Is the diesel gladiator worth it?

[Vegas_Blue]

I completely agree!!
I had a Pentastar in a JK and ripped it out and installed a 6.2 HEMI. Loved every minute and dollar spent.
I then had a launch edition JTR with Pentastar. Went ahead and tried the RIPP supercharger. Worse mistake ever. I had to run premium gas with about 12mpg tops. The tune would never stay because these transmissions self learn so it always screwed up and was horrible. Most regrettable purchase ever.
fast forward I ordered my sarge green JTR with diesel and after one month installed the Banks pedal monster and Derringer. Best money EVER spent. I run 37 Nittos and smile every time I drive it. Pushing 10k miles and best purchase ever.
BTW I had a eco diesel Grand Cherokee 2017 that I ran 188k miles on….never had a problem and loved the performance and mpgs. To each their own but the diesel to me is well worth the money every time I hear that turbo whistle

4K miles on mine and I agree. No lifts/tires yet. Love that sound and power.

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[ToJTornottoJT]

There is so much misinformation in this thread from people who don't even have the Ecodiesel in their Gladiators. If you don't know something, don't say it is true.

1. You don't give up ANY in towing with the Ecodiesel. You give up towing capacity, but unless you are on a perfectly flat road in perfect conditions or going down hill you will never tow very much over 6,000 lbs with the gas engine. I tried towing my boat to the lake with a friends Gladiator with the gasser engine and we had a terrible time and had slow down to about 25 to make it up a hill. We almost overheated the gasser. With my Ecodiesel we can make the trip to the lake with my 5,500 lb boat with ease, go the speed limit, and never get close to overheating. This is in the 115 degree Arizona summer and is 100 miles round trip.

2. I have had ZERO issues with heat. In fact, while towing my boat the engine and transmission temperatures don't move.

3. I am averaging 24.1 MPG on average for the last three weeks, that includes my 100 mile tow trip.

4. I drive up to Young, AZ from Tempe, AZ and I go up the Beeline to Payson on the way. I run about 80 MPH the entire time and I have no problems with any of the hills and pass a ton of people.

5. Diesel is on average $0.10/gallon cheaper where I live in Tempe, AZ.

6. Every-day-driving - I drive my Gladiator every day for work and I can tell you it is 1000X's more fun to drive the Diesel than the gas engine.

I will take the Ecodiesel any day of the week.

 

[SLC Rubicon]

For me, the diesel was a game-changer. I had bought mine 2 months ago. I had a 2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ with the 6.2. With the price of used trucks I knew I wanted to upgrade and had my eye on the JT since it came out. I did an extended test drive on a slightly used 3.6 Rubicon and I was trying to talk myself into it saying its not THAT slow. First test drive of the diesel I was sold. It's not as fast as the Chevy 6.2, but it's fun to drive and quick from a roll. Living in Utah I drive a lot of high elevation passes and the 3.6 was not going to cut it on a truck that costs 50-60k. I have zero regrets and love the power train. The gas mileage is incredible and when wheeling the low-end torque is amazing to be able to idle up blue sky hills. I've never owned a diesel and find the DEF to be a non-issue. It's cheap and available at all auto parts stores, home improvement warehouses, and most gas stations. To me the diesel is why I own a JT

 

[trailless]

I have a diesel on order but I did test drive one. I was sold on that test drive. I had a JK with the 3.6 and there was no way I was going to get a gladiator with the 3.6... the gladiator wasn't even on my radar until the diesel was introduced.

 

[staying_tuned]

I have a diesel on order but I did test drive one. I was sold on that test drive. I had a JK with the 3.6 and there was no way I was going to get a gladiator with the 3.6... the gladiator wasn't even on my radar until the diesel was introduced.

Same boat after realizing the F/I options weren’t impressive enough to justify attempting to make that motor peppy. Man I wanted it to work so bad. The 3.6 was not noticeably slow or inefficient in my JKU up until the point larger tires went on. Then it shifted into the constant mental debate where I’m telling myself, hey, it’s a Wranger and not meant to be peppy and hey, slow down, you’re MPGs are horrid. Loved all my pentastar based Jeep’s but that debate got old. I actually ended up hitting AutoX and HPDE events harder to get over it.

Is it worth not having the bullet-proof 3.6 (some have had issues, I never did, such a trusty and sorted motor)? For me, absolutely. If you’re on the fence, drive one. It’s so night and day these threads are borderline unfair. My diesel blows the rear 35” tires off at WOT and continues to pull hard until I let up. The slightest blip from the throttle when stopped initiates a wakening like someone kicked a grumpy dragon. I think that’s just a diesel thing, with peak TQ being accessible at such low RPMs.

I average 22.x MPG with 400lbs of RTT and rack on, 35” tires etc. I stomp on it regularly. I could likely eek out 23.x. Some are beating that by far. A few grand extra (auto was mandatory in my household for this vehicle) is a steal given the thoroughly comprehensive package the diesel is.

 

[trailless]

Same boat after realizing the F/I options weren’t impressive enough to justify attempting to make that motor peppy. Man I wanted it to work so bad. The 3.6 was not noticeably slow or inefficient in my JKU up until the point larger tires went on. Then it shifted into the constant mental debate where I’m telling myself, hey, it’s a Wranger and not meant to be peppy and hey, slow down, you’re MPGs are horrid. Loved all my pentastar based Jeep’s but that debate got old. I actually ended up hitting AutoX and HPDE events harder to get over it.

