Pentastar or 3.0l?

[VilhelmTheRed]

I dont care what anyone says. The 3.6 minivan engine has no place in a Gladiator. We has two 3.0 EcoDiesel Gladiators in our family, and have had no issues. The German sourced 8sp transmission is almost worth the cost by itself. We just drove one from NY to Florida and averaged 28.3mpg, but it's all about the torque. Until the Tornado I6 arrives, the diesel is a no brainer.

I currently live in Central NY and that's one of my concers with the diesel. Not a friendly state for diesels.

Sponsored

 

[Almost]

how many techs at your local dealer would actually be able to handle any issues with it if something went wrong. However, the pentastar is so common that all dealers can handle it and most indeppendent shops could as well.

I think this is a pretty big concern, but think this will solve itself in due time. The Ecodiesel seems to be a very popular option for the JT in general (more so than the Ram 1500) so hopefully a higher uptick will force dealers to have techs in place. That said, I will never go to the dealer for anything other than a warranty claim. I have had enough bad experiences even with my JKU that I question their ability to even work with legos and I live in NJ where dealers are plentiful.

 

[Patches]

I like the idea of having a diesel, but like others have said, for the cost of this platform, it doesn't make as much sense as something like a diesel F250. Sure, roughly specced out crew cab diesels are about 6K apart between a Jeep and other mfg trucks, but you gain a ton of capability with a full size truck that doesn't really translate over to the Gladiator.

We moved cross country in a gas Overland. 2 adults, 2 kids, a cat and a dog, and a uHaul trailer with clothing, cleaning supplies, and misc items we lived with in between movers picking up and unloading. Averaged 65-75 mph depending on what state we were driving through. Never had any issues with acceleration, overheating, or range anxiety.

Would I get one if they were the same price? Yes! But not at $4k with no real benefits for my use case.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I dont care what anyone says. The 3.6 minivan engine has no place in a Gladiator. We has two 3.0 EcoDiesel Gladiators in our family, and have had no issues. The German sourced 8sp transmission is almost worth the cost by itself. We just drove one from NY to Florida and averaged 28.3mpg, but it's all about the torque. Until the Tornado I6 arrives, the diesel is a no brainer.

Are you kidding me? Still calling it a minivan engine? LOL - that's a hoot. So what about the Ram trucks like the 1500, the Dodge cars - here's a partial list.

Dodge Challenger.
Dodge Charger.
Dodge Durango.
Jeep Gladiator.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.

We've had the 3.6 in Jeeps since they first came out. Mine tows like a champ. 24,000 miles so far, zero engine issues, and I mean zero. Smooth, quiet, peppy, tows great, good mpg for the type of truck it's in and more.

Like I said earlier, diesel people will claim nothing else exists, and yet there are hundreds of thousands of the 3.6 on the road with no troubles, some with hundreds of thousands of miles.
Why do I need the torque of a diesel? Explain why I must have it or should want it.

If I can tow just fine when and where I tow - why should I buy diesel, is what it comes down to. What's the why and justification?
So far, it's all about the emotion and feel behind it, isn't it?

So - do you WANT one, or do you NEED one?
And for both cases - why.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I currently live in Central NY and that's one of my concers with the diesel. Not a friendly state for diesels.

Almost all anti-idling laws in the U.S. - and there are hundreds of them - apply to diesel vehicles.
Almost all of the cases where the EPA was "going after" companies or modifications - it involved diesel vehicles.
Anti-idling laws are growing in number and teeth. Mostly it's not impacting consumer vehicles, personal vehicles, but that's changing as well - and the first things that come into view are diesel vehicles.

That's not a reason to avoid them necessarily, but is something to think about in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Mac]

Can’t tow as much can’t haul as much as the gas motor. So what if the gas motor revs, it’s 2022 that is how these motors are designed to be used.

 

[VilhelmTheRed]

I dont care what anyone says. The 3.6 minivan engine has no place in a Gladiator. We has two 3.0 EcoDiesel Gladiators in our family, and have had no issues. The German sourced 8sp transmission is almost worth the cost by itself. We just drove one from NY to Florida and averaged 28.3mpg, but it's all about the torque. Until the Tornado I6 arrives, the diesel is a no brainer.

I hadn't even seen the news on the i6. Very limited information, I wonder.. are they waiting for the spring release of the other manufacturers, a refresh, or is it still in the works? Almost makes me want to wait and see.

 

[Average-Joe]

I don’t regret going with the pentastar. It has done everything I have asked it to do. (towing; hauling wheeling).

 

[ilovebikes99]

challenges securing the proper oil filter and oil right now. Its also a rather rare engine....how many techs at your local dealer would actually be able to handle any issues with it if something went wrong.

