Producing the MASSIVE Gladiator!

[Batterycap]

Why? The engines are among the highest rated out there

Could be. I pity the folks with the engines that came in 2nd and below.

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[ShadowsPapa]

With all respect here, comparing the 3.6 to other engines built today is similar to lowering the bar on quality. I recognize that in any comparison there has to be benchmarks or similar data to compare with but given the technology in use today, the engines produced should be much better quality than those produced earlier. Guess it all depends on how far back one goes for comparison but there are simply too many failures in todays Jeep engines in my view. Bearings, camshafts, roller cams and lifters have been around for a very long time and with constant improvement these should not be failing at the rates seen today. GM small block V-8's have been around since 1955 and have a pretty darn good track record over all. Same with Mopar engines but todays modern engines clearly have failures that should not be happening at the rate that we are seeing today. I don't know what the problem is but assume there are numerous factors involved. My personal opinion is that federal standards for emissions have pushed manufactures too far for the technology available today. There is a limit to how long an internal combustion engine can be expected to perform given the higher and higher output required of it. In my opinion, it is the single biggest reason these engines continue to fail far too soon. As an example, when you have to use thinner and thinner viscosity oils to squeeze minute amounts of additional gas milage out of an engine perhaps they have gone too far.

You did well with a legacy engine going 100,000 miles.
today, many are going 200,000 before they are ever opened up.
You don't see failed valve seals at 40,000, and the host of other things I worked on over the years.
We are seeing numbers now, not percentages.
The failures of engine back then - many, and most at far lower miles than what we see today.
I worked on those supposedly reliable engines - and I have to laugh when people say things are less reliable today.
Your SBC engines had intake manifold leaks in the 80s and 90s, spun rod bearings were not uncommon, failed fuel pumps, toasted cams and lifters, and timing chains - 80,000 and most were toast. Water pumps - common issue even with under 70,000 miles.
Give me a modern engine any day over a small block chevy from the 1970s or 80s. I remember those days - I live and worked them, daily.
People have skewed memories of those engines.
Not the oil viscosity thing again - LOL.

Roller cams - yeah, and guess what failed.......... the same parts that failed in the Gen 1 pentastar - the roller bearings.
Those don't have a perfect or clean record. A lot better today, but early versions had their issues with failed bearings. It was so bad, that some companies went to bronze bearings instead of needle bearings.

People tend to have fond memories of the old engines and transmissions - but they didn't have to work on them 6 days a week, then their own on Sundays.
I did.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Could be. I pity the folks with the engines that came in 2nd and below.

Yeah, you'll never get it. Your vision is skewed by the internet and internet lore.

 

[OldSarge]

Well-known to those who hang out on the internet. But percentage-wise, no, not really worse than the failure rates of some others.
Those rating it poorly are repair shops, youtubers and forum hanger-outers.
Those rating it well crunch the numbers and look at the over-all bigger picture.
Yeah, that 'well-known' thing is wearing thin if you do the numbers.

Motorreviewer says:
Summing up, we can say the Pentastar 3.6 reliability is way above average. It is time-tested well enough, and over 10 million Pentastar engines were produced to date. Despite that they had some issues early on, the 3.6L V6 Pentastar is great, durable, one of the most reliable engines available on the market right now.

thanks for the info. I find the engine anemic with questionable design decisions such as oil filter housings that are prone to cracking. Honestly, the 3.6 is subpar in many ways to other modern V6s. Glad you like it, but it’s not my favorite.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

thanks for the info. I find the engine anemic with questionable design decisions such as oil filter housings that are prone to cracking. Honestly, the 3.6 is subpar in many ways to other modern V6s. Glad you like it, but it’s not my favorite.

The oil filter housing is only a problem with abuse in most cases........... yes, heat and age, but still, show me a modern engine without "known issue" - and an oil filter housing is extremely minor. I don't really consider that to be a problem in the grand scheme of things. At least use something that is of some bigger concern. (even at that, a lot of these go the distance with the original oil filter rigging. And if it breaks, you simply replace it.)

 

[biodiesel]

My personal opinion is that federal standards for emissions have pushed manufactures too far for the technology available today.

I don't spend much time reading and learning about modern gasoline engines like I do with diesel engines, but I assume they face the same reality.

Today's modern diesel engine is built to super tight tolerances. It's all boils down to maximizing efficiency to reduce emissions. Emissions standards need to be pulled back or at least go unchanged for another decade so that technology can catch up.

The EPA kept dialing up emission standards at a very rapid rate. By the time auto manufacturers figured things out, the emissions standards would get tighter and force auto manufacturers to go back to the drawing board.