Is it worth not having the bullet-proof 3.6 (some have had issues, I never did, such a trusty and sorted motor)? For me, absolutely. If you’re on the fence, drive one. It’s so night and day these threads are borderline unfair. My diesel blows the rear 35” tires off at WOT and continues to pull hard until I let up. The slightest blip from the throttle when stopped initiates a wakening like someone kicked a grumpy dragon. I think that’s just a diesel thing, with peak TQ being accessible at such low RPMs.

I average 22.x MPG with 400lbs of RTT and rack on, 35” tires etc. I stomp on it regularly. I could likely eek out 23.x. Some are beating that by far. A few grand extra (auto was mandatory in my household for this vehicle) is a steal given the thoroughly comprehensive package the diesel is.

I definitely get it. I had 37s and beadlocks on my JKU with 4 88s. It always hunted for gears on the highway, and I averaged 12mpg...

Also, the pentastar wasn't nearly as reliable for me... I had to replace the cam, cam phaser, cam phaser sensor, thermostat, rear main seal leak, oil leakin near the intake manifold, and a stretched timing chain... so I figured the diesel couldn't be much worse!

 

[Oilburner]

There are so many of these threads, sorry if I have already answered in this one, but I have an Ecodiesel Wrangler now, 34K miles and am planning to order a 2022 JT as soon as the (hopefully) new colors are posted. Very happy with this power plant.

 

[Tacos]

I have had 2 JK's with the 3.6 Pentastar and manual transmissions. I loved them very much at the time. I could feel the lack of power when I would try to pass on a two-lane highway... Those were Sahara and a 75th anniversary edition. In April I took delivery of my new JTRD.... Hands down 3.0 EcoDiesel has way more power than the 3.6!!! When I go to pass on two lane now I have to make sure I take my foot out of it because I'll easily be up to 80 getting around another truck!! As far as the overheating issues. I've never had one. From what I've noticed a lot of people that have had the overheating issues are trying to tow in the first 5,000 mi of owning it. I don't know if it's not recommended to tow in that time span. But speaking from experience I noticed a huge jump in my mileage after 5,000 mi. I kind of wonder if Ma-Chrysler didn't put in some safety software for the first 5,000 mi while it's breaking in... If overheating is a serious option there are some vents you can put in on the Rubicon hood that will be fully functional airflow to help cool the engine compartment... I got over 8,000 on mine now and I'm seeing 27 MPG on my trip to and from work 60 mi round trip on a two lane.. can't really speak on the gasser JT's cuz I haven't owned one

 

[flsupraguy]

I have had 2 JK's with the 3.6 Pentastar and manual transmissions. I loved them very much at the time. I could feel the lack of power when I would try to pass on a two-lane highway... Those were Sahara and a 75th anniversary edition. In April I took delivery of my new JTRD.... Hands down 3.0 EcoDiesel has way more power than the 3.6!!! When I go to pass on two lane now I have to make sure I take my foot out of it because I'll easily be up to 80 getting around another truck!! As far as the overheating issues. I've never had one. From what I've noticed a lot of people that have had the overheating issues are trying to tow in the first 5,000 mi of owning it. I don't know if it's not recommended to tow in that time span. But speaking from experience I noticed a huge jump in my mileage after 5,000 mi. I kind of wonder if Ma-Chrysler didn't put in some safety software for the first 5,000 mi while it's breaking in... If overheating is a serious option there are some vents you can put in on the Rubicon hood that will be fully functional airflow to help cool the engine compartment... I got over 8,000 on mine now and I'm seeing 27 MPG on my trip to and from work 60 mi round trip on a two lane.. can't really speak on the gasser JT's cuz I haven't owned one

I just wish they offered the diesel with the manual trans.

 

[Larry D]

When the JT first came out I loved the looks of it. I test drove one with the gas motor no diesel option at the time. I was very disappointed and left with no JT. The diesel came an option. I went back and test drove it again I loved it ordered the wife a Rubicon that was almost 9 months ago. I like it so much I ordered myself a gecko sport with the diesel. So yes it was worth it to me.

 

[Snowcavemike]

I have a 2020 Gladiator rubicon that I was going to lift and regear to 4:88’s and run 37” tires. My question is do you think it’s worth it to trade in for the same truck but with the diesel power plant instead of spending the money on upgrading the gasser?

Every time I start up my Diesel Rubi, it gives me a thrill. I am running 37's with 3.73 gearing. I still have a ton of power, it wheels so smooth compared to a gasser, it is quiet and fun to drive. I have a 3 in Rockkrawer lift which takes care of the bottoming out. glad I waited for it

 

[SGME9]

I love my diesel. Fuel mileage is great, power is outstanding compared to my JL 3.6. The torque for off road is also outstanding. So far I wish that it had a larger fuel tank.

 

[WXman]

I love my diesel. Fuel mileage is great, power is outstanding compared to my JL 3.6. The torque for off road is also outstanding. So far I wish that it had a larger fuel tank.

YES! There is plenty of room under the truck for a larger tank 25-30 gallons would have been a game changer.

 

[flsupraguy]

Someone needs to mod the def tank into an auxiliary tank

 

[Snowcavemike]

I have a 2020 Gladiator rubicon that I was going to lift and regear to 4:88’s and run 37” tires. My question is do you think it’s worth it to trade in for the same truck but with the diesel power plant instead of spending the money on upgrading the gasser?

I love my Diesel. I am running 37's with stock gearing, it's really quite, it wheels so much better than the gasser. I just got back from overland west and a day wheeling, 23 mph. driving in 110 degree heat, no problem

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