First off welcome to the forum and congratulations for taking to step to get a Gladiator! So I have had both 3.6 and 3.0 We own 7 Jeeps now between me and my wife 4 are the 3.0 diesel. We have some mods lifts 35. 37 and nowv1 on 40's there is absolutely no comparison the diesel is better in everyway maintenance is higher but its only required 1/2 as much as the gasser we have a combined 120k miles on the diesel zero issues. Some good point 10 mpg better then the 3.6 more power in every sistuation off road there a monster with torque my son has a 22 Jtr on 40's he upgraded to a 4.63 gear and can pass a semi on the highway doing 80 no issues. So my vote hands down spend the $$$ and find a diesel. Just my 2 cents
I own a 22 eco-diesel and couldnât be happier with the truck. I live in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia and there is no comparison climbing these mountains to a a gas engine. I have always owned a Chevy with a 5.3 since they first came out with them to pull a boat with, had three of them in 20 years. They will not hang with the diesel climbing a hill. The engine in my JT loaded with weight, towing or empty will walk away from a 5.3 on a hill. The other perk is my last tank of fuel went 466 miles in the mountains on two lane roads, at 26.9 mpg. I can climb mountains pulling a 3000 lb. Boat at 2000 rpm where a 5.3 is screaming at 4500 rpm and getting 6 mpg all at the same speed. Thatâs the plus side and thankfully I havenât expertise negatives some have on this forum. I read this forum and others for about three months last year before I decided on a diesel(was set on a JT just not the powertrain). Research what works for you in the area you live because thatâs where it will get used the most. For me it is a no brained if you live in the mountains and I have always been a Chevy man who liked Jeeps so itâs not a brand thing with me and this is the first diesel I have ever owned.
Those who will argue your point likely havenât driven a stock JT Diesel in mountainous terrain versus driving other gasoline pickups in the same terrain and doing the same things with them, or they just donât like diesels. The same goes for folks who say torque only matters on a hill. Torque is what gets the vehicle moving from a stop and keeps it moving on a hill. The standard weight of a JT Rubicon diesel is greater than that of a stock full size Ford or Chevy truck, a case where size doesnât matter. What Iâm saying, these trucks are heavy when stock, let alone adding bigger tires or other equipment like Jeep owners typically do. In the area I live 11% grades are not unusual so moving a heavy truck up those hills is not an easy feat for any engine. All this goes to the fact that each individual should buy what works for them. If I lived in the flat lands of Eastern Virginia I likely would have never considered the diesel since this is the first one Iâve owned in my life and Iâm 55 years old.
Yeaaaah I was sayin it to myself too, but ya gotta let her think its HER idea to drop 65k on a jeep... Again lolSame situation here, but i said it to myself instead
maybe so yet my 2021 diesel noticeably accelerates to pass on highways faster and with less effort than my 2022 3.6 gas.
Take them both to the track so we can settle it
If you haven't driven a diesel Jt on the highway you won't understand the difference I own both and the power is night and day difference on my Jlru gasser with 35's passing someone on the highway is a task making sure theres plenty of room in my Jt diesel is a breeze. If you get the opportunity drive both you will throw rocks at the 3.6 when your done the power is that much different
If money is not the factor get the 3.6 then give Americaâs Most wanted and have a 427 installed. Personally I wouldnât want the Hellcat as I find the whining of the super charger, annoying.
