Here we go again

[Dyzard]

I keep bouncing back and forth between what I want here... wife and I almost decided just to get a 2 dr wrangler save some money and have fun with it next thing we know we're back in the 45k range looking at rubicon and then we figured let's just go back to gladiator, more family friendly than a 2 dr and just keep it around the same price we were looking at.

So decisions time,

1 go with the max tow sport s with 8.4 bed liner, soft top, and I believe that was it

2 willys same things but basic tow package instead

3 (she doesn't know this yet) but I'm eyeballing the diesel again... really just can't make up my mind

Can anyone truly tell me what the big benefit of the max tow over a willys is minus the rating, the wide axles, and the gear ratio. And would these bits be worth it over the willys when they come out to almost the same price in my build sheet.

Or should I convince here let's just go diesel hmmm....

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[Shackleton]

I bought max tow for the payload and tow rating. The Willys was not an option when I bought so I’m not certain what you get in that package. I can see the wheels and grill visually but never looked into what is included. To me the MSRP of mine was just under 45k and has everything I need. I’ll get larger tires or take offs at some point but that’s probably all. I think the guys that “build” off road rigs have the opinion that the max tow is a good platform to build from. I bought mine to tow my boat and take on the beach so I’ll never stray too far from stock. Road manners are much better than the 2 door wrangler from what I understand due to the longer wheelbase

 

[Dyzard]

I bought max tow for the payload and tow rating. The Willys was not an option when I bought so I’m not certain what you get in that package. I can see the wheels and grill visually but never looked into what is included. To me the MSRP of mine was just under 45k and has everything I need. I’ll get larger tires or take offs at some point but that’s probably all. I think the guys that “build” off road rigs have the opinion that the max tow is a good platform to build from. I bought mine to tow my boat and take on the beach so I’ll never stray too far from stock. Road manners are much better than the 2 door wrangler from what I understand due to the longer wheelbase

The willys on the gladiator really only seems to come with cosmetic stuff and remote start, but it comes with the decent rock rails, and I believe more skid plates than the sport s but I'm probably wrong there... but between max tow and willys I'm pretty sure the max tow comes with more mechanical upgrades so it's like should probably just go with the max tow... it'll be a daily driver, weekend wheeler, occasional tow within its limits nothing crazy. But that's what makes me want to consider the diesel, because it's not a bad tow rating for what I want, and the mpg are just way better, and the engine is just better performance. If I go with the 3.6 I want to supercharge it with edelbrocks just to get the performance close to the diesel and the edelbrock one seems the safest bet

 

[2TH MVR]

Looking at your signature .... looks like you made your decision. I also have a JTRD on order. Diesels are amazing. I used to have a F350 4X4 turbo diesel. LOVED that truck. Effortless power. I swore that if I ever bought another truck ..... it would have to be a diesel.

 

[A 2]

New diesel owner here. That’s my vote.

 

[BAT]

All about what you plan to use it for.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

All about what you plan to use it for.

Right. It's really simple - list what you NEED first - what is your long-term goal. Towing? Hauling? Crawling through Rocks? Crawling through sand (not the same as rocks, sand is billions of tiny rocks), slopping through mud? Overlanding through the outback? Cross-country trips? Highways? Camping in the truck?
Is MPG important? Is maintenance cost important?
No one can tell you what to order - anyone that does that is listening to the wrong people. Only YOU know and define your needs. Not anyone else.
Some people buy based on what they want - screw what they need. They want big cool looks, nothing else matters, practical doesn't matter, how will it impress others. I bet a good many Jeep vehicles are sold strictly on want and not real need.

 

[BamaJeepTruck]

Don’t ever buy the diesel just because of fuel economy. Will take a lot of miles to make up that price difference.

