The Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018) was the third-generation Wrangler and the first offered in a four-door body, sold as the Wrangler Unlimited on a stretched wheelbase. It launched with a 3.8 liter pushrod V6 rated at 202 horsepower, which the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 (285 horsepower) replaced for the 2012 model year. The JK used part-time four-wheel drive with a solid front and rear axle, and it continued in production alongside the new JL Wrangler for 2018.
Other Jeep Wrangler generations
Platform and body
The Jeep Wrangler JK (2007-2018) rode on a body-on-frame chassis with solid front and rear axles and coil-spring suspension. It was the first Wrangler offered with four doors: the two-door used a wheelbase of about 95.4 inches, while the four-door Wrangler Unlimited stretched to about 116 inches. Both body styles retained a removable roof and a folding windshield.
Engine lineup
- 3.8 liter EGH V6 (2007-2011): pushrod overhead-valve V6 producing 202 horsepower and 237 lb-ft of torque.
- 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 (2012-2018): dual-overhead-cam V6 producing 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, introduced for the 2012 model year.
- 2.8 liter VM Motori turbodiesel (export markets): a four-cylinder common-rail turbodiesel offered in markets such as Europe and Australia; it was not sold in North America. Some markets, including China, also received a 3.0 liter Pentastar V6.
Drivetrain
The Wrangler JK used part-time four-wheel drive. Sport and Sahara trims carried the Command-Trac transfer case with a Dana 30 front axle and Dana 44 rear axle. The Rubicon used the Rock-Trac transfer case with a lower 4.0:1 low-range ratio, front and rear Dana 44 axles, and electric locking differentials front and rear.
Transmissions
- 2007-2011: six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic paired with the 3.8 liter V6.
- 2012-2018: six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic paired with the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6.
Year-by-year notable changes
- 2007: JK generation introduced, including the new four-door Unlimited body.
- 2011: revised interior with a new dashboard and updated materials; a power-dome hood and body-color hardtop options appeared around this time.
- 2012: the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 replaced the 3.8 liter V6, and the four-speed automatic was replaced by a five-speed automatic.
- 2018: the JK continued to be built and sold alongside the redesigned JL Wrangler, badged as the Wrangler JK, as the generation wound down.
Trims and variants
Core trims were the Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon, offered in both two-door and four-door Unlimited configurations. The Rubicon added the Rock-Trac transfer case, front and rear locking Dana 44 axles, and a disconnecting front sway bar. Numerous special editions were produced over the run, including the Rubicon-based Rubicon X and Wrangler Willys Wheeler packages.
Asked all the time
What engines came in the Jeep Wrangler JK?
In North America, from 2007 to 2011 the Wrangler JK used a 3.8 liter pushrod V6 rated at 202 horsepower and 237 lb-ft. For 2012 through 2018 it used the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 rated at 285 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. Export markets also offered a 2.8 liter VM Motori four-cylinder turbodiesel that was not sold in North America.
Which JK years should a buyer seek for the better engine?
Model years 2012 and later carry the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6, which produces 285 horsepower versus the 202 horsepower of the earlier 3.8 liter V6. The 2012 change also brought a five-speed automatic in place of the earlier four-speed automatic.
When was the Pentastar V6 introduced in the Wrangler?
The 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 was introduced in the Wrangler JK for the 2012 model year, replacing the 3.8 liter V6 used from 2007 through 2011.
What is the difference between a JK Rubicon and a Sport or Sahara?
The Rubicon uses the Rock-Trac transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range ratio, front and rear Dana 44 axles, electric locking differentials front and rear, and a disconnecting front sway bar. Sport and Sahara trims use the Command-Trac transfer case with a Dana 30 front axle and Dana 44 rear axle.
Was the four-door Wrangler available in the JK generation?
Yes. The JK was the first Wrangler offered with four doors, sold as the Wrangler Unlimited on a longer wheelbase of about 116 inches, compared with about 95 inches for the two-door.
Did the JK and JL Wranglers overlap?
Yes. For the 2018 model year the JK continued in production and was sold alongside the redesigned JL Wrangler, badged as the Wrangler JK, before the generation was discontinued.
Technical Reference
Member-uploaded diagrams & documents for this generation. AI-classified; community-verified where badged.
Wiring Diagrams (1)
- Hand-Drawn Radio to PAC Adapter & Amp Wiring Question Sketch - 2008 Jeep WranglerThis is not a printed factory wiring diagram; it is a rough hand-drawn sketch (apparently made in a paint program) illustrating a question about a car audio installation. The sketch shows three labeled boxes: RADIO…
The wall · registered 2007–2018 Wranglers
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