EcoDiesel Help!

[ArmyMP]

If you want to "tow" the diesel is the best option it can out tow/payload any other gladiator or small truck in its class.

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[Sweetums]

I went the diesel route and I absolutely love the performance and low-end grunt. I road tripped over the Sierras and Cascades, for most the mountain passes I was just rolling along in 8th gear at 1200 RPM.
Yes, there are costs associated with having a diesel. I keep seeing people complain about having to get DEF delivered because their truck won't restart due to running out. There's ample warnings that your DEF is getting low and there's a gauge on the dash you can check at any time. Whenever it hit half a tank I just put one jug in and I'm good for another 6 months. DEF is incredibly easy to find at any truck stop, almost all gas stations (certainly ones that sell diesel), parts stores, big-box retailer like Wal-Mart and even many grocery stores.

As for towing - I'm not sure what the weak link is in the system that results in lower towing capacity. I know on my old Xterra it was the soft springs; the brakes, chassis, and transmission could handle more than the rating. I don't tow massive loads anyway, just a small motorcycle trailer, but I plan to upgrade the suspension and look at what I can do to improve cooling in case I do need to tow more on occasion.

Both gas and diesel have advantages and disadvantages - no one can tell you what the right choice is for you; that's like telling you what style underwear to buy. Take a look at both, consider all the advantages and disadvantages, drive them both; then decide which mixed bag of good and bad is the better fit for you.

 

[Free2roam]

I've driven both. Exactly in the same manner while yeah my fuel pump blew at 4581 miles. Had a gasser as a loaner. Wanted to feel the difference. So I drove it how I drove my diesel. On simple over passes the gasser on cruise at 70mph would downshift from 8th to 7th to 6th. Going up hill from 4100ft to 7000ft was a chore for the gasser. Now my diesel doesn't even flinch at an uphill or an overpass I usually pull it into manual going up and leave it in 8th maybe 7th if it's steep on the freeway. Both were bone stock at the time. Now my diesel has 42000 on it. Plus a 2.5 overland Clayton lift. A camper and more additional weight I always carry. Mileage has taken a hit. Down to 22.5ish from 28.6 stock. I wouldn't trade my diesel in. Buy another and put it in storage for later use possibly.

 

[John in the Woods]

Both gas and diesel have advantages and disadvantages - no one can tell you what the right choice is for you; that's like telling you what style underwear to buy. …

Boxers, cotton of course, and this diesel is the most fun I’ve had driving a vehicle since I drove to the prom in my 1971 442. I love this thing.

 

[Sweetums]

A man of style and taste.

 

[rchandler341]

I have just turned 43k miles on my JTRD. Love the diesel. My son in law has the gasser and after 3 years of following me around wheeling and mountain passes, he wants a diesel. He tried to pull a small camp trailer and was always very slow traveling and climbing up hills made him sell the trailer. He has had small issues with the gasser also.

Everyone is scared of the EcoDiesel. If you just look at how many are on the road in Pickups and Jeeps. Compared to what failures you hear on the internet, they are pretty solid.

It is a choice. For an Overland vehicle that will be well overweight most of the time. The diesel is a great powerplant.

Just the other day I drove a tank 120 miles on the freeway at 70mph. (no camper) To Salt Lake up and back, Lifted with 35" tires it averaged. 32.2 mpg. This was hand calculated and very close to the odometer trip meter. Yes, this is the best mileage I have seen so far but 25mpg is easily attained. This range makes a difference for an overland vehicle. I get 18-22mpg with my full camper out on the highway. Once you slow down to 55 it will get 25mpg again with the camper on. The torque, along with fuel economy, is just incredibly fun to have.

Wheeling with an overland rig has a few pitfalls. The added weight is the biggest. I found myself on a Rating 7 trail in Utah, "Rose Garden Hill", and really experienced the weight disadvantage. Once I started into the trail, I was committed after a few obstacles. With no chance to back down being by myself. But the Torquey diesel just grunted up the ledges and rocks. I don't advise this and my rig won't see this type of trail again.

Just food for thought.

 

[Almost]

The diesel gladiator/wranglers have a much more refined and relaxing driving experience. If you do a lot of highway driving you won't regret it at all. You don't need to take mine or anyone's word here - just go test drive one and then a gas one. The decision will be clear and the EcoDiesel will do all the convincing.

 

[CreepyJeepy]

I have 37k on my ecodiesel.

I haven't had any 'issues' yet... besides I am starting to show some metal flakes in my fuel filter... Nothing has changed yet and the vehicle is still driving.

I will say from a driving experience both setups are functional.

If you Tow, the eco diesel is much more pleasant, but comes with a lot of knowledge you need to acquire before getting behind the wheel. (like temp monitoring, fuel quality, filters, oil, DEF, DPF, SCR, EGR, Turbo Lag, etc)

The result is never having to listen to a screaming engine as you try to pull a light trailer around in the mountains... A quiet engine, with plenty of torque, the ability to run 35's or 37's without even considering regearing (in most situations).

I will say I would avoid it if you are making very short trips every day, or it's your only vehicle right now...

Once this fuel pump situation is resolved, I don't think there is a better option for what I do... Camp, long road trips, pull camper trailer (3500lbs), and some rough trail / moab trail driving.

 

[916WI]

If you are thinking about towing, yes the eco diesel is better, until it isn't.......I'm still on the fence as to whether on not I want to trade my 2022 on a diesel. It's clear that Jeep was having a serious issue getting the heat out of the motor. The majority of us who tow travel trailers will do it in the summer heat. There have been quite a few reports of the diesel derating when towing in the high summer temps. Yes, the 3.6 will rev when heading up hill when pulling a trailer, but at least you know you'll make it to the top. The cooling problems on the diesel are real and should be a consideration if you plan on towing with the truck........

 

[RudeJeepin]

If you are thinking about towing, yes the eco diesel is better, until it isnt... It's clear that Jeep was having a serious issue getting the heat out of the motor. The majority of us who tow travel trailers will do it in the summer heat. There have been quite a few reports of the diesel derating when towing in the high summer temps. The cooling problems on the diesel are real and should be a consideration if you plan on towing with the truck........

Not everyone is having heating issues or derating will towing in the summer heat.

I tow a 7x12 SxS edition (extra height) enclosed trailer and haven't had any issues so far. Maybe 4500 pounds loaded with a RZR and camping supplies. One trip this summer was in the triple digits while we were on the road. Uphill, down hill, head winds, etc. and no issues.

This isn't my first diesel, won't be my last. We love our JLURD and JTRD.

The ecodiesel is great, if used right, modern diesels with all the emissions stuff don't like lots of stop and go or short trips. But if you can stretch their legs often enough, you can make it work.

 

[916WI]

Not everyone--but there is no doubt that many have had cooling and derating problems as evidenced by the first hand accounts reported in these forums and others as well........Clearly Jeep knew there was an issue by limiting the towing maximum to under that of the 3.6 Rubicons. I'm still considering getting one because I like quirky vehicles and there are currently crazy discounts on them, but the electrical issues and the heat related problems--along with the fact that Jeep is throwing in the towel on the diesel platform have me a little concerned. My 3.6 jeeps have always been bulletproof and my current gladiator, while it does rev up, doesn't seem to have an issue pulling my trailer.......

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

It’s more expensive to own. It’s more expensive to fix. When has that ever not be the case for a diesel? You’ve got to pay to play. If you’re okay with the additional maintenance costs, fuel costs, and possible repair costs down the line, get the diesel. Personally that stuff doesn’t really bother me. I didn’t need to make this work on a balance sheet. I got the diesel because it’s the best engine ever put in a Jeep.

 

[AEsco48]

Have not read the whole thread, but it's not just the torque of the Diesel, it's actually having the power depending on where you live/drive/explore.

Im in Denver and regularly go up to 10,000 ft, some times 13,000 ft off roading.
The Diesel has a turbo, so it has the actual rated power even at altitude.
A gas engine at 10,000 ft is down 30% of its rated power...

The gas engines basically need to be in 4Lo jjst to have enough power to even do trails... while im happy in 4H

 

[cost1$]

Love my 22 Eco Diesel so far 20,000 miles and no issues on 37’s Low end torque is worth every dollar spent.

 

[porsharman]

I’ve read the thread and pretty much all the pros and cons have been discussed. The only point I would like to make has to do with tuning. There is no question the ecodiesel power plant is detuned from the factory. I am currently running the Green Diesel Engineering tune in my ‘21 JTRD and am very impressed. I continue to run all of my emissions equipment without any issues and I have logged 63+k miles. The is no question that the stock ecodiesel provides a better driving experience than the gas model. Installing a GDE tune has made a better driving experience a great driving experience.

So the Jeep Gladiator is a very good platform to build on the diesel just makes it better.

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