Pentastar 6 vs the Wrangler 2.0

[FLGladiator]

Am considering ordering a new Wrangler Willys for the extra cooler inside space that I can add an inside kennel. Still love the Gladiator just more convenient for me to have the SUV type space and no need for the pickup bed area. Writing up the order sheet for the Willys edition and in automatic only comes in a 2.0. Huge turn off. Now thinking just buy a van and keep the Gladiator. lol

Never had a 4 cyl before. Wanted to get some thoughts on the 2.0 vs the 6 in Gladiator? Anyone with experience in a 2.0, are they as good as the pentastar?

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[JT1]

Am considering ordering a new Wrangler Willys for the extra cooler inside space that I can add an inside kennel. Still love the Gladiator just more convenient for me to have the SUV type space and no need for the pickup bed area. Writing up the order sheet for the Willys edition and in automatic only comes in a 2.0. Huge turn off. Now thinking just buy a van and keep the Gladiator. lol

Never had a 4 cyl before. Wanted to get some thoughts on the 2.0 vs the 6 in Gladiator? Anyone with experience in a 2.0, are they as good as the pentastar?

Are you talking an 18-23 or a 2024? The 2.0 got a bunch of upgrades and refinements for 2024.
As a daily driver, the 2.0/8spd is pretty good. Longevity? There are some JLs with the 2.0 at 140-150,000 miles, so those examples seem ok. They still dilute the oil, and they still prefer higher octane fuel.

The 3.6 has rocker arm/tappet issues.

 

[FLGladiator]

Are you talking an 18-23 or a 2024? The 2.0 got a bunch of upgrades and refinements for 2024.
As a daily driver, the 2.0/8spd is pretty good. Longevity? There are some JLs with the 2.0 at 140-150,000 miles, so those examples seem ok. They still dilute the oil, and they still prefer higher octane fuel.

The 3.6 has rocker arm/tappet issues.

The new 24 that the ordering books opened up for recently.

 

[Minty JL]

I have the 2.0T with eTorque in my '19 JLUR.

In the 4+ years and 23,000 miles its been flawless......only normal maintenance and a new battery back in November.

I would test drive one before you write it off. Its a torquey little SOB

 

[JT1]

The new 24 that the ordering books opened up for recently.

I assume Stellantis made the changes they did to fix some shortcomings, but honestly no idea.

I certainly wouldn't stress about the 2.0. I have had 2 pentastars eat a drivers side camshaft and I still have one in the garage.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Are you talking an 18-23 or a 2024? The 2.0 got a bunch of upgrades and refinements for 2024.
As a daily driver, the 2.0/8spd is pretty good. Longevity? There are some JLs with the 2.0 at 140-150,000 miles, so those examples seem ok. They still dilute the oil, and they still prefer higher octane fuel.

The 3.6 has rocker arm/tappet issues.

Never owned a 3.6 with follower or cam issues (no tappets) and we've had a number of them in my JTs and my wife's Grand Cherokees. I'd not be a bit afraid of a 3.6 in anything.
That being said - the only choice for JL now is the 2.0

Never had a 4 cyl before. Wanted to get some thoughts on the 2.0 vs the 6 in Gladiator? Anyone with experience in a 2.0, are they as good as the pentastar?

the 2.0 does really prefer higher octane fuel, especially in hot weather or with a load.
It's DI so will require a closer watch on oil changes. Direct injection is more prone to fuel contamination of the oil - but that's true of any DI engine.
(thankfully the 3.6 is not DI)

We have a 2.0 in our 4xe and that combo blows the 3.6 away in power and torque.
We drove almost non-stop (except for multiple fuel stops due to the tiny tank and poor mpg) so we were running as a hybrid with battery down and it was fine.
Granted, we had the added torque of the electric system, but it was running the 2.0 the whole trip once we got into GA from FL. It never shut off unless we were in heavy heavy traffic or stop and go city driving. It did fine.
Can't say how it would be in a non-4xe, but as a combination it is excellent.
I'll never feel the same about the get up and go of my 3.6 in my JT after driving my wife's JLU 4xe with 2.0

 

[Erievon]

I find it odd that you can't get an auto 3.6? Very Odd....

My wife has a 21 2.0 4 door, (not even etorque or 4xE). I can tell you power wise it kills my 3.6, and I was happy with the 3.6 as it was until her JL came home. This may be a perception issue. The 3.6 power delivery is smooth and consistent. The 2.0 hits harder and is quite noisy.

Some complain of turbo lag, let me tell you I've had big turbo tuner cars, there is practically zero lag with this tiny turbo, it spools quick and goes, and gets better gas mileage to boot. Just drove it from OH to SC for the second time last month, it did fantastic the whole trip, temperature was never a concern, and it didn't wheez in the W.VA mountains.

People say it will have longevity issues, but there are high mile examples out there like Bill says. Take care of it and I think it will do just fine. It's a high strung small motor, don't ignore maintenance on it.

From my years in turbo cars, I always put premium fuel in her 2.0T. People will say it runs fine on 87, and I'm sure it does. But I know the reason it will run on 87 is because it has knock sensors that will pull timing if it detects knock in order to protect itself. But to do that, there has to be knock in the first place, and I'd rather that just not occur. I'm not an octane snob, my 3.6 gets whatever 87 is around me. But I know the science, so if forced injection is involved, I'm putting in premium. I steer clear of those debates in most cases and just do what I do, because that debate is never pretty.