My hope is that the current EPA will reevaluate and make better decisions going forward that work for all parties involved. For example, EGR is required, but new technology and aftertreatment systems have surpassed the need for EGR.

 

[keithcroshaw]

Massive? Somewhere in my photo library I have a hilarious photo of mine surrounded by fullsizes and 2500 sizes and it looks like that girl on the couch meme...

 

[kb5zcr]

And no one is even talking about in the video at the 8:32 mark, the text on the screen says the 2024 comes with a 3.6 DIESEL.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

And no one is even talking about in the video at the 8:32 mark, the text on the screen says the 2024 comes with a 3.6 DIESEL.

MSN......what does one expect. Likely AI generated. The half dozen or so YouTube videos are actually good.

 

[ChrisNLA]

Why? The engines are among the highest rated out there

I guess folks like us will have to be the 'brainwashed' ones.

I told my ole lady I'd like her to get a new body Grand Cherokee L.

One of my arguments was literally that I trust the 3.6 PUG and the 8 speed more than most the other offerings on the market

 

[Batterycap]

Yeah, you'll never get it. Your vision is skewed by the internet and internet lore.

I get it. I'm not influenced by the Stellantis propaganda mill, nor am I paid to comment. Who am I supposed to believe, you or my lying eyes?

 

[OldSarge]

The oil filter housing is only a problem with abuse in most cases........... yes, heat and age, but still, show me a modern engine without "known issue" - and an oil filter housing is extremely minor. I don't really consider that to be a problem in the grand scheme of things. At least use something that is of some bigger concern. (even at that, a lot of these go the distance with the original oil filter rigging. And if it breaks, you simply replace it.)

The filter housing base is plastic and not so easily replaced - very poor choice. As I said, I'm glad you like the power plant, and I agree other manufacturers are not perfect. I expect Gladiator sales will continue to languish with the current choices of engines. Drive a Bronco and you'll be amazed at how much better the drive train is.

There are reasons I own 2 Gladiators, but the 3.6 is not one of them.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Drive a Bronco and you'll be amazed at how much better the drive train is.

Better is subjective in your context.
Better in what way?
The whole drivetrain? That includes engine, transmission, drive shafts and differentials/axles.
You are saying the whole thing is better? How?
Are you referring to power only?
Amazed? How? It would take a lot more power to "amaze" me - the rest, can't see a Ford transmission being better than the ZF which is smooth as silk and rarely fails.
How are the Ford differentials and axles better?

But again, you are comparing a solid axle TRUCK to an "SUV" with IFS.

 

[Stan H]

Better is subjective in your context.
Better in what way?
The whole drivetrain? That includes engine, transmission, drive shafts and differentials/axles.
You are saying the whole thing is better? How?
Are you referring to power only?
Amazed? How? It would take a lot more power to "amaze" me - the rest, can't see a Ford transmission being better than the ZF which is smooth as silk and rarely fails.
How are the Ford differentials and axles better?

But again, you are comparing a solid axle TRUCK to an "SUV" with IFS.

The Broncos aren't as good off road as a Jeep , why just recently a IFS Broncos rolled on its side and a Gladiator winched it out .
The 2.7eco-boost feature a powerful engine built to go many miles "IF" the rubber belt as wide as your pinky finger doesn't start cracking. At around 100k miles it starts to show cracks and could pop leaving ypu seconds to shut down before catastrophic damage is done to the engine.
Look to each their own . I got 130k on mine Engine runs good. I dont care what brand you go with it will have problems the Fird transmissions had a lot of priblem way more than the ZF's.
The aftermarket world for Jeep is the strongest in the entire World period !!!
No other vehicle on the planet are more parts and upgrade or just life style change pieces available than for the Jeep.
As a mattef if fact those parts stretch clear back to the early years of Jeep.
Again no other vehicle has that kind of aftermarket support. Ya want to know why ??
Because Jeep's are cool and the rest are just trying to grab a piece of the market .
Jeeps rock Fords suck. The End.

 

[OldSarge]

Better is subjective in your context.
Better in what way?
The whole drivetrain? That includes engine, transmission, drive shafts and differentials/axles.
You are saying the whole thing is better? How?
Are you referring to power only?
Amazed? How? It would take a lot more power to "amaze" me - the rest, can't see a Ford transmission being better than the ZF which is smooth as silk and rarely fails.
How are the Ford differentials and axles better?

But again, you are comparing a solid axle TRUCK to an "SUV" with IFS.

The powertrain. that's what my comment was about. Go drive it then reply. I'd be curious of your thoughts afterwards.

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