Ecodiesel vs. Gas

[Louies]

Hi All
Newbie here and would love to hear some of your thoughts on eco diesel fuel gelling in the cold (32F). I'm looking at a Gladiator Rubicon eco diesel but a bit afraid about this fuel gelling that I've just read online. My use for the Gladiator Rubicon centers around going skiing in Tahoe or Mammoth during the winter months, not much use in Overlanding. However, I don't rule that out completely. Should my boy decides to get into Overlanding, he can have the torque of the diesel engine. In the meantime, I'm a bit worried about this gelling thing. Honestly, I would spend some extra $$$ to get more torque just in case. But if it takes too much work taking care of the diesel, then I'm better of going with the Gas version of the truck.

Thanks

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[Mac]

Perhaps gelling is location specific, I had a Dodge 3500 with the Cummins a few years back, never had any issues with gelling fuel or starting in cold weather, the Cummins had a grid heater, it was my daily driver and I never plugged it in, never had an issue down to -15 F, I am in MA and the fuel blend changes as it gets colder.

 

[MrZappo]

It doesn't gel at 32. It gels much lower than that like 10 degrees.

They have treatments you can add to help with it.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Unless you have a need for a diesel engine, it's not worth the hassle and expense. Government regulations have mandated expensive emissions requirements that make the diesel complex and expensive to operate. I drove one for 14 years, and was happy with it, but it was a 2006 model without all the emissions requirements. I would not buy a new diesel equipped passenger vehicle, without a specific need or requirement for it.

 

[UTRZRDOG]

I have no need for one but I have one because I wanted one. Gas guys hate them and diesel guys love them. It has been 13 years since my last diesel that was a Ford 7.3 and this is so much quieter and cleaner with tons of torque for a mid size truck. Last two trucks were the bullet proof Tundras that had zero problems. There is no way I was even considering the gasser in that I need to pull a boat and a UTV and I like to be able to at least go the speed limit without the motor revving so high. Sure hope that the problems have been resolved and I am sure there will still be some but these motors are not the gen ones and seem to be great motors. Absolutely love it and would not go back to a gasser for a midsize truck. Sure hope that I can feel the same way in the next couple of years.

 

[JCHGlad]

Unless you have a need for a diesel engine, it's not worth the hassle and expense. Government regulations have mandated expensive emissions requirements that make the diesel complex and expensive to operate. I drove one for 14 years, and was happy with it, but it was a 2006 model without all the emissions requirements. I would not buy a new diesel equipped passenger vehicle, without a specific need or requirement for it.

Exactly, unfortunate, but true

 

[Jeepinrealtor]

I was in the same boat. I driven diesels and do like their torque. I basically came down to this. I’m not going to run anything larger than 35s and may stick to 33s. I had 35s on my jku. If you’re going above 35s then I’d say it’d be a good choice but after the cost difference of oil changes and the cost of the upgraded Engine it’d be a while before you came out on the “economy” side of things but the last thing, If you are out and about the majority of folks here wheel gas engines so if u ever did need to borrow some push water then that would be a major factor. And also the option for deleting is getting smaller and smaller with emissions. I went with the gasser. I’m not knocking diesel but it just wasn’t the right choice for me

 

[aldo98229]

Brad at TrailRecon uploaded just today a video on this very topic.

He compares the V6 EcoDiesel to the V6 Pentastar on JL; same differences apply to JT.

I think he provides an objective comparison.

 

[Kevin_D]

I was in the same boat. I driven diesels and do like their torque. I basically came down to this. I’m not going to run anything larger than 35s and may stick to 33s. I had 35s on my jku. If you’re going above 35s then I’d say it’d be a good choice but after the cost difference of oil changes and the cost of the upgraded Engine it’d be a while before you came out on the “economy” side of things but the last thing, If you are out and about the majority of folks here wheel gas engines so if u ever did need to borrow some push water then that would be a major factor. And also the option for deleting is getting smaller and smaller with emissions. I went with the gasser. I’m not knocking diesel but it just wasn’t the right choice for me

"Push Water..."
Hadn't heard that one before!

And with the additional cost of the diesel motor (I can buy a LOT of gasoline for $4,000!,) and the quite expensive services, and the damn DEF (and the associated smaller fuel tank,) the gas engine looks much more attractive.
I agree that the diesel has its advantages, but those advantages come at a stiff premium, and aren't needed by everyone.

Kevin

 

[Oil_Burner]

The diesel fuel you buy is seasonally adjusted at the pump automatically to prevent gelling. If you were to buy fuel in the summer, park your truck until January in the northern states, you might have a problem. If you are regularly using your vehicle, gelling fuel should never be a problem. If gelling of diesel was a problem, the trucks that transport goods would not work in the winter... and we all know that isn’t the case.

 

[Smess]

OMG this is hilarious, the service costs- diesels need a fraction of the service a gasser does, gelling? they dont have glow plugs anymore and have additives. I cant this thread is full of completely uninformed comments.

Diesel glad rubicon with 35's. 25mpg in 30-40 degree weather averaging 80-90 highway and motor was a 1800 mile virgin.

I had the launch gasser and now diesel, its like asking me if I would prefer a lobster or the so called chicken that everyone says is dog or cat and the Chinese restaurant.

gasser gets x miles to gallon on flat road at x dollars per gallon vs diesel UNLESS the road has a slight incline or decline or both, gasser downshifts and drinks fuel, diesel engages a little turbo boost. And then there is your time to stop for gas more frequently.

you all do the overall time value of money math and the price at the pump etc, its not that simple.

 

[Louies]

The diesel fuel you buy is seasonally adjusted at the pump automatically to prevent gelling. If you were to buy fuel in the summer, park your truck until January in the northern states, you might have a problem. If you are regularly using your vehicle, gelling fuel should never be a problem. If gelling of diesel was a problem, the trucks that transport goods would not work in the winter... and we all know that isn’t the case.

This is basically what I was looking for when it comes to diesel vs. gas gladiator. As long as it's not way over the top when it comes to servicing or maintaining the truck, I'm alright with it. It's not my regular daily drive though. I'll probably take it out twice a month doing very light offroading or Overlanding with my neighbor and his buddies or my son may take it to Tahoe and Mammoth for skiing. Other than that, the truck probably stays in the garage most of the time.

 

[Smess]

This is basically what I was looking for when it comes to diesel vs. gas gladiator. As long as it's not way over the top when it comes to servicing or maintaining the truck, I'm alright with it. It's not my regular daily drive though. I'll probably take it out twice a month doing very light offroading or Overlanding with my neighbor and his buddies or my son may take it to Tahoe and Mammoth for skiing. Other than that, the truck probably stays in the garage most of the time.

The reason third world countries and islands prefer a diesel is not because of availability of fuels. Its because parts are hard to get and diesels run with a fraction of the maintenance cost and get better economy.

before Trump limited exporting/importing china and dubai etc would pay big money for benz, porsche, bmw suvs but only diesels

 

[Hootbro]

This is basically what I was looking for when it comes to diesel vs. gas gladiator. As long as it's not way over the top when it comes to servicing or maintaining the truck, I'm alright with it. It's not my regular daily drive though. I'll probably take it out twice a month doing very light offroading or Overlanding with my neighbor and his buddies or my son may take it to Tahoe and Mammoth for skiing. Other than that, the truck probably stays in the garage most of the time.

Buy whatever you want, but a infrequently used diesel vehicle is way worse in the long run than a gasser.

Like other mentioned, buy a diesel if the torque and mileage is important, anything else, the math is not there unless you do a mental feint exercise.

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