There is literally 1 person out West with this issue. And you bring this up. I couldn't get damn oil dye locally to diagnose a leak on my Mercedes. Shall we proclaim a nationwide shortage?

I am really surprised by our valued forum members throwing these gang signs in the air without even knowing where's left and where's right.

 

[JJones95]

I insist on driving a stick so my decision was easy.

 

[Jglad15]

Are you kidding me? Still calling it a minivan engine? LOL - that's a hoot. So what about the Ram trucks like the 1500, the Dodge cars - here's a partial list.

Dodge Challenger.
Dodge Charger.
Dodge Durango.
Jeep Gladiator.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.

We've had the 3.6 in Jeeps since they first came out. Mine tows like a champ. 24,000 miles so far, zero engine issues, and I mean zero. Smooth, quiet, peppy, tows great, good mpg for the type of truck it's in and more.

Like I said earlier, diesel people will claim nothing else exists, and yet there are hundreds of thousands of the 3.6 on the road with no troubles, some with hundreds of thousands of miles.
Why do I need the torque of a diesel? Explain why I must have it or should want it.

If I can tow just fine when and where I tow - why should I buy diesel, is what it comes down to. What's the why and justification?
So far, it's all about the emotion and feel behind it, isn't it?

So - do you WANT one, or do you NEED one?
And for both cases - why.

I couldn agree more with everything you have said in this thread. I don’t get all the hate for the 3.6. I feel that it’s been plenty power for my use. Actually peppier than what I thought it was gonna be. Even with the 37s I just slapped on, it doesn’t feel like the dog everyone makes it appear to be.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Can’t tow as much can’t haul as much as the gas motor. So what if the gas motor revs, it’s 2022 that is how these motors are designed to be used.

That exactly what the Chevy guys told me when I first got by Chevy truck with the LS - I said for crying out loud, that thing kicks down on the hills a gear or two and the engine is running 5,000 RPM (I was used to the Ford which wouldn't wind up that much unless you red-lined it)
They laughed and said that's nothing, that's how they get their power. Also said "don't worry about it, basically the same engine used in the performance cars and racing.
Well - what's the 3.6 used in?
The Challenger version 3.6-liter has 303 horsepower and 268 pound-feet of torque.

They wind up. It's not a 4.0

having challenges securing the proper oil filter and oil right now

There is literally 1 person out West with this issue.

Actually it's more than one, and it's more than Jeep - it's Ford and Chevy, too. I did some searching last night and although it's not national, it's still regional, there is a problem in some areas.
VW says it's not going to get better soon. (I get email news flashes on industry things now and then, too)
Is it a national emergency? No. Some areas aren't having trouble. But others are and it's more than one or there wouldn't be easily found complaints about it going back weeks. One Ford diesel owner actually had the local parts stores contact him as soon as they got in a supply. So it's hit and miss and for those where it's a miss - it's a big deal even if others aren't feeling it and believe it's not a big deal.

 

[RichDSport]

The 3.6 is awesome. Diesel is only getting what—4MPG better? Diesel is more expensive here and you have to add that blue stuff. I get the appeal of longer range (not sure if the tank is the same in both—it’s smaller in the Wrangler D). But the biggest trade off is the reliability IMHO.

The Diesel is a bit quicker. I say get what makes you happy, but understand the trade offs.

 

[Courtsm3]

Having owned both the 3.6 and now the 3.0, its superior in almost every way. Plan on big tires? No problem. Plan on hauling overland gear at max payload? No problem. Plan on towing? No problem. This thing hauls ass and return far superior mpg compared to my very similar previous 3.6. Only downside would be maintenance as the 3.6 is far simpler and cheaper. I did my own oil change and was still around $180 cdn. So not cheap and in almost 8000kms I’ve used $42 in DEF, so $222. With my math Im still saving $18 per fill up compared to my gas 3.6, so out of 13 fill ups Ive saved approximately $234 in fuel. Comparable 3.6 oil change was about $50-55 in oil and $18 oil filter. So when you do the math, yes some savings but not a world of a difference. Falling back on the truck, I love it and loved my 3.6 too but the 3.0 brings the driving experience to a more confident level. Living at altitude and driving a hilly highway everyday, the torque is very much appreciated and what this truck needs. And by no means am I knocking the 3.6, its a great motor and it was an improvement over my 19’ trd pro 3.5 manual that I traded it in for. Oh right, dont forget up front cost too, it was about $7200 more but I know my resale will always be higher. Will I recoup that? Time will tell.

 

[sharpsicle]

Are you kidding me? Still calling it a minivan engine? LOL - that's a hoot.

Just remember, based on this logic the supercharged V8 from the Hellcat Challenger is a "minivan engine".

Sponsored