it’s probably something Jeep was
Rubicon’s 4:1 transfer case. Yes, there is such a thing as too low of gearing hoping was a thing of the past.
off-road. Aside from inching your way across a technical rockcrawling section,
there’s not much need for extreme transfer-case gearing with that low of an
available First gear. Thankfully, there’s a new six-speed manual option for
those looking to have more gearing control on the trail.
MORE TRAVEL OUT OF THE BOX
The JL’s suspension is similar to the JK in many ways, but the
increased bracket sizing and shock placement has opened it more for
STILL A SMOKE SHOW
increased travel potential. So much so that we’re already seeing bolt-on
suspension systems capable of netting more than 15 inches of travel! More
One thing we had hoped Jeep addressed with the 3.6L engine is the little travel equates not only to a better ride but the ability to keep the tires firmly
issue of oil getting sucked in through the PCV valve during extreme climbs. planted on the ground. Remember, tires on the ground means traction and
The issue can be seen when you’re climbing a very steep climb or obstacle. stability. We recommend doing your research when it comes to suspension
As you sit at the extreme climbing angle, oil gets dumped into the intake via systems, as this is going to be an area that manufacturers may vary wildly
the PCV valve causing white smoke to billow out of the exhaust. This can be from one to the next.
damaging to the engine if allowed for a prolonged duration. Don’t worry, this
isn’t going to happen pulling up a steep driveway, but it is something you
need to be aware of on the trail.
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