IS THE ECODIESEL RIGHT FOR YOU?

[Shathawk]

Just finished an 1880 mile road trip from Seattle area to Yellowstone national Park and back with my family and friends and we had the opportunity to do some real world comparison between the Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Pentastar and the Duramax diesel ZR2. My gladiator is an LE with 315/70R17 (35") KO2s with speedometer calibrated, stock suspension, bed fully loaded with gear, and 3 passengers. The ZR2 I was traveling with has a leveling kit, canopy,decked system with basic traveling gear, stock tires, (31" Goodyears) and one passenger. Traveling speed was on average 70 mph with moments at 80 mph when passing and many miles of 45 mph travel through the park. With the fuel cost offset between unleaded in diesel (varied from State to State) the Gladiator costs on average 2 cents per/gal more to operate than the diesel ZR2 not accounting for DEF fluid. This means if the Ecodiesel performs similar to the Duramax based on the $4000 up-charge you would need to keep the Jeep long enough to log 200,000 miles before you began to see a return on your investment, when you add in DEF fluid at approx. $13 per/5000 miles it increases to 220,000 miles. Keep in mind the Gladiator is equipped with 35" tires while competing against the ZR2 . I will not get in to the maintenance costs between gas and diesel due to the many variables. My opinion is, unless you are towing heavy all the time (might consider a different vehicle) stick with the Pentastar. I have owned and towed with three diesel trucks (2008 Duramax tuned, 2017 Duramax, and 2019 Duramax) and while I love the capabilities, I have to tell you this Pentastar 8 speed combo is very well sorted. I am attaching a few images of the fuel economy numbers. Let me know your thoughts. NOTE 1: KO2 tire pressure on Gladiator was measured at 35 psi. Not sure about the other vehicles. NOTE 2: Chevrolet does not list the turning radius of the ZR2 but I can verify on several occasions it would not turn around on a two lane road with a small turnout without a two point turn where the Gladiator would.

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[Oscar Indy]

I posted this same kind of numbers in another thread and got jumped all over. Don't be shocked when the diesel junkies don't agree.

 

[WhatExit?]

Just finished an 1880 mile road trip from Seattle area to Yellowstone national Park and back with my family and friends and we had the opportunity to do some real world comparison between the Jeep Gladiator 3.6 Pentastar and the Duramax diesel ZR2. My gladiator is an LE with 315/70R17 (35") KO2s with speedo calibrated stock suspension, bed fully loaded with gear and 3 passengers. The ZR2 I was traveling with has a leveling kit, canopy and decked system with basic traveling gear, stock tires (31" Goodyears) and one passenger. Traveling speed was on average 70mph with moments at 80mph when passing, and many miles of 45mph travel through the park. With the fuel cost offset between unleaded in diesel (varied from State to State) the Gladiator costs on average 2 cents per/gal more to operate than the diesel ZR2 not accounting for DEF fluid. This means if the Ecodiesel performs similar to the Duramax based on the $4000 upcharge you would need to keep the Jeep long enough to put 2000,000 miles on it before you began to see a return on your investment, when you add in DEF fluid at approx. $13 per/5000 miles it increases to 220,000 miles. Keep in mind the Gladiator is competing against the ZR2 rolling on a 35" tire also. I will not get in to the maintenance costs between gas and diesel due to the many variables. My opinion is unless you are towing heavy all the time (might consider a different vehicle) stick with the Pentastar. I have owned and towed with three diesel trucks (2008 Duramax tuned, 2017 Duramax, and 2019 Duramax) and while I love the capabilities, I have to tell you this Pentastar 8 speed combo is very well sorted. I am attaching a few images of the fuel economy numbers. Let me know your thoughts.

I like your analysis. Seems like a typo here: "Keep in mind the Gladiator is competing against the ZR2 rolling on a 35" tire also." Because in the beginning you wrote, "The ZR2 I was traveling with has a leveling kit, canopy and decked system with basic traveling gear, stock tires (31" Goodyears)..."

Adding $4,000 to an already high price makes it really hard to justify except for the diesel fanatics but there's no convincing them of anything.

Another issue to consider is the track record of that motor which isn't good (in fact it's been pretty bad with many former Ram 1500 owners saying they'd never go back).

 

[Shathawk]

I posted this same kind of numbers in another thread and got jumped all over. Don't be shocked when the diesel junkies don't agree.

