So disappointed in this Diesel platform; wish there was a return policy.

[tcramer11]

No issues on heating with my diesel. Last weekend towed my opus 4 that is similar weight to yours up independence pass and then 15 miles offroad conditions up lincoln creek drainage. No issues at all. Ill keep closer look at gauges but no issues yet

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[yolo]

I've had mine do that in high heat, towing ~4.5k lbs, on 35's on hills in Texas. I bought the Gladiator for the sole purpose of towing a travel trailer to places I want to explore (Colorado, Utah, etc.). Now I'm beginning to regret my decision. Like, do I have to wait until winter to go up hills when towing?

Jeep should have sorted this out first. If I cannot tow (below my tow rating) up hills in the summer without limp mode and hazard lights on, I will be looking to get my money back as well.

And I've heard around these forums that Jeep's engineers "did all they could" for cooling, while still making the truck "look like a jeep", but c'mon. They could have moved one or more of the oil/ac/intercooler to the top of the engine (like a hmmwv), used hood scoops to direct air, bigger fans, or simply not offered the diesel in the JT.

I knew the diesel could not tow as much as other models, but I wanted the diesel for the torque, especially up hills, and I wanted to tow a 4500lb travel trailer.. 1k lbs below "max".

I love the truck, but if it can't tow in the summer what good is it?

 

[rharr]

You don't buy a jeep for towing you buy one to climb rocks and play in the dirt. If you have expectations of it being a primarily tow vehicle you are sorely mistaken, buy a ram 3500. The wrangler/jt platform is for dirt first work second by design other wise the jt would have had a closer setup of a ram. You want something that is designed for work, you got caught in marketing bs, and should of just bought a true truck.

 

[yolo]

You don't buy a jeep for towing you buy one to climb rocks and play in the dirt. If you have expectations of it being a primarily tow vehicle you are sorely mistaken, buy a ram 3500. The wrangler/jt platform is for dirt first work second by design other wise the jt would have had a closer setup of a ram. You want something that is designed for work, you got caught in marketing bs, and should of just bought a true truck.

B.S. First, if I just wanted to climb rocks I would have bought a wrangler, not a mid-sized truck. When a manufacturer states you can tow up to a certain amount of weight, you EXPECT to be able to tow that without needing to put on your hazards going up hills in the summer. Why else would you pay such a premium for a Jeep? Especially at the price point Jeep asks for it's trucks (my ecodiesel rubi was close to $70k). And I paid that amount because I thought it could do both.. in all seasons.

 

[Caraholic]

Many interesting threads abou this; I mean about this version not being a motor /tow platform. FCA even said so-
just so your up to date.
there’s also about a bajillion threads on towing, gvwr gawr gcvwr ect ect
respectfully- I know the draw to that diesel BUT I hesitate to say you perhaps have gone awry in this choice possibly from the better towing platforms in this model.
okease keep us posted and I wish you luck and hope you find resolution to your frustration.
respectfully,
CAH

 

[mx5red]

I noticed the 392 wrangler got a higher wattage cooling fan. I’m wondering if this will be a plug n play for us or maybe some wiring wil be needed but this may be a small upgrade for the diesel

I love how your avatar picture and your posts both look like questions

 

[OldButStillJeeping]

I do have a little experience with diesels. I've owned 3 in the last 15 years. And I spent some time in the pre-DEF, or pre-regen age with diesel tractors back before the 1990's. I love the smell of diesel fuel and adding DEF (urea) was never a problem for me. I'm no expert by any stretch, but I'll throw this out there because this much I learned:

Today's, AKA, modern regen (def) diesels, can provide excellent torque and fuel economy. But there is a heavier maintenance and monitoring factor one must consider.

Flooring it, while the truck is showing you over temperature and nearly overheating, or even possibly showing "Regen" or "Limp Mode" at the same time, is not in any way good. It's time to pull over and let it cool off or Regen or whatever it tells you it needs to do.

If you think the diesel advantage doesn't come without being more observant, you are wrong.

These engines are excellent in what they are designed to do, buy if you don't pay attention to what it's telling you, (it's too hot and your burning it up) , and you push that limit... it gets expensive.... real fast.

I think diesel is an excellent powerplant. Better than gas. I'd Love to have a diesel Gladiator. Without the modern Regen Bullshit.

But I have neither the time to monitor it closely, or money to repair it if I stop paying attention.

As my long dead uncle said, a long haul driver:

"Never ever lug a diesel. Never overheat a diesel. Listen to it. It'll tell you if you're pushing it too hard".

 

[DocMcStuffins]

I love my JTRD... Pushes 40,000 lbs while carrying >1000lbs.

I haven't towed anything yet but that doesn't sound right. I hope it works out for you!

 

[Mac]

I’m betting it will do better after breaking in as others have said. My mileage has gone up now that in at 1800 or so and I’m expecting it to get better. My Silverado 3l diesel is at 11k and it seems like it’s fully broken in now. Power is good as is mileage. Expecting max performance on a new engine right off the showroom floor is a bit much.

There is no break in with modern engines that will have any significant, noticeable effect on mileage or power.

 

[redrider]

Two remedies come to mind. More air flow and additional radiators. Open the side cooling vents behind the front fenders and add an extraction type hood. (I do not care for the rubi hood-open the top vents and rain water will bring the gremlins). Additional radiators behind the side vents plumbed to the main radiator unless some additional coolant ports on the engine plumbed to the sides that work on overtemp. In the end, there are some platforms un-suited for diesel requirements. Going back to motorcycles, the Benelli Tornado, 2007 time frame, had the radiator at the rear, under the tail section with two fans extrcting air when idling at the stop. It worked really well even here in SC august heat and humidity. It can be done.

 

[CreepyJeepy]

He's a Toyota driver had the parking brake on the whole time.

No parking brake was on, look at the images while I was towing. Accidents happen like that, but seriously man, I’m not an idiot.

 

[JackalopeSean]

I see that you have less then 500 miles and have not got pass the brake in stage.
the computer will not give you full power until you pass that mileage.

I have clients that have both the JL and JT EcoDiesel and have been told that after the 3000 or 5000 mark ( I'm not sure) but they say that the power jumps up and you can tell that it also give it more fuel.

3rd the fuel you put in your tank is just as important as the food you put in your body...eat fast food for a week and run a marathon

 

[CreepyJeepy]

I see that you have less then 500 miles and have not got pass the brake in stage.
the computer will not give you full power until you pass that mileage.

I have clients that have both the JL and JT EcoDiesel and have been told that after the 3000 or 5000 mark ( I'm not sure) but they say that the power jumps up and you can tell that it also give it more fuel.

3rd the fuel you put in your tank is just as important as the food you put in your body...eat fast food for a week and run a marathon

interesting I don’t see that in the manual, I see it states the engine is pre broke in. Where are you finding that info?

 

[CreepyJeepy]

I see that you have less then 500 miles and have not got pass the brake in stage.
the computer will not give you full power until you pass that mileage.

I have clients that have both the JL and JT EcoDiesel and have been told that after the 3000 or 5000 mark ( I'm not sure) but they say that the power jumps up and you can tell that it also give it more fuel.

3rd the fuel you put in your tank is just as important as the food you put in your body...eat fast food for a week and run a marathon

 

[JackalopeSean]

interesting I don’t see that in the manual, I see it states the engine is pre broke in. Where are you finding that info?

I run a custom shop and we do a ton of lifts and we have lifted several Diesels and I have been told more than once that after a few thousand miles they can feel an increase in power and their fuel mileage got better.
One JT owner that has 37's and about 300lbs in the bed was on the highway and he felt a kick in power and looked down at his cluster and saw that he just rolled over the mileage to 3000 or 5000
On 37's hes getting 17mpg to 22mpg depending on load and speed

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