I haven't spent a lot of time with the new V6, I've only driven two. The stock 4dr with an automatic felt a bit sluggish. It needed to be wound up a bit, not like the inline with it's low end torque. Just felt restricted.
A friend had his sisters Rubicon for a week or two, he put on a small lift with 35's, cat back, CAI and a Bully Dog tuner. Even with the 35's and stock for Rubicon 4.10 gears it felt really nice, hers is a manual.
These are both the new body style JK (07-present)I think 2011 maybe 2010, Jeep made some small changes to the motor. I'm almost convinced that the new V6 is a decent motor.
It's all about the money you want to spend. 97-06 was the TJ and you could get the 4 or inline 6. 07-present is the newer body style only offering the V6. If you want to spend 9-15k you'll end up with a nice TJ, hard to find a JK for under 20k.
Jeeps are like hot rods, they start off cheap and easy but can end up sucking up all your money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubvic2XmBFU
Or get one of these to replace the truck!
http://www.aev-conversions.com/vehic...ute-double-cab
Dan