While at the Chicago auto show last year, I rode on the Jeep course (part of what got me hooked!) and I asked the driver what type of oiling system the Jeeps have (they were all Wranglers) to allow them to run at such steep angles. He looked at me funny, and I explained that going up and down steep hills there is a good chance the oil pick up would get uncovered and suck air. I asked if the oil pan had trap doors, or possibly a swinging pick up... still a look of confusion from him. His reply was "there is enough oil in the pan that when you drive at an angle it splashes around enough to cover all the parts" I almost couldn't keep from laughing!

So, my question is... what keeps the oil off the spinning crank, and covering the pickup while going up/down 40 degree hillls?

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2006 Magnum SRT8
1969 Cutlass


SOLD

Nothing,there is a windage tray but that only helps keep the oil in the pan when at high rpm's for long periods of time otherwise the crankshaft will pick up all the oil out of the pan bassically "running" your engine out of oil.At extreme angles your oil pickup will be sucking air,no way around it unless you install a dry sump oiling system,got a few thousand $$$$ for that?

Thanks for the quick reply.

I figured there was a windage tray, I'm surprised that's all thou! I expected more.

I'm used to seeing trap doors and kick outs on drag cars, to keep oil where it 'belongs' during heavy accelerating and braking. Which would be very similar to going up/down steep hills. I guess that would be a big expense for Jeep to figure into the design, considering how few of the general public would actually 'need' it.

I'm picky about oil pressure, maybe it's best my Jeep doesn't have a gauge...

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2006 Magnum SRT8
1969 Cutlass


SOLD

All the more reason to run the best oil you can.
Anyone have an oil pressure gauge that has noticed fluctuating pressure on steep climbs or descents?

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

Then you may not want to know that warmed up your KK has only about 2-3psi of oil pressure at idle ,all 3.7's are that way.