Trade my JLU for a JT?

[Alchemist03]

This is a photo of the Gladiator I ultimately purchased, sitting on a lot next to an Ecodiesel Gladiator, taken from my 445,000 mile Ecodiesel truck...

And I left it right there, for 10k cheaper than my Mojave, barely spent 10 seconds even considering it.

Most the love you see for the Ecodiesel is from owners who haven't had problems yet.

Haha she really stood out. Good to know you can get that kind of mileage o these diesels! Do you miss having a diesel compared to the powertrain in the Mojave?

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[Alchemist03]

They are actually less capable as far as tow rating and payload. The most capable is the 3.6l/8AT with the max tow package. You’d think they’d have a higher tow rating, but it’s always been lower from the factory because they weren’t able to fit a proper cooling system with a large enough grill opening.

Ouch.. is that something the aftermarket can help with? Or do you think would it negate itself by adding in the weight of a better cooling system.. if it would even fit under the hood?

 

[D_JT]

They are actually less capable as far as tow rating and payload. The most capable is the 3.6l/8AT with the max tow package. You’d think they’d have a higher tow rating, but it’s always been lower from the factory because they weren’t able to fit a proper cooling system with a large enough grill opening.

While true. They claim its due to "cooling". Whatever, I call bull shit. But either way. If you hook up 7000 lbs (thats 1K more than what the diesel is "rated" for) behind JT with "Max Tow" and a diesel JT, I promise you the diesel will handle that 7K FAR better than the gas Max Tow could ever hope to.

The cool part about the eco diesel is its not like your one ton Duramax, Power stoke or Cummins. Which are more work truck orientated. I ordered mine JT with the diesel with "eco" in mind. Better fuel economy.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Why pick one when you can have both? The wife dailies her JLUR on 39s set up for crawling. My JT mojave on 37s is set up for high speed desert work. I'll still take it through rock trails but it will never be as good as the JLUR. The JLUR will never be as good at speed. Wheelbase matters more than people want to admit.

 

[Zachanadandy]

While true. They claim its due to "cooling". Whatever, I call bull shit. But either way. If you hook up 7000 lbs (thats 1K more than what the diesel is "rated" for) behind JT with "Max Tow" and a diesel JT, I promise you the diesel will handle that 7K FAR better than the gas Max Tow could ever hope to.

The cool part about the eco diesel is its not like your one ton Duramax, Power stoke or Cummins. Which are more work truck orientated. I ordered mine JT with the diesel with "eco" in mind. Better fuel economy.

Unless you're towing in the mountains on a hot day. What's the power output when it's derating itself in limp mode again? The 8 speed has no problem keeping the v6 into the power band. If mine has no issues even when I hooked up an 8400lb trailer and towed it 600 miles, how do you define "handle it WAY better"? Better fuel economy is about the only thing I can think of. Maintained 65mph no problem, even up steep grades in the mountains... and didn't overheat. Not trying to diss the diesel, but it's rated lower for a reason.

 

[DirkG]

Another poster having both a JL and JT. For reference, we have a '25 Willys 4xe and a '24 Jeep Beach Edition JT (similar to a Willys). I think a lot of this decision is based on how you're going to use this vehicle. It sounds like you have an expanding family; I'm a good reference point because I also had a '20 JT that rocked dual car seats at times.

The JT is obviously going to give you more cargo room. I have two boys who are 5 years apart, so we've had to throw in a folded stroller while also bringing an easy-up and baseball gear. I've been a Dad coach for over 11 years and I couldn't have done it without my Gladiators. The Wrangler just doesn't have the space to support our lifestyle as a stand-alone vehicle.

The Wrangler, however, does get much better mpgs (even in non-EV mode we get about 17-18 from the 2.0L). I know others have said otherwise, but IMO the Gladiator is much longer than the Wrangler. Parking in tight spaces will be an issue. Again, IMO. The Wrangler is just an overall easier vehicle to operate in and out daily runs.

One note is that we also have the Sky One-Touch roof and if you go the Gladiator route, be sure to get a Sunrider top because you're going to want that "on the go" instant air feeling.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Haha she really stood out. Good to know you can get that kind of mileage o these diesels! Do you miss having a diesel compared to the powertrain in the Mojave?

The diesel was in my Ram, the Gladiator is my wifes semi-daily transportation and we use it for weekend adventures.

So, perspective matters when making decisions, I'll try to share mine the best I can.

For us, we don't need the Gladiator to be a truck in any capacity at all. I have 7 other trucks, from a Cummins swapped F450 to an LS swapped turbo C10, to my 6.7 Cummins daily... In our arsenal, we have a truck for any purpose we want.

I tow, haul, both often, and far distances, for the average guy who works in an office. I tow these other vehicles, our side by side, parts for them, equipment to our properties. Not a month goes by when I don't put at least 1,000 lbs of something in a bed, or haul a trailer of at least 5000 lbs. Not ayear goes by when we don't take a trip from Michigan to Oklahoma, Arizona, Texas, while hauling a trailer. For us, a full size truck is a must, and I frankly prefer a 3/4 ton. My Ecodiesel Ram did the job, but my new Cummins truck is much more capable.

So, to me, us, most of the positives of the diesel Gladiator go right out the window. We don't care how it tows, or hauls, because that's not it's primary function for us. We do care about the MPG, obviously, fuel costs money. I run my diesels on waste veg oil, so that's a cost save. upper 20's MPG on the Ecodiesel vs upper teens in the 3.6

So, with all that, and knowing you can set a watch by the emissions failing on a Ecodiesel, and potentially taking an engine with it, knowing I'm not going to delete a truck under warranty, knowing I don't want my wife dealing with DEF or finding stations that carry diesel... We chose the gas version.

