392 Gladiator V8 Hemi confirmed by Jeep CEO!

[S JEEPN]

Watched a TFL towing video up the Ike Gauntlet comparing a Gladiator, Ridgeline and GMC Canyon all towing a ~5000# trailer.

While the Jeep only had 3.73 gearing it was the worst of the bunch. The guys even said that the engine (or more specifically the truck) needs a better engine and mentioned a V-8! Watch the oil temps climb on the Jeep!



We’re not dead yet!

You do not need anything more than a spec sheet to see something with way more torque is going to go up a hill easier and having the worst combination for towing they make again it should not be a surprise. It was kind of a strange comparison but they have to run what they have available. When they compared the two offroad they do the test that is worst for long wheel base but nothing that benefits the long wheel base and base everything on the line you would not take.. As i watched the tow test all i could think was momentarily let off the gas to see if it shifts or allows the rpms to go back up or if it makes a difference. I noticed just my opinion of my limited experience with the Gladiator and automatic transmissions in general when i tow on steep highway grades i let off if it does not select the gear i want or lock it in what i want manually. With a heavy trailer or load if i pull on the highway and floor it on the ramp that is also a steep grade the transmission seems to not behave as well towing or loaded as when i take some time accelerating up to speed. I have to add i like their videos always entertaining to see what they will do next.

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[cc1999]

You do not need anything more than a spec sheet to see something with way more torque is going to go up a hill easier and having the worst combination for towing they make again it should not be a surprise. It was kind of a strange comparison but they have to run what they have available. When they compared the two offroad they do the test that is worst for long wheel base but nothing that benefits the long wheel base and base everything on the line you would not take.. As i watched the tow test all i could think was momentarily let off the gas to see if it shifts or allows the rpms to go back up or if it makes a difference. I noticed just my opinion of my limited experience with the Gladiator and automatic transmissions in general when i tow on steep highway grades i let off if it does not select the gear i want or lock it in what i want manually. With a heavy trailer or load if i pull on the highway and floor it on the ramp that is also a steep grade the transmission seems to not behave as well towing or loaded as when i take some time accelerating up to speed. I have to add i like their videos always entertaining to see what they will do next.

I like how they mentioned how the Jeep needed a V8.

 

[jmr]

I like how they mentioned how the Jeep needed a V8.

If only Jeep would listen.

 

[Flyin6]

My thoughts:

It seems that the Gladiator is the "lost child" of Jeep management. Heck we seldom get the nicer upgrades that the JL enjoys. Look at the Gladiator Rubicon X...Doesn't even get the beadlock and 35" wheel/tire package.

Frustrating!

But, to me, it matters not. I have the Gladiator I want to own, so it's up to me to modify it into how I ultimately want it to become. I wonder how many folks, after pouring a metric ton of money into modifying their JTs, will be encouraged to trade in only for a V8 upgrade? For far less money, anyone could simply install a hemi, get both the power and a new drivetrain, and bypass the new-car payment curse.
Another thought, who is going to come in as a first-time buyer and opt for a costly hemi JT? If anyone did their homework and, assuming they were the family-camper types, they could just buy a sport and have someone toss in a 5.7. The cost would be lower than that of new, and they could bypass some of the tree-hugger crap like MDS...

 

[cb4017]

I traded a 23 Colorado ZR2 for my 25 Mojave. I have to admit I miss the power and torque of that 2.7L TurboMax engine. There were other things about the Colorado I didn't care for but It did a great job hauling my 3,250 pound rPod.

My Mojave will haul the trailer with good stability but the engine is definitely lacking in that regard.

Jeep has been putting the 392 in the Wrangler for years. It seems to me that making the plain jane 5.7L an option in the Gladiator lineup would be a no brainer.

 

[Mr Miami]

For all the smart people here thinking about the 5.7, it that engine physically smaller than the 6.4 or is it just a matter of the 6.4 with a larger hole bored into each cylinder?

I'm just thinking in terms of cooling and more room under the hood.

 

[RougeShot12er]

They are pretty much the same size. And both are about the same dimensions as the 3.6l.

 

[ecidiego]

Yeah...16v pushrod engines are small compared to monster DOHC engines like Ford's V8s.

Look at the 5.2L supercharged GT500 engine.

 

[Oilburner]

I recall watching ‘Ozark Adventures’ 5.7L swap YT series, and I’m pretty sure he said that AMW told him the 5.7L is dimensionally a tad smaller than the 6.4L. Perhaps splitting hairs tho-

 

[Mr Miami]

OK, so the size of the 5.7 and 6.4 are about the same. But would the 5.7 get significantly better gas mileage? I mean, the window stickers on the Wranglers (Moab) with the 6.4 get combined 14mpg. And that's in a Wrangler. I wonder what it would get in a heavier Gladiator?

I don't care what the 6.4 can do, cure diseases, raise the dead, or whatever. But there is no way I would buy anything that in this day and age get 12 or 13 mpg. Maybe the 5.7 is better, and I mean, much better. I don't know.

Otherwise, I'll kiss my 18-19 mpg 3.6 every day.

 

[AmosMoses]

OK, so the size of the 5.7 and 6.4 are about the same. But would the 5.7 get significantly better gas mileage? I mean, the window stickers on the Wranglers (Moab) with the 6.4 get combined 14mpg. And that's in a Wrangler. I wonder what it would get in a heavier Gladiator?

I don't care what the 6.4 can do, cure diseases, raise the dead, or whatever. But there is no way I would buy anything that in this day and age get 12 or 13 mpg. Maybe the 5.7 is better, and I mean, much better. I don't know.

Otherwise, I'll kiss my 18-19 mpg 3.6 every day.

The guy from Ozark adventures that had amw convert his jtr said that he picked the 5.7 because it was the only V8 that could run on 87 octane. At least that is what I remember him saying.

 

[Mr Miami]

The guy from Ozark adventures that had amw convert his jtr said that he picked the 5.7 because it was the only V8 that could run on 87 octane. At least that is what I remember him saying.

Yes, that's another issue with some of the new motors, even the 2.0 turbo in the Wrangler. Many of these motors (like my wife's 2.0 BMW) want 91 octane fuel. At least my wife's car's specs mention that although 91 octane is recommended, you can still use 89 octane which she uses all the time.

In a Gladiator, add 50 to 80 cents per gallon to the cost of 87 and then only get 12 or 13 mpg. NFW, at least for me.

 

[S JEEPN]

The guy from Ozark adventures that had amw convert his jtr said that he picked the 5.7 because it was the only V8 that could run on 87 octane. At least that is what I remember him saying.

I thought it was strange spend all it costs to put in a V8 and then mentioning concern over the fuel.

 

[ChrisNLA]

I thought it was strange spend all it costs to put in a V8 and then mentioning concern over the fuel.

In his case I don't this its fuel cost so much as availability. Higher octanes are harder to find when you get in some backwater type places.

Even in my Camaro SS (93 octane) I've found places traveling along major highways where I had to settle for less than desirable fuel on occasion.

 

[cb4017]

In his case I don't this its fuel cost so much as availability. Higher octanes are harder to find when you get in some backwater type places.

Even in my Camaro SS (93 octane) I've found places traveling along major highways where I had to settle for less than desirable fuel on occasion.

In this part of the country 91 Octane is as good as it gets. Higher elevations, stations sell 85 octane and call it regular.

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