We had an 06 TJ with the 4.0 and 6 speed manual and soft top. We loved it, did a lot of off roading and went everywhere but the road noise and the lack of security wore us down. I liked to drop the top in slot canyons, but I had my compressor stolen out of it even though I locked the doors, cuz...
I just found Quaker State Full synthetic at Walmart with the 2.7 spec printed right on the jug. It is only $20 for 5 quarts while Super Tech is $19. I read some studies that rated it better than most other 5w30 full synthetic oils.
I edited my reply. It was hobble creek canyon that we came out of not American fork canyon. We did drive the alpine loop too but not same experience since it is paved the whole way.