3.0L EcoDiesel vs 3.6L Gasoline

[Oscar Indy]

There are tons of threads on here explaining why the EcoDiesel is a horrible investment. But to recap:

Pros:

-TORQUE. Torque all over the map. Loads of torque.

Cons:

-Everything else. Estimated $5k upfront to get one. Then $1k annually over the gas engine just to own and operate one. Then parts and repairs are exponentially more expensive. The emissions controls will prevent the engine from ever seeing high odometer readings. The press-fit cam gears that killed all those Gen 2 engines are still being used in Gen 3. There are new unproven parts like dual-EGR system, coated cylinders, lightweighted pistons, etc. that have been deadly to competitors' engines. Diesel fuel is $0.40/gallon more expensive on average according to AAA. Diesel fuel is only available at 55% of U.S. stations according to AAA. It's all just a pain in the ***.

At the end of the day, it's a gamble. If you've got a fat checking account and you just love the feel of that torque, then by all means go diesel. I had two diesel Jeeps and loved them, but eventually both of them found new homes because parts were $$$$ and guys I knew were dropping $7,000 on top-end repairs. Screw that.

Nailed it. I'd also add that waiting for it to show up is lost time in the seat. I know jeep is teasing it but we were supposed to get diesel how many years ago and its still not here. I love the 3.6 but the first runs had some issues. This being a Gen2 engine I have a lot more faith in it than an unproven handicapped diesel.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.jsp
I used this to compare the savings of diesel over gas and my math showed that it will take about 200k miles to see a return on the extra engine cost. that's assuming 5mpg better and same price of fuel for both. If you take into account that diesel is 30-40 cents more normally it would be closer to 500k before shelling out 5 grand for a motor made a difference at the pump. I've never put 100k on a single-vehicle so financially buying diesel for the next guy doesn't make economic sense.

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[Sgt Beavis]

Here are my use cases to justify getting a diesel.
1. Overlanding - increased range
2. Towing in the mountains - 3.6 kinda sucked on the Super Ike and that's an area I will be towing.
3. GLORIOUS TORQUE!! - Forced induction on the 3.6 would cost as much as the diesel while voiding the warranty and greatly increasing the chances of a blown engine.

 

[Oscar Indy]

Here are my use cases to justify getting a diesel.
1. Overlanding - increased range

How do you adjust for only 50% of stations having diesel?

I loved my big tank in my f150. 36 gallons gave me a 700 mile range.

I'm expecting an extended tank to be available pretty quick as more gladiators hit the road.
I could do with another 20 gallons for sure.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/roam-jl-extended-capacity-fuel-tank.25771/

 

[Rav34653]

The Italian Diesel They plan to put in the GladIator, has a high odds it will be unreliable, costly, and lucky to last 100,000 miles. No reason FCA doesn't go with a Cummins. If you don't want the hassle go with gas til the FCA diesel and been road tested over time and proven it is a reliable engine, My bet is it wont pass

 

[Sgt Beavis]

How do you adjust for only 50% of stations having diesel?

I loved my big tank in my f150. 36 gallons gave me a 700 mile range.

I'm expecting an extended tank to be available pretty quick as more gladiators hit the road.
I could do with another 20 gallons for sure.
https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/roam-jl-extended-capacity-fuel-tank.25771/

There are plenty of stations around here that have diesel.

Almost every station along a hwy will have at least one diesel pump. It’s not really that much of an adjustment.

I can’t be sure on that extended tank. For one, the underside of the JT and JL are not the same behind the rear seats. So there is a chance it won’t fit. Also, you may be waiting a while. ROAM isn’t exactly timely in getting their products out. I have their armored side steps and they’re great but they are very slow to ramp up production and their customer service needs work.

 

[Oscar Indy]

There are plenty of stations around here that have diesel.

Almost every station along a hwy will have at least one diesel pump. It’s not really that much of an adjustment.

I can’t be sure on that extended tank. For one, the underside of the JT and JL are not the same behind the rear seats. So there is a chance it won’t fit. Also, you may be waiting a while. ROAM isn’t exactly timely in getting their products out. I have their armored side steps and they’re great but they are very slow to ramp up production and their customer service needs work.

good to know. I know gen right made tanks too. Im not worried about it much as putting 20gallons in cans in the bed is easy if I NEED the extra range.

 

[Sgt Beavis]

good to know. I know gen right made tanks too. Im not worried about it much as putting 20gallons in cans in the bed is easy if I NEED the extra range.

Exactomundo!

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

Nailed it. I'd also add that waiting for it to show up is lost time in the seat. I know jeep is teasing it but we were supposed to get diesel how many years ago and its still not here. I love the 3.6 but the first runs had some issues. This being a Gen2 engine I have a lot more faith in it than an unproven handicapped diesel.

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.jsp
I used this to compare the savings of diesel over gas and my math showed that it will take about 200k miles to see a return on the extra engine cost. that's assuming 5mpg better and same price of fuel for both. If you take into account that diesel is 30-40 cents more normally it would be closer to 500k before shelling out 5 grand for a motor made a difference at the pump. I've never put 100k on a single-vehicle so financially buying diesel for the next guy doesn't make economic sense.

Never putting 100K on a single vehicle doesn't make much financial sense either....unless you drive very little and keep them a long time.

 

[Oscar Indy]

Never putting 100K on a single vehicle doesn't make much financial sense either....unless you drive very little and keep them a long time.

The beauty of having multiple vehicles and not having to commute daily. I had my JK 6 years only put 78k on it. I intend on keeping this one longer. But I've owned over 20 jeeps and I always say that.

 

[EU_Gladiator]

In Europe, the diesel option will be the best no doubt...cheaper fuel price, better fuel economy and higher torque at lower revs

 

[JAY]

FCA just announced that the JL Wrangler diesel will debut Sept 26!

Link: 2020 Wrangler EcoDiesel JL to Debut at Texas State Fair on 9/26!

This hopefully means the Gladiator EcoDiesel isn't far behind!

 

[Rocksalt]

IMO diesels are loud and smelly... I am curious as to how many folks will enjoy being behind a diesel on the trails... cough cough...

 

[Rocksalt]

And diesel fumes are very bad to breathe...

 

[Gladiator4Runner]

FCA just announced that the JL Wrangler diesel will debut Sept 26!

Link: 2020 Wrangler EcoDiesel JL to Debut at Texas State Fair on 9/26!

This hopefully means the Gladiator EcoDiesel isn't far behind!

Beta test RAM 2020 and Beta test Wrangler! YAY!!!

 

[Mr._Bill]

I drove a Duramax diesel for 14 years, made just prior to the DFE smog add-on. It was a good engine, and smelled okay after it warmed up. Since they removed the sulphur, I had to add two-cycle oil to the fuel to lubricate the system and keep it quiet.

I originally wanted a diesel Gladiator. Now, I think diesel is just too expensive to consider unless a majority of your travel is long distance highway. When I first started driving diesel trucks, it was significantly cheaper than gasoline. That advantage has disappeared over the years.

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