 

[AmosMoses]

No new wranglers with the 3.6 unless its paired with a standard transmission? That's what Iam gleaming from this thread.

We test drove an unlimited in 2020 with the 2.0. I didn't like the cold start sound of a typical 4 cylinder in such a large vehicle.

 

[FLGladiator]

No new wranglers with the 3.6 unless its paired with a standard transmission? That's what Iam gleaming from this thread.

We test drove an unlimited in 2020 with the 2.0. I didn't like the cold start sound of a typical 4 cylinder in such a large vehicle.

Yes very odd. I haven't heard one in person but have seen them in video's and man they are loud. Almost like a vacuum or hairdryer screaming.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Take care of it and I think it will do just fine. It's a high strung small motor, don't ignore maintenance on it.

If I go 7K miles on oil in my 3.6, I won't go over 5K, likely more like 3-4K on the 2.0
OF course one big reason for me with that is it's a 4xe. That means the engine is sitting a lot, and when it fires, with my wife's trips, it's not as likely to get hot enough to burn out moisture and fuel in the crankcase.
The 2.0 is loud if you are out of the vehicle - inside the vehicle it's definitely louder than the 3.6 in a Gladiator but then I've gotten out of my JT and forgot to shut it off because it is so quiet and I didn't look at the tach to see it was still running. I don't think it's worse than many things I've had over the years.
I seriously believe, with the history of the 2.0 and a bit better maintenance than I might do on the 3.6, it should last.
Put it this way - if I had any fears or concerns, there's no way in hell I'd have bought such a thing for my wife- and life the rest of my life never hearing the end of it. (only half joking)
I'd not put her in harm's way, or even think of something that might leave her stranded. I was pretty confident in it when I said "ok, let's do it".
It's direct injection so I'll likely be more likely do to oil samples on this than my 3.6.

If you look at the manuals for the straight 2.0 vs. the 2.0 4xe, you will see premium suggested for best results with the straight 2.0 in hot weather especially.
They don't say that with the 4xe because the engine isn't ever taxed as much.

 

[Dougstdig]

Am considering ordering a new Wrangler Willys for the extra cooler inside space that I can add an inside kennel. Still love the Gladiator just more convenient for me to have the SUV type space and no need for the pickup bed area. Writing up the order sheet for the Willys edition and in automatic only comes in a 2.0. Huge turn off. Now thinking just buy a van and keep the Gladiator. lol

Never had a 4 cyl before. Wanted to get some thoughts on the 2.0 vs the 6 in Gladiator? Anyone with experience in a 2.0, are they as good as the pentastar?

I rented one that I took down to Miami for work. On the highway it was fine. Driving around town I found it to be downright dangerous. Why? There is a ton of lag. When maneuvering through traffic and going turning through intersections ...if you are "safely" turning in traffic there's nothing. I found myself pushing the peddle to make sure I didn't get hit. There is a surge of power and you have to mash the brake to prevent from driving into someone.

This was even more evident when I drove my buddy's 3.6 JL sport. I ended up purchasing a JTRD and it's just no comparison as Torq everywhere. I can drive with absolute confidence.

I had an option to get the 3.6 in the JT when all JL's were E-Torq, which I wanted no part of.

Just my $0.02.

 

[Badunit]

I'm just wondering what the thought was behind not offering the 3.6 with the automatic. It's not like it is a new combination. Why not continue it? Who comes up with these ideas? I suppose it is to force you into a 4xe.

I was shopping around for vehicles a lot this past year and it reminds me of some option packages where you can get all this great stuff you absolutely want (and no other way to get any of it except with the package) but it includes one thing you absolutely positively don't want. I gave up on some other vehicles because of this packaging BS. Luckily so, though, because I ended up with a Gladiator.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm just wondering what the thought was behind not offering the 3.6 with the automatic. It's not like it is a new combination. Why not continue it? Who comes up with these ideas?

EPA
Emissions, CAFE

3.6 is nearing the end of possibilities of advancement. It's about as far as you can go.
And it's necessary to sell world-wide, size matters. If Jeep can't sell in the EU, they crash and burn.
Selfish Americans think only of selling to the customers here. If Jeep can't compete there or sell there, Ford or someone else will jump in and fill the gap - Jeep loses.

I believe they are also taxed on engines over certain sizes?

 

[FLGladiator]

I rented one that I took down to Miami for work. On the highway it was fine. Driving around town I found it to be downright dangerous. Why? There is a ton of lag. When maneuvering through traffic and going turning through intersections ...if you are "safely" turning in traffic there's nothing. I found myself pushing the peddle to make sure I didn't get hit. There is a surge of power and you have to mash the brake to prevent from driving into someone.

This was even more evident when I drove my buddy's 3.6 JL sport. I ended up purchasing a JTRD and it's just no comparison as Torq everywhere. I can drive with absolute confidence.

I had an option to get the 3.6 in the JT when all JL's were E-Torq, which I wanted no part of.

Just my $0.02.

I happen to really like the way my 3.6 JT drives. I did have some surging in the beginning that was different from what I was used to but not to bad and now after a few years can't even tell. You want surge try a 79 911 Turbo, hit a turn while the turbo is kicking in and its all over. Not a fan of turbo's.

 

[ZoMojave]

The direction STLA is going (starting in 2024 and ramping up) is the Hurricane 4 is the replacement for the 3.6. Hurricane 6 SO is the replacement for the 5.7 and the Hurricane 6 HO is replacement for 6.4.

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