 

[Free2roam]

Over the last 3400 miles I've averaged 27 mpg. Not a Rubicon. But just the simple Sport S Ecodiesel with the 7 in screen. Nothing fancy.
Seems a lot of people debate on the diesel based upon when will they get their money back on their investment. Not as important to me I just enjoy getting the 27 miles to the gallon hit an all-time high of 31 can't complain at all love the torque haven't even had to completely floor it because of the torque. Also I do have the remote start on mine.
I will eventually lift it and put 35 on it currently weekend wheeling. Eventually will also be set up for overlanding but will be hauling a small trailer. I'm quite happy with the Eco diesel.
You being in Tennessee I would definitely go look at Gupton motors and talk with Daniel or Renee. I hear they are the dream team to work with and if ordering I don't know if it's still going on but they have been offering up to a percent with FCA financing and tread lightly 1% discount along with current incentives that have been able to get most people as far as I know 8% off of invoice. I don't think there's a complaint there at all. Good luck with your decision.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Over the last 3400 miles I've averaged 27 mpg. Not a Rubicon. But just the simple Sport S Ecodiesel with the 7 in screen. Nothing fancy.
Seems a lot of people debate on the diesel based upon when will they get their money back on their investment. Not as important to me I just enjoy getting the 27 miles to the gallon hit an all-time high of 31 can't complain at all love the torque haven't even had to completely floor it because of the torque. Also I do have the remote start on mine.
I will eventually lift it and put 35 on it currently weekend wheeling. Eventually will also be set up for overlanding but will be hauling a small trailer. I'm quite happy with the Eco diesel.
You being in Tennessee I would definitely go look at Gupton motors and talk with Daniel or Renee. I hear they are the dream team to work with and if ordering I don't know if it's still going on but they have been offering up to a percent with FCA financing and tread lightly 1% discount along with current incentives that have been able to get most people as far as I know 8% off of invoice. I don't think there's a complaint there at all. Good luck with your decision.

When you get your money back should be only one variable in the equation. And, that will itself vary based on driving, fuel prices in your area and other factors. Buy based on need, towing/hauling/carrying, whatever.
Break-even can be a floating target.

 

[Free2roam]

When you get your money back should be only one variable in the equation. And, that will itself vary based on driving, fuel prices in your area and other factors. Buy based on need, towing/hauling/carrying, whatever.
Break-even can be a floating target.

When and if I get my money back wasn't even a question my mind. I got 8% off my build. Invoice being 46,590. Got a great deal I think. Again can't complain at all.

 

[Dyzard]

So for me the mpg is just a nice additive I've always wanted a diesel in my jeep that's the sole reason I want to go diesel, plus that low end torque is going to be nice. Long term goals will ne a modest lift 2-3 probably and 37s do a drop hitch I want to be able to do moderate trails I love the way 37s look on a gladiator over 35s so it's there for me
But moderate trails, moderate towing every day driver thats the goals with it. Diesel is just because I've always wanted a diesel the mpg is just a bonus thats all. The other option is go with the max tow with basically the same price with some more options but I don't really need them they're just there because I'm sticking to a similar price point. I don't really like the mpg of the gas once you're towing even a moderate trailer while the diesel seems to be where the gas is normally when towing a moderate trailer so again the mpg is just a bonus not that we'd be doing much towing
Now that I'm done rambling lol sorry just kept going but yeah thats why im thinking between these two. They're both solid options and I wouldn't be opposed to either the one thing I do know I want is that gecko color so realllllly hoping to get my order in soon

 

[Gladman]

I bought the diesel for every other reason than fuel economy. The mpg is just a bonus and I really don’t care if it ever “pays” for itself. To me, that is a poor reason to buy the diesel.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

If I were to do it over again I'd consider the diesel or the max tow.
The diesel just seems awesome, mpg, power, barely effected by bigger tires etc.
The max tow is just good value and an honest platform to springboard from.
That said I got a Mojave because I wasn't towing anything major I liked the look of it from the factory, the hood, the suspension and I felt like i got a great deal.

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