I would not have it any other way. I was not expecting overwhelming approval just wanted to share my experience. I guess I bought this thing with apprehension knowing a diesel would be out at some point but did not want to wait. Now that the sale price is published and I have spent some time with the Pentastar, the Ecodiesel would really have to impress me to justify the cost. I stated before I have owned several diesels, loved them all, and had minimal problems with them. I just did not expect the gas V6 to do so well. I use to commute in a 2wd 1998 S10 standard cab pickup with a gas V6 and it averaged 15.5 mpg. How is this 4wd box with 35' tires averaging 21 mpg?

 

[Shathawk]

I like your analysis. Seems like a typo here: "Keep in mind the Gladiator is competing against the ZR2 rolling on a 35" tire also." Because in the beginning you wrote, "The ZR2 I was traveling with has a leveling kit, canopy and decked system with basic traveling gear, stock tires (31" Goodyears)..."

Adding $4,000 to an already high price makes it really hard to justify except for the diesel fanatics but there's no convincing them of anything.

Another issue to consider is the track record of that motor which isn't good (in fact it's been pretty bad with many former Ram 1500 owners saying they'd never go back).

NOT a typo, just not as well written as it could have been. The Gladiator IS on 35" KO2s and the ZR2 still has the stock Goodyears.

 

[bgenlvtex]

Nope.

Tier IV failure pre-installed from the factory, and they want me to pay extra to get it.

 

[lrtexasman]

I’m going to guess your comparison is flawed as the ZR2 only gets 18/22. The gladiator diesel will likely get closer to 22/28 (imo). As far as reliability, this is not the same 3.0 diesel, so you can’t draw conclusions. The 2.0 turbo in the JL is becoming very popular for its torque and fuel economy. Additionally, buying the new diesel at 5% below invoice, using the JL $3250 up charge from the 3.6, should put the cost at 3k as I am going with an auto anyway. The FE at highway speeds (75+ here in TX) and while towing is going to be better as well. DEF is cheap and I’ll do my own oil and filter changes, so maintenance is not as big a deal. What is a big deal is being able to tow between 2500lbs and 4000 lbs with high torque and low RMPs for a pleasant experience as opposed to having the motor revved to redline when going up a hill or trying to go over 65 mph.
Frankly, when looking at a Sport S and adding conv, tech package, bedliner, and tonneau that’s probably over 3k right there I’d rather spend on getting the diesel.

 

[bgenlvtex]

NOT a typo, just not as well written as it could have been. The Gladiator IS on 35" KO2s and the ZR2 still has the stock Goodyears.

Meaning the Gladiator likely suffered in the fuel economy department due to larger tires.

 

[WhatExit?]

NOT a typo, just not as well written as it could have been. The Gladiator IS on 35" KO2s and the ZR2 still has the stock Goodyears.

The tire sizes you listed for the ZR2 seem to conflict. Was the Chevy on 31's or 35's? (I don't think 35's will fit without a massive/tall lift)

 

[Shathawk]

The tire sizes you listed for the ZR2 seem to conflict. Was the Chevy on 31's or 35's? (I don't think 35's will fit without a massive/tall lift)

What about the statement you quoted confuses you?

 

[NaughtyGeek]

The tire sizes you listed for the ZR2 seem to conflict. Was the Chevy on 31's or 35's? (I don't think 35's will fit without a massive/tall lift)

Chevy - 31"
Jeep - 35"

 

[Phljeeper]

I think the confusion is when you stated this:

“Keep in mind the Gladiator is competing against the ZR2 rolling on a 35" tire also.”

Just trying to do a good comparison.

 

[RH 67]

I have a 2019 F-250 diesel that i use for heavy towing. The Gladiator is good at towing but not great simply because of design and size and not the gas engine so the argument of needing a diesel for towing does not make sense. The current gas power plant has sweet torque and a nice power curve for off roading and on HWY duty. The diesel is not going to make the Gladiator a tow monster.

Another thing to consider is the cost of ownership not only up front cost but normal operating cost, diesel now cost 40-50 cents per gallon more than regular, oil changes, DEF, yearly inspections last year on my MB Sprinter 4x4 it cost $85.00. Factoring in everything i never see a break even point.

 

[WhatExit?]

I think the confusion is when you stated this:

“Keep in mind the Gladiator is competing against the ZR2 rolling on a 35" tire also.”

Just trying to do a good comparison.

Yes, that's what I said

 

[Shathawk]

Yes, that's what I said

Daniel, this was all clarified in the text of post #five and there are also visual aids in post #1 clearly showing both ZR2 Colorado's, none of which are equipped with 35" tires. Lets move on little fella.

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