Diesel is the best engine option.

[Jefe1018]

I may be compensating for something and went with 37s right away and range anxiety is a thing I've had in every 4x4 I've had.

I have gone nearly 400 miles between fill ups on the diesel, even on 37s - I'll never make up for the up front expense but having a 1/4 tank and 120 miles of range is a great feeling.

The gas engine would probably give me a little more peace of mind in terms of the long term, but 1,500 miles in I am happy with my choice.

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[Maestro Dan]

It's a given - like anything else at all in vehicles, tools, homes, locations "what I have is the very best, hands-down, nothing else is close"
To say otherwise is admitting there may be something better than what you have - that your choice could be giving you second thoughts.
So no matter what, "mine is always the very best, you can't beat what I have"
IF someone has a diesel, the others are all wimps and there's no possible reason to ever buy a gas powered vehicle.
Take any "what's best" with a grain of salt...........too many variables to say one engine is better for all owners.
Each has their reasons, their place, whatever. Gotta figure what you will be towing or hauling, if towing at all - where, how much, etc. and where you live among other factors.

Some of these get downright humorous.

The guy just said he liked his diesel. He did not say his was best, and did not call anyone a wimp. He was just sharing his happiness.

 

[Montana_Wildcat]

Couldn't get it with a 6-speed, so no, it's not the best engine. ?

 

[Mvitch]

I love our 2021 Gladiator diesel. In my mind, there is no better engine option for the Gladiator than the Mortori diesel and ZF sourced transmission from Germany. I've owned Mercedes Benz, Audis and BMWs, and the diesel option elevates the Gladiator driving experience to a premium level, not unlike what you'd experience from the German brands. The 3.0 liter gas engine is fine, but if you seek a genuinely premium driving and offroading experience, spring for the diesel option, while it's still available.

Had a BMW X5 diesel. Thankfully I purchased extended warranty. Couldn’t wait to get rid of it

 

[JDawg11]

The other 8 speed? Don't all the automatic wranglers/gladiators have the same 8 speed? The minivan has a 9 speed. The 3.6 engine is used in way more Rams, Wranglers, Chargers, Challengers, and Gladiators, Grand Cherokees, and Durangos than it is mini vans.

I had a 3.6 and sold it. Hated the lack of overall performance

 

[tkclemmer]

My Gladiator is a gasser (the diesel wasn't an option at the time). However, our household's other vehicle is an OM651 powered MB GLK. The torque (370lbft @ 1600 from 2.1L) and noise that vehicle produces is amazing and elevates an otherwise blah vehicle into something unique and special. I totally get where the OP is coming from, and from my perspective you don't get the diesel for economic reasons. It's an emotional buy, and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Aonarch]

I owned an EcoDiesel JL prior to purchasing my JT Mojave. The engine was vastly superior the 3.6 in all dimensions of performance, but from a NVH level the 3.6L offers the quieter ride, once you are off the on-ramp (lol). My wife and I both noticed this difference the second we got in the JT for the test drive, but I noticed the large drop in torque through the pedal.

I will say losing the 8HP75 was the greatest loss for me. In my use case, I don't "need" the diesel and much preferred the ride quality and overall package of the Mojave and decided I would be fine with the gasser. There are limited diesel stations in our area, at least with the right nozzle, so having to search for fuel was kind of an annoyance for me. For me though, the 850RE has an insane amount of rev hang once you get up to speed and just sits there revving to the sky for a few seconds. The 8HP75 never did this, and I have tried everything to get the 850RE to relearn by pulling the fuse a couple times over the past 4k miles. Likewise, I hear an odd whine come from the transmission that I never had with the "true" ZF transmission in the diesel.

I don't hate the 3.6L, I think it does fine for most cases. Is it fast, no. Does it need to be, not really. Living in central Michigan we don't have a need to drive excessively fast to keep up with traffic, and if conditions get to where I need to drive 85+ to keep up with traffic, I would prefer not to drive there and would take secondary roads and enjoy the drive more. For what it is, it's a solid powertrain with a nice flat torque curve. It's great that we live in an age where vehicles have so much power on tap through displacement or forced induction. This standard seems to have created an expectation that vehicles are "slow" if they don't hit 60 in 6 seconds or less.

All told, If Stellantis said they would allow the diesel in the Mojave I would be at the dealership same day to order. Not for the speed, but for the range, transmission change, and overall more relaxed powertrain.

Hell, I might even sit in a camping chair outside the door waiting for them to open.

I run E-85 with my 3.6 and it is so smooth. NVH is not even on the scale. 51 hp/tq peak gain makes acceleration less of an ordeal, plus with proper gearing, the transmission is happy as well.

 

[bleda2002]

I run E-85 with my 3.6 and it is so smooth. NVH is not even on the scale. 51 hp/tq peak gain makes acceleration less of an ordeal, plus with proper gearing, the transmission is happy as well.

I'm assuming you're tuned? Dont E-85 engines usually have different gaskets/lines for the ethanol or do they all come with it now?

 

[Aonarch]

I'm assuming you're tuned? Dont E-85 engines usually have different gaskets/lines for the ethanol or do they all come with it now?

Yes, I have the Livernois Motorsports tune and I am very happy with it.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...s-50hp-gains-on-e85-for-v6-jl-wrangler.53580/

Most modern engines are built to tolerate high ethanol content to be future proof (Lines, hoses, gaskets, o-rings, etc).

The Pentastar engine was designed to be flex fuel in other applications, it just wasn't certified in the JL/ JT for some reason. But our fuel lines, injectors, tank, etc can all handle E-85 without issue.

If you are parking the vehicle for an extended time, I wouldn't leave E-85 in the tank though.

Some countries where the Gladiator is sold have up to E28 fuel. I doubt Stellanis changes out the entire fuel system for those markets.

Also E-85 isn't always 85% ethanol. I can be as low as 55-70%. You are definitely not guaranteed to get pure E-85. That's why you often hear it referred to as flex fuel, and why I prefer flex fuel tunes, versus straight E-85 only tunes.

 

[bleda2002]

Yes, I have the Livernois Motorsports tune and I am very happy with it.

Most modern engines are built to tolerate high ethanol content to be future proof (Lines, hoses, gaskets, o-rings, etc).

The Pentastar engine was designed to be flex fuel in other applications, it just wasn't certified in the JL/ JT for some reason. But our fuel lines, injectors, tank, etc can all handle E-85 without issue.

If you are parking the vehicle for an extended time, I wouldn't leave E-85 in the tank though.

Some countries where the Gladiator is sold have up to E28 fuel. I doubt Stellanis changes out the entire fuel system for those markets.

Also E-85 isn't always 85% ethanol. Typically it is 55-70%. Now you can hit the jackpot, or maybe purchase specialty fuel that has 85% ethanol, but you are definitely not guarenteed to get pure E-85. That's why you often hear it referred to as flex fuel.

Cool, my old tundra in mn was flex fuel and they actually did use different components in it for the flex fuel certification so I wasnt sure if that was still the case.

 

[bentrod]

No regrets with the Diesel option for me.
Good MPG, powerful. Lots of long steep hill climes here and I've not see high coolant temps in the summer with my lead foot.
VW is a good engine company. My 05 Liberty CRD is still banging away trouble free.
The spring bottoming out issue will be solved for sure.

 

[Trickster]

The guy just said he liked his diesel. He did not say his was best, and did not call anyone a wimp. He was just sharing his happiness.

I love our 2021 Gladiator diesel. In my mind, there is no better engine option for the Gladiator than the Mortori diesel and ZF sourced transmission from Germany. I've owned Mercedes Benz, Audis and BMWs, and the diesel option elevates the Gladiator driving experience to a premium level, not unlike what you'd experience from the German brands. The 3.0 liter gas engine is fine, but if you seek a genuinely premium driving and offroading experience, spring for the diesel option, while it's still available.

Title of the thread,
“Diesel is the best engine option”
Just like everyone else’s responses, its HIS opinion.
But to say it’s “the best engine” ruffles feathers for some.
Unless someone owns both the gasser and oil burner the comparisons
are perhaps just a justification of their own purchases.
Each have their own merits and faults, maybe we could just agree
to be happy with our choice and get off the soapboxes.?

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Gas V8 is best engine option for this platform. Make it an option Jeep. ?

 

[WK2JT]

Hogwash… the best option would be one of them there electrical thingys. ?

 

[paulheck]

Diesel engines are best, the running on diesel engine is pleasant and gives a good mileage

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