The Jeep Wrangler is a potent vehicle. There are multiple factors why people love this vehicle. Undeniably, one of these reasons is its incredible off-road capabilities. Its also very versatile, as its use is not only limited to complex and uneven surfaces but can also serve for everyday use. But what is its performance in terms of speed? How fast can a Jeep Wrangler go?
The maximum speed that a Jeep Wrangler can reach is around 100 mph in diesel engines and 112 mph in gasoline engines. But there is more; if it is a Jeep Wrangler modified at the level of machine, tires, and transmission, this off-roader could reach the speed of 125 mph.
Another critical point is that experts confirm that the Jeep Wrangler is comfortable driving at high speeds. However, when we talk about high speeds, we must always keep in mind the respect of all traffic laws, caution, and safety of drivers, passengers, and passers-by. But to learn more about the Jeep Wrangler and the maximum speeds it can reach, we have developed the following sections of this article.
Is The Jeep Wrangler A High-Speed Vehicle?
The word Wrangler has gone from being a trading name to a generic in the automotive world. The Wrangler is already in a category due to its famous off-road aesthetics, big tires, and top deck.
It is not the best vehicle to use off-road for many people, but neither is it the most delicate on rougher roads. Where most people agree is that the Jeep Wrangler offers its users the best of both worlds. This factor does not prevent us from finding debates and conflicting opinions about driving the Jeep Wrangler at high speed.
One example of this is the sports car enthusiast. This type of driver would not dare go over 75 mph in a vehicle of such height. It does not transmit the security and confidence they need to step on the gas pedal to the floor. We can also find more curious drivers who will undoubtedly want to test all the Jeep Wrangler’s speed potential.
Many Jeep owners have installed 2″ to 4″ lifts and have even changed the tires up to 35″ to achieve over 100 mph. Other drivers claim that they can drive their Jeep Wrangler using their original wheels and reach speeds of almost 44 mph.
Top Speeds Of Jeep Wrangler According To Its Main Models
Many Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts know that they can customize their Jeep Wrangler to optimize its performance. Often it is enough to modify the vehicle’s elevation and tire size to achieve significant improvements. Generally speaking, most Jee Wranglers have an average top speed between 100 mph and 110 mph. Here are some of the top speeds of the main Wrangler models:
- Jeep Rubicon: 105 mph.
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: 105 mph.
- Jeep Wrangler SE: 100 mph diesel – 112 mph gasoline.
- Jeep Wrangler X: 100 mph diesel – 112 mph gasoline.
- Jeep Wrangler Sport: 100 mph diesel – 112 mph gasoline.
- Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport Edition: 100 mph diesel – 112 mph gasoline.
- Jeep Wrangler Columbia Edition: 100 mph diesel – 112 mph gasoline.
- Jeep Wrangler Sahara: 112 mph.
- Jeep Wrangler 60th Anniversary Edition: 108 mph.
- Jeep TJ: 115 mph.
- Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition: 125 mph.
What Are The Improvements We Can Make To The Jeep Wrangler To Improve Its Speed?
The Jeep Wrangler in its original state will have excellent performance, with a top speed of around 100 mph. But for those people who love speed, there are concrete actions they can take to improve this aspect. The following are some improvements that you can make to the Jeep Wrangler to enhance its speed.
Engine Modifications
Changing the engine is undoubtedly one of the most complex modifications we can make to any vehicle. This change is the equivalent of a heart transplant in a human being. The great advantage of the Jeep Wrangler is that they come with large open engine bays, in addition to significant ground clearance, which makes this change not so complicated. The most frequent changes to replace the original engine are the 318 cc – 360 cc (Chrysler) and 350 cc (Chevrolet) V8 engines.
Supercharging
This modification is a level of complexity that a novice mechanic will not be able to complete. A supercharger eliminates most of the work done by the engine. When we do this installation on the Jeep, you will be able to enjoy the result of this change immediately, gaining at least 90 horsepower.
Cold Air Intake
The Jeep Wrangler’s ability to take in fresh air is paramount to increasing engine horsepower. The more horsepower the engine has, the greater the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. In addition, because of this factor, you will also notice better gas mileage and feel more power when you press the accelerator. The cold air kit (K&N) is perfect for increasing the top speed of the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
Throttle Body Spacer
This device is a thick metal plate that increases air velocity to modify how the fuel breaks down into smaller particles. When we raise the throttle body by one inch, we help the Jeep’s performance increase to higher levels, which causes the engine to burn fuel more efficiently.
The Exhaust System
Upgrading the exhaust also increases the Jeep’s power. This improvement keeps the gas temperature within acceptable limits. It will not exceed 1250° F. Combine this with new exhaust manifolds. The Jeep is guaranteed to be solid and durable for a long time.
The Gears
Gear shifting is fundamental to tire size adjustment because it ensures that we do not transfer additional stress to the axles. Generally, we will need a shorter or larger gear for off-road and a higher or smaller gear for on-road driving. Note that the front and rear axles will need to be adjusted simultaneously.
Other Useful Changes
It will also be helpful to modify the Jeep Wrangler tuner. Tuners help adjust the air-fuel ratio, timing, and shift points when driving an automatic vehicle.
The main thing to keep in mind when making modifications to the vehicle is to do so with caution. It is also essential to consider that a professional mechanic does these modifications with previous experience working on Jeep Wrangler. Otherwise, what we will be achieving by making the modifications is the opposite of what we want: we will have a slowed-down vehicle with compromised comfort and stability.
Diesel Engines In The Jeep Wrangler
The gasoline engines in the Jeep Wrangler can offer higher speeds compared to diesel engines. However, diesel engines also offer several features and advantages that are worth analyzing.
- Diesel engines have consistent speed performance. There is an ease of power control and throttle response.
- Acceleration is easier.
- It is only possible to find diesel engines for the four-door Jeep Wrangler with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, such as the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
A Final Thought On The Jeep Wrangler And Its Top Speed
The average top speed of a Jeep Wrangler can be between 100 mph and 125 mph. It is entirely possible to make improvements to the Jeep to make it faster. However, many experts advise keeping the vehicle as close as possible to its original configuration.
Always consider that the safety of the driver, passengers, and pedestrians must come before speed. A poorly executed engine change can put people at unnecessary risk. For all these reasons, any speed improvement on a Jeep Wrangler must be carried out strictly by mechanics specialized in this vehicle.
