Factory V8

[MarineHawk]

I had a 2004 durango which I couldn't replace with a new one due to the fact they went from a towing cap of 8700 lbs, to 5k lbs. I couldn't understand why they whimped them out so bad. I got the Gladiator, and I love the weight and shape of the jeeps, very classic & durable. Personally I would much rather have the range to go explore than the power to drain my tank quickly, but once again thats just me. I thought the specs on the new Ford Explorer Engine were pretty impressive, considering the size and weight for the engine, didn't think much of the truck tho. Extended stays in the wild are what I'm after, not pulling heavy equipment.

I agree with all you say. I like the shape and weight of the Wranglers and Gladiators. But you can't have your cake and eat I too. The shape of these vehicles excludes the possibility of great highway mileage. As to range, my biggest gripe about the Gladiator is the small gas tank. I wish there was an option for a longer gas tank; deleting the spare tire carrier; and stowing the spare in the bed. Maybe an aftermarket one someday? I have a 2018 Ford Explorer that I ended up with in divorce proceedings and that I am trying to sell. It drives well, but it would get stuck and/or broken trying to go many of the places I have gone with my off-road capable vehicles. It's basically a tall car.

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[Texops]

Looks a lot like my first Jeep...which was a 1983 CJ7 Renegade...what part of Texas are you at? I bought mine in Magnolia and punch myself periodically for ever selling it but I was a dumb high school kid

I was living in Deer Park when I sold it, I really loved the simplicity of that Jeep.

 

[Texops]

in 1985 my friend at work bought a new J20 Jeep in tan it was an awesome ride 3/4 ton but rode better than any other 4wd truck at the time . had the 360 v8 probably less hp & close to the same torque as the new Gladiator but with the torque on a V8 it comes in at a lower rpm which is great for towing. that's why I like a straight 6 torque is down low.

 

[Factoid]

In the meantime, Rubitrux picks my Rubicon up tomorrow.

6.4L HEMI

 

[Trippin01]

Just like V12's and V10's, V8's are pretty much obsolete and a thing of the past. Heavy and poor fuel mileage. Technology has replaced them with the lighter and more efficient V6's. Horsepower to weight ratio is why even Indy cars have dumped most V6's which are winning more than ever against the obsolete V8's. Embracing V8's in this day and age is like embracing a PDA over a smart phone, Yeah it looks cool and sounds cool, but when Electric cars are blowing the doors off V8's it does make you scratch your head. Don't get me wrong, I still like gas engines more than electric motors, but if you think about it, The 1990 Ford 5.0 had 195 HP and the new Turbo 2.0 litre Jeep engine is kicking out 233hp. I'll take technology of today over 30 years ago, or even 5 years ago.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a30625/pentastar-turbo-hemi-pricing/
All Rangers will have a 270-horsepower, turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 310 pounds-feet of torque

 

[DamonC64]

I think the only way we will see a V8 option is if the Bronco comes out with that option.

 

[MoparDave]

I think we will get a diesel ....thats it.

 

[JCJeep1]

I recently drove a new Dodge Durango rental 250 miles for work. It has the same 3.6 Pentastar engine. I got 27 MPG. The problem with the Wranglers and Gladiators is not the engine. It's the weight and shape of the vehicles.

I had a rental JL 4 dr 3.6 in Miami - tooling up and down the keys - Solid 28 mpg. difference to my dd - no driving over 60 mph and mostly on Rt 1 so less stop and go. Drove 500 miles so no fluke -

 

[MarineHawk]

I had a rental JL 4 dr 3.6 in Miami - tooling up and down the keys - Solid 28 mpg. difference to my dd - no driving over 60 mph and mostly on Rt 1 so less stop and go. Drove 500 miles so no fluke -

Makes sense. I was going mostly 75 mph in the Durango. The impact of wind resistance is exponential as (the square of) the speed as it increases. Thus, going 80 mph, you have four times the resistance of when you are going 40 mph. And when you add in a not-so-aerodynamic shape, the difference really shows up a high speeds.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Makes sense. I was going mostly 75 mph in the Durango. The impact of wind resistance is exponential as (the square of) the speed as it increases. Thus, going 80 mph, you have four times the resistance of when you are going 40 mph. And when you add in a not-so-aerodynamic shape, the difference really shows up a high speeds.

And people think the 55 limit was arbitrary. No - speeds over 60 really drop mileage. I have shown that with my Silverado, my wife's GC and my own Eagle - which sits high and I have to wipe the bugs off the suspension, control arms and steering before shows. If I keep under 65 I do pretty decent, over that, with the Eagle or Chevy, mileage dropped like a rock. 55 my Silverado did its best. My Eagle does best in mixed driving, mostly below 55.
And although the windshield of the JT is swept back a bit more than other similar Jeeps of the past, it's still pushing a brick through the air - and that air impacts the suspension as well. This is why cars aimed for MPG have the bottom sides all sealed over with "plastic" panels to smooth the bottoms of the car. It's why semi-trailers have those wind barriers to keep the air from hitting those rear wheels and axles.

 

[steffen707]

I'd rather see a gas 30 mpg 4 cylinder with a 500 mile cruising range in the 350 HP range with the same 350 torque. but thats me. I guess I've out grown the V8 infatuation

sounds like a plug in hybrid is what you want.......=)

 

[steffen707]

I wish there was an option for a longer gas tank

I think ROAM was working on a larger gas tank for the wrangler, might work for us too. But since its ROAM......might be ready by the time all Jeeps are electric.

 

[Trippin01]

No Cyber trucks here. Just no need for 500-700hp.....V8, a good balance of power & range is realistic. I live in the Rockies, where charging stations don’t exist, and current bushes have no plug ins. A couple 5 gal gas cans and I can go 350-450 miles thru the rocky mtn woods & away from everyone.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No Cyber trucks here. Just no need for 500-700hp.....V8, a good balance of power & range is realistic. I live in the Rockies, where charging stations don’t exist, and current bushes have no plug ins. A couple 5 gal gas cans and I can go 350-450 miles thru the rocky mtn woods & away from everyone.

A charging station in every corn and bean field! That's what I envision - powered by wind turbines......... batting birds out of the air.

 

[Tim]

No Cyber trucks here. Just no need for 500-700hp.....V8, a good balance of power & range is realistic. I live in the Rockies, where charging stations don’t exist, and current bushes have no plug ins. A couple 5 gal gas cans and I can go 350-450 miles thru the rocky mtn woods & away from everyone.

I agree with you. I just came from a GMC Sierra with a 5.3L v8 and I am actually pretty impressed with the 3.6 Pentastar. Really the only thing I miss about my Sierra at this point is the range. That really has nothing to do with the engine, though.

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