I love my 2020 Max Tow but...

[pmoney$]

i'm really looking into a diesel Willys in the Sarge Green. the payload and towing ability is less, but i would get about 8 mpg more than what i'm getting now and from what i've been reading the diesel is a really fun and nice ride. my trailer is 4200#, loaded probably 4800, family of 4 pushing 500 #, i don't have any problems towing it now but i havne't taken it to the Sierras yet. i'm sure it will be screaming going up those grades. with the diesel i know i'll be close to maxed out on the payload but have over 1000# cushion on the trailer. i only take it out about 3 or 4 times a year, so would be nice to get that 24 mpg average as a daily driver instead of the 15.5 i'm getting now. any thoughts about which way to go would be appreciated thanks.

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[Marlinvx]

Same route I went. Had 2020 max tow, gas. Pull a 4500lb trailer a few times a year. I was holding out for the 392, but since that was squashed, I got the next best thing. I love the diesel, torque for days and fantastic mpg. Plus, get rid of all the foam and blankets, sounds like a diesel and hear the turbo whine at 15-20 #s of boost.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

i'm really looking into a diesel Willys in the Sarge Green. the payload and towing ability is less, but i would get about 8 mpg more than what i'm getting now and from what i've been reading the diesel is a really fun and nice ride. my trailer is 4200#, loaded probably 4800, family of 4 pushing 500 #, i don't have any problems towing it now but i havne't taken it to the Sierras yet. i'm sure it will be screaming going up those grades. with the diesel i know i'll be close to maxed out on the payload but have over 1000# cushion on the trailer. i only take it out about 3 or 4 times a year, so would be nice to get that 24 mpg average as a daily driver instead of the 15.5 i'm getting now. any thoughts about which way to go would be appreciated thanks.

So you are wanting a Diesel for better MPG? What is the actual monetary offset of diesel vs gas, as diesel is more money per gallon? You'd only save ~$1k a year... is that enough to offset new purchase/Tax/interest rate/registration/etc?

 

[USMC_1Wire6337]

To be honest it is all going to come down to what your main focus for the change is.

All things being equal, a Willys diesel is $6k more than Sport S with Max Tow.

Are you trading to have something with more power and torque, plus benefit of having a new truck? Then go for it.

If you are trading to get better MPG for the money savings, then I would look hard at the numbers. Diesel has been consistently more expensive than gas for quite some time. At least $1+ per gallon. Then you have to factor in the cost of DEF. Then you need to look at how many miles per year you drive. It might take you a long time to pay off the $6k (if ever).

I have made the mistake of telling 2nd half of decision making that we would save a lot of money if we did XX, only to have missed something and it either not save that money or cost more. Not a fun position to be in.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

The fuel prices are for CA ave., as of the 8/22

 

[ChrisNLA]

I'd take your daily drives / commute into consideration. This isn't the gospel, but it seems the diesels are far more likely to have issues when they are constantly running short drives / commutes. Not enough time for it to heat up properly, regen, etc. I considered an EcoDiesel but it would have hated my 9 mile (round trip) commute.

I'm only 750 miles into my JT Max Tow, but I've found it to be very tolerable without a trailer, especially on factory tires and 4.10 gears - it's almost zippy. That being said, I'd bet towing regularly, and heavy - the diesel would be appreciated.

If that's not an issue, give it a shot if you think that's what you want.

One thing to consider - it seems the diesels may de-rate when loaded heavy on hot days. Again, do your own research here - but Jeep had a hard time getting adequate cooling capacity into the narrow JT engine bay.

 

[USMC_1Wire6337]

The fuel prices are for CA ave., as of the 8/22

I don't know anything about diesels. How much does DEF cost and how often do you need to fill up? That will eat into the savings at least a little bit.

 

[MaysvilleStig]

The primary benefit of the diesel is MPGs right? Both while towing (by alot!) and unloaded. That's the only reason I opted for one in the Ram I had. Given there isn't a ridiculous cost difference between gas and diesel where you are (personal opinions on that motor aside) I'd say do it.

 

[Shaqeroni]

i'm really looking into a diesel Willys in the Sarge Green. the payload and towing ability is less, but i would get about 8 mpg more than what i'm getting now and from what i've been reading the diesel is a really fun and nice ride. my trailer is 4200#, loaded probably 4800, family of 4 pushing 500 #, i don't have any problems towing it now but i havne't taken it to the Sierras yet. i'm sure it will be screaming going up those grades. with the diesel i know i'll be close to maxed out on the payload but have over 1000# cushion on the trailer. i only take it out about 3 or 4 times a year, so would be nice to get that 24 mpg average as a daily driver instead of the 15.5 i'm getting now. any thoughts about which way to go would be appreciated thanks.

I would think with the increased cost of buying a new, more expensive vehicle (monthly payment, losing two years of payments already made on a loan, down payment, etc.) coupled with the loss of towing capacity as well as the cost of diesel fuel will not make up the difference for the few extra mpg. I think it would be a very high net loss.

 

[Gren71]

Im also in a 2020 JTmt and have beat around the idea since im now towing a 5,600lbs trailer every couple weeks. If i wad able to get the diesel with more payload id do it in a heartbeat.

But at the cost of a diesel Jt id have to seriously consider just moving to a full size pickup and finding a jk or tj as a play jeep.

as far as pulling a heavy camper, the JTmt does GREAT! The ONLY place I had a little hiccup was my last trip on a steep grade in the mountains. And really it wasnt an issue since even the big rigs slowed way down on the uphill. I slowed to 25mph in 2nd. I left it in auto and let the computer do its thing. It finally shifted down to second and stayed there for the last 4 minutes or so of the grade.

all in all i was really very impressed with the jt handling the weight and the mountain.

all that said, OP, my advice wouls be to see how it handles and let that be the determinant of looking at an expensive trade or not.

if you look at it from a purely cost savings mind set it will never pan out in your favor.

 

[Jeep-A-Kneez]

Everyone here can give you 1000 reasons to get one or to keep what ya have. That definitely includes me, having a Sport S with the diesel. There will be pros and cons for sure and they will vary from person to person.

Do you want the $4000 performance upgrade, you have the max-tow so the $2000 automatic transmission requirement with not hurt. This is a relatively new engine so oil, air and fuel filters can be hard to find and can be expensive too. A lot of debate on oil type, it's a diesel yet book calls for gas engine oil, a touchy subject that most service departments are still adjusting for. Fuel is more expensive, plus the def fluid that's required. Plus a hoard of other stuff.

Otherwise, the water is great, jump on in.

 

[J-GriffsGlad]

*IF you're in a strong financial life situation... Willys are the most attractive model in my opinion (wheels, black grill, WILLYS hood logo) so GO FOR IT! I have a 2020 Max Tow also and it's just OKAY. I'm poor (young fam 2 toddlers) so I am happy with my decision as I could afford this model easily. If money were no object I would have the Willys diesel OR Mojave...

 

[Divided_Wood]

My advice: don’t buy a diesel looking for cost savings. You will get better MPG (I’m around 20-21 around town where I couldn’t touch 15 in my old 3.6 JKU) but maintenance and fuel costs are way higher.

That said, I love the motor and the driving experience way more on the diesel so the extra cost is worth it to me. Cost is one thing, fun factor is another with the diesel. Plus, I love that my JT sounds like a mini school bus!

 

[LostWoods]

my trailer is 4200#, loaded probably 4800, family of 4 pushing 500 #,

So here's the irony, if you're towing and carrying people, a diesel is the best option for you except for the Gladiator where it doesn't have the payload to support what the engine is best at. You're talking 1000# right there alone which leaves almost nothing for mods and cargo.

That's ignoring the financial points people have made that you will lose out on your current truck trading it in and will never recoup your costs buying the more expensive diesel engine over the gasser. The only reason to buy a diesel Gladiator is if you want to mod the hell out of it and run larger tires without regearing as much. Even then I'd argue you're still way ahead going gas and just stepping up another notch on the gears.

 

[Gvsukids]

i'm really looking into a diesel Willys in the Sarge Green. the payload and towing ability is less, but i would get about 8 mpg more than what i'm getting now and from what i've been reading the diesel is a really fun and nice ride. my trailer is 4200#, loaded probably 4800, family of 4 pushing 500 #, i don't have any problems towing it now but i havne't taken it to the Sierras yet. i'm sure it will be screaming going up those grades. with the diesel i know i'll be close to maxed out on the payload but have over 1000# cushion on the trailer. i only take it out about 3 or 4 times a year, so would be nice to get that 24 mpg average as a daily driver instead of the 15.5 i'm getting now. any thoughts about which way to go would be appreciated thanks.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/diesel-vs-max-tow.35539/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/eco-diesel-or-max-tow.39547/

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