hardhat
Well-known member
Mine is the XR. I think you will quickly figure it out. When I first got mine (especially during break in), I thought it was overpowered and that I might not be able to put all the power to use at full throttle. This is because, part throttle performance on this beast is amazing. With just moderate throttle inputs, it accelerates very quickly. The engine has a broad shouldered torque curve that almost made it feel like there was unlimited power under your right foot.
After I got past 500 miles and did some full throttle pulls, I realized that it is manageable. The first few launches felt squirrelly, but that is because things are dramatic in this vehicle. Unlike the mercedes s65 which launches flat (thanks to hydraulically controlled suspension, the 392's front end raises quite a bit during launch, but after you do this a few times, you realize that things are under control. The 4wd system works well. The rear tires do spin under full throttle launches but only for a split second before the transfer case sends power to front. All of this happens very quickly and you are off like a rocket.
Straight line road manners are great (for a jeep). Had a little steering play that I had to tweak out, but mine drives fine at 90mph straight line (not that I cruise at ninety, but if you stay on the gas, it comes quickly). Ride is very smooth. Soaks up bumps in road nicely. Have not noticed any bump steer. Way less noise in every department than JK (except engine). Even in loud mode, noise is mild while cruising. Give it gas and it sounds like the exhaust is inside the vehicle (in a good way)
. Quiet mode, engine is too quiet IMO.This is not a canyon carver. Not a ridiculous amount of body roll when turning, but I don't drive like I'm on a slalom course. I've seen jeeps spin out when owners used too much throttle in curves in the rain and I am very cautious when it is wet. I believe the 392 is essentially rear wheel drive until the rear wheels slip and then power is diverted to front wheels via clutch packs, but the clutches in transfer case could be partially engaged all the time (I don't know). I think much throttle application in curves when it is wet is dangerous. Straight line acceleration when it is wet is surprisingly good. I used to turn traction control off on my JK and spin the tires through intersections when it was wet (to entertain the kids; cough, cough). I goosed the 392 in a wet intersection (not full throttle, but maybe 1/2 or 2/3) and it just took off, no wheelspin, no drama. I think that standing on it when its wet would create some drama......
When it is dry, gentle curves are pleasurable. Moderate to heavy part throttle acceleration in gentle curves is very gratifying. Not gonna stand on it in hairpin curves, but freeway entrance ramps can be wicked fun. It is cool to come up to speed on the ramp and overtake all those cars that were zipping by. I was pulling out onto a 4 lane highway that had a curved entrance with a very short merge lane. There were cars coming so I had to stop but was able to get almost parallel to the road I was merging onto. I stomped it as the transfer truck was going by and was absolutely shocked how close behind the truck I was when I got up to 60 mph. This thing gets up to road speed in a very short distance.
Passing people that are going 45 mph on a 55 mph is just a hoot. I know they have got to be like WTH or WTF. It will pass people at lower speeds in a very short distance. Stomp it at 45 and the front end comes up and the engine sounds awesome. Easy to get up to 80 mph while passing. An exciting experience for the jeep driver and hopefully a bit unsettling for the slow poke (they should drive faster anyway). At least go the speed limit.....
Most of all, the 392 is fun to drive. It feels ridiculous. It sounds ridiculous. It is ridiculous. Yes, I hit the offroad + button and pop the exhaust in the school line while dropping the kids off and rolling down main street. Yes, I launch harder than I need to at red lights. Yes, I leave it in loud mode during the day in town. Yes, I grin like a 12 year old boy just thinking about it. My 14y daughter loves it. She will not let you run it in quiet mode if she is in the car.
I actually think the 392 is a wise purchase. Most of the people that get it are going to have a little bit of hooligan in them (I hope) and they are going go around grinning while driving this thing. You will be darn near an apex predator in stoplight wars. The middle school kids will look at you while you're letting the exhaust pop while decelerating in the school line (either thinking you're cool or a jackass). Entertainment for all concerned anyway. Life is too short to not have fun. 392's will likely retain high resale value. The poor fuel economy and expensive oil changes are a small price to pay.
Having said all this, I'm not forcing 2wd and doing line lock burnouts on main street or in the school line. I'm not piss revving the engine to get attention, but unless you drive like a grandma and keep it in quiet mode, you cannot hide this thing. That huge engine has got a huge personality. It makes all kind of cool sounds and does all kinds of cool stuff in different modes. Tell me you don't grin at the full throttle shifts in offroad + or manual....
I know this doesn't answer your question, but I enjoyed typing it
. You are going to love it..