The power is barely adequate, the mileage is acceptable, but we can fuel it anywhere, no extra costs, extra maintenance, she can just treat it like any old car and party on.

We're happy with the purchase.

 

[NC_Overland]

While true. They claim its due to "cooling". Whatever, I call bull shit. But either way. If you hook up 7000 lbs (thats 1K more than what the diesel is "rated" for) behind JT with "Max Tow" and a diesel JT, I promise you the diesel will handle that 7K FAR better than the gas Max Tow could ever hope to.

The cool part about the eco diesel is its not like your one ton Duramax, Power stoke or Cummins. Which are more work truck orientated. I ordered mine JT with the diesel with "eco" in mind. Better fuel economy.

I’m not going down this road again, but I’ve personally seen one de-rate pulling 4k lbs in an enclosed trailer on I-85 in SC. I was pulling the same trailer in my 3.6l Overland with almost the same load in front of him (he was following me) so I know we were both only doing 65.

 

[David Jonson]

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you’ve got a great lineup of Jeep experience under your belt the Willys XR is a solid choice, especially for that mix of family adventure and trail fun.

Your thought process makes total sense. The JT definitely gives you that extra cargo flexibility (especially if you’re feeling cramped on family trips), but yeah parking in the city is a real consideration. It’s not impossible, but it can get old fast if you’re street-parking often.

If you like your XR setup, you’ll appreciate that the Rubicon and Mojave trims on the JT have similar toughness Dana 44s, beefier suspension, etc. But you’re right: gearing differences do matter. The 4.10s will still perform well unless you’re planning to run significantly larger tires or do heavy towing.

Honestly, if you’re leaning toward a JT, I’d keep enjoying the JLU for now and wait to see what the next model year brings. There are rumors about more engine options and refinements and by then, you might be in a better parking situation too. But if that upgrade itch gets too strong, a used or slightly older Rubicon JT could give you the best of both worlds right now without taking a big hit on value.

 

[NC_Overland]

While true. They claim its due to "cooling". Whatever, I call bull shit. But either way. If you hook up 7000 lbs (thats 1K more than what the diesel is "rated" for) behind JT with "Max Tow" and a diesel JT, I promise you the diesel will handle that 7K FAR better than the gas Max Tow could ever hope to.

The cool part about the eco diesel is its not like your one ton Duramax, Power stoke or Cummins. Which are more work truck orientated. I ordered mine JT with the diesel with "eco" in mind. Better fuel economy.

I like the engine. I wish I had 440 torques. It does way better in the Ram 1500s because they have room for cooling it plus a larger grill opening. That should be proof alone

 

[D_JT]

Unless you're towing in the mountains on a hot day. What's the power output when it's derating itself in limp mode again? The 8 speed has no problem keeping the v6 into the power band. If mine has no issues even when I hooked up an 8400lb trailer and towed it 600 miles, how do you define "handle it WAY better"? Better fuel economy is about the only thing I can think of. Maintained 65mph no problem, even up steep grades in the mountains... and didn't overheat. Not trying to diss the diesel, but it's rated lower for a reason.

Well, almost twice the torque than the gas to start with. 260 ft-lb vs 440 ft-lb. That alone will help pull the weight better. And yes, better fuel economy as well.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I can assure everyone, again, for the 5 millionth time, that there are absolutely no engine options but the 3.6 for the remainder of the JT run through CY 28

 

[Zachanadandy]

Well, almost twice the torque than the gas to start with. 260 ft-lb vs 440 ft-lb. That alone will help pull the weight better. And yes, better fuel economy as well.

If the v6 will tow at the speed limit up hill, what is the extra torque doing "better"? If you only need 260ftlbs to do the work, having 1,000 ftlbs won't do it better. Now if we are talking about drag racing with trailers or truck pull competitions then of course more is better.

 

[Bjeepz]

What engine did you have in your Willys XR? I have the 2.0 turbo and it really won me over from the 3.6 - Its probably from my "butt dyno" but it just feels punchier. I liked both equally though, if mine came with a 3.6 I don't think I would've cared - just scared of the lifter tick

The current Willy's XR has the 3.6L. I've only driven the 4cyl turbo a couple yrs back and did find it had good get up and go in the 2dr.

 

[Alchemist03]

Another poster having both a JL and JT. For reference, we have a '25 Willys 4xe and a '24 Jeep Beach Edition JT (similar to a Willys). I think a lot of this decision is based on how you're going to use this vehicle. It sounds like you have an expanding family; I'm a good reference point because I also had a '20 JT that rocked dual car seats at times.

The JT is obviously going to give you more cargo room. I have two boys who are 5 years apart, so we've had to throw in a folded stroller while also bringing an easy-up and baseball gear. I've been a Dad coach for over 11 years and I couldn't have done it without my Gladiators. The Wrangler just doesn't have the space to support our lifestyle as a stand-alone vehicle.

The Wrangler, however, does get much better mpgs (even in non-EV mode we get about 17-18 from the 2.0L). I know others have said otherwise, but IMO the Gladiator is much longer than the Wrangler. Parking in tight spaces will be an issue. Again, IMO. The Wrangler is just an overall easier vehicle to operate in and out daily runs.

One note is that we also have the Sky One-Touch roof and if you go the Gladiator route, be sure to get a Sunrider top because you're going to want that "on the go" instant air feeling.

Spot on with this. I have a little one and the wifey and I may be planning for another. I didn't realize how much stuff a little human being needed to be comfortable haha. It was really eye-opening these past 2 years with everything we lugged around during our trips. Made me miss the 4runner but then I came to realize that I'm either going to get a JT or a van like a Sienna or Odyssey. I'm all about the vans too so no ego hurt there. I'd ideally like to have a van and a Jeep in the lineup with the Jeep being a SHTF situation.

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