2012 Jeep Wrangler - photos and impressions

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woody

eternal noobie
Staff member
Oct 12, 2010
1,845
56
Toquerville UT
http://www.rockcrawler.com/2011/08/2012-jeep-wrangler-new-pentastar-motor-changes-everything/

Yep, I got the opportunity to drive one...impressive platform. As noted in the article, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 fixes the biggest complaints I hear about the Wrangler: lack of power.

First, since this is the BIG change for 2012, some engine pics:

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notice the alternator, mounted up high...you DO need to pull the alt/bracket to remove the serpentine belt tho...
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yep, four O2 sensors, two per side...
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And the trumpet-style drivers side exhaust...required to make each side equal length
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back of the block/heads...of course, a few things are tucked and hidden...
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Storage, exterior, and other poser shots...haha

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Marked and labeled...hard to mess up...
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small details, but neat implementation...this is the top edge of the windshield above the mirror...
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look in the corner of the windshield...look close...tiny little climbing Jeep image!
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Heated seats on the Sahara...NICE!
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And yes, Garmin Navigation is an option too...along with satellite radio...
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Engine: 3.6 liter Pentastar V-6...
  • 285 horsepower at 6400 rpm(versus 202 in 2011)
  • 260 lb.-ft. torque at 4800 rpm (versus 237 in 2011)
Based on the charts, the engine generates a minimum of 250 lb.-ft. of torque starting after 2000 rpm all the way up to 5300 rpm or so...very usable powerband for offroading!
  • 6600 rpm redline, electronically limited
  • 21 mpg (hey, I'm frugal too...19mpg for 2011)
  • aluminum block, 90# lighter than 2011 cast iron block
  • 60-degree V-6, 503mm long (94mm shorter than the old 3.8)
  • 96mm bore, 83mm stroke
  • Alum pistons, iron block sleeves, forged steel connecting rods
  • 10.2:1 compression ratio
  • 6.0 qt oil capacity
  • Piston cooling jets
Piston cooling jets...huh? Yep, each cylinder is designed to spray oil on the piston to control temperature and reduce combustion detonation issues.

  • Nodular iron crank, 83% increase in fatigue strength due to rolled fillet process
  • 4-bolt mains
  • variable displacement oil pump, 3500 rpm 'switch' from low pressure to high pressure
  • oil windage trays to control splash, pan engineered to provide oil at steep off-road angles
  • 8000 mile manufacture recommended oil change interval
Under normal use...off-road isn't normal...or at least my version isn't...
  • 319 T7 heat treated aluminum cylinder heads
  • chain drive DOHC, 39mm intake valves, 30mm exhaust, 52.7cc volume
  • MPI, composite intake, tuned for midrange torque
  • 74mm throttle bore
  • No EGR
  • meets ULEV II and Fed Tier2 BIN5 emission requirements
  • 87 octane
What, NO PREMIUM REQUIREMENT? In the day and age of pricey fuel and slim budgets, the 2mpg improvement combined with normal octane requirements is a welcome savings...
  • 600 watt modulated/variable speed fan
  • 20% larger AC condenser
 
Automatic Transmission: A580 5-speed Automatic
  • zero maintenance
  • Electronic Range Select (great for trail downshifting)
  • Originally designed for the 5.7 HEMI V8
  • 3.59 - 2.19 - 1.41 - 1.00 - 0.83 forward gears, 3.16 reverse
Manual Transmission: NSG 370 6-speed
  • hydraulic clutch
  • 4.46 - 2.61 - 1.72 - 1.25 - 1.00 - 0.797 forward ratios, 4.06 reverse
Transfer Case: NV241 Command-Trac
  • part-time
  • 2.72:1 ratio
Transfer Case: NV241OR Rock-Trac
  • part-time
  • 4.0:1 ratio
Axles: Sport and Sahara
  • D30 front, D44 rear
  • 3.21 standard ratio, 3.73 optional
  • Rear Trac-Lok available
Axles: Rubicon
  • D44 front and D44 rear
  • 3.73 standard ratio, 4.10 optional
  • Electric front and rear lockers
  • Front electric sway-bar disconnect
Honestly, the info I have on axles and such can get a bit confusing...what ratio's are available with what transmission and transfercase and model...best bet is to demand it all, get the 4.10's with the Rubicon package, and be done with it :)
 
just ordered mine.. now if i can just endure the 6-8 week wait and get back and forth to work w/my trsuty ranger pushing a quarter million miles, no speedometer and a flickering check engine light.... glad to hear the buzz.. cost me another 2k, (due to lack of financing and other incentives offered to 2011 models) seems like i'd get it back 5 yrs if i sell anyway... in the mean time, i get an engine with power to spare and better mpg...
 
pics when delivered :) What options did you get? Curious to price too, but understand not everyone wants to admit how much they've spent on their ride...lol (I know I admit little with mine...)